Broken Together

Chapter 12: Secrets

CHAPTER 12

 AMELIA

 I woke up to the smell of coffee. I sat on my bed and looked around the room. Vincent’s car keys on my bedside table and I sighed in relief, knowing that he hasn’t left. Just as I was getting out of bed, Vincent strides inside my room carrying two mugs in his hands. 

“Good morning.” He greeted, smiling handsomely. 

I can’t help but smile back, “Good morning. Why are you so up early?” I asked. 

“I’m surprised that 8am is too early for you.” He stated as he hands me the mug.

“What?!” I shifted to look at my clock and it is past 8am. I immediately rose from my bed, set the coffee mug on my table. “Why didn’t you wake me?!” 

“I did. Repeatedly, but you won’t wake up.” He stated as he sat down on my bed and sipped his coffee. I rushed to my bathroom, brushed my teeth, tied my hair in a bun and splashed water on my face. Rummaging through my closet to look for something to wear when I realized that I’m only wearing my underwear. I turned around and Vincent is lying on my bed, arms crisscrossed behind his head, watching me.

“Can you... turn around or leave the room please? So, I can change.” I said, trying to cover my body with my hands. 

He smirked at me, showcasing his dimples. “No. I’m enjoying the view.” 

“Vincent!” I exclaimed. He’s so annoying, yet he makes me smile. 

He chuckled, then rose from the bed and stalks towards me. “After all we did, you still feel embarrassed?” He said as he paused in front of me. 

He stares at my breast and I quickly spun around from him. “Stop looking at my breast!” I said, chastising him.

“I’m sorry,” he chuckled, then added, “I can’t help it.” He then walked out of the room and I can’t help but smile. 

Vincent dropped me off at the bookstore because he said that he needs to meet someone about a business. Once he drove away, I stood outside and I feel different now; I feel somewhat free and light. 

I entered the bookstore and head towards the counter where my usual spot is. I don’t see Aunt Claire anywhere, so I continue to do my work when a girl wearing glasses approached me.

“You’re Mel, right?” She asked. 

“Hmm yeah.” I responded, smiling politely at her. 

She smiled back and extends her hand to me, “Nice to meet you. My name is Michelle and I’m working here from now on.” She explained as we shake hands.

“Oh, Aunt Claire didn’t mention that she’ll get another employee.” 

“About that...” she handed me a white envelope, “Your Aunt wanted me to give you this.” She gave me a slight smile and left. 

I opened the envelope with my name written on it. 

Amelia, 

 I’m sorry that I have to do this to you, but I would have to let you go. I already hired Michelle to replace you. 

Your Uncle insisted on this decision. 

Just know that you can always contact me if you need anything. 

Aunt Claire

I can’t believe this. I am speechless. 

I looked up, and I watch Michelle happily welcomed two individuals as they came in. Crumpling the paper in my hand, I grabbed my things, and I rushed past Michelle and the two people she’s talking to. Aunt Claire fired me just because Uncle Mac said so?! 

I walked the streets, arms-crossed and pissed off. The restaurant that I’m working at will soon close and I got fired by my Aunt. How am I supposed to pay for my rent and everything else? 

I saw a group of people lining up at a structure and I noticed a sign that says, Gallery. My curiosity gets the best of me, and since I don’t know where to go; I lined up.

After half an hour, I stepped inside a spacious gallery filled with photographs on its white walls. As I wandered inside, I noticed a certain photo that caught my eye. It’s a simple picture really, but something about it that makes me feel sad and alone.

“Amelia?” someone asked, and it made me spin around to find Andrew standing a few feet from me.

“Oh, hi.” I smiled at him and he smiled back, then he noticed the picture that I’m staring at.

“It’s beautiful, right?” He inquired.

I stared back at the picture, “Yeah. It… it’s like it’s validating your feelings.” I responded.

“It does.” He agreed, and we stared at that photo for a few minutes when he said, “What are you doing here, by the way?” He asked politely.

I shifted to face him, “Well… I’m just looking around. Hoping to find a job around the area and I just ended up here.”

“Oh.” He replied, pursing his lips together.

“I need to go. It’s nice seeing you.” I went when he uttered.

“You can work here.”

I glanced around the Gallery and then back to him, “Here? What would be my job here?” I asked.

He put his hands on his hips as he looked around, “We’ll find something.” He said, smirking.

