Chapter 4 - The Unexpected Proposal.
"Mr Xavier Black! Welcome to our humble home. This is my lovely wife Amber and our beautiful daughter Amelia."
Mr Johnston pointed to his daughter who was busy trying to hide her face in her hands.
Dear Lord! Help me get out of this situation and I will go to church everyday!
She prayed desperately.
Her mother walked close to her and pinched her side.
"Amelia, why don't you say hello to Mr Xavier."
She slowly, very slowly raised her head up and her eyes met the unsettling blue eyes of Mr Xavier.
He was still the way she remembered him, dark hair, brooding eyes with ice blue eyes and a jaw that could cut through glass.
"Hello Mr Xavier. Nice to meet you." She said as her cheeks reddened in embarrassment.
Mr Xavier had an amused look on his face. The woman looked exactly like the woman he met at the club the night before, what the hell was she doing here.
"Nice to meet you too Amelia. You look lovely."
Amelia looked down at her clothes and gave a weak smile. After the pleasantries they all sat down.
Amelia did her best to hide her shock, she was really praying and hoping that Xavier would not mention what happened the night before. It was going to be humiliating and her parents would not let her hear the end of it.
"So, Amelia your parents tell me you went to Princeton."
She nodded.
"Yes, I majored in Economics."
"That's very good. Planning on taking your MBA soon?"
"Well, I'm still thinking about that." Amelia laughed nervously as she scratched her head and wondered why he was asking her about her studies. It made her nervous.
"Let's cut to the chase now, I'm sure your parents have informed you on what's going on."
Amelia glanced at her parents who were looking at her with an hopeful smile.
"Yes, I learnt that you helped them with a lot of money. Thank you."
Xavier looked taken aback, but it was only for a second before his cold mask came back on his beautifully sculpted face.
"Good. Now, I know your father agreed, but I need to know if you do too."
She looked at her parents once again, their eyes held pleading looks, she knew she could have easily said no, but the cost of rejecting the offer would throw her parents into tremendous debts and the truth was that, Amelia didn't even know how she could help them, except this way.
"Yes, they have