Chasing the Shrew

Proposal

The moment Amelia walked out the door Peter and Jenny raced to their room.

Jenny cried into her brother’s shoulder, “Someone hurt Mommy! What do we do?”

Peter patted her back, “I don’t know either. Let’s just wait and see. We can try to comfort Mommy when she is back later.”

He looked into the distance. He saw his mother’s reaction when the blonde-haired man smiled at them. His mother was terrified; though she tried to hide it, the panic in her eyes was evident. Peter was young but was mature for his age since he didn’t have a male figure in his life. DS was around but he was more like a big brother than a father in the family; useless and clingy.

Peter sighed, he was too young to help, all he could do was act as the bulwark in the family to keep everyone grounded. He thought about the male figure; that must be his father. They looked like two peas in a pod; one just the older grown-up version. He sneered softly; so that was the good-for-nothing that hurt his mother. One day… when he is old enough, he will teach his father a lesson. Until then, he would bide his time and grow stronger.

***

Chris and Amelia sat in the far corner of an empty cafe. Amelia’s hands shook as she took a sip of her hot chocolate.

Chris watched her quietly, giving her a chance to calm her nerves.

Amelia looked up, “Thanks for making time for me, Chris. I don’t know where to start. It sounds like you know Dustin Roger so you must know how powerful he is. I don’t want to drag you into my mess…”

Chris reached over the table and touched her hand gently, “This is what I wanted to talk to you about. I didn’t want to approach you this way but we don’t have the time to take it slow. Why don’t we get engaged? I can help you stave off Dustin.”

Amelia shook her hands frantically, “No! I can’t possibly put you in danger. You don’t know the Rogers, they are dangerous.”

Chris snorted, “I think I know that better than anyone. Dustin is my second cousin on my mother’s side.”

Amelia gaped at him horrified.

Chris quickly followed up, “We are not close with the Rogers; my mom finds them appalling and we only meet during Christmas since my grandfather and his grandmother are the last surviving siblings of the family. I am on your side, truly! You know I have been pursuing you for the last two years; my feelings for you are genuine,” he rattled on nervously.

Amelia’s apprehension diminished a little watching Chris nervously explain himself. She had hesitated to date him in the past because he reminded her of Dustin. She was afraid of getting hurt again but she knew Chris was nothing like Dustin. Chris was down to earth, considerate, and friendly. She originally intended to start dating him after they got back from the business trip but the familial relations would complicate their relationship.

She sighed, “If you are related you know how dangerous Dustin is. You can’t fight him.”

Chris reached out and grabbed her hands, “I can! I have the power and resources to protect you and the children! If you marry me, I swear I will treat your children as my own! I swear it!! I won’t ever let them feel less than! Please, I don’t want to see you or the children hurt.”

“Why are you so good to me? You don’t even know about my past. I..”

Chris cut her off, “You don’t need to tell me, you think those Roger vipers didn’t bad mouth you every chance they got at the Christmas gatherings? We never saw you but they used every opportunity to degrade you. We all heard the rumors but meeting you I realize they were all fabrications. Those women are just jealous of you.”

Amelia smiled sadly, “Then your family would never accept me…”

Chris squeezed her hand, “You are wrong. My mother adores you and your children. My dad loves my mom the most so if she agrees to it, then my dad is sure to agree also.”

Amelia lowered her head, a tear dropped onto the table. She hastily wiped at it with her free hand. Chris’ mother, Helena, was a fellow volunteer at the orphanage, she came regularly until her husband slipped and had a nasty fall. She was currently taking some time off to nurse him back to health. Helena had always treated her well, like a mother she never had.

“Chris, I don’t know what to say. I want to save my children from that awful family. I don’t want to lose my children.”

Chris got out of his chair and on one knee in front of her. The cafe staff were too far away to hear anything but they gasped when they saw Chris’ actions and started whispering excitedly to one another.

“Amelia, say yes and make me the happiest man on this planet. I will protect you and the children! You can count on the Farley men to be there for you.”

Amelia was shocked again, “Farley?! As in the billionaire family that is our angel investor!?”

Chris smiled sheepishly, “Yes… I am sorry for hiding my identity when we met. I didn’t want you to treat me differently so I gave you my mother’s maiden name.”

Amelia ripped her hand out of his grasp and stood up, “I hate being lied to, Chris. I can understand your reasoning but that doesn’t mean I will condone it. I need to think about things.”

Chris got up and hurried after her, “Amelia, I am sorry! I… just didn’t know how to tell you after! I was afraid of this! Let me drive you home. I can’t let you drive in this condition.”

Amelia whipped her head about, “I hate men who decide everything for me; men who try to control me! Chris, thank you for your generous offer but I must decline! I have had my fill of powerful men and I never want to be treated like a doll ever again. Please stay away from me.”

She ran out and the door closed heavily behind her. Chris stood there shell-shocked his hand outstretched grabbing at air. The shop owner who was pulled out by the other two workers to watch the confession shook his head, grabbed a pinch of salt, and threw it over his left shoulder.

***

Amelia got to her car but realized Chris still had her keys. Frustrated she crouched next to her car and broke down. She didn’t mean to yell at Chris; it was just learning that he had lied about himself was the last raindrop to break the dam. She was scared of facing the Roger family again. The way he tried to take control terrified her. What if Chris is just another version of Dustin? She didn’t want to get hurt again and now she had children to protect; she couldn’t just uproot and disappear like she did six years ago. She hugged her knees to her chest and cried bitterly ignoring the presence that stood next to her guarding her from prying eyes.