“How about you, Mr. Alexander? Do you support the idea?” She asked me, their eyes peering into mine in anticipation. I let my gaze stay on her for a moment, then suddenly blurted, “Do you want this marriage now?” Her face twitched to a frown, “Why do I have this feeling that you truly want this marriage but just keep pretending like you don't?” I continued, sounding so serious. Immediately, the big smile that was dazzling on her face disappeared at once. “Why would I want the marriage when I'm not Kiara?” She withdrew her gaze from my face and asked lowly. “But if there were no Kiara, you would have wanted him, right?” Mack poked fun at her, “No, I wouldn't. I'm afraid Mr. Alexander is not my variety” She declared openly, casting no glance at my side. Mack let out a discreet cough but dared not raise his head to look at me. Furrowing my brows deeper, I stared at her with interest. 'She may be looking so much like Kiara, but their demeanor is never looking alike' “So. What do you say, Alex?” Mack's voice interrupted my thoughts. I continued to stare at her, who in turn was already toying with her cellphone, pretending she didn't see my gaze. I stayed silent with a lot of thoughts running through my mind. Looking back at Mack, “How long will the whole fake marriage take before it ends?” I asked him, cursing my bitter life in my heart. “All in your hands, boss. It's more like how long do you want Granny's happiness to last?" I threw a dangerous glance at him, and he pursued his lips, shutting up immediately. I got on my feet abruptly, “Prepare her ticket and mine between now and tomorrow. We are flying to Arizona in two days” I notified then turned around immediately without waiting for their opinions or inquiry.
In the villa…
Everybody was present at the dining table. She, Granny, and me, and also the head of the maids, standing behind Granny's seat. I've been looking down at my meal since the moment it has been placed in my front, without touching it. Slowly, I raised my head to look at Granny, but it appeared that she'd been avoiding eye contact with me, and not only that, she was willing not to talk to me again until I agree to the marriage proposal. Releasing a short rueful sigh, I let my gaze travel to her face, satisfactory and contentment were written all over her face as she took every bite of her food. Foolish girl. Resting my elbow on the table and burying my forehead in my palm, “I'll do what you want, Granny” I announced, swallowing hard. I shut my eyes in my palm, preferring not to look up at anyone at that moment. “You'll do what?” Granny asked after a momentary silence. Heaving a deep breath and lifted my head to face Granny. My throat constricted, and I swallowed again, “I'll get married to her” My voice was hoarse and extremely low. Hearing my few words, a trace of a cheerful smile appeared on Granny's face, and seeing her smile at me after a long time, I felt my heart gladden. Scampering her seat backward, she got on her feet and turned around to my seat. “That's a good decision you've made, grandson,” She said to me, rubbing my cheek and having a broad smile on her face. I just lowered my head. 'Never in my life have I ever thought of getting married to someone I don't love, but now, it's happening' “Thank you so much, Amelia” Granny told her with a deep sense of gratitude. I huffed silently and raising my head to see a trace of a smile plastered on her lips. “So Marian,” Walking around the dining table, Granny called the head of the maid's name, “I would like us to begin the marriage plans as soon as…” “I don't want a grand wedding, Granny” I interrupted her firmly. “And while you begin the wedding plans, we're both flying to Arizona in two days to visit Kiara's mom,” I announced, my voice was deep and dull but extraordinarily firm. Granny's expression didn't change as she continued to nod her head, “Do you plan to invite her to the wedding?” Pursing my lips, “I haven't come up with a plan yet, Granny. However, she will be Kiara in her eyes and I don't want that to change, at least not so soon” I said what was in my mind, steadying my gaze on the head of the maid's face as she seemed to have something to say. “I would like you to say your mind, Marian,” I said softly, and she heaved up her head, but not looking in my direction. “I'm just curious sir, what if the woman gets to know soon that Miss Amelia isn't Miss Kiara?” Nibbling at my lower lip, my fingers gently on the table rhythmically, thinking about my next words.
“I mean, she's a mother who nursed and raised her child. Miss Amelia and Miss Kiara may look so much alike, but their character can never be the same. What I'm saying is that, there's a high possibility that this woman will decipher the difference between Miss Amelia and her own daughter” Hearing this, everyone in the room exchanged a glance, “She's right, sir” Amelia mumbled, and everywhere fell in silence at once. Releasing a deep sigh, “Let's do it like this then” Granny broke the silence and all eyes quickly settled on her. “While you and Amelia travel to Arizona, I'll make sure to bring Amelia's supposed mother to the hospital she had claimed she adopted Amelia from. By doing that, I hope we shall be able to reveal the truth” Nodding my head in total agreement, “That's a great idea, Granny” I said with a half-smile then stood up, glancing at my untouched meal. “Bring Amelia to a saloon tomorrow, Marian” She looked up at my face, a slight frown etched on her forehead. “Her hair needs to be colored black” Her eyes popped up immediately as she sprang to her feet, “That won't be necessary sir, I love my hair in blonde,” She said quickly, looking down at the table. “I didn't ask for your opinion. Whether you like it or not, you're dying your hair and, moreover, haven't I warned you not to talk back or question me?” I asked with a scowl, hiding my smile at how vulnerable she looked now. I'm sure she wouldn't say anything further, not when Granny is still standing. “You need to work on your temper now, Alex. Don't scare her away” Granny advised, and I let out a little laugh, “You shouldn't worry about this girl, Granny. The only reason she's being silent now is that you're here, she sure knows how to talk back and sharp-mouthed” I said seriously, and she secretly glared at me. I pretend I didn't see it and continued, “Just like you've said earlier Marian, their behavior is entirely different even though they look alike” Completing my words, I strode away.
Standing before us beside the car, Mack handed our tickets to me, then the corners of his mouth curved to a bitter smile. “I'll miss you, bro” He uttered softly. With one of my hands tucked in my trouser pocket, I only stared at him. I was too lazy to replied him. His gaze fell on her beside me and a smile crept on his heart-shaped lips, “Please take good care of Alexander and yourself as well. I'm sure by now you know the kind of man he is, please don't take any offense if he did something horrible” I huffed, “Just shut up and get back to work now” I howled at him. He ignored me, then bent and shared a brief parted hug with her. “Take care of yourself, Amelia, and please be careful” She nodded her head as she managed to squeeze out a smile. Silly. She had been in a vicious mood since her hair has become black color. Who cares, though? Sharing a brief hug with me also, and with a wave, we swiveled around and paced into the airport. Walking with long strides, Amelia suddenly bumped into a man's body. “Ouch!” She yelped silently, rubbing her forehead. She bent to pick her ticket, but the guy whom I speculated to be younger than I am had already picked it, stretching it out for her to collect. “Sorry about that, Miss” He apologized in a gentleman's voice. “It's alright, sir” Receiving the ticket and looking up at him, her eyes widened in shock and disbelief immediately. Switching my gaze to the guy's face, he was looking slightly shocked too. “You?” They both asked in unison. “What are you doing here? Don't tell me you're here to pull your dirty stunt again” Her anger flared in an instant, looking enraged.