Chapter 219 088
HE peeked into his phone, his eyebrows creased, noticing it was a message from Amelia, his face lit up.
Finally.
“It’s her. She just texted,” he announced to his friends who had been looking at him.
“Good,” Julian said.
“Nice one. Check it out,” Marcus joined.
Quickly, Charles’ thumbs hovered over the screen for a second too long. He blinked, then looked up at his friends, the gleam of excitement he had moments ago completely gone.
“This woman,” he muttered, voice low and tight, “is gradually getting on my nerves.”
Julian laughed, leaning back in his chair.
“Getting on your nerves? Bro, what happened? Did she send you a burning message or something?”
Charles shook his head slowly, disbelief written all over his face.
“No… can you imagine this?” He cleared his throat, reading aloud, “She says… ‘Sorry I haven’t been picking up your calls, I’m very busy. Call tomorrow within 11.’” He looked up, incredulous. “Seriously? She is now giving me a… a time window to call her?”
Marcus snorted, shaking his head.
“Man… that is bold.”
Julian chuckled again.
“Bold? Yeah. She has always been one bold woman though, but that’s… that is calculated.” He smirked. “She is teaching you patience. Or just showing you who really is in charge.”
Charles groaned, leaning his head back against the chair.
“I sent her out on that vacation, and now I try to reach her, a simple reply, a text, anything… and she gives me a schedule? A schedule! Can you believe this?”
Marcus leaned forward, elbow on the table.
“Bro, maybe you should have just left her alone for a bit. Don’t push. Let her have her space.”
Charles’ hands clenched on his knees.
“Space? I funded the trip, okay? I sent her away. I wanted her to relax, to have no worries… and now she is… she is controlling when I can talk to her?!”
Julian laughed again, louder this time.
“Man, you really don’t get it, do you? That is her way of saying ‘I’m not your puppet.’”
Marcus smirked.
“And hold on? What's with this ‘I funded the trip, I sent her away’ bla bla, now it sounds literally. The only thing you have ever done for her, is fund this trip. Can you give it a chill? Please,” he was now sounding irritated.
Charles groaned again, covering his face with one hand.
“I… I just… I can’t believe this. This is… maddening.”
Julian leaned closer, elbows on the table.
“Bro, relax. Don’t let it get to you. Just call her tomorrow within the time she said, and boom, you are probably back in business.”
Charles peeked at his phone again. The message was still there, teasing him, a simple little reminder that he wasn’t in control.
Marcus shook his head and laughed.
“Honestly, bro… she is smart. You are learning the hard way.”
Charles muttered under his breath.
“Learning what the hard way? Don't even start.”
Julian clapped him on the shoulder, grinning.
“Hey, cheer up. At least she replied, right? That is progress.”
Charles glanced at the screen once more, feeling a mix of frustration and begrudging admiration.
“Progress… sure. But who gives a fiancé a time slot for a call?”
Marcus shrugged.
“Apparently, she does.”
Julian laughed, raising his glass.
“To Amelia— teaching men patience since forever.”
Charles groaned, muttering again, but a reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
“This woman… she is unbelievable.”
And with that, the three of them returned to their drinks, the bar’s music filling the air, while Charles stared at his phone once more, already dreading and anticipating the next day in equal measure.
The golden hues of the evening stretched lazily across the Bahamas skyline, painting the water in soft streaks of orange and pink. Amelia stepped down the familiar corridor toward the bar, her heart lighter than it had been in weeks. The air smelled faintly of salt and cocktails, mingled with the laughter of other guests winding down from the day.
She spotted Ifeanyi immediately, leaning slightly against the bar counter, polishing a glass with practiced ease. The moment their eyes met, a small smile spread across his face, and hers responded in kind.
“Beautiful evening,” he greeted warmly, his voice carrying just enough charm to make her feel at home.
“Evening,” she replied, settling into her usual spot on the high stool. “Busy night?”
He shook his head, a soft laugh escaping.
“Not too bad. Things are calmer now that the sun is down.”
Their conversation drifted naturally, as it always did. They spoke about favorite books, music playing in the background, cultural differences among guests, and even travel destinations they dreamt of visiting.
“I have always wanted to see Kyoto during cherry blossom season,” Amelia said, leaning forward slightly.
Ifeanyi’s eyes lit up.
“That is beautiful. Japan is amazing in spring. I have only read about it, though.”
“You should go,” she encouraged. “You would love it.”
He nodded, a faint chuckle escaping.
“Maybe one day.”
They talked about local dishes, laughing over culinary disasters in their past attempts to cook foreign recipes, then seamlessly moved to storytelling traditions from different cultures. Amelia noticed, again, how effortless it was to be around him. He never pried, never asked about her personal life, and never intruded where she didn’t offer space.
As the last of the guests trickled out, Ifeanyi glanced at the clock.
“Shift is over,” he said with a soft smile. “Early tonight.”
Amelia’s lips curved up.
“Lucky you.”
He straightened, a playful glint in his eye.
“Well… since I’m free now… would you like to take a walk along the lit beachfront?”
Her heart gave a quiet skip. She didn’t hesitate this time.
“I would like that,” she said simply.
His smile widened, almost like a child who had been given the best gift.
They stepped out together, the evening breeze carrying the faint scent of the sea, mingling with the soft lights along the promenade, their laughter blending with the gentle lapping of the waves.