FLASH MARRIAGE; CHARMED BY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE CEO - Chapter 116

Chapter 116: Mamo’s Question

The short walk to the mansion felt like a day’s journey on foot for Amelia. Each step closer to her destination was more laboured and slightly terrifying, than the other. She could feel her heart slamming against her chest as she thought of Mamo asking her questions about her family. If there was anything she hated the most, it was lying to people who were good to her.

As they slowly approached the mansion’s back door, Amelia mentally went through all the questions the old woman might likely ask her and the response she would give. Her body stiffened at the thoughts of the old woman seeing through her lies.

“Relax, Amelia and hope for the best.” She reassured herself. She tried to distract herself by watching the busy servants, diligently moving up and down to attend to different tasks.

“Good evening, ma’am.” Different servants greeted politely, heads lowered as the two women made their way through the back door into the corridor that led toward the gigantic kitchen, bustling with different activities.

The tantalizing smell of steaming soup and grilling fish whiffed through the air, making Amelia hunger for more food even though her stomach was filled. She was tempted to briefly stop and explore the kitchen but the thought of keeping the old woman waiting forced her to focus her eyes forward.

As they connected to another open hallway that led into the main mansion building, Amelia’s ever-sensitive nostril picked up the faint scent of ginger and lemon in the air.

The refreshing aroma became stronger as they made their way into the living room.

“There she is.” Mamo, who was drinking a cup of ginger lemon tea with Maria, slowly brought down her mug. She slowly stood up with the help of Maria to receive her granddaughter-in-law.

“Good evening, Mamo.” Amelia made her way to the old woman and curtsied before her. “Thanks again for receiving me again at your wonderful home. It looks beautiful in here.”

“Thank you, my dear. You are welcome.” Mamo made Amelia stand erect and kissed her on the forehead tenderly.

“Please sit down here.” She gently took her seat on the velvet three-seater couch, patting the empty space beside her.

“Thank you, Mamo.” Amelia took her seat, forcing a smile on her face. She watched Maria and Vera exit the room while a maid came in and served her a cup of ginger lemon tea with cookies.

“I don’t think I can eat one more…”

“You don’t have to eat the cookies if you’re full.” Mamo gestured for the maid to leave. “But you need to try out the tea. It is very healthy and medicinal.”

“Okay. Thank you, Mamo.”

“You don’t have to thank me every single time.” The old woman teased.

Amelia giggled feverishly as she picked the teacup by the handle and raised it to her lips. She exhaled pushing out her crippling anxiety and took a little sip of the slightly hot tea, inhaling the minty freshness.

Scrutinizing Amelia, Mamo picked up her mug and took more sips of her tea. She put the mug down and cleared her throat.

“Are you relaxed?” Mamo shifted closer to Amelia.

“Uh-huh.” Amelia gently set her teacup on the table, gulping down anxiety.

“Good. I just want to talk to you freely without my grandson nosing around. Is that okay with you?”

“Yes.” Amelia nodded, smiling.

“And one more thing, can I count on your honesty?” Mamo gently took Amelia’s trembling hands into hers, stroking them lovingly.

“Shh…sure” Amelia’s heavy breathing eased a little due to Mamo’s motherly touch.

“Now before I say anything I need you to know that, I do not expect you to be a perfect woman because there is no such thing as a perfect human. We are all flawed creatures striving for perfection.” Mamo stated lifting Amelia’s chin up to look into her twitching eyes.

“It has been my greatest desire for my grandson to settle down with a beautiful woman such as yourself and be happy. But happiness is a choice and can only come from within. It cannot be forced and it cannot be bought.”

Amelia exhaled softly, nodding her head in agreement.

“Seeing my grandson looking so happy gives me great joy. It has been a very long time since I saw him genuinely laugh or converse excitedly with the rest of the family without acting like a busy bee. Even if I were to leave this world today, I will forever be grateful to you for being the one behind his happiness.”

Amelia was moved by Mamo’s words even though she doubted she was the reason behind Blaze’s happiness. “Thank you, Mamo.”

“You’re welcome.” The old woman’s face turned all serious as she addressed the issue that was bothering her the most.

“If I am to be completely honest with you, I was shocked when Maria told me that my grandson chose you, -my late son’s best friend’s daughter- for a wife, But…” Mamo stressed, stroking Amelia’s flushed cheeks as she attempted to lower her gaze. “I was happy he did. I believe this is fate and that you two are destined for each other to rewrite the wrong done between our families.”

Amelia didn’t agree with that last statement even though it felt awkwardly true.

“Now, I am not going to ask you under what circumstances you two met or why you two have decided to tie the knot secretly. I’m not going to ask you whether you truly love my grandson because looks can be deceptive. I’m also not going to ask you anything concerning your family because Maria has told me a lot. I just want you to know that by virtue of your marriage to my grandson, this is now your home. His family and now your family. You can take me as your grandmother and my husband as your grandfather. Every member of this family is your family. okay?”

“Okay.” Amelia’s eyes glistened with happiness. She couldn’t tell if the old woman was reading her thoughts like an open book. But she knew she would desperately cling to this family even after the contract expired.

“My grandson has been in true a lot. He had been hurt deeply and his heart broken in halves. I believe only love can genuinely heal him and that is why I’m going to ask you this one sensitive question?”

Beads of sweat gathered on Amelia’s forehead as she waited breathlessly for the question

“Will you stay married to my grandson for better or for worse until death do you part?”