Chapter 11
1433 Words
Amelia stepped out of the building and into the warm evening air, she was tired, all she wanted to do was crawl up in bed and hide, she was so glad it was the weekend. She adjusted the strap of her bag already planning the fastest route to the subway when she saw the black car parked at the curb.
Amelia’s steps faltered, she wasn’t in the mood for company, she angled her body slightly, hoping to slip past without being noticed but the passenger window on the far side rolled down.
“Where do you think you’re going, young lady?”
The voice stopped her mid step. Amelia turned on her heel and found Travis watching her from the back seat, one arm resting along the open window, with a smirk on his face
"You look like you were caught stealing"
He clearly found this funny, why had she even taken this place and what the hell was he doing in the car, Amelia was thinking of the best way to explain herself when he spoke again
“Get in the car,”
She didn’t have it in her to argue, without a word, she walked over and slid into the back seat beside him trying her best to avoid eye contact.
“Good evening, Miss Grant,” Andre said, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.
“Good evening, Andre,” she replied her voice barely above a whisper
She could feel Travis looking at her she kept looking at her lap like something interesting had suddenly appeared there, beside her Travis cleared his throat
"Why didn't you wait for Andre to pick you up this morning?"
Amelia blinked, she had not been expecting that question, what was she supposed to say. Travis shifted beside her.
“I’m thinking of taking you to dinner.”
She looked up at him in confusion even though she clearly heard what he had said "I'm lost"
Travis smirked "Ofc you are, you're lost in my eyes"
Amelia doubled over stifling laughter, that was the most cheesiest thing she'd ever heard, she looked at Andre and noticed he was laughing too, Travis looked at her amusement written all over his face "What?!"
"Did you just try to rizz me?" Amelia asked amidst laughter
"But I thought it was good, Andre c'mon man, tell her "
Andre shook his head "You're in this alone, that was the worst thing I'd ever heard" Andre was finding it so hard to not laugh, he had to keep his eyes on the road.
"Whatever" Travis finally says.
"So, dinner?" He asks after everything settles down, Amelia still stunned doesn't reply, looking at him she can tell that he's nervous because he starts to ramble
"You can pick the time and the place. If you don’t want to, it’s fine, I just thought it would be a nice way to… pay you for what you’ve been doing.”
He paused, frowning slightly. “No. I don’t mean pay you. I mean—” He trailed off, clearly searching for better words.
Amelia watched him, a small flicker of amusement on her facez, there was something almost endearing about the way he always found it hard to talk while she was around.
She glanced at the time on her phone, trying to calculate how long it would take to convince him.
It would take time, she didn't need much time to get dressed.
“Lemme see, anything eight ish or nine ish,” she said finally. “I should be free by then.”
Travis nodded, the relief on his face noticable. “Alright.”
They drove the rest of the way in silence.
Few hours later, Amelia stood in front of her father’s house, she used her key to let herself in, she felt so tense, she stepped inside and almost immediately spotted a middle-aged woman dusting the living room.
“Abby!”
The older woman turned, and her face lit up. “Miss Amelia! Oh, look at you. How have you been?”
Amelia crossed the room and hugged her tightly. “I’m fine. Really. I missed you so much.”
Abby pulled back, studying her with fond eyes. “You hardly come around anymore.”
Amelia gave a small shrug. “I’ve been busy.”
Abby’s expression softened with understanding, then brightened again. “I saw the news. Congratulations.”
The word landed like a stone, Amelia’s smile faltered as she was reminded for the cause of her visit
“Where’s my dad?” she asked quietly.
Abby’s face grew more careful. She pointed toward the study. “He’s in there.”
Amelia nodded, squared her shoulders, and walked down the hall, outside the study door she paused, drew in a deep breath, then pushed it open, her father stood by the floor to ceiling shelves, a book in his hand, the moment the door clicked shut behind her, he looked up.
“Hi, Dad.”
He set the book down with reckless abandon “What is this I’m hearing, Amelia? What is this I’m seeing everywhere?”
"Nice to see you too dad" Amelia replied sarcastically
"Don't do that young woman, don't you dare act like that"
“Dad, calm down. Let me explain.”
“An engagement?” His voice rose, sharp and loud “An engagement to our rival’s son? I raised you better than this.”
Amelia swallowed, this was exactly why she had never told him where she was interning. She had known how deeply he hated the Hills but the company had simply been the best opportunity, so she had kept it quiet. Now the consequences were standing right in front of her.
Instead of defending herself, she lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry, sir.”
“This is not about you being sorry,” he snapped. “What do you want me to tell the board? What do you want me to tell the shareholders? That my own daughter is engaged to my rival’s son?”
Amelia exhaled slowly, she had forgotten how quickly his temper could flare or maybe she had just hoped he would be different this time, this was the same anger Cecilia had never been able to tolerate.
The same raised voice that had filled their childhood whenever they disappointed him. She was used to it but that didn’t mean it still didn’t cut.
Her eyes began to sting she blinked hard, refusing to let the tears fall. She would not give him the satisfaction.
“Dad… it’s just an engagement,” she said carefully.
“Just?” His voice sharpened. “Just you say!”
She immediately backtracked. “There’s nothing I can do about it. It’s something I can simply walk away from.”
“You could have told me you wanted to get married,” he said, pacing now. “I would have found you the most eligible bachelor in the city. But no — you had to do this behind my back.”
Amelia almost smirked she knew this script by heart, first came the shouting, then the scolding, then the offer and if she refused the offer… the punishment.
Right on cue, his tone shifted.
“Break it off,” he said. “Break it off with him, and I will help you with whatever forced you into this. Whatever problem you have I will solve it.”
There it was, Amelia felt a hollow ache open in her chest all she wanted was to get out of this room, out of this house, and make it to dinner without falling apart.
“I’m sorry,” she said quietly, “but I can’t.”
His face darkened. “What about school? Have you even thought about your studies?”
“I’m capable of handling school, my internship, and an engagement,” she replied, forcing her voice to stay steady. “I’m not a child.”
The words landed poorly she saw the anger rise in his face again, the familiar flush of temper, panic flickered through her, it was at times like this she missed her mother the most, she would have supported her, she didn’t have time for another full explosion.
At least not tonight, she still had to meet Travis, she didn't want to be late not on their first date, did she just, no, it sure wasn't a date but whatever it was she didn't want to be late.
Before her father could speak again, she did the only thing that had ever shortened these conversations.
“Fine.”
- Writer
