The First Storm
756 Words
Chapter 3 — The First Storm Hits
Amelia woke up earlier than usual, the soft morning light slipping through the curtains of her room. Today was her first official day visiting Chris at Blackwell Holdings as his fiancée. The thought alone made her stomach twist—half in nerves, half in fear of the whispers she would face.
She chose a simple white blouse and a pastel blue skirt. Nothing flashy. Nothing that would draw attention. But attention would come anyway. Especially because of who she was marrying.
After breakfast, a sleek black car arrived—sent by Chris.
The driver opened the door. “Miss Hart, Mr. Blackwell asked me to bring you directly to his office.”
Her heart fluttered. Chris wanted her there. On purpose.
At Blackwell Holdings
The moment Amelia stepped inside, everything went silent again. Eyes followed her. Some curious. Some jealous. Some straight-up hostile.
Lena Rivers, the sharp-tongued receptionist, plastered on a fake smile.
“Oh, the future Mrs. Blackwell,” Lena said sweetly. “Lovely outfit. Very… humble.”
Amelia swallowed the insult. “Thank you.”
Lena leaned closer. “Just so you know… the last woman who tried to get close to Mr. Blackwell didn’t last a week.”
Amelia blinked. “W-Why?”
Lena smirked. “Because Chris doesn’t do relationships.”
Before Amelia could respond, a deep voice cut through the air.
“Is there a problem?”
Chris.
Lena straightened immediately. “N-No, sir. Just greeting your guest.”
Chris’s cold gaze swept over her before landing on Amelia—softer, almost worried.
“Come with me,” he said.
He placed a hand on Amelia’s back—light, barely there, but protective.
And everyone saw it.
Whispers erupted behind them.
Inside His Office
Once the door closed, Chris sighed. “I told you. People here can be… unpleasant.”
“I can handle it,” Amelia said quietly.
He turned to her, surprised. “I know you can.”
Amelia’s cheeks warmed.
Then someone barged into the office. Again.
Bianca.
Wearing a tight emerald dress and an expression full of irritation.
“There you are, Chris! You didn’t answer my calls. And you—” she glared at Amelia— “why are you even here?”
Chris’s jaw flexed. “Because I invited her.”
Bianca blinked. “You… what?”
“I invited my fiancée to spend the day here.”
Bianca let out a dramatic laugh. “Chris, darling, she isn’t built for this place. Look at her—she’ll cry if someone raises their voice.”
Amelia straightened. “I’m not as weak as you think.”
Bianca’s eyes narrowed. “We’ll see.”
She turned to Chris. “The gala fitting is today. You promised to go with me.”
Chris shook his head. “I said I’d attend. I never said with whom.”
Bianca’s face fell.
“I’m going with Amelia,” he said firmly.
Amelia froze. Bianca gasped.
“You’re choosing her over me?” Bianca hissed.
Chris didn’t answer. He didn’t need to.
Bianca stormed out, slamming the door so hard the glass trembled.
Amelia turned to Chris slowly. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yes,” Chris replied, meeting her eyes. “I did.”
For a moment, the room felt warmer.
A Sudden Twist
Just as Amelia felt herself relax, Evan—the COO and Chris’s closest friend—entered the office.
“Chris, you need to see this,” he said, handing him a tablet.
Chris’s eyes darkened instantly.
“What is it?” Amelia asked.
Evan hesitated. “Someone leaked a rumor online.”
Chris handed her the tablet.
Her breath caught.
“AMELIA HART — THE GOLD DIGGER CEO CHRIS BLACKWELL IS BEING FORCED TO MARRY?”
Amelia’s throat tightened. “W-What…?”
“That’s not all,” Evan said. “The posts came from an anonymous account. But the IP address is close to—”
He paused, glancing at Chris.
Chris’s eyes were sharp enough to cut glass.
“Say it,” Chris demanded.
“…Bianca,” Evan finished.
Amelia’s heart dropped.
Bianca had started a public humiliation campaign. Against her.
Chris stood tall, dangerous calm settling over him.
“She wants war?” he said softly. “Fine.”
He turned to Amelia—eyes burning.
“No one touches you,” he said, voice low. “Not even family.”
Amelia felt something shift inside her.
Not fear. Not confusion.
But trust.
- Writer
