Amelia POV
Looking down at my phone in my hand, with my fingers fluttering over the screen. I've sent tons of messages to her, calling her phone at the same time, but she was not picking my calls nor replied to any of my messages. I pressed my lips in a tight line, allowing the tears that had blurred my vision to roll down my cheeks voluntarily. “Please forgive me, Clare” My voice trembled, I lowered my head as more tears flooded my face hysterically. Knock! Knock! Knock! Hearing the knocking sound on the door, I slowly wiped my tears and raised my chin to the door. “Breakfast is ready Amelia, come downstairs” Uncle Samuel announced. I shook my head and shrank back on the bed, “I'm not hungry” I said aloud to his hearing. All that matters to me now is Clare's forgiveness, food is my minor dilemma. I don't even have any appetite.
“What's the problem, Amelia? You've been acting different for some weeks now. Is it because granny will probably be asking for your hand in marriage soon?” Uncle Samuel quizzed, jiggling the doorknob. Listening to his inference, I just scoffed, It doesn't even matter to me anymore. Getting married or not, I don't care any more about it. All that matters to me now is how to earn Clare's forgiveness and how I'm going to deal with that humbug so bad. He's the real culprit behind all these. The more I thought about how I had kissed back that day, the more I despised myself. How could I have lost my senses? I clenched my fists, causing my long nails to cut into the flesh of my palm. Instantly, feeling the sharp pain made me come back to reality. “Open up now, Amelia” Uncle Samuel ordered, but I only stared blankly at the door, having no strength to get off the bed, let alone talk to him. Drawing a deep breath to calm myself down, I lay down on the bed and drew the quilt over my head.
The door opened and closes and I could hear some steps approaching. However, I didn't open my eyes to uphold who it was. “I don't understand her recent behavior these days, granny” Uncle Samuel deplored. Oh my goodness! Granny is here? “Is it related to school activities?” Granny interrogated. I squinted an eye and saw that she was here truly. She was standing before the morose-looking Uncle Samuel, wearing a not too long plaid dress, an Omega wristwatch, and a complete set of sapphire jewelry. Her slight gray hair was styled in a French twist, looking decent and elegant. I shut my eyes tighter, now granny will make sure I spit it out. “No. I don't think so, but whatever it may be, I hope you could talk to her. In fact, she has even refused to eat since this morning” Uncle Samuel further elucidated. I seethed inwardly, resisting the impulse to get up and tell him to stop talking. He knew how dramatic granny can be, she likes to make a mountain out of a molehill. “Are you sure she's not sick, Mr. Samuel?” Granny asked, the next moment, the quilt swiftly pulled away from my body, I stiffened but the feelings of her hands against my leg softened my features. “Her temperature is quite okay” She mumbled, moving closer and examining my forehead. “Mr. Samuel” She suddenly called out, “Yes, granny”
“Get a maid to pack up a few of Amelia's clothes, she's going to the mansion with me” Granny instructed, instantly, my eyes flew open. What? I gradually rose, twitching my eyes while I sat up to face granny. “Oh my, you are awake?” She beamed with smiles, reached out, and took my hands. “What happened? Are you okay? Mr. Samuel told me you've been acting strange these days, is there a matter you want to share with me?” Her eyes were tendered, staring at my face with anticipation. I put on a reassuring smile and shook my head decisively. “I'm alright Granny, don't mind Mr. Samuel” She held my chin, “You can tell me anything, Amelia” I folded my lips, how I wish I can tell open up to her, but I really can't. I'm still surprised I could easily open up to the head of maids when she'd questioned me. “Amelia…” I raised my head to look at her, with a smile on my lips. “I'm fine Granny, I'm serious” She didn't say another but stared at my face in silence, “Alright then, if you insist. But you should get ready, you are coming with me now” She said in a domineering manner, not allowing me the chance to protest. “I'll be waiting for you in the living room” She smiled softly and with that, she got on her feet and I look at her back view disappearing out the door. I released a rueful sigh and pondered it for a moment, then I came to realize that she's also going through a lot. I understand how sadden she would be about the disappearance of her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Thinking about that night, I couldn't help but feel sorry for her grandson. Mr. Samuel and I were dressed and patiently waiting for Granny's grandson to come to pick us as granny had said, but the next news took me aback. Granny told me over the phone that there would be no dinner that his grandson couldn't find his girl. That was epic. I've never heard of such a situation before. Taking two deep breaths, I regained my composure. I better start preparing already.
Arriving at Granny's mansion, my eyes, and mouth had widened in amazement. The car hasn't stopped yet but with the slight view from inside the car, one could tell it wasn't just a mansion but a castle. Soon, the car rolled to a stop in the parking lot, where other luxurious cars were parking. “Come on dear,” Granny urged, the door was opened by the driver for her. She had gotten off the car. However, I couldn't make a move as if my feet were stuck. Suddenly, my side door was pushed open, I looked up and realized that it was the driver. Nervously, I slide off the car then moved toward Granny, who had a cheeky smile on her face. “You don't have to be afraid of anything, Amelia” She persuaded, but I couldn't help my anxiety. Passing through the front yard villa which was covered with a large lawn with green and soft grass, there was a rockery beside the plants with water rushing through it. Below that was a pool filled with ornamental fish, peculiar-looking green fish with long tails. They looked like some rare, valuable species. In the front, there was a round table, four rattan chairs, and a parasol.
Arm in arm, we passed through the front yard to the door villa. Setting my foot into the magnificent living room, a low gasp escaped my mouth. This place is so beautiful! The curtains, wallpapers, the marble floor, they were all matching in color. The crystal chandelier which was hung down from the center of the ceiling illuminated the room and looked dazzling. “Feel at home, dear. Let me go check on Alexander” Granny said then walked past me, heading to the zigzag staircase. Can I ever have a homely feeling here? “Amelia!” Turning around swiftly to see the head of maids, coming out of a place I don't have an idea about. She had a glossy smile on her lips so did I, she got to where I was and pulled me into her embrace. “Oh dear, you're finally here” She cooed into my ear. I just smiled against her shoulder, she was a bit taller than me. We both pulled away from the brief hug, simultaneously. “I hope you're going to like your stay here,” She said with a beam, I shook my head sideways, “No ma'am, I'm not staying for long. Probably just to spend my short break” I explained, she frowned and pursued her lips causing me to chuckle. “Nonetheless, I still hope you'd love your stay here” I nodded happily. Firmly, there's this indescribable emotion that emerged in my heart whenever I'm with her. Soon, we were both lost in staring at each other with a pleasing smile on our lips when the creaked sound of the door cut off our long stare.
The head of maids pulled away completely from me, then bowed slightly in the direction of the door. “Where's Granny?” The masculine voice asked, his voice was so deep and domineering. Without lifting her head, “Granny had gone upstairs, sir” She answered, politely. During this time, my back was to this unknown man. “And who's this?” He suddenly inquired, I inhaled and exhaled sharply then properly turn around to answer his question. Oh, it was him. The man from the portraits, Granny's grandson. He was wearing casual clothes, unlike the pictures where he was wearing suits. He looks quite younger in real life; however, his frigid face was just like that of the pictures, lacking any warmth. “Hello, sir. I'm…” “Kiara?” His voice interrupted me mid-sentence. Huh? I slowly lifted my head to look at him and to my surprise, his cold face had been replaced with a glassy smile. “Kiara, is that you?” He ran up to me giddily, holding my chin in his palms and staring into my face as though he'd just retrieved a lost item.