Chasing the Shrew

Consider

When Amelia calmed down she looked up to see Chris standing in front of her, his arms crossed menacingly facing outwards. Anyone who stopped to look moved on quickly apparently scared of the mountain of a man. For some reason, his puppy-like proposal and this new stern statue clashed hilariously and she let out a small giggle.

Chris immediately turned around and looked down at her, his face full of worry. He crouched slowly, keeping his hands to himself, afraid of scaring her.

He whispered, “Amelia, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to lie to you. I won’t ever hurt you. How can I prove myself to you?”

Amelia reached out and touched his arm gently, his eyes grew round and he looked into hers, searching for a fragment of hope.

Amelia smiled tiredly, “I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I am sorry. I was just so worked up and it all just exploded. I know you are nothing like Dustin but I was afraid. I don’t know how to trust men in a relationship anymore.”

Chris smiled gently, “Can you give me a chance? Let’s get engaged and get Dustin off your back. If you decide you don’t want to be with me we can always cancel the engagement quietly… would that be okay?”

Amelia paused, “Let’s get in the car. I need to tell you my whole story before you decide whether you still want me or not.”

Chris nodded and helped her up. He opened the passenger side door and helped her in before he went into the driver's side. He is a titan in the business world and was known for his cold calculative personality. But whenever he is with Amelia, he feels like an oversized puppy, he just wants to roll over and have her rub his tummy and tell him he’s a good boy.

Inside the parked car, Amelia spoke of how she first met Dustin, the child they lost, and the eventual divorce. As she spoke of her story, Chris’ clenched knuckles turned white with the amount of force he exerted.

When Amelia finished, she looked at Chris’ face and asked apathetically, “Do you see the reason why I am hesitant to be with you? I will only be a burden and make you a laughingstock. You have been a friend to me and I cannot let you suffer that shame.”

Chris lifted his head and looked her dead in the eyes. Amelia held her breath unconsciously; this was the first time she ever saw such a scary look on Chris’ face.

“Amelia, nothing you do can make me suffer any shame. I am willing to carry any burden as long as I am with you. The reason why I am so unrelenting is because I see that you are a gem. You are similar to my mother and I have always wanted to be in a relationship like my parents. I am jealous Dustin was your first and had monopolized you six years ago. I am furious that he had you yet broke you and tossed you aside. I can’t wait to drop you off before I head over to his office and beat his face in. Amelia, I won’t force you but I want you to know I am serious. I want you to be my wife. I want to be the father to your children. If you let me, I will make you and your children happy.”

Amelia sniffed and looked away, “Are you sure? I am still a broken woman. I don’t know if I can ever fully recover.”

Chris grabbed her hands, “If your heart is broken, take mine. I have a big heart it can beat for the both of us.”

Amelia laughed, what a silly man. She can’t believe a tough businessman like Chris could be so childish.

“Fine. If you are okay with me, let’s get engaged.”

Chris looked shocked, “Really?! I am the happiest man in the world!!!!!”

He screamed so loud that Amelia had to cover her ears, a broad smile on her tear-stained face. Fortune hasn’t abandoned her yet.

***

At the Farley residence, Helena bustled around dressing herself up in a light chiffon dress. She unfurled her hair and put on a light makeup before heading down to the greenhouse. Since her husband, Henry, had a nasty tumble, he had enjoyed drinking tea and reading novels in his greenhouse. Although he was a ruthless businessman he was also a closet romance lover and had a whole hidden section of his library dedicated to young love novels. Whenever he had free time he would steal a moment to read.

Helena found him endearing and always kept his secret, never exposing him so he wouldn’t feel ashamed. She also used this little fact to manipulate him from time to time… like today. She grinned like a Cheshire cat and strode in the glass door.

“Honey~~,” she called out purposefully so he had time to hide his book.

“Ahem! I am over here!!”

Helena stifled a giggle as she skipped over to a middle-aged man sitting in a wheelchair with a blanket draped over his legs. There was the silhouette of a book under the covers; Helena rolled her eyes.

“Honey,” she whined, “I need your help.”

Henry shuddered, as much as he loved his wife, the moment she whined meant trouble and more work.

“What is it, my dear?”

Helena sat on his lap and draped her hands around his neck, “Our baby boy has found his soulmate but she comes from a different background.”

Henry chuckled as he rubbed her sides lovingly, “Oh honey, you know I’m not like those old foggies in the Farley family. As long as they love each other then it’s okay. Which baby boy are we talking about?”

Helena scoffed inwardly and ignored his question, “What if she’s a divorcee?”

Henry stiffened then relaxed, “Well… we live in a different world now so it’s okay…”, he drawled.

Helena added another, “She also has two adorable children.”

Henry perked up, “Children? How old? Are they adorable?”

Helena smiled gently, “They are five going on six; the sweetest little angels I ever laid eyes on.”

Henry looked at Helena with scouring eyes, “Hm, sounds like you are familiar with them…”

“Oh, we volunteer at the same orphanage. She came from an abusive relationship and I am glad Chris will be the one to heal her broken heart.”

Henry paused, “Wait, Chris!? I thought we were talking about Teddy! Chris is going to be the head of the family, he needs to marry someone of social standing…”

Henry drifted off as he noticed Helena’s sharp gaze. Her voice was low and laced with disappointment, “Honey, I thought you were better than those old foggies. I always believed you would support our son’s choice of true love. To think that a man of your standing still thinks we need to sell our son for business deals. I am so disappointed…”

Henry cleared his throat, “Well if he loves her… ahem, I guess I can support that.”

Helena smiled and kissed him deeply. When she pulled off, Henry had a dreamy look on his face.

Helena pecked him once more on his nose and smiled at him, “You are the sweetest man in the whole world, Henry Farley. I love you.”

Henry hummed in happiness.

Helena got up and started walking away before stopping abruptly, “Oh, I forgot to mention, she is the ex-wife of Dustin Roger.”

Henry’s eyes snapped back in focus, “WHAT!?!”