Chapter 2: Bad News

After sitting, Amy did not answer right away. She stared at Jacob for a moment before asking, “Why did you propose to me?”

“My mom likes you. According to her, it would be great if our family were united. Our family business would be bigger.”

Amy clasped her hands together. “Oh...”

“Not only that.” Seeing Amy’s eyes dimmed, Jacob rushed to add. “I feel comfortable with you. You are a kind and understanding girl. What else can I ask for?” He took Amy’s hand and held it. “So?”

Amy considered it for a moment. “Will you allow me to finish college? This is my last year. It would be a pity if I stop my studies just because we will get married.”

“Of course!” Jacob answered quickly. “Honey, I know we are still young. Twenty-two may still be too young to marry and you are twenty, but why should we wait? Besides, next year my mom will start handing over bigger responsibilities in the House of Glam to me. Marrying you would be the right move.”

Amy took a deep breath. Jacob was her first lover. During their three months of dating, there were never any significant problems. He treated her well. Although Amy’s parents didn’t really like Jacob, Amy thought maybe it was because they didn’t know him well enough.

Finally, Amy nodded. “Okay, I accept your proposal, but we’ll talk about getting married another time. I’m not ready to get married yet.”

Jacob grinned, and his face beamed. “It doesn’t matter! What’s important is you’re mine first.” Afterward, he opened a little red velvet box containing a diamond ring. Taking the ring and put it on Amy’s ring finger, Jacob lifted Amy’s hand and kissed her fingers while looking at her with a gentle gaze. “My fiancee.”

Amy blushed and nodded. “Yes, my fiance.”

Just as Amy was about to call home to inform her parents, there was a phone call from an unknown number. She immediately picked up the phone. “Hello?”

“With Ms. Amy Brooke?” the caller asked.

“Yes, that’s right, it’s Amy. With whom I’m speaking?”

“This is from the Good Health Hospital. There was a car accident. Mr. Peter and Mrs. Melanie Brooke are currently in the emergency room at our hospital, and so is Ms. Jillian Brooke. Can you come to the hospital soon?”

Amy was so shocked that her hand brushed against the glass on the table, causing it to topple over and fell to the floor. The sound of breaking glass made her flinch. “Yes, I’ll be right there.”

“Amy, what’s wrong?” Jacob asked.

“My family,” Amy answered while covering her mouth with one hand. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Dad, Mom, and Jillian had a car accident. They are in the ER of the Good Health Hospital.” Amy sobbed. “Oh, how can it be?”

Jacob took his handkerchief, then wiped Amy’s tears. “Let’s go there. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine, honey.”

Amy was speechless as she couldn’t think straight. She could only nod while sobbing. As soon as hearing glass breaking, Samuel rushed over to Amy and Jacob. He just left Cecilia as she walked too slowly. When Amy cried, Samuel was already next to their table. 

Staring at the broken glass, Samuel nodded towards Jacob and Amy. “Good night. Is everything alright?” he asked. Then he saw the diamond ring on Amy’s finger as she put her hands on the table.

Jacob nodded and smiled slightly. “Yes, all is well, but we have to leave immediately because of an emergency.” Later, Jacob grinned after staring at Samuel. “You are Mr. Samuel Hoffner, right?” He stood and offered his hand, and then both men shook hands. “I’ve often heard of your name, but this is the first time I met you. Nice to meet you.”

Samuel shook his head. “Nice to meet you too. I seem to know you. Mr. Jacob Jefferson, the heir to the House of Glam, right?” Then he turned to Amy and glanced at the engagement ring on her finger. “I guess congratulations are in order, Ms. …?”

Jacob nodded again enthusiastically. “Ah, yes, this is Amy Brooke, my fiancee. She’s the heir to the Jewelry Palace. It’s a shame we can’t stay longer to celebrate our engagement because of an emergency. Maybe next time we will come here again. I’ll be paying for our order and the broken glass in a moment, sir.”

“Congratulations on the engagement.” Samuel smiled at Amy, who nodded and wiped her tears, and then he glanced at Jacob. “Just call me Samuel. You don’t have to pay because you are still waiting for the food to come. There’s no need to pay for the glass either. I hope you can resolve the emergency problems soon and maybe you can come again to enjoy the dinner here.”

Jacob nodded. “Thank you.”

Samuel and Jacob shook hands again. Before Samuel left, he glanced at Amy, who was still crying. Even though she was in tears, Amy’s pretty face was still beautiful to look at. Her black long hair arrayed below her shoulders. The thick eyelashes covered her big eyes. The small pointed nose and pink lips added her innocent beauty.

Cecilia could only pout. She watched the interaction between Samuel and Jacob from a distance because Samuel left her behind. Cecilia actually wanted to get acquainted with Jacob and Amy. It intrigued her to see Amy cried, and her face was sad, unlike those who cried because of the happiness of getting engaged. 

As soon as Samuel walked towards her, Cecilia sulked right away. “Why did you leave me? I’m coming with you because I want to get to know them.”

Samuel raised his eyebrows. “You guys are in the same circle. It is easy to get acquainted with them next time. Besides, they are in an emergency.”

“Oh?” Cecilia looked at Samuel. “What happened?”

“How do I know?” Samuel said, shrugging and walking past Cecilia.

Samuel and Cecilia returned to their table. As soon as she sat down, Cecilia immediately whispered, “So, did Amy accept or reject Jacob’s proposal?”

Samuel just chuckled. “Good grief! That isn’t important!”

“That’s important!” Cecilia protested. “I’m curious because this is very important news.”

“Why?” Samuel’s brow furrowed at hearing that. “That’s their business. No need to know about other people’s affairs.”

Cecilia sighed and shook her head. “They are potential heirs to their family business. Because of their family’s big names, of course the news of their engagement will become the everyone’s talk.”

“Ah, gossip.” Samuel chuckled again. “I think the models are judged by their ability to present clothes, not by how much gossip they know,” he quipped sharply.

Cecilia let out a long sigh. “You really don’t understand. The world of modeling has many intricacies. It’s not enough to have achievements, but we also have to build relationships with others. Knowing more information about the big people will help.”

“By spreading and knowing gossip?” Samuel’s voice pitched higher. He was tired of this talk. When his phone rang, he immediately picked up. “Hello?”

“Samuel, why don’t you ever visit Grandma again? Have you forgotten about me?”

“Oh, Grandma, how could I forget?” Samuel rubbed his nape. “I’ll be right there in a few minutes, okay? What do you want me to bring, Grandma? Your favorite meals?”

Vivian Hoffner, Samuel’s grandmother, shook her head. “No need. I already had my dinner. Just come here. It’s more than enough for me to see you. Quick! There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

“What do you want to talk about? Don’t tell me it’s about the last issue you want.”

“The last issue? What is it?” she asked.

“Ah, Grandma, please! You always love to pretend that you don’t know what I meant while you know exactly what it is.” Samuel let out a sigh. “All right, we’ll talk about it later. See you later.” Samuel ended the conversation. He took a deep breath, quite relief that there was a reason to take Cecilia home. “My grandma called. I have to meet her. Come, I’ll take you home now.”