Amelia's Code

Episode One:The Invitation

It's sunset; and the alluring scents of the blossoming magnolias. The interior flooded as the curtains were drawn, and the French windows opened to let in the cool breeze into the large ballroom. The beautiful glow of soft light emanating from the delicately ornamented crystal hanging lamps was just right for the prestigious New Yorkers present. This was an engagement celebration, a classy event with charismatic individuals, to say the least: it was to be the wedding of two richest families in America, both of whom are great conglomerates.

A certain young damsel with black hair and glasses, who sat at the extreme end of the room was Amelia Haverford, who seemingly looked completely composed as if nothing could stress her, but her heart was in turmoil like a hurricane. The piece she wore was lovely and exquisite, hugging her body as she sat all by herself. She was a beauty to behold! Still, the turmoil within her was very overwhelming; this was to be a celebration of her engagement and she was ‘wedding’ a man she had no atom of affection for.

More than once, she would scan the room and her gaze would set on him: a tall man with a huge frame and black greasy hair – for obvious reason he looked the part of a real ‘playmaker,’ the embodiment of the sphere of a wealthy and sophisticated elite. Alexander Blackwood, a dashing, young, and wealthy man in the position of heir to Blackwood’s large fortune, was as much a mystery as he was a force. He was the perfect groom selected by her father, a man she had never had any form of interaction with, and he would be her husband in a few weeks.

At the center of all the attention was Alexander, his laughter accompanied his words as he chatted with guests who had come from far and wide to witness this glorious consolidation. His eyes looked like deep wells of blue crystals, they penetrated her soul and she shivered, feeling as exposed as a wounded soldier on a battlefield.

“You look extremely elegant today, Amelia!” a voice she recognized said to her, jolting her back to reality. He was Charles Haverford. He had tough hands from a life of brutal business dealings, but the softness in his gaze and tenderness of his voice revealed a father concerned for his daughter.

‘Thank you papa,’ she said, forcing a mild smile. They say, ‘It’s a beautiful event.’

He gestured briefly with a nod and slightly frowned, as if the news had somewhat confirmed some concern he had. “You may not desire this union, but this marriage will solidify our family’s prosperity. The Blackwoods are influential, and Alexander. .. He is a good and decent man.

Amelia smiled and turned her gaze, scanning the room in a manner that suggested that there was much more she would love to say but could not. She understood the power and influence of the role of family, the way it conditioned one into a carrier of responsibilities at birth, but understanding this was minimal consolation.

When dinner was over and the drinking began with more toasts and cheers, Amelia made her way to the balcony alone feeling empty. The cool breeze on her face was unbelievably soothing on her blushing cheeks as she set herself against the rails and gazed at the sparkling array of lights over the city – a little peak at another world that she yearned to be a part of.

“Hiding away from your own special event?” a soft but assertive voice spoke from behind her. She turned around just in time to find Alexander smiling at her, though not fully, but enough to make her know that he wasn’t upset with her.

”I really just wanted to catch a bit of fresh air’ she whispered. He moved closer to her, holding her to his chest, shielding her against the cold breeze that had suddenly intensified.

Taken aback by the gentleness of her reply, he said, “I totally understand.” occasions like this can really be stifling.”

She nodded and then shifted her gaze away from him towards her hands. “You must have been used to such things,” I suppose?.”

“I don’t think it is possible to become accustomed to such occasions, whether you experience them for the first time or the umpteenth.”

They gazed into each other's eyes for a brief moment and both felt that there were things that should be left unsaid. Then, Alexander held her hand, and she felt a surge of electricity running up her arm.

“I know all of this might be uncomfortable for you, Amelia,” he murmured gently. "And I won't pretend it's any different for me. But I make you this promise. I will do all that it takes to make you as happy as you want.

His words were so genuinely reassuring that she had a lump stuck in her throat. She needed to believe that he was the man for her, but there was an unseen scar she carried that cast a dark cloud over her heart.

"I'll really appreciate that, Alexander," she responded, trembling a bit from her fears. "But happiness is so frail and could be shattered with a shock of rude awakening from the eventualities of life.”

He focused on her gaze, trying to see through her innermost thoughts and understand her on an even deeper level. ”We sure can build it together,” he whispered. He went on to say a quote by Ernest Hemingway which states “If we really care enough for each other we will discover that there is no problem.”

