Alexander's POV
Looking at Amelia very intently as if this matter was of utmost importance. Out of nervousness, I sneaked a peek at Amelia's face out of the corner of my eyes. Has she found out already? “What happened to your arm, Kiara?” She suddenly asked anxiously, scurrying to her across the table. Grabbing her arm, and grazing a finger on the faded scar, “How did you get this wound? Since when has it been like this?” Secretly heaving a deep sigh of relief, Amelia planted a confident smile on her face and said gently, “You scared me, mom. The scar is nothing, I was being reckless some weeks ago and that was how I got it” Withdrawing her arm, she sat properly, looking away to avoid my gaze. My gaze suddenly locked with Kiara's mom, I gulped and soon looked away from her face. “This scar in your arm isn't recent, Kiara. Tell me, what's going on?” Her voice was stern this time, more like she was becoming suspicious. “That's the truth, aunt. What are you thinking?” I smiled uneasily, raising my chin slightly to look at her. Releasing a long sigh, she scooted a chair and sat beside Amelia. “You wouldn't blame me, Kiara, but you've been acting strange since you got back. It felt like I don't know you anymore” Hearing this, Amelia and I exchanged a glance. “Is there something you're not telling me?” She continued patiently, patting the back of Amelia's hand.
I let out a discreet cough immediately, “Hmm… Aunt” I called tentatively and as soon as she tilted her head to my direction, my lips curled up in displeasure, thinking of what to say. “You want to say something, Handsome?” I nodded sharply, “We're flying back to Texas tomorrow, aunt,” I told her half-heartedly and her eyes broadened directly. “What do you mean by that? Why so soon? Is there a problem?” She asked a series of questions in a breath, looking from my face to Amelia's. Wearing a pleasant smile on my face, “It's nothing much, I've got an urgent call from the Chairman of the Corporation I'm currently projecting with” The words swayed out of my mouth smoothly that I almost applaud myself. Amelia was also staring at me with widened eyes. “Is that so?” She asked sadly, a touch of disappointment flashing across her face. I nodded, “I'm so sorry, aunt. But don't worry, I have a piece of good news for you soon” Finishing my words, I bite down my lower lip, hard. 'What good news?' A smug smile appeared at the corners of her mouth as she said solemnly, “I'm certain it's about your guy's marriage, isn't it?” she continued to nudge Amelia's rib playfully, who was, in turn, rubbing her nape, embarrassed. How I wish she's my Kiara, then I wouldn't have to think about it twice before putting a ring on her finger right here in her mom's presence.
Fifteen months later.
Gulping down another bottle of beer, hoping it would wash away the sorrow in my heart. “Come on now, Alexander, you've drunk a lot already. Your wife and Granny would be so worried about you” Mack said worriedly, shifting the bottles in front of me on the table. Laughing out hysterically, “Wife, my wife? Do I even have a wife?” My speech was slurred, and I was aware of how drunk I've become, still, I wanted to comprehend who Mack was referring to as my wife. Sighing, “It's been a year already, Alexander. By now, you should be feeling something for Amelia and completely forget about Kiara” Giving a few loud hiccups and staring directly into Mack's brown eyes, his words had stabbed me right where it hurt the most. “Come to think of it, how can you be married and not doing anything with your wife?” Struggling to get on my feet but kept falling back in my seat, “Amelia isn't my wife” I made the sound from deep in my chest, dull but extraordinarily firm. “Then who? Kiara?” I didn't respond to him and could finally balance on my feet, which seemed so heavy. “Wake up, Alexander. Kiara is dead, until when will you stop punishing yourself?” He raised his voice, getting on his feet too. Turning around and stumbling out of the bar-room, I had thought drinking myself to a stupor would help me block out my thoughts, but it didn't. Suddenly bumping into someone, I lost my balance and fell to the floor. “Watch your steps, you fool!” The person roared, I opened and closed my mouth several times but couldn't produce a word. “I'm so sorry about that, you can go on your way now” I could tell it was Mack, feeling his hands on my both shoulders, “Please Alexander, this is too much for me to bear. You're a great man, remember? Seeing you like this is so embarrassing, so please get up now” His voice throbbed with emotions. Smirking and pushing my head and nestled against his chest. “I thought I was going to forget about her, Mack” Closing my eyes, his fragrance clouded my nostril. “I thought that pretending to be in love with Amelia in the presence of Granny and staying together in the same room would only make me forget about her, Mack” My words were still slurred, and I felt so heavy, “But no, Mack, I grow in love with her every day. Her image is the only one in my eyes, my profound heart beat strongly only for her, Mack” Sobbing, he patted my back, “It's okay, Alexander, please stop crying” Wrapping my hands around his waist, “Please Mack, look for her, my Kiara isn't dead. Look for her, please”
