Chapter 3

On her first night in the condo, Amber felt uneasy. She could not go to sleep. She called her grandmother earlier to check on her.

“Marmee, how are you?” She said happily. Marmee is her endearment for her grandmother. 

“Amber, I am so glad you finally called. I was so worried about you. How was everything?” Her grandmother was referring to the funeral she attended early in the day.

“It was fine, marmee. It went on smoothly. How are you doing, marmee? Are you feeling much better now?” She asked with a concerned voice. She really wanted to check on her grandmother. Before she left, her grandmother complained of headache and dizziness. However,  it was her who suggested for Amber to go to Seattle to attend the funeral of her friend. She still remembers their conversations.

“But marmee, I just can’t leave you like this. You are not feeling well.” Amber protested. Her grandmother simply waved her hand at her. 

“If I weren’t sick, I could have gone with you. Don’t worry about me. I have many people on the farm who can check on me. Besides, Mrs. Mills and her daughter are here to take care of me.” She reasoned out. Amber looked at her grandmother carefully. She feels slightly relaxed knowing that she will be taken care of without her. But still that lingering feeling that she will not be there to personally take care of her doesn’t make her feel good about herself.

“You just graduated from college. Besides, you have been helping me a lot on the farm. I want you to take this time off as a vacation for you. It is my graduation gift for you.” Amber couldn’t say anything but express her gratitude to her grandmother.

“Thank you so much, marmee. You always think of me before yourself. And I love you so much for everything.” She hugged her grandmother tightly. She saw her grandmother teary-eyed after they shared that warm hug.

“Are you in the apartment right now?” Her grandmother suddenly asked. She was lost in her thoughts for a few moments thinking back about their conversations a few days ago. Amber does not know how to answer her grandmother’s question. She cannot just tell her that she is staying in Devlin’s condo unit. She is sick and she does not want to stress her out.

“Yes, I am home, marmee. Don’t worry about me. I just want to make sure that you are fine.” She felt bad that she lied. 

“You worry too much. I am still strong.” She heard her chuckling softly. Somehow, it comforted Amber.

“So, how was the funeral? Did you meet Devlin and his family?” Her grandmother asked further. Amber didn’t get the chance to introduce herself to Devlin’s parents. She arrived when the ceremony already started.

“I just met Devlin Wesley. They already started the ceremony when I got to the cemetery. I offered a silent prayer to Grandma Olivia. I wish I had known her more.” Amber said sadly. She was disappointed that she was not around when Grandmother Olivia came to visit her marmee with Devlin a few months ago.

“So, you met each other. I hope he received you well. He was nice when he came here.” Amber stayed silent for a few seconds. She did not want to tell her grandmother what she thought of Devlin during their first meeting earlier. 

“Yes, he is fine.” Came her brief reply. Good thing her grandmother did not ask more about him. They talked about the farm and Amber’s plan while she’s in the city.

“So, what’s your plan while in Seattle? There are so many nice places to go in there.” Encouraged her grandmother.

“I have no plans, marmee. Probably, I will explore the city soon.” She didn't really think about the vacation anymore. She got stuck with Devlin. 

“Maybe you should take this chance to get to know Oilivia’ grandson. He is a nice man.” Her grandmother suggested. Amber didn’t say anything except to agree so she does not have to explain further her situation. 

“Please take care, marmee. Don’t forget to take your medicines on time.” Amber’s last words before she ended the call.

Now, three days have passed since she came to the condo. It has been three days of waiting in vain for Devlin to contact her. She has not gone out of the condo unit yet. Whatever she needs, she just contacts Jackson. He is the only one who knows she is in Devlin’s condo. He is like a trusted bodyguard to him.

She decided that if they could not talk after two days, she would leave the place and go home. She can just forget about the whole thing. Then, out of  nowhere she remembers Grandma Olivia.

“Am– Amber, my child, when I am go–gone, please promise me that you will marry my grandson. He is a good man. He needs a good woman to take care  of him.” Grandma Olivia’s weak voice is noticeable. She even had to pause several times before she continued talking. Amber does not know what to say to her. At the end, she promised to marry Devlin.

Suddenly, her phone started ringing. It was from an unregistered number. She got nervous. She had a feeling it’s Devlin. 

“Hello…” She answered nervously. She heard someone talking in the background. It was a female voice. She almost ended the call after a few seconds without any response from the caller. However, she heard the baritone voice of Devlin.

“Hi…I am sorry to keep you waiting. Anyway, how are you doing?” He asked casually while he was signing some papers in his office. Amber had to take a deep breath before she replied to him.

“I am fine. Glad to hear from you.” She said formally for the lack of words to say.

“Can we meet up tonight over dinner? We need to discuss our situation. I can pick you up around 7 pm. Are you fine with that?” This is what Amber is waiting for… to get to talk to Devlin. She needs to do this for her peace of mind. For sure, Devlin will reject the idea to marry her. At least, it won’t come from her. She can go home with her conscience clear.

“Yes, I am fine with that.” She said with a calm voice. She felt better with the idea that this will be over soon. 

