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1209 Words
Amanda's hand slightly trembled in his, but she wasn't uncomfortable with him. This wasn't the first time he called her "love" and she wasn't the only one that he used that term for. However, there was something about the way he said it to her that felt different.
"I don't use anything in particular, my hand is just naturally soft," Amanda replied with a slight smile, her eyes averting his intense gaze.
"Wow," He responded, clearly fascinated by her reply. "Everything about you is so natural, from your beauty to your intelligence...I'm proud of you,"
A warmth spread through Amanda at his words.
"Thank you so much," She found herself genuinely smiling.
Charles released her hand and gestured toward a chair, "Please have your seat,"
Amanda sat down and took in a deep breath before speaking, "What did you want to discuss with me?
"I want to talk about the requirements that you must meet as a single and legal parent of Kendall," Charles began, his demeanor shifting to a more serious tone.
"You have to earn enough money that can cater for your child's needs without involving the other parent,"
Amanda nodded, her hands clasping above her thighs. The sudden chill in the room made the floor feel so cold underneath her feet.
"I..." She let out a shaky breath. "I am working as a cashier in a restaurant, isn't that a good job?"
Charles opened his lips to speak, but she cut in.
"I have been paying my rent and taking care of the expenses. Kendall is going to a good school and my job enables me to have time for her," She explained, her anxiety rising.
She didn't want anything to jeopardize her case.
"That's a good take on the matter, but it's not enough. That job isn't guaranteed and complications may come along the way," Charles objected.
Amanda's heart sank and beads of cold sweat formed on her forehead.
"I am new here. I don't know if I have a chance at getting a better job," Amanda admitted, her voice laced with despair."What am I going to do?"
Charles didn't like seeing such a worried expression on her face, so he decided to help out.
"I will help you in getting a job," He said, his voice holding comfort.
"How?" Amanda gasped in surprise.
"I have connections and friends that can help you get a good job. However, you'll need to do your best at the interview," He said, his voice filled with reassurance.
Amanda's tense features relaxed slightly, and she reached for his hand that rested on the table, "Are you going to help me get a good job that won't interfere with the moments I spend with Kendall?" Amanda asked, needing a confirmation.
Charles was gladdened by the fact that she didn't seem reluctant to accept his offer.
"Yes, love," He replied with the widest smile that he had ever had.
She was the only one privileged to see such a bright smile from him.
"It's not your responsibility to help me with a job, but I'm so grateful," Amanda showed her gratitude with a relieved smile.
"I'm your lawyer and also your friend," He uttered, holding her hand in return. "I will do anything for you,"
"Thank you so much," She thanked him.
Her job at the restaurant wasn't bad, but she still struggled with some expenses. She was also bothered by the idea of finding a new job and getting more emotionally stressed than she already was.
"You don't have to thank me, Amanda. I will help you and your daughter in any way that I can..." His firm voice and expression gave this support and reassurance to her.
"Th—"
"Don't please," He implored softly.
"I will contact you in a few days and I trust that you won't be disappointed," Charles reassured her.
"Okay," She breathed, beaming.
*
Later in the evening, Amanda called Lizzy to share the good news, but the conversation diverted to something else.
"I don't know Charles on a personal level," Lizzy began with a funny tone at the other end of the call. "But I can tell that the man is f*****g into you,"
Amanda who was in her sitting room, lay on the couch and rolled her eyes.
"Charles isn't interested in me," Amanda opposed with a little pout.
"That's a lie. He can't just do
such favors without an ulterior motive," Lizzy insisted before snickering loudly.
"Charles is a good man. He's a lovely person," Amanda uttered with no feelings attached.
"Amanda, he's a green flag. A charming man that can help you to recover from the heartbreak that your stupid ex-husband caused you," Lizzy said enthusiastically. "Charles certainly likes you and if he tries to show his true love, don't you dare push him away!"
"Love isn't my priority right now. I'm more concerned with keeping my daughter permanently away from James and having my revenge," Amanda responded with a strained yet resolute voice.
"Revenge?" Lizzy sounded confused.
"Yes. I want to have my revenge on them for the death of my family and every other person who knew about their cruelty!" Amanda spat angrily.
"Amanda you promised to protect yourself and—"
"I know what you mean, but I can't let them go unpunished for their evil actions. I have to bring them to justice somehow and I'm gonna find a way once all this is over," She interjected.
Lizzy released a loud sigh over the phone.
"What of James?" She asked.
Amanda went silent and her tongue suddenly got tied.
"You still love him, right?" Lizzy asked with a sympathetic tone.
Amanda's heart skipped a beat at the mention of her love for James, but she couldn't allow herself to feel that way for someone aware of his family's callousness.
"I will take him down too," Amanda coldly stated, hardening her heart. "He will spend the rest of his life in jail along with his family,"
"Good to know," Lizzy conceded, giving her best friend the support she needed.
"I'm feeling sleepy," She suddenly yawned. "Call me when you get the job and get f****d by the British gentleman," Lizzy laughed.
"Good night," Amanda rolled her eyes again and ended the call.
She placed her phone gently on her chest and slowly slipped into thoughts. Her mind trailed off for a long while before the weight of sleep burdened her.
"Oh my God!" She exclaimed, slowly getting up from the couch to straighten her back. "Oh! I'm so tired,"
As she kept stretching her back and arms, her eyes caught something at the door. She never noticed it when she came to rest in the sitting room.
"What's that?" She asked, her eyes squinted.
Slowly, Amanda walked to the door and picked up the red envelope that was slipped underneath her door.
"Who brought this?" Her voice quivered as she scrutinized the envelope, finding nothing.
With shaky hands, she opened the envelope and brought out the note in it. She unfolded the note and visualized its content.
"Revenge? It seems like the death of your family wasn't enough. You want your daughter to be next on my list," Amanda read with trembling lips, her blood running cold.
- Writer
