Chapter 163 032
THE resort had been everything Amelia needed without knowing she needed it— quiet mornings, muted laughter, and the kind of calm that seeped slowly into the bones.
Her office stood.
It was a modest space for a CEO, intentionally so. The wide glass window behind the desk overlooked the skyline, sunlight streaming in generously, reflecting off polished surfaces. There were no unnecessary decorations, just clean lines, a framed photograph turned discreetly face-down, a potted plant in the corner, and shelves neatly arranged with files and a few awards that spoke quietly of achievement.
Behind the desk sat Amelia.
Impeccably dressed as always, she wore a fitted blazer over a silk blouse, her hair pulled back neatly, makeup minimal but precise. She looked every bit the woman who owned the room without trying. One manicured hand held her phone to her ear while the other toyed absently with a pen on the desk.
Seated opposite her, legs crossed elegantly, was Clara.
Clara leaned back slightly in the chair, arms folded loosely, watching her best friend with knowing eyes. She recognized that smile, she had seen it years ago, back when Amelia still believed in fairy tales without disclaimers.
“You received it right?” Amelia asked into the phone, her voice warm, softening at the edges.
“Yes, honey. I did,” came the voice from the other end. “I am so grateful, my love. What exactly can I do without you, huh?”
Amelia giggled, a sound so light it almost surprised her.
“Oh please. Just stop it,” she said, twirling the pen between her fingers. “You know all I want for you is your happiness. Your growth. Nothing but that.”
Across the desk, Clara tilted her head, lips curling into an amused smile. She watched as Amelia’s shoulders relaxed, watched the way she leaned back slightly in her chair like a girl being courted for the first time.
“I know, my love,” the voice continued. “And that’s the sole reason I would never joke with you, toy with your heart, or play silly games.”
Amelia’s smile widened, warmth flooding her features.
“It’s fine, Charles,” she said, lifting her index finger and pointing it playfully into the air as if he were standing right there. “Get on. Do whatever you want to do and show me results.”
“Sure, my lady,” he replied smoothly. “Results you shall see. Soon.”
“Okay—”
“But honestly,” he added, his tone shifting, grounding, “I’m grateful. Very grateful.”
She felt it, that sincerity she always wanted to believe in. Her smile softened, reaching her eyes.
“Thank you for being grateful,” she said quietly. “Now I have to get back to work, hun. We will talk later.”
“Sad reality,” he joked.
She laughed.
“But what more can I say? We will talk later, mademoiselle. Ciao.”
“Bye.”
The line went dead.
Amelia slowly lowered her phone onto the desk, the faintest smile still lingering on her lips.
“Hmph,” Clara said immediately.
Amelia laughed shyly, lowering her gaze and busying herself with the pen on her desk as though it suddenly required her full attention.
Clara laughed outright.
“Can you imagine?” she teased. “She is even avoiding my eyes. Wow!”
“Oh, Clara, please,” Amelia said, waving her off. “It’s not that deep.”
“Not that deep?” Clara repeated, leaning forward, elbows resting on her knees. “You were giggling like a teenager who just got her first love note.”
Amelia finally looked up, rolling her eyes.
“You exaggerate too much.”
“Do I?” Clara asked, smirking. “Because from where I’m sitting, you just hung up with a man who has you glowing.”
Amelia sighed, surrendering.
“Okay, maybe I am… happy.”
Clara clapped softly.
“Finally! That is all I wanted to hear.” She glanced around the office again. “By the way, I still can’t believe work had to drag me all the way here before I got to see you. A whole proposal and I wasn’t even in the same city.”
Amelia laughed.
“You act like you didn’t call me every other day.”
“That is not the same,” Clara replied. “I should have been here. Sitting right here. Looking at you in the eyes when you told me.”
“Well, now you are here,” Amelia said gently. “And you even got yourself a suite. You might as well enjoy the resort.”
“Oh, trust me,” Clara said. “I intend to. But first, I needed to see you.”
Amelia smiled at that.
“So,” Clara continued, tilting her head, “tell me. How is he really?”
Amelia didn’t hesitate.
“Charles is… good. He is loving. Caring. Very attentive.”
Clara watched her closely.
“And?”
“And he is truthful,” Amelia added quickly. “He doesn’t cheat. He communicates, at least, he tries to.”
Clara raised an eyebrow.
“That sounded rehearsed.”
Amelia laughed lightly.
“I’m just saying, compared to Adrian—”
“Ah,” Clara interrupted knowingly. “There it is.”
“Compared to Adrian,” Amelia continued, “Charles is… present. He makes me feel seen.”
Clara nodded slowly.
“Feeling seen matters.”
“It does,” Amelia agreed. “After everything, I deserve that.”
“You do,” Clara said softly. Then she leaned back. “Speaking of everything… Leonard crossed my mind this morning.”
Amelia’s expression shifted.
“Really?”
“Briefly,” Clara said with a shrug. “Mostly because of the boys.”
Amelia smiled.
“How are they?”
“They are fine,” Clara replied. “Growing too fast. Asking questions I don’t always have answers to.”
Amelia nodded in understanding.
“They always do.”
“And you?” Clara added. “How are your kids adjusting to all this?”
“They are… managing,” Amelia said carefully. “Hazel is observant as always. The twins are just happy when there is peace.”
Clara smiled faintly.
“You are doing well, Amelia.”
Amelia exhaled.
“I hope so.”
A brief pause settled between them before Amelia tilted her head mischievously.
“So,” she said, “what about you? Any plans for a man in your life?”
Clara burst out laughing.
“Absolutely not.”
“Come on,” Amelia teased. “Not even considering it?”
“I’m okay,” Clara said firmly, still smiling. “Truly. I don’t need any man to feel complete.”
Amelia laughed.
“Fair enough.”
“I have my boys, my work, and my peace,” Clara added. “That’s enough.”
They both laughed, the sound easy and familiar.
Just then, Amelia’s phone began to ring on the desk.
She glanced at the screen.
“Hold that thought,” she said.