“So, how’s your stay in the condo? Is Jackson helpful to you?” Devlin continued asking casually. He felt like he wanted to know what she has been doing these past three days in his condo.

“Everything is fine. Thank you. Jackson has been very helpful.” She is grateful for her accommodation in Devlin’s place. However, she needs to move out from the condo soon. She can open the subject now since Devlin seems to be in a good mood.

“Ummm…I am really grateful to you for letting me stay here but I would like to leave soon. After our meeting tonight, I want to go home.” She said straight away although her grandmother wanted her to spend more time in Seattle for vacation. However, there is no reason for her to stay in the condo after their meeting tonight. 

“We will talk about it tonight.” Came the short reply of Devlin.

“Anyway, Jackson told me you never got out of the condo. How come? I told you that he will do anything you want. You have the car at your disposal if you want to explore the city.” Amber could not believe that he was being extra nice to her. The first time they met, he wasn’t as friendly as now.

“Thank you for the offer. I did not think of doing that.” She actually got bored in the condo. One time, she did a movie marathon for eight hours. She was watching some rom-com movies. The next day, she spent her time on the phone talking to her grandmother, Mrs. Mills and her daughter. Then, she read some news online. She ended up reading mostly about Devlin. Of course, she would never tell him that. Then, she also tried checking for some job openings in the area. She is a graduate of Fine Arts. There are so many job opportunities for her. But of course, her life is on the farm. She already missed everyone there.

“You still have plenty of time. You can ask Jackson to show you around. He is great at his job.” Devlin suggested. They continued talking for a few more minutes before Devlin ended the call.

He is in his office right now. He was too busy from work these past few days. Now, he is back full-time, so much work is waiting for him. When Amber showed up that day, he was already planning the things he wanted to do. That’s why he was annoyed that she just approached him and wanted to discuss the marriage thing. He never thought that she would open up about the marriage. She looks naive. While driving the car, so many things went on in his head. He can just easily tell her that they don’t have to do the marriage. However, his grandma’s words kept coming to him. He is torn between honoring his promise to his grandma or just discard it like it never happened.

It would be unfair to blame Amber for anything. She is also trapped just like him. He was thinking of how he could inform Amber not to go with the marriage. But something came up the other day. And he may need Amber’s help without her knowledge. 

What he is about to do is really bad but he is desperate. He wants to get back Raven and she is giving him a hard time. When they were together, she wanted time for their relationship but he failed. Now, he wants her back so bad. And with Amber’s help, he may be able to get her back soon. He is determined to convince Amber to stay longer.

That night, he wore a formal suit. He is going to take Amber to an expensive restaurant. He already had a reservation at the VIP section. He came earlier than their agreed time. Instead of waiting at the parking area, he went to the condo unit and decided to pick up Amber there. 

Amber was still wearing her robe and getting herself ready for her dinner meeting with Devlin. She didn’t have much clothes with her. She is glad that she brought her body hugging black halter neck dress which is above the knee. She paired it with a white blazer to cover her curves. She wore a black high heeled shoes. She only wore this outfit once during a convention for an art exhibit. It looks semi-formal but good enough to wear over a dinner meeting. She decided to leave her natural wavy auburn hair down. She only put on a cheek tint and a nice pink lipstick. When she finished, she heard the doorbell ring. She wondered who it might be. She didn’t ask for Jackson. 

“Who is it?” She asked from behind the door. She walks barefoot towards the door. 

“It’s Devlin. Are you done? Please open up.” She gasped in surprise. Why would he come here? She checked her watch. There is still ten minutes before 7. And they agreed to meet at the basement parking area. Although she hesitated for a while, she opened the door for him. 

The moment he entered, she immediately smelled his expensive perfume. He smells so good. He looks dapper in his black suit. He is definitely the most handsome man she has ever met in her life. She was simply gaping at him.

“So, did you like what you see?” He sounded serious but trying to suppress a smile. Amber immediately turned red when she realized what he just said. She is so embarrassed that he caught her admiring his looks. Instead of replying to his question, she excused herself to get her purse. When she came back, she could not help but ask him.

“You are ten minutes early. I thought we were going to meet in the parking area.” She voiced out what’s in her head, not that she’s complaining. She is ready to go anyway.

“Yes, but I finished early from work. So, I decided to come pick you up here instead.” He noted how she looks so beautiful tonight. The clothes are not even so revealing yet it shows that she is a great beauty. He is right. If she only dresses up nicely and puts some makeup on, she can pass for a model. That is his type of woman… tall, beautiful and sophisticated just like Raven.

“So, are you ready?” She only nodded at him. Together, they went inside the private elevator. They were quiet the whole time. Devlin was on his phone while Amber was just standing quietly to the corner. 

When they reached the basement, he opened the car door for her. He even put on the seatbelt for her when they got inside his car..

“May I?” She only nodded her head. She noticed how gentleman Devlin is. This must be the real him, far from the first time she met him. She wondered why he was wearing a nice suit tonight. They are just going to a casual dinner anyway. Well, he did not really mention which restaurant they are going to. She quickly checked her clothes. On second thought, it doesn't matter anyway. After tonight, she is leaving.