Back then in the room, Alexander was in the company of some affluent men; he was smiling beautifully and was laughing amply while there was slow music. He looked at her with square-shaped crystal blue eyes that were lined with black, which made her feel like all her outer skin had been peeled off.

Other times, Amelia could not bear the intensity of his appearance. Could she really do that? Should she take this risk and accept to marry a man she did not even know fully, a man her father had selected for her? This really did scare her, but another part of her, truly craved such a safe life with Alexander.

They strolled into the ballroom holding hands as the night came to an end. It was now time to depart, drawing with them faint lingering notes of scent and echoes of humor. Amelia’s father came to them, looking visibly proud.

“You both look perfect for each other,” he exclaimed with satisfaction in his eyes and, suddenly, Amelia felt the tear in her heart. “I am so pleased for both of you.”

“That’s very gracious of you, Mr. Haverford,” Alexander whispered, practically managing to keep his voice steady. “I, the man you see before you, assure you that I will treat your daughter like a queen.”

He was moved and in a flash of enthusiasm he nodded and said, “I know you will, Alexander, I know you will.

Once all the guests were gone, Alexander spoke to Amelia with an expression on his face that was firm but indicated his affection for her at the same time. “Shall I take you home?” he asked.

“Oh yes, certainly, that would be good, I suppose.”

They graciously left the ballroom hand in hand; their shoe soles tapping, sending an echo through the space. At the exit was a black limousine with the engine running quietly. Alexander opened the door for her, and she got into the car, the cool leather seats a dark contrast to his warm, steady hand.

The drive to her family home was a little silent as both of them were so lost in their thoughts for a while. The lights in the streets were literally a blur of color through the window as Amelia gazed at the city. She felt something like a dream.

When they arrived, Alexander took her to the door and while doing so he held her waist softly. She took a deep breath of fresh air and could detect the spirit of the pines and the texture of the ground.

“Thank you so much,” she said, “It was a very lovely and amazing evening.” Just as she turned to go, he pulled her towards his embrace. “You are welcome, Amelia. I look forward to a beautiful future with you as my wife. “I am grateful for all you have done for me, she responded.” He gave her a kind, natural and happy smile that made her heart flutter.

She only nodded; she could not utter a single word; her throat felt so tight. He leaned over her and in a split second his lips brushed her cheek. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the touch of his palm, the touch of his lips, the gentle on her mouth.

“Goodnight, Amelia,” he announced leisurely, pressing his face against her cheek tenderly.

”Goodnight, Alexander,” she whispered.

Anxiousness replaced her feelings of pleasure as she lost sight of his diminishing silhouette. A little of her drifted away, and she seemed to scream for him, to tell him what the inner voice muttered, but all that would fade away swiftly. She then walked slowly to the house distraught about a secret she couldn't disclose to anybody.

In her bedroom, located on the upper part of the house, Amelia stared out the window still, contemplating in the darkness of the night. She was trapped in a life as beautiful as a fairy tale which she never envisaged. Deep down in her spirit there was a glimpse of hope; she felt that there had to be a way for her to control her own future and make her own choices.

The moment she took a few steps away from the window, her attention shifted to a letter lying by her bedside table, a letter that was going to change the course of her life. She picked it up and cautiously read through it, her chest pounding out from feeling frightened but at the same time eager.

The words in the letter tore through her heart, she felt like she had lost herself and the man she used to love. She felt on the floor and let the letter fall out of her hands, her breathing became rapid and she cried. She had made a decision to cheat, a decision that had seen her suffering and endangered her relationship. Yet it was also a choice which she knew she had made and that, no matter how much she wished it, there was no turning back.

And so it came to pass that as the first light of dawn rose in the distant hills, Amelia made a pledge to herself that one day, she would be free, she would somehow find a way to escape from the bonds of servitude that enshrouded her so tightly. It wouldn’t be easy, given the fact that this path was full of danger and uncertainty. Still, she was bent on finding ways of creating a life that could simply be called hers.

For, deep in her soul, she understood that it was a battle to find love, and one which was worthy of sacrifice. And she was quite ready to lose everything for that one assignment that she deemed worth sacrificing for, the one thing that could liberate her, true love.