Chapter 20

"Well, I don't think I can hate you and I also don't think you'd do something so bad to make me hate you," Xavier replied.

She sighed; the words were at the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't get them out.

"Deception is something I really hate, cara. But if there's something I need to know, please tell me," he requested calmly.

"Nothing, I was just asking," she said and rested her head on his chest.

Today was his birthday so she shouldn't ruin it for him.

"We have a function to attend tomorrow," he announced.

"Okay," she replied, dryly. Tomorrow, she would muster enough courage and tell him the truth.

Amanda stood before the mirror as she got dressed for the function. Isobel wouldn't stop calling her, Perhaps Alisha was...she fought back that thought. Even if Alisha was back, she would not give up on Xavier.

She was clad in a simple, strapless gown of indigo satin, tight at the bust, snug at the hip and thigh. The skirt flared just below the knee into a swirling blue cloud. The matching stiletto shoes made her appear taller and more elegant.

She sat at the dressing table and swept her hair into a loose bun. Behind her reflection on the mirror, the door opened. Xavier walked in wearing a navy-blue suit. The gold buckles on the shoes shone.

Amanda drank in every line of him.

Their eyes met in the mirror.

"You look lovely," se said, softy, advancing.

He halted behind her, his fingers dipping into the pocket of his jacket. A glittering necklace appeared.

Amanda watched as Xavier draped it about her neck.

Amanda touched it, awed. "It's so beautiful."

He bent and kissed her bare shoulder, sending a delicious shrill over her skin.

"I'm glad you like it, Amore. I love you, you're my life"

Her heart squeezed so painfully; she was sure it was bleeding.

"I have something to tell you when we get back," she muttered.

He stared at his watch. "I still have a few minutes to spare. What is it?"

Telling him would just ruin his mood for the function so she turned around and hugged him.

"It's very important, so when we get back, I'll tell you,” she assured him.

Xavier glanced at his wife from where he stood with some board members.

She had been so quiet since they left the house, and he knew that was a habit she had anytime she was disturbed.

He excused himself and walked up to her, he sat beside her taking her hands in his.

"Are you okay? I know something's bothering you. You can talk to me, cuore mio," he urged.

"It's nothing, Xavier," she replied.

All she could think of right now was telling him the truth tonight.

"I know you aren’t okay, cara. Are you feeling uncomfortable? I can try to speed things up with my business associates so we could go home"

She nodded and forced a smile out of her.

Xavier squeezed her hands tenderly, stood up and walked away.

Amanda sighed trying not to be too anxious, but she couldn't help it.

Her phone beeped, she stared at it...it was a text from Miguel.

'I'm at the back of the hall. Let's meet up. I won't take much of your time, I have something to tell you.'

Yes. She should meet up with him and make it clear to him one last time that she would not leave Xavier.

She stood up and walked out of the hall.

As she came by the back of the hall, it was deserted. She looked around wondering where he was.

Suddenly a big hand clamped over her mouth. She fought blindly with the person, but she was being dragged away from the hall. She was pushed into a car.

As she tried to scurry out. A man she had never seen before held her tightly.

"Let me go! Who the hell are you?" she screamed frantically.

The door opened and her heart fell when she saw who getting into the car...wearing the same dress as her.

"Hello, dear sister," Alisha said and shut the door.

"You...when...?"

"What? Cat got your tongue, bitch?"

"Don't call me that!" Amanda slammed back.

"That's what you are for staying with my husband all this while."

"It's not my fault! You ran off. I met him because of you!"

"I left because I wanted him to know my worth. All this while I thought he was facing the humiliation of being stood up at the altar. Little did I know that my sister took my place," Alisha thundered.

"It was never my intention to take your place. Mother—"

"Stop lying, you slut! When I saw pictures of you and my husband on dates. Do you know how I felt with the way he was staring at you? I had to come home right away. It was not your intention, but you didn't pick up mother's calls. Not even once."

"I don't need to; I don't care how you feel about this, but I'm the one he loves."

A slap came across Amanda's face. She struggled fruitlessly with the man holding her but his grip on her arms was too strong.

"I'm sure you haven't told him the truth yet, so I'm back to take my place. I'm angry as hell that you might've been fucking my husband, but I'm grateful to you, Amanda...thank you for making him a perfect husband for me"

Tears rolled down Amanda's cheeks. "He won't want to be with you, I'm the one he loves, I'm going to tell him the truth," she cried.

"Oh no, you won't."

"Let me go!" Amanda yelled.

"Shut her up!" Alisha ordered.

The man slammed a gun to her temple and pain ripped through her head. She swayed, dizzy and nauseated, then her head spun into oblivion.

Alisha smirked then pulled off the ring from Amanda's finger, she slid it into her ring finger.

Her gaze caught the necklace, she unclamped it and wore it over her neck.

"I'm sure you know where to take her to, right?"

"Yes ma'am"

Alisha got down from the car and headed for the hall.

As she walked in, she saw Xavier from afar, as soon as his gaze met hers, he started walking up to her.

"I was looking for you, just give me a few more minutes and we'll head home," he requested.

She nodded.

He pulled her into his arms and whispered.

"I love you."

Alisha's heart jumped. 'My man,' she thought triumphantly.