Opening my eyes slowly, my gaze settled on the familiar ceiling. I didn't know how long I had been asleep, but it felt like a long, never-ending dream. Bracing myself to sit up, a sharp pain suddenly flashed in my forehead. Groaning inwardly, I held my head tightly and also shut my eyes to take in the pain. Hearing the creaking sound of the door, I opened my eyes to see Amelia fully dressed for work, holding a tray of food with a dignified smile on her face as she walked gracefully toward the bed. “Good morning, sir. I hope you had a good night's rest?” I raised my head slightly to study her expression, she had a cheeky smile on her face. I frowned deeply, 'What's wrong with her? She's definitely going off-limit, the plan is to act only when Granny is present. So, what's up with her glossy smile when Granny isn't even here?' “I've brought your breakfast, dear husband. Breakfast in bed” She winked cutely, setting the dishes on the bed, in front of me. 'Husband? What's going on? What has suddenly gotten over her?' Planting her ass on the bed, close to me, “Also, I've brought pain reliever pills, it would help kill the severe headache” Her reasoning was cogent, her words were dripping with honey making them pleasant to the ear. Furrowing my brows deeper, I stared at her intently, wishing I could open her mind and see what was in it. “How do you know I'm having a headache?” I asked her directly, my gaze still sweeping back and forth on her face. She tossed her blonde hair behind an ear and said cautiously, “You were completely exhausted and worn out last night, so I knew you would wake up to a severe headache this morning” Sucking a deep breath, everything suddenly replayed in my head. How I'd gone out with Mack last night, how drunk I became, and how he'd managed to bring me back home.
I gulped, discarding my gaze from her face. “I hope I didn't make any crazy attempt last night,” I asked, avoiding her gaze. “I don't understand” Looking back at her face, “Quit the pretense Amelia, I remember everything now” I scowled, raising my voice a little. Her face drooped, staring at me, sympathetically. “You tried to, sir, you kept addressing me as Kiara and wanted to have your way with me” Pursuing her lips, her eyes were filled with tears. Instantaneously, I became highly strung up as I subconsciously readjusted on the bed. “But glimpsing my helpless tears, you let go of me and even pleaded earnestly” This time, her tears were now rolling down her cheeks freely. Damn! I did that? Moved by her tears, I snuggled her into my arms, stroking her back tenderly. “I'm sorry, Amelia” I muttered, “No, sir, it's not your fault. And I hope we find Kiara soon because even I believe she's still alive” She said resolutely in my chest, my lips curled up in a light smile, directly. “Uhm… Uhm” Granny's discreet cough made me disengage from the embrace. “I'm sorry I had to ruin the sweet moment, just came to check on you, Alexander” Her smile remained undiminished, “I'm sorry I got you all worried last night, I…” “It will be alright, grandson. Mack had explained everything to me” I glanced at Amelia, but she only smiled. 'What did Mack explain?' “But haven't I told you to never hesitate to share both the good and bad news concerning the Corporations” She reprimanded, yet, had a bright smile on her face. I'm confident this is because she met Amelia and me in such a posture. “I'm sorry, Granny, I just don't like to worry you” Stooping, she planted a soft kiss on my forehead. “Not only me grandson, and also your wife” She corrected, I nodded tentatively, pursuing my lips. “I should leave both of you now. You both know how much I'm craving grandchildren” She teased, winked at Amelia then spun around and left the room.
“I want to believe you're okay now?” asked Mack for the second time. I leaned back in my seat, gazing at the Television, which was showing a popular business channel. “What's the project lead saying about the project launch?” I asked instead, not wanting to dwell on the topic. My gaze was still lingering on the TV when Kiara's picture suddenly appeared. She was having her usual bright smile while shaking hands with some men wrapped in a business suit on the TV. A despair mood descended on me, I miss you so much, Kiara. Don't just appear to me in TV shows, just appear to me in reality. “Why does this lady look so much like Kiara?” Mack's voice wiped me out of my thoughts, I peeked at his face, however, his gaze was dwelling on the TV. Abruptly, I sprang to my feet, my chest heaving up and down, and having a close look at the lady on the TV, it was really Kiara. So, it wasn't an illusion or hallucination? “Kiara!” I screamed, hurrying out of my office. It was as if an electric current had traveled throughout my body, stimulating every cell in my body.