Chapter 103 Take Your Own Advice
Amelia’s tone shifted slightly. “What woman?”
“She said her name is Celia.”
There was silence after Rebecca said that but then she cleared her throat and continued slowly, replaying the moment in her head.
“She asked if Derek was home. When I said no, she said I should tell him that she stopped by… and that it’s been a long time. That they need to talk.”
Amelia let out a soft hum. “And?”
“And?” Rebecca repeated. “Amelia, she knew my name. She said she had heard a lot about me. The way she looked at me…” She exhaled. “It felt like she was measuring me.”
Amelia sighed gently. “Rebecca, breathe.”
“I am breathing,” Rebecca said with a sigh.
“You’re overthinking.”
Rebecca walked toward the window, wrapping one arm around herself. “You didn’t see her. She was… confident. Too confident. Like she had a place here.”
“Maybe she’s an old colleague,” Amelia said casually. “Or a family friend. Derek had a life before you, you know.”
“I know that,” Rebecca said quickly. “I’m not being unreasonable.”
“And I didn’t say you were.”
Rebecca leaned her forehead lightly against the cool glass. “It just felt strange.”
Amelia’s voice softened. “Did she say anything inappropriate?”
“No.”
“Did she disrespect you?”
“No.”
“Then for now, it’s just a woman who knows Derek and stopped by.”
Rebecca was quiet but she wasn't sure she was letting any of what Amelia was saying into her head.
As though Amelia could read her mind, she continued, “Derek has been courting you properly for two weeks now. Flowers. Surprise lunches. That dinner date last Friday that made you blush for hours.”
Rebecca felt heat rise to her cheeks even now. “That was different.”
“Exactly,” Amelia said. “That man is head over heels for you. You think he’d risk that?”
Rebecca knew Amelia had a point. Derek had changed. There was no pretending about it anymore. He looked at her like she mattered. Like she was his world. Still… something felt unsettled.
“I just wish he had mentioned her before,” Rebecca murmured.
“Then ask him,” Amelia replied simply. “Don’t build stories in your head.”
Rebecca exhaled slowly. “Maybe you’re right.”
“I’m always right.”
That made Rebecca smile faintly. There was a short pause before Rebecca asked, “How are things with… Mr. R?”
Amelia groaned softly. “Don’t start.”
Rebecca’s tone lightened slightly. “What? You were just lecturing me about overthinking. Now it’s your turn.”
Amelia shifted on the other end of the call. “We’re fine. We talk every day. He’s sweet. He listens. He remembers small things.”
“That’s good.”
“Yes, but…” Amelia hesitated.
“But what?”
“I’m meeting him in a month.”
Rebecca straightened slightly. “Finally. I'm happy you're finally meeting him but why does it sound like you're not happy about it?”
“I don't know... I’m just scared,” Amelia admitted quietly.
Rebecca’s voice softened. “Why?”
“What if he’s not what I imagine? What if I see him and I just… don’t feel anything? Or worse, what if he sees me and loses interest?”
Rebecca frowned. “Why would he lose interest?”
“You know why,” Amelia said with a small, humorless laugh. “I don’t exactly have men lining up for me in real life.”
“That’s not true.”
“It kind of is.”
Rebecca moved back to the sofa and sat down. “Amelia, listen to me.”
Amelia stayed quiet.
“I don't know what you think but I think the earlier you meet him, the better,” Rebecca said gently. “If he meets your expectations, good. If he doesn’t, at least you’ll know. You won’t waste more time building a fantasy that you'd end up letting go.”
“It’s not that easy,” Amelia whispered.
“Why not?”
“Because… what if he’s the only one who has shown real interest in me in a long time?” Amelia’s voice cracked slightly. “What if I lose this and there’s nothing else?”
Rebecca’s heart tightened.
Amelia continued softly, “With him, I feel wanted. I feel chosen. Even if it’s just through a screen. Do you know how rare that feels for me?”
Rebecca closed her eyes briefly. She understood that feeling more than she wanted to admit.
“I don’t want to lose that,” Amelia added.
Rebecca spoke carefully. “You won’t lose it if it’s real.”
“And if it’s not?”
“Then you deserve something better, I assure you.”
There was silence between them. Rebecca’s voice was calm but firm. “You deserve a man who looks at you in real life and still chooses you. Not just words on a phone. Not just ‘Mr. R.’ without a real name.”
Amelia let out a weak laugh. “When you say it like that, it sounds ridiculous.”
“It is a little ridiculous,” Rebecca teased gently. “You don’t even know his real name.”
“Maybe. But I know his heart,” Amelia protested softly.
Rebecca smiled sadly. “He might be wonderful. I’m not saying he isn’t. I’m just saying… don’t be afraid of the truth. The truth sets you free faster.”
Amelia went quiet again. After a moment, she said, “You sound braver than you feel.”
Rebecca glanced toward the door unconsciously.
“You’re still thinking about Celia, aren’t you?” Amelia asked.
“I’m not going to lie. I am.”
“Then do what you’re telling me to do,” Amelia said. “Face it. Ask Derek. Don’t be scared of the answer.”
Rebecca swallowed. It was easier to give advice than to take it.
“I will,” she said softly.
They stayed on the phone a few more minutes, talking about lighter things, but Rebecca’s mind kept drifting.
After the call ended, she sat in silence. Amelia had brushed it off. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe Celia was just a part of Derek’s past.
But as the afternoon light slowly faded and shadows filled the room, the uneasy feeling in Rebecca’s chest remained.
And no matter how many times she tried to calm herself, one thought kept returning.
Why did Celia look at her like that?
By evening, she had given up pretending to focus, she simply waited for Derek to return from work.
When Derek finally returned home, the familiar sound of his car entering the compound made her heart beat faster. She stood quickly, smoothing down her dress unconsciously. A small part of her still expected him to walk in with flowers or that teasing smile he had worn for days now.
The door opened. Derek stepped in, loosening his tie slightly. The moment his eyes found Rebecca, his expression softened instantly.
"Hey," he said warmly. "I miss
ed you today."