Chapter 10

The limousine smoothly navigated the vibrant city streets, its dark outline presenting an elegant image amidst the clamor of honking horns and hurried passersby. Inside, the atmosphere felt subdued, as if the vehicle occupied a separate world, isolated from the life beyond its tinted windows. Amelia sat quietly in the rear seat, her posture rigid and her gaze locked on the streaks of blurred neon lights flashing by outside.

The silence that enveloped her and Jake was not stifling but rather laden, filled with unvoiced sentiments and unresolved issues. Each passing light momentarily reflected in her eyes, adding an almost otherworldly glow to her otherwise somber countenance.

Jake, ever the attentive one, glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “You’re rather quiet,” he commented, his tone inquisitive yet intentionally soft.

She blinked, pulling herself from her reverie. “Just… thinking,” she confessed, her voice barely audible over the hum of the engine.

A faint smirk appeared on his lips as he adjusted the steering wheel with skilled grace. “I’d say you managed that quite well. Ronald didn’t expect it.”

Amelia offered a slight, humorless smile. “If by ‘managed,’ you mean just about getting through it.” Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve, the only indication of the turmoil brewing within her.

Jake’s expression turned sympathetic as he brought the car to a halt. They had arrived in front of an elegant café nestled on a quieter street, its golden light spilling onto the cobblestones like a warm invitation. He exited first, his long coat trailing behind him as he walked around the car to open her door.

“Thought you might appreciate a moment to breathe,” he said, gesturing toward the café entrance. “Before we plunge into the next part of the day.”

Amelia hesitated, her eyes assessing the inviting establishment before she nodded. “Thanks,” she whispered, stepping out.

*******

The Café: A Brief Refuge

The café was a striking departure from the sterile, high-pressure environment of Wellington Holdings. Its interior boasted a delightful blend of rustic warmth and contemporary elegance. Exposed brick walls were adorned with shelves of books and curios, while vibrant greenery hung in macramé holders from the ceiling. The air was saturated with the scents of freshly brewed coffee, spiced chai, and warm pastries, providing a temporary relief for Amelia’s frayed nerves.They opted for a secluded booth, far removed from the bustling groups of customers. Jake signaled the waiter and made his order without checking with her—he chose a strong espresso for himself and a chai latte for her.

Amelia raised an eyebrow. “Feeling pretty confident, huh?”

He shrugged, a slight smile playing on his lips. “It’s a safe assumption. You seem like a chai drinker.”

She laughed softly, the sound catching her off guard. “You might be onto something.”

Once their drinks arrived, Jake leaned in, resting his elbows on the smooth wooden surface of the table. “So, what’s the plan moving forward?”

Amelia gazed into her cup, observing the steam spiraling upwards like ghostly wisps. “Get through the week,” she stated, half-joking but entirely sincere. “Ronald’s wedding is bound to be… complicated.”

Jake's brow knitted as he examined her closely. “Do you even want to attend?”

“It’s not about my desires,” she answered, finally locking eyes with him. Her tone was composed, but her gaze held the burden of years of untold sorrow. “It’s about fulfilling obligations. We need to maintain our proximity to the Wellingtons for this deal to succeed.”

He nodded slowly, his face difficult to read. “You possess more strength than you realize, Amelia.”

She let out a hollow laugh, her fingers gently tracing the edge of her cup. “Strength is merely a facade we don when we’re falling apart inside.”

Jake opened his mouth to reply, but the sharp vibration of his phone against the table interrupted him. He glanced at the screen, his expression darkening as he muted the call.

“Problems?” Amelia queried, recognizing the tension in his demeanor.

“Just some updates from the legal team,” he replied, downplaying it. “Nothing urgent.”

She chose not to push him, but a sense of unease curled in her chest. There was something he was holding back.

********

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Catherine reclined on a luxurious chaise in the lavish living room of the Wellington estate. The space exuded opulence, adorned with crystal chandeliers and rich carpets, yet it lacked the inviting warmth of the café.

A crystal glass of red wine rested in her hand, reflecting the flickering firelight from the marble fireplace. Beatrice’s voice crackled from the speakerphone on the glass coffee table, each word heavy with urgency.

“Amelia’s returned,” Beatrice whispered. “She was at the office today—with Jake, Ronald's brother!”

Catherine’s grip on the glass tightened, her knuckles becoming pale. “Jake brought her there?” she echoed, her voice sharp with disbelief.

“Yes. And worse, Ronald seemed unsettled upon seeing her. This could jeopardize everything, Catherine.”

Catherine’s lips twisted into a slow, calculating grin. She reclined, her dark eyes sparkling with a blend of fury and amusement. “Not if we strategize properly. Amelia may have resurfaced, but she has no idea what awaits her.”

Beatrice hesitated, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. “What do you have in mind?”

Catherine thoughtfully swirled her wine before taking a sip. “Don’t fret, Mother. By the end of this week, Amelia will regret returning.”

********

Back at the café

As Jake and Amelia exited the café, the evening air enveloped them with a sharp chill. The streetlights cast elongated shadows on the cobblestones, their illumination soft in comparison to the vibrancy of the city center.

Jake opened the car door for her, his hand briefly resting on her back as she got in. His touch was gentle, almost unnoticeable, yet it conveyed an unspoken assurance of support.

“We’re in this together,” he affirmed as the limousine’s engine roared to life. His voice was firm, almost commanding.She acknowledged him with a nod, but her thoughts were anything but at ease. The tempest surrounding them was intensifying, and she sensed it drawing nearer with every fleeting second.

*****

Alone in his office, Ronald perched at his desk, swirling a half-full glass of whiskey in his grasp. The city skyline unfolded outside the expansive windows, its shimmering lights providing no comfort.

Amelia’s image occupied his mind, an unwelcome specter disturbing his every contemplation. He moved the amber liquid in his glass, the action mesmerizing yet far from calming.

“Why now?” he mumbled quietly. “Why her?”

Amelia was no longer his spouse. Therefore, he needed to push her from his thoughts and relinquish any concern regarding her relationship with his brother.

A sudden knock on the door jolted him from his thoughts. Ethan stepped inside, his expression inscrutable as always. “Everything has been arranged for the party, sir.”

Ronald nodded, placing his glass down with an abrupt clink. “Excellent. Ensure that security is stringent. I want no unexpected events.”

Ethan hesitated, his gaze lingering a moment longer. “And your brother?”

A bitter smile formed on Ronald's lips. “Always keep a watchful eye on Jake.”

********

A Meeting in the Gloom

In a shadowy bar on the city’s fringe, Jake settled into a booth opposite a concealed figure. The man was clad in a weathered leather jacket, his cap pulled down to hide his features. The atmosphere between them buzzed with tension, a palpable sense of peril weaving through their dialogue.

“Everything is clicking into place,” the man remarked, his voice low and rough.

Jake reclined, his demeanor serene, yet his eyes emitted a sharp alertness. “Good. Maintain that course.”

The man rose to depart but hesitated for a moment, his tone heavy with caution. “Just remember, Wellington's blood is thick. Avoid getting trapped in the crossfire.”

Jake observed him fade into the gloom, the burden of his dual existence weighing heavily upon him.