Amelia POV
Holding the phone to my ear, I could feel his sharp gaze sweeping back and forth around my face. Have I said something wrong? I thought inwardly. “So, when are you flying back to Arizona?” She asked. I blinked my eyes severally, then slowly turned my head sideways to look at him for words. He barely nodded, and I secretly sighed before blurting out, “Soon mom, I'll be back to Arizona very soon” I assured with my heart racing very fast inside my chest. “Not just you Kiara, you're coming back with Alexander, isn't it?” I pursued my lips, without looking at his face this time, “Sure mom. I've something to tend to now, talk to you later,” I quickly hung up to save myself from further humiliation. Releasing a deep sigh of relief, I stretched forth his phone to him, but he wasn't collecting it. I gulped down my salivary, I knew it, I'd said nonsense over the phone, haven't I? Raising my head slowly in embarrassment, I noticed that the corners of his mouth were curled into a smile, and his cold face looked gorgeous. “Thank you” He uttered softly, I swallowed subconsciously then nodded my head. “I'll do anything to help. Granny had done much more for me, this is just the least I could do, sir” I expressed, smiling confidently.
He gave a slight hum, then kicked off the engine and began to drive slowly into the street. “So, what's your discipline?” He questioned curiously, without turning his gaze away from the road. “Law” I answered gently. He gave a nasal sound, then further questioned, “Why do you like Law?” Upon hearing his question, a sense of elation descended on me. I love to discuss my discipline with anyone who illustrates interest in speaking with me. I readjusted on the passenger seat, then began, “Law is a fascinating and broad discipline. It also enables you to better understand human behavior and our society” I explained elatedly while I tossed my hair behind an ear. “As you listen to people's stories, it will become a lot easier to empathize with them and understand their feelings, reasons, and struggles” I concluded, but he didn't give any reaction to all I've just said. I bite down my lower lip, maybe I've said beyond his expectations. Taking a low breath, I leaned back in the seat and stared out the window.
Half an hour later, we arrived at the magnificent mansion. After he parked the car carefully in the spacious garage, he got down from the vehicle and I also did the same. He began to walk away thereafter, without looking back to see whether I was following him or not. I fixed my eyes on his receding figure, what has suddenly come over him just now? Was he not the same man asking about my discipline some moments ago? I shook my head abruptly, not wanting to dwell on his thoughts too much. Arriving inside the living room. He, Granny, and an unfamiliar face were standing, “Oh, welcome dear. Come, come” Granny beamed, beckoning me to come forward. As I walked, I passed by himself and the unfamiliar face whose gaze was firmly lounging on my body. “Kiara?” I heard him mumble, I twisted my lips as though I just understood why he was staring at me. Granny held my wrist as soon as I got beside her, “This is Amelia and not Kiara” Granny corrected patiently, but the man still look like he was never going to recover from the shock. “Anyway Mack, I'm pleased to announce to you that Alexander and Amelia are getting married soon” My blood felt freezing in my body in an instant as my heart leap into my throat. No, I never thought this would be happening so soon. “What did you just say, Granny?” He roared in a low, menacing voice. Granny peeked at my face, let go of my wrist, and strode to where he was standing.
“You're getting married to Amelia, grandson. Why did I have to repeat myself? I've always told you about this several times before” Granny reacted, her back was to me, and Mr. Alexander was facing her, meaning that only his face could be seen. He shook his helplessly then spoke up, “She's not Kiara, Granny. I can't get married to any other lady if not Kiara” He said in a trembling voice, obviously restraining himself from crying out. Immediately, I felt compassion toward him and at the same time, I was stunned by his sudden change in behavior. He was looking indifferent and cold just a moment ago and now, he was looking susceptible. Could this be the power of love? “But she looks like Kiara, isn't she? As time goes on you'll feel something for Amelia, something much stronger than what you felt toward Kiara” Granny said calmly, but Granny's words seemed to anger him, the flames in his heart could be seen clearly in his eyes, almost burning Granny into ashes. I was startled by the coldness in his eyes myself. “Over my dead body” He growled through clenched teeth and with that, he stormed off, taking the stairs in two.
I silently disclosed a sigh of relief. He's looking tougher than that lunatic, Callie's boyfriend. “I think we'll have to give him some time, Granny” Mack spoke up the moment his figure was out of sight. “What do you mean, Mack? How many more times do I have to grant him again?” Granny scowled in a fit of rage. Mack stayed silent, waiting for her next words. The atmosphere was so depressing. “You're his friend, Mack. You better talk to him as soon as possible” After finishing her words, Granny spun around and walked away. Now, it was just the two of us, standing in the middle of the enormous living room and staring at each other, as if in a stalemate. Cutting off the stare he asked, “Your name again, please” I didn't respond immediately, it was as if I was processing his question then later answered, “Amelia” He hummed, walking toward a long settee then sat down, “Come sit beside me, Amelia” He exhorted with an appealing smile, tapping his hand repeatedly on the sofa. I nodded off, then moved myself to sit beside him. I waited patiently for him to speak up. However, he was not uttering any word instead his eyes were penetrating my face. “I hope you don't mind me staring at you this much, Amelia” He spoke up after a long while, but I couldn't find a word to reply. “If truly Kiara is alive, then I wish for both of you to meet someday. Only then you'll understand the reason behind my stares” He continued, and I just squeezed out a smile. Another silence emanated, but it was short this time, “Hmm… Do you like Alexander?” Those were the words that he pronounced first. I lifted my head to look at his face, “No, what am I asking? Alexander is always liked by everyone. He has the looks that could bring anyone he laid his eyes on to their doom” He sneered confidently, and I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes at that moment. When I had thought he was a bit different. “Do you like to get married to him?” He asked. I stared at his cute face without saying a word. He smiled, “You can tell me, I would have loved for you to get to know me first but as it is, there's no time on our side. So, we need to act fast” I arched my brows confused, what does he mean by act fast?
It was as if he heard my thoughts, he leaned forward and whispered, “This secret will only remain between you, me, and Alexander” I blinked my eyes twice and looked at his face. “What secret?” I murmured. “You answer me first, do you wish to get married to Alexander?” He asked again, indicating that he was going to keep asking this until I answer him. I shook my head as tears blurred my vision, “I don't want to, but my hands are tied. I have to get married to him for the sake of Granny” I confessed, the tears rolling down my cheeks on their accord. “Yeah, I saw that coming. So, you mean you don't feel anything toward the almighty Alexander?” He joked, and I was forced to giggle, “No, I'm serious. Do you have a boyfriend?” I shook my head quickly, “No” He didn't say anything thereafter but peered in my face as if he wanted to find out something from me. “You're in love with someone else, aren't you?” He taunted, sitting back. I frowned, “No, not at all. I'm not in love with anybody” I told him vigorously, but he keeps smirking. “Keep lying to yourself, darling” He winked, and I just pursed my lips, morosely. “I'm going now. We'll have to meet again soon, so we can discuss the scheme” He got on his feet after he completed his words. I stood up as well, “Aren't you going to see him before leaving?” I reminded him, he tilted his head to look at me and smiled. “Don't dare go near him soon, you wouldn't like the consequence” He advised then finally turned away. With my mouth hung open, I look at his back view disappearing out the door.