A Naive Bride for the Sophisticated CEO

Chapter 48: I love you, Amelia.

~At Parker’s Mansion~

The whole mansion and compound was lit up with beautiful lights and decorations. The air was filled with the aroma of different food delicacies.

The living room was also filled with so many people of great caliber and status.

It was Charles’ fiftieth birthday, and Helen had thrown him a birthday party. She invited all of his friends from near and abroad.

“Happy Birthday, Charles. Here is a little present from me.” Freddie said as he hugged Charles tightly.

“Thank you so much, Freddie. You never disappoint.” Charles responded, collecting the bag of presents he gave to him.

He gave the bag to one of the waiters and asked him to drop it in the room where they kept all the presents.

“Where is your son and his wife?” Freddie further asked.

“Oh, they should be on their way here. They are running late because of work.”

Freddie smiled and bounced his head. “Your son has finally snatched my daughter away from me. She hardly comes to visit. All she does now is call me.”

Charles let out a little laugh and shook his head. “Your daughter is married now. You should get used to that, okay?”

“It’s not like I have a choice.” He responded, and they both giggled.

“How is Ava and Hudson? It’s been a long time I saw the both of them”

“Ava is on her way here too. She has this photo shoot today, but she will be here soon. I made sure she prepared you a present…”

“Really? That’s so nice of you. And Hudson?”

Freddie let out an heavy sigh and shook his head.

“Since he left the wedding the other day, I haven’t been in contact with him. He blocked all ways I could talk to him. He probably hates me.”

“Wow. I’m so sorry about that, Freddie. I know this is hard for you.”

“It’s not as bad as you think it is, Charles. He is a big boy, I’m confident that he is taking care of himself and that he will come back one day.”

“Hmm… I hope so too.” Charles responded and they both went silent.

***

James pulled up in front of his father’s mansion. The compound happened to be filled with cars, so he couldn’t park inside the gates.

Throughout their ride from the house, Amelia was awkwardly silent. It had been like that since their misunderstanding.

She hardly talked to him, they slept in the same room but she made sure their bodies didn’t touch during the night. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

James was so hurt to see her act cold to him, but he wasn’t going to give up on her.

His men promised to get back to him after his father’s birthday about Elena and her evil partner. He couldn’t wait to settle it so that he could explain all that happened to Amelia.

After James switched off the engine, Amelia didn’t hesitate to open the door and step out. James had his eyes on her throughout the whole time.

She looked too beautiful for him to look away. For a minute, he forgot how the former Amelia looked.

Her makeup was done perfectly, her beautiful golden long dress had a sexy slit that extended down from her thighs to her feet.

Her arms were exposed because the dress had no sleeves. Around her neck was an expensive golden neckpiece.

She wore a black sandal high heels which she carried so perfectly like she was born with them.

As James stared at her, all he could say in his head was; “That is my wife! Damn it!”

As they got into the mansion, the classy sound Amelia’s shoes created made everyone look at them.

They both divulged a wide smile and gave slight bows before joining the people.

James moved closer to Amelia to hold her so that they could both greet his father.

Amelia noticed James bringing his hand closer to hers, and she slowly moved her hand behind her legs.

She acted clueless about what James wanted to do and headed to where Charles stood.

James swallowed hard at the taste of rejection. He smiled feebly and acted like nothing happened. He followed behind her to where his father was.

“Mr. Charles. Happy birthday to you.” Amelia uttered with happiness and kissed his cheeks.

“Thank you so much, Amelia. You look so beautiful. Wow.” He held her hand and made her take a quick twirl.

“Thank you, Mr. Charles. You look very handsome too. Nice Tuxedo.” She complimented, and they both chuckled.

“It’s the same Tuxedo as your husband’s.” Charles added, and Amelia’s smile slowly faded off.

“Happy birthday, Father.” James said to Charles and they embraced each other.

“Thank you, Son. You look handsome.” Charles uttered, and James chuckled.

“I am no bastard.” He responded, and they both laughed.

“Mr. Charles, here is your present. I wish you many more years.” Amelia butted in and stretched the medium box in her hand to him.

“Hm… this looks enticing. I can’t wait to check what is in it.”

“You can check it when checking the others. It’s nothing special.”

“All presents are special to me, Amelia. Thank you so much.”

