Ethan fetched a champagne from the cellar so they could toast, calling Mr. and Mrs. Smith to toast with them. Lunch was ordered from the nearby Plaza Hotel restaurant and everyone gathered in the living room. Mrs. Smith returned from the kitchen with the glasses and distributed them among everyone present while Ethan began serving them. When it was Amelia's turn to be served, she didn't even have time to answer when Helena, Alexander and Benjamin spoke in unison a no, leaving not only Amelia startled but also Mr. Smith."I don't drink, Mr. Alderidge. " She replied completely ungraciously, not understanding why Alexander had said no as well."You are officially my sister-in-law, so call me Ethan. " He said as he smiled, turning his attention back to Helena. "Lena, can you get some juice for Amelia to toast with us?" he said.Helena smiled, reaching for Amelia's glass and heading into the kitchen. Mrs. Smith returned a few minutes later with a glass filled with orange juice. They to
As soon as dawn broke, Amelia got ready and went downstairs to the first floor. She took advantage of the cool morning to go to Central Park. It was the first time she had been to the park since moving to New York and then to the Hamptons. After stopping at a coffee shop and buying a chocolate Frappuccino, she went to the lawn and sat down, enjoying the sunny morning.Amelia took the opportunity to read a little, but was soon distracted when her attention was stolen by a mother and her baby. A beautiful little boy with blond hair and rosy cheeks was running awkwardly with his chubby legs across the lawn. He laughed as he ran towards his mother, being hugged as she kissed his cheeks.Without realizing it, Amelia rested her hand on her own belly as she touched it. She could feel it getting a little bigger, wondering if in a while it would be her there, playing with her baby. Amelia felt more and more certain about her pregnancy. But she didn't know if she could go on lying to Alexande
Sabine left Amelia at the triplex, leaving Alexander's card on a table in the entrance hall. She then said goodbye and left the place.Amélia walked through the apartment, going to the mirror near the stairs that led to the second floor. The dress she was wearing was a very light shade of pink, all silk with a structured bodice and a subtle V-neckline, which gave volume to her small breasts. It followed a structure down to her waist and the skirt was completely loose, with a long slit. Her hair was shorter, just above her shoulders, as she had always wanted and Barth had always forbidden. Her make-up highlighted her big green eyes and her pink lips took on a soft red hue.She looked as stunning as she had ever looked.Distracted, Amelia rested her hand on her stomach, stroking it gently."Amelia? Oh my God! "Helena's voice snapped her out of her brief trance as she entered the room. "You look spectacular!Amelia smiled, walking elegantly in a pair of heeled sandals while showing off
Amelia still couldn't believe that Alex was actually walking. Inside the car, she caught herself looking at him a few times. She trailed her fingers up his thigh until she reached his hand and held it, entwining her fingers in his lovingly."Is everything all right?" Alex asked, feeling a certain pressure from her grip on his fingers."Yeah, I just... I can't believe you're walking, Alex. " she replied, her green eyes fixed on his blue ones.Amelia brought her free hand to the man's cheek, caressing it."And I can't believe you've kept it from me for so long either. " she complained, looking at him slightly hurt."We all have secrets, don't we?" Alex replied, feeling Amelia loosen her grip on his fingers and then release his hand."Yes, we do. " She replied, turning her attention to the car window, watching the city lights.When the car pulled up in front of the Plaza, where the ball was to be held, Amelia felt particularly insecure at the sight of all those photographers at the gate,
hey crossed the Plaza's great hall as everyone stared at them. Amelia felt her cheeks flush immediately and held Alexander's arm tightly. "Amelia, you're digging your nails in.... " he muttered in a pained tone.She loosened her grip, turning her eyes to Alex."Sorry. Everyone's watching. " she commented, feeling his hand rest on her back, just above her hip."It's all right. Don't worry. " He replied, kissing her hair."I'm sorry. I was supposed to be calming you down, not the other way around. " She said, then met Alex's gaze with sympathy."Don't worry," he whispered in her ear. "They're watching because I'm walking next to the most beautiful woman in this room.Amelia smiled, shaking her head negatively.She walked beside him, terribly annoyed by the people staring at them. She wished she could tell them to look somewhere else.In the distance, Ethan and Benjamin walked towards them, the former visibly shocked and moved as he hugged his older brother."Alex, for God's sake. " he
The cab dropped Amelia off in front of her residence in the Hamptons. The girl stepped out of the vehicle, concentrating on getting into the seaside property with her right foot. The wheeled suitcase was dragged to the door and soon she rang the bell that rang silently outside."Good morning." Said the housekeeper as soon as she opened the door to the residence." Good morning, Mr. Alderidge asked me to come." Amelia answered.The housekeeper just smiled and gave Amelia the way, leading her through the house to the living room." I will tell Mr. Alderidge, please wait here. " The housekeeper said, walking out of the room and leaving her there alone.She watched the place, approaching the main wall where some pictures were hanging. She was startled when she heard the metallic noise of a lighter, and noticed a man sitting facing the fireplace, as the smoke and smell of cigarettes gradually filled the room. " Good morning. " Amelia spoke as she approached, but the man seemed to ignore h
Amelia followed Ethan silently into his office, entering just as he opened the door for her.Ethan indicated one of the armchairs for Amelia to sit in; she still felt tense from her first, bad impression of Alexander.As soon as she sat down, Amelia opened her mouth."I'm sorry, Mr. Alderidge. But I don't think I'm the best person for this job. " She spoke as she stared at him, but Ethan quickly held up his hand for her to hear him."I know my brother is a very difficult person, Amelia. "Ethan replied, he could see the exhaustion in her expression. "But before I give up, I want you to listen to me, okay?Amelia nodded." Alexander wasn't always like this. He was an active man, he raised the company by himself since our parents died. A year ago he was in a car accident with his late fiancée. Unfortunately Morgan was pregnant and she and the baby died in the accident. "Ethan began to tell." He was in a coma for three months and we even thought he wasn't coming back, but when he did, my
That same afternoon Amelia sent Benjamin an e-mail explaining what had happened. He immediately bought her another cell phone and had it delivered the next day.The next morning Amelia left her room and went to the beach. She needed to get rid of that cell phone, believing that even if it was broken, it could send some kind of signal. Luckily, the Alderidge residence had a pier that led down to the sea. Amelia enjoyed her walk on the beach, it was still too early for anyone there to be awake. Quickly, she went to the pier and threw her cell phone into the sea. Taking a deep breath, she believed she would be safe.Returning to the house, Amelia found one of the second floor windows open, having the strange sensation of being watched. Hurrying her steps, she returned to her room and changed her clothes and headed for Mr. Alderidge's room."Good morning. "Amelia greeted him, entering the room and walking to the window, but noticing that it was already open."You just woke up?" she quest