“I ahm…” Well, I shouldn’t be picky anymore, right? I desperately need a job anyway, and if he’s offering me the job, I shouldn’t pass up the opportunity. “Shouldn’t we let the owner decide?” I quizzed him.

He smirked and crossed his arms in front of him, “The owner says you’re hired.”

I gawked at him for a few minutes, then I realized, “You’re the owner?”

He chuckled, then he nodded yes.

I left the Gallery feeling much better now that I have a new job. Andrew informed me he’ll pay me just enough for my expenses, plus he said that he can teach me more about photography. I’m kind of interested in the art of taking pictures, just like I’m interested in books. As I walk back to my apartment, my phone rang. I slide open without looking at who’s calling, “Hello?”

“Where are you?” Vincent asked through the phone.

“I’m surprised you need to ask. Don’t you usually know where I am?” I asked, teasing him. 

“Go home. I’ll meet you there.” He directed.

I rolled my eyes at him, even though he can’t see me. He’s still overbearing, but I will not argue with him about that right now because I’m in a great mood. “Okay.” I responded.

We stayed on the line for a few minutes, not saying anything else. Then Vincent spoke, “I want to see you.” He whispered, and it made my heart skip a beat. I can’t help but smile, and there’s no denying that I want to see him too.

“I want to see you too.” I replied softly.

“I’ll see you soon.” He said and I can hear him smile through the phone then he hung up.

 VINCENT

 I don’t know what I’m doing, but after last night; I know deep in my soul that I had to have her. When I woke up this morning, with her sleeping soundly next to me, I questioned myself why I stayed over because it’s something that I don’t do. After s*x, I leave or I make them leave, depends on where we are. Amelia rolled over to my side and I watch her chest go up and down as she breathes, her eyes flutter and her lips… her irresistible lips that just begs to be kissed. Then I realized that there’s no way in hell that I’ll ever be able to leave her side.

 After dropping her off at the bookstore, I headed back to my house to meet my business partner, Margot. I’m planning to invest in real estate business since I know that it’s good business and I haven’t purchased a land or a property for a long time.

After meeting Margot and signed a few documents about a certain land that I’m planning to buy, Gustav approached me while I’m in my study.

“Sir. Ms Hale is at the Gallery with sir Andrew.” He reported carefully like he’s defusing a bomb and he’s goddamn right.

I rose from my chair, grabbed my keys from Gustav’s hand and stride right past him, “I won’t be needing you.” I said to Gustav and left the room. 

I chose the fastest car that I have. I opened the door of my SCC Tuatara, climb inside it, started the engine and drove as soon as my garage door opened. 

Walking around the Gallery, fortunately; I don’t see Amelia anywhere. I took out my phone from my pocket and dialed her number. When she answered, her voice alone woke up my senses.

“Hello?” She said on the other line.

I asked her where she is, and she teased me about me knowing where she is. She’s right, though. I can easily locate her by tracking her phone, but I don’t have time for that right now. We stayed on the line for a few minutes saying nothing, and I don’t have any idea what I should say. This is a first. Then suddenly, the words “I want to see you.” Rolled out of my f*****g mouth without a warning.

But the thing that blew the air out of my lungs is when she replied, “I want to see you too.” I can’t help but smile just hearing those words from her and I know that it’s too cheesy even for me, but something about her voice mixed with those words sends me into a frenzy. I ended the call by telling her I’ll see her soon then suddenly; I saw Andrew talking to some girl and I immediately walked over to them.

“Andrew.” I said, not caring if I’m being rude to the woman he’s talking to. He turned to face me and his expression changed right away when he saw me.

 “Vincent.” He replied with that f*****g mama’s boy face.

“What did you say to Amelia?” I demanded.

He crossed his arms in front of me and smirked. “What do you think?”

 I grabbed his collar, “Don’t you f*****g tell her anything.” I warned him.

He still has that smug shitty look on his face, “Let go of me or else I’ll tell her you came here and forced me to not hire her.” He retorted and I swear my fist wanted to f*****g wipe that stupid smile on his face because he knows I don’t want Amelia to get mad at me.

I let go of him, but I maintained my posture. “I’m warning you, if you’re planning on something that will hurt her, I’ll f*****g end you.” I turned around and stride past the on lookers leaving Andrew standing there.

He knows he has something against me he can use to ruin what I just started with Amelia, and I won’t let him f*****g do that.