Amelia nodded and looked around the living room for Helen. She hadn’t talked to her for a while.

“Are you looking for Helen?” Charles asked and she bounced her head.

“She should be in the kitchen. Have fun.” Charles said to her, and she smiled widely as she walked away.

James let out a heavy sigh and gazed at her as she walked away.

“Hey, James. Still the same?” Charles asked. James nodded sadly and looked at him.

“She doesn’t want to give me a chance at all, Father. I think she hates me now.” He said sadly.

*

Amelia found Helen in the kitchen and when they saw each other, their eyes widened.

“Amelia!” Helen called and opened her arms. Amelia ran into her arms and embraced her tightly.

“Mom.” She muttered against her shoulder. Helen moved her hand to her hand and gave it a little rub.

“Am I still your Mom, Amelia?” Helen mumbled.

Amelia disengaged from her slowly and lowered her head in sadness.

“Yes. I’m sorry I stopped calling and replying to your text. I am hurt badly, Mom. James…”

“I know all about it, Amelia. You don’t have to explain to me again.” Helen butted in, and she slowly bounced her head.

“And have you given him the chance to explain himself to you?” Helen further inquired.

Amelia exhaled softly and shook her head. “No. I don’t think there’s anything to explain. He can’t love me, Mom. It’s quite simple.”

Tears streamed out of Amelia’s eyes in no time, and she bowed her head.

“No, Amelia. You are mistaken. James loves you. He loves you so much.”

“How are you so sure about that? He was with Elena… the night he was supposed to be with me. I was ready, I was…”

“I know, Amelia. But it isn’t the way you see it. I would have done the explanation for him but he wants to do it himself. He did all of that for you, Amelia.”

“What are you talking about?” Amelia asked and cleaned her eyes.

“Do me a favor, Amelia. Let him explain what really happened. I am not taking sides, okay? I know James is suffering because of how badly he has treated you in the past, but please, listen to him.”

“Mom…”

“He calls me every time you ignore and acts like he is not there, Amelia. He is hurting. He wants you badly, Amelia.”

Amelia clasped her lips and more tears rushed out of her eyes.

“He has hurt me so much.” She mumbled.

“I know, Amelia. And he has learnt his lesson. Just give him a chance to explain. Don’t you miss him at all?”

Amelia huffed and raised her head. “I do miss him. I’m just scared he will hurt me again.”

“Everything is worth a try, Amelia. I won’t ask you to stay after he explains what happened to you. Just hear him out and decide what you would do on your own.”

“Okay.” She muttered and nodded. She cleaned her eyes and divulged a smile.

“Thank you. I love you, and thanks for coming! Charles never told me you will be coming. He said you will be busy with work.”

“I wanted to surprise you, so I told him not to tell.”

“Hm… you won. Let’s join the party.” Helen held Amelia’s hand, and they both walked to the living room.

Getting to the living room, they met the people giving their speech about Charles. How nice he had been to them and all.

“Be prepared to say your part too, okay?” Helen whispered in Amelia’s ear, and she chuckled.

“It’s no big deal. Uncle Freddie helped me overcome the fear of talking in events like this at my graduation party.”

“Have you met him at all?” Helen asked, and they both looked around for Freddie.

Amelia’s eyes fell on Freddie where he stood next to Charles. She was about to approach him when James took the spotlight to give his speech.

She gulped hard and took a pause to listen to him before going to her uncle Freddie.

She stared at his face under the bright light and got lost in it. She hasn’t let herself stare at him for so long after what he did to her. She didn’t want his looks to get the best of her anymore.

“Ermm… I don’t have much to say today. All I want to say is thank you, dad. You are always there when I need you the most, you love and care for me. I will always love you.”

Everyone, including Amelia, clapped for him after he finished talking. He wanted to move away from the spotlight, but thought twice and stood there.

“I have one more thing to say. I want to use this opportunity to say something I have never said to a woman before…”

Amelia’s heart skipped a beat and her eyes widened as she heard James’ words.

‘What are you doing, James?!’ She screamed in her head.

“I want to say I LOVE YOU, AMELIA. I love you so much, and I am happy you are my wife.” He uttered aloud.

The people cheered and shouted immediately after he spoke, while Amelia was too stunned to speak or move.