FLASH MARRIAGE; CHARMED BY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE CEO - Chapter 52

Chapter 52: The Unknown Mother-In-Law 1

Maria was even more perplexed by Amelia’s response. There was so much anger and bitterness lacing her words and actions. She stared at the way Amelia’s hand tightened around the fork as if she was about to hurt someone.

“Did he cheat on you after proposing to you?” Maria asked calmly, feeling so sorry for Amelia.

“What! No. I’m not talking about him. I was referring to the jerk I was supposed to be married to.” Amelia explained.

“Huh! I’m a bit lost.” Maria said dropping her fork, her gaze intense and unwavering.

Amelia released a sigh also dropping her fork. All this talk about Jerry had made her lose her appetite.

“It’s kind of complicated and I don’t think you will want to hear it.” Amelia was reluctant to share her ugly story.

“Are you kidding? I’m dying to hear it.” Maria’s animated gesture made Amelia chuckle.

“Okay. I don’t know if you heard about the huge celebrity wedding that took place in this city more than two weeks ago.”

“The one between Jerry Morgan and Amelia Shawls?” Maria’s eyes widened in disbelief, as things became more clearer on where she had seen Amelia’s face before.

“The same one.” Amelia scoffed looking sideways.

“Are you by any chance Senator Gregory’s first daughter, Amelia Shawls?” Maria asked, her heart pounding.

“You know my father?” Amelia was equally stunned.

Maria laughed, her smile slowly fading.

“Yes, I know your father. He was my husband’s business partner some years before my husband died.”

“Really!” Amelia was shocked. Although her father wasn’t the type to mix family with business, she knew a handful of his business partners in the past. But after travelling overseas to complete her studies, she lost track of all of them.

Amelia wanted to ask the name of Maria’s husband. But she knew that would only bring the sweet woman more grief, especially now that her expression had turned sorrowful.

“What a small world, right?” Maria sighed. She shook off the grief clouding her heart and turned her attention back to Amelia. So, what happened between the two of you? I was hearing a lot of rumours but I don’t really pay attention to most gossips.

Amelia paused for a while contemplating whether to open up to Maria or not. So far, it felt as though she was confiding in her own mother but after Maria’s reaction to her father’s name, everything became awkward.

As if guessing Amelia’s hesitation, Maria reached out her hands across the table to touch Amelia’s warm hands. “You can trust me with your secret, Amelia. I’m your friend now and I will always have your best interest at heart.”

Amelia stared into the woman’s magical eyes, believing every word she said. “Okay.” She released a sigh before giving Maria a short version of her story while leaving out some important details.

“I was kidnapped and almost killed on the eve before my wedding. But someone rescued me and saved me from a horrible death that night. While I was at the hospital fighting for my life, the wedding continued with my step-sister posing as me.”

“Ah…” Maria’s jaw dropped, eyes widened like a saucer.

“To add more insult to injury,” Amelia continued. “I discovered that my stepsister was having an affair with my fiance, something that became public knowledge. Not only did the cheating couple rob me of my identity, but I was forced to become a married woman even though I was never married. So I divorced the Jerk and he officially married my stepsister the next day without any sign of remorse.”

“How cruel. I never knew people like that still exist.” Maria felt sorry for Amelia. “What about the person whom you’re engaged to now.”

“I’m sorry I can’t talk about him,” Amelia said in a resigned tone. “I hope you will understand.”

“I totally understand.” Maria could guess the kind of relationship Amelia had gotten herself into. If only she could find out who this man was and pay him off to let go of Amelia for her son. She believed Amelia would make an amazing partner for her equally heartbroken son.

Aside from the clinking of cutleries against ceramic plates and distant muffled chatting from other restaurant guests, there was complete silence between both women for a while.

“I…”

“Can…”

Maria and Amelia said at once and they both chuckled.

“Why don’t you go first?” Amelia urged.

“If you don’t mind this nosy woman asking…” Maria paused, listening to Amelia’s soft chuckle. “Why were you in the hospital? Are you sick like me?”

“Oh…no. It’s my grandmother. She was diagnosed with a minor stroke.” Amelia was saddened again.

“Such a pity. Old people are very fragile.” Maria sighed. “But don’t you worry she’ll be alright?”

“I hope so.” Amelia picked up her glass of water and took a sip. She checked the time on her wristwatch and decided it was time to leave.

“Maria, I really had a great time talking with you today. You have no idea how unburdened I feel right now. Thank you for being an amazing woman and cheering me up. I hope I never lose you as a friend.”

Amelia’s last statement brought tears to Maria’s eyes.

“Me too.” Maria beamed sweetly.

Standing up, she walked across the table to where Amelia was seated and took the empty seat beside her, leaving Amelia puzzled.

“Here…” She took off one of her rarest crystal pearl bracelets and wore it on Amelia’s left wrist. “I have only two of these and I’m giving you one of them.”

“No, I can’t …”

“Listen, Amelia. I can’t explain why but I like you so much. You are like a daughter I never had and I want to do this.”

Tears slid down Amelia’s flushed cheeks as she held Maria’s tender gaze.

“You are also a softie like me.” Maria wiped Amelia’s tears, with her thumb, making the latter smile. “As long as you keep this bracelet on your wrist.” She stroked the bracelet with so much love in her eyes. “…we will forever be friends.”

“Okay.” Amelia threw her arms around Maria’s neck and hugged her dearly.

Maria pulled away from Amelia and reached across the table for her phone

“Can I have your contact, please?” She said extending the phone to Amelia.

“Certainly.” Amelia imputed her number and returned it to her.

“I’ll call you now so that you can save my number,” Maria said, smiling to herself as she saved Amelia’s number with my son’s wife. Then she dialed Amelia’s number.

“That’s my number. Save it.”

Amelia saved the contact before rising to her feet.

“I have to go now.”

Just then a waiter approached their table with a man in dark shades and a premium hat.

“Amelia!” Henry’s eyes widened in surprise.