Somewhere in Between

Chapter 7: This is too much

(Albert's POV)

I arrived at the Young Family Villa after a long day. Our whole family is in chaos, blaming one another for Amy's disappearance. Mother and father were in a constant argument about this whole arranged marriage thing. My sister, Ella, is nagging me for tolerating Amy's relationship with Troy and pointing out that she got a 'rebellious behavior' because of him. The Smiths pulled out their investment, canceled the prospected partnership, and suppressing us in the market, causing the company in complete turmoil.

Before I left the company, I received a call from Troy telling me that he found Amy and she's now staying in their household. He also told me that Amy had amnesia because of an accident and is still recuperating. I decided not to tell anything to my parents, not that I'm disclosing this information to them, but it's to protect Amy from my mother and Ella's plans.

Father and I were always against the idea of arranged marriage. Amy is the youngest, so dad and I were very protective of her. We believed that she should live a life free to choose who she spends her whole life with.

We knew that Amy has a daring personality. When she was little, she would climb up the tree to get some fresh air while reading a book. She would run around the garden, playing hide and seek with the guards, and sneak out just to dance in the rain. She was always interested in horseback riding and goes out with dad for a ride. Mom would always reprimand her for going home with soiled clothes, stressing out that it's very 'unladylike'.

When she turned fifteen, mom became strict with her, not allowing her to hang out with dad and me and overwhelm her with tutors for manners and etiquette. Since then, I haven't seen the outgoing Amy who would laugh her heart out.

Not until Troy came to her life. He brought back the Amy dad and I once knew.

"It was for her sake!" Mom yelled at dad as I entered the house. It seems that they were arguing again about Amy.

"You shouldn't have pushed her. Now we don't even know where she is. This is all because of craving for more status in society! Now, you get what you wish for." Dad stormed out to the study.

"You're a hypocrite if you tell me you don't want that as well!" Mother bawled at him but dad ignored her making her more furious than before.

I followed dad to the study knowing that he's been worried sick for my younger sister. I locked the door upon entering the study room and approached dad.

"Dad, Troy found her." I then recalled to him what Troy told me over the phone. "Should I follow her there?"

"No, son." Dad refuted, "I can't afford for you not to be in the company. The Smiths were suppressing us in the market and I need all the help that I can get right now."

I understood dad's concern and I nodded at him in response.

"Your mom and sister shouldn't know about this," he warned me, "she should stay for a while with Troy and his family. If your mom finds out about this, she would do everything to get Amy back and push through the marriage."

"I understand, dad."

"And if Troy wanted to marry her, tell him to do so. So that when she returns, her mom can't do anything about it." What dad just said left me flabbergasted.

Is he seriously willing to give Amy to Troy?

I'm just hearing things, right?

Dad, this is too much.

***

After I showered and changed into my pajamas, I rested myself on my bed. I'm contemplating if I should call Troy and talk to Amy. I miss my little sister so much that I wanted to listen to her voice but I was afraid that I will put on so much pressure to her since she wasn't able to recall her memories. But maybe talking to her would refresh some of her memories.

After weighing the pros and cons, I decided to call Troy. Looking at the time, it must be morning in Seoul now.

"Hey, Al." Troy greeted.

"What's up? Is Amy with you?" I asked.

"It's your brother." I overheard Troy over the phone.

"I have a brother?" I heard Amy's excited voice that seemed to have discovered something new about her. I could imagine how her eyes lit up.

"Al, I'll turn on the video so that you can see Amy," Troy told as we both turned on the video. He passed the phone to Amy.

I looked at her on the phone and I laughed to see the reaction that I have expected.

"So, you are my brother." She affirmatively stated. "We indeed are look alike."

"Hello, baby sis. How are you?" I waved my hand at her. Even with her memories gone, it seemed like I'm still talking to the old Amy. Not the well-behaved Amy, but the little girl Amy who was used in sneaking out and running around. It seemed like her accident is a blessing in disguise after all.

"I'm fine. Troy's been telling me a lot about you. All good things." She jokingly assured.

"I know that Troy will not say anything bad about me. If not for me, you would not be together." I boldly uttered.

"I assume that I have over-confidence in my blood as I could see it in you. But we can only settle that claim once I regain my memory." She cheekily replied.

"Yes, so you should regain your memories as soon as possible." I snorted. "Now that I know you're doing well, let me speak to Troy."

She handed the phone to Troy and Troy turned off the video.

"Al."

"Troy, dad and I talked about the situation. Amy should stay with you for a while we settle things here in the US." I informed him about what dad and I talked about in the study.

"Take good care of my sister, bro. I'll seriously kill you if something bad will happen to her again." I threatened and he responded me with a chuckle.

"Oh, by the way, Troy," I suddenly remembered what dad told me that night that left me in shock.

"Dad said if you wanted to marry Amy, please do so."

I heard a complete silence from the other line. Surely, he was also dumbfounded as I was. "Bro, I'm not kidding. Dad really said that."