THE SAME MAN?

AMELIA

The night was a blur of restless tossing and turning, and before I knew it, the first pale silver of dawn pierced through the curtains. It wasn't ‘tomorrow’ anymore. It was ‘today’. My wedding day. And it had arrived with a brutal speed.

A dull, grey sky pressed down on the city, mirroring the dullness on my body. It felt like the world itself was sad for me.

I dragged myself out of bed, my limbs feeling weighted. “Maybe everything will change and the wedding will not take place,” I muttered.

Noah was still fast asleep when I went into the shower. The hot water did little to wash away the chill in my soul, not the dread in my heart. I stayed under the shower, motionless, the water draining me.

After a long and gloomy shower, I stepped out, wrapping myself in a fluffy towel. Just then, a knock echoed at the door. I paused, staring at the door.

“Who's there?” I asked, clutching the towel on my body.

“Miss Amelia, it's Mrs Mabel,” she said. I scoffed at the mention of ‘miss’. In a few hours, that title will be changed to a dreadful one. She was the grim faced housekeeper my father had appointed to look after me.

“The designer is here for you,” she announced, her voice devoid of warmth, as if this was merely another transaction. “Should I let her in?”

Great. They could still hire a personal designer for me. This was what they wanted. The transaction went as far as hiring a designer for me for the wedding. ‘Their dream come true’. After selling me off.

“Yes,” I said, my voice barely audible.

A young woman with an overly enthusiastic smile entered inside, carrying several garment bags and a large makeup kit.

“Good day, Miss Amelia,” she greeted, her voice soft. “Your father instructed me to help you out.” I stared at her, not uttering a word. My father. Of course it would be him. Not my mother. There was no use refusing her. She was instructed to do it after all.

“Sure, you can begin,” I said, my voice suddenly hoarse. I slowly sat down on a chair beside my wardrobe, waiting for her to begin.

She smiled, keeping her things aside and beginning her work with practiced efficiency. She powered my face, blended shadowy hues onto my eyelids, and meticulously lined my lips.

I sat still, a mannequin, while she transformed my grief stricken features into something vaguely bridal. My thoughts became lost in the deafening silence of my despair.

When she finally held up a mirror, I met my own reflection. This wasn't me. It was a carefully constructed facade. My image was flawless, yet devoid of life.

“Momma?” A small voice broke through the heavy silence. Noah stood behind me, rubbing sleep from his eyes, his pyjamas rumpled. He stepped closer, his gaze wide.

“Momma, you look… beautiful,” he said, his words unclear but understandable. “You're pwetty.”

I smiled, bringing him closer to me. If only he knew his life would change from today. Our lives would change from today.

Minutes after the designer left, I slipped into the elegant, bold, white gown that was laid out for me. The lace felt like thorns as I put it on.

Just then, a knock sounded on my door and Xander entered inside. The moment he saw me, he froze, his gaze wide.

“Xander!” I called after seconds of his motionless state. He looked at me, his face etched with… sadness? I couldn't decipher.

“Amelia,” he said, his voice low and cracking. “You're going through with the marriage? You'll get married today?”

“Y-yes Xander,” I said, looking at him. He tucked his hands in his pants pockets, looking at the floor.

“Why… umm.. why did you decide to go ahead with it? I mean you told me your parents didn't agree to my offer, but still, why did you agree?”

I stared at him, my heart racing. “No wasn't an option for me. I tried but… it wouldn't have changed anything. I had to think about Noah's life too.”

He nodded, still staring at the floor. “Right. Noah's life is important. He needs to be happy and not worry about anything when he grows.”

He pouted his mouth and wiped his eyes. I could tell something was wrong. I went closer to him, brushing his waves away from his face so I could see clearly.

“Are you okay, Xander?” I asked.

He looked up at me, a faint smile crossing his lips. “Yeah. I'm okay.”

I wasn't satisfied with his answer though I couldn't quite understand what was wrong.

“So, are you ready to go? Let me drive you there.”

I shook my head. “No need to bother with that. It's okay.”

“I have to. Your parents told me they won't be going there. They've got an important matter to handle at the office.”

I sighed, settling down on the bed. Typical of them. They planned it, yet they won't show up at all. It was already normal for me, though I still felt a pang of hurt.

They didn't show up for my engagement party with my former fiancé. They only ever showed up for my sister's own. It hurt but I had gotten used to it.

“Where's Noah?” he asked, scanning the room.

“He's probably downstairs or in the empty room playing.” I said, fixing my gown.

“Alright. Let's get going. You can't be late for this.”

I stood, glancing at my reflection in the mirror.

*************************************

After some minutes, we arrived at a huge mansion that towered in the streets. The golden gates were huge, covering the mansion's visibility.

Xander stopped the car and came out of the car. He came to the passenger's side and opened the door for me to get down. When Noah and I were down, he entered his car.

“Aren't you escorting me in?” I asked, when he started the car's engine.

He smiled and shook his head. “I wish you the best, Amelia.” He said and zoomed off. I stood there, watching his car disappear down the street.

I turned to face the gates, exhaling before entering inside the gates. I gripped my son's hand tightly as I slowly walked in. My heart raced, my heart beat audible to me.

As I enter the house, my future would be changed. A knot was tied in my stomach and my legs slightly shook as I continued walking.

The distance from the gate to the main door was like a long walk up the mountains. I finally reached the entrance door, exhaling again.

Reluctantly, I pressed the door bell on the wall beside the door, awaiting a response. Seconds later, the door creaked open and a young female servant stood at the entrance.

“I'm here to see Mr Conrad Pierre,” I said, my voice firm yet low. She nodded, a pleasing smile on her face.

“Come in Miss.” She stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter inside.

As I walked inside, I stopped, looking at the tall male figure standing in the middle of the living room, his back to me. Before I could utter a word, he turned to face me.

Instantly, I froze, my breath caught in my throat.

Conrad Pierre.

It was the same man with a strange aura at the hospital. His piercing gaze locked onto mine, and the room seemed to shrink around us.