Chapter 22

“SO, ALEXANDER, do you have plans on expanding your winery business internationally?” One of the businessmen that attended the charity event for children in the orphanage asked Alexander. “You’ve reached your goal nationwide. Why don’t you try to bring your wines to the other country?”

Alexander smiled and glanced simply on his wristwatch. He’s been in this group of businessmen for hours, talking about a corporate industry that never caught his attention ever since he forced himself to go out of the vineyard and faced the marketing.

“I do have plans for exporting Montefort Wines in selected countries. Maybe on a midsummer in next year,” he said, even though they really haven’t talked about the exporting factor. “Exporting is a bit complicated, but we’re working on it.”

He looked around the event hall, hoping to see Amara around to excuse himself from this table. But he couldn’t find her everywhere. Where did Esperanza bring her? Because her step-mom was one of the event organizers here, Alexander thought it’s safe to let Amara come with him. It’s her first time to go out of the hacienda after the plane accident, but before, she was always present in any event that Esperanza participated in.

“I saw you with your wife earlier. Where is she? I wanted to see her.” The sophisticated woman sitting across him said. “I heard that you’ve got a beautiful wife.”

“That’s true. Alexander’s wife is not just beautiful, but very attractive,” Mr. Santos agreed from what the woman told him.

Alexander felt uncomfortable with what the old businessman commented about his wife. The delivery of his words sounded offensive and malicious for him, as Amara’s husband. “I didn’t know that you’ve met my wife, Mr. Santos.”

The old man turned to him. “Esperanza introduced her to me a while ago,” he said, suppressing a smile of mischief. “And, I guess, that’s what they’re doing now. Your mother was very eager to introduce your wife to every businessman here.”

Alexander clenched his jaw, but he still forced to smile as a show of respect. These people are potential investors that the winery will need to expand and survive in the local market. “Esperanza is not my mother; she’s just my step-mom,” he corrected, then raised from his seat. “Excuse me, I have to find my wife.”

Alexander left the table of fake people and looked for Amara. He doesn’t like what he heard from Mr. Santos. And, to know that Esperanza was with her made Alexander worried. His step-mom doesn’t really have plans on sparing Amara to her old habits. He clenched his fist. The woman revealed her true colors after his father’s death. And, that was also the beginning of his sufferings. Alexander also suspected that she was the one that influenced Amara with everything.

He was about to look for Amara in the comfort room when his eyes caught the shining intricate details of her serpentine gown from the corner. She was talking with David, the sugarcane winery owner in Ilocos. Alexander’s brows were drawn together when he noticed the man’s hand pulling her. Without having a second thought, he marched his way towards their direction.

“What are the things that you wanted to discuss with my wife, Mr. Carvajal?” he asked, then grabbed Amara's hand. “And, do you mind if you let go of her hand?”

The man looked at him but didn’t let go of Amara’s hand. “Alexander Montefort,” he said with a hint of sarcasm. “It’s nice to meet you again.”

Amara pulled her hand from the man and went on Alexander’s side. She looked upset upon seeing him arrived. Alexander looked at David sharply. “What do you need from my wife?”

David smirked. “I thought Amara wanted to know about the basic wines that I make,” he said, then looked at Amara. “Right, Amara?”

Amara scooted closer to him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She clung to his arm. Alexander felt that her hand is trembling. “I don’t even know you.”

“You don’t know me, Amara?” David looked at his wife knowingly. “Are you sure about that?”

“My wife lost her memories because of the accident,” he said in a stern voice and held her hand on his arm. “Whatever business you have with her is lost now.”

“Then, I will make her remember,” David told him without hesitation. “Amara—”

“Who gave you permission to call my wife in her first name?” Alexander asked the man on a knotted forehead. “Are you that close to each other?”

“I don’t know him, Alexander…” Amara held on his arm tightly. “I don’t know him. Esperanza just brought me here—”

“Not now, Amara,” he cut off and gave her a warning look. “Not now.”

Amara looked at him questioningly. “I don’t understand…” she said, then looked at David. “Should I know you?”

The man just smiled at Amara, and Alexander found it disrespectful. “It looks like that I’m missing something here?” he asked, pointing to Amara.

But to Alexander’s surprise, Amara met his gaze with furrowed brows. “So am I. I have amnesia,” she replied sarcastically and looked at David with an arched brow. “Who are you? Are we friends?”

“Let’s go.” Alexander dragged her away from David before the man could answer her. As soon as they reached the deserted hallway, Amara pulled back her hand from him.

“Why did you just drag me away?” she asked in furrowed brows. “You should’ve let me knocked out the truth from that guy.” She blew her breath frustratingly. “He’s so arrogant. He’s getting on my nerves!”

“He’s one of your lovers,” he said without hesitation. “Maybe more than that, Amara…” His chest tightened. “With the way he looks at you, it seemed that you’ve had spent time with him—”

“I don’t know him,” Amara cut off. “We just met, Esperanza introduced him to me—”

“You just forgot about him,” Alexander corrected. He looked away from her when he saw the confusion in her face. “I pull you away from them because I’m afraid that he might answer your question and tell the truth in front of my face.”

“If he did, I would punch him straight in the face,” Amara said. “And you, you shouldn’t letting them talk to you like that—” She stopped, and after a few seconds, she fell silent. “I’m sorry…”

Alexander paused and gave her a puzzled look. “I feel like I am talking with a different person,” he said as he studied her face. “But, I understand, Amara…”

His wife looked up at her surprisingly. Her eyes were wide open as if what he said was out of this world. “You’re such…” She paused. “You’re such an idiot man to accept a woman like me as your wife!” she said and burst into tears. “Why the heavens have to create a good man like you?”

“Amara…” Alexander doesn’t know how he will hold her. It’s the first time that he saw his wife cried like this. “Amara…”

“Alexander.” She clutched on his arm and looked straight into his eyes. Tears continued to fall from her eyes. “Alexander…” She looked hesitant to continue. “I… I wanted to go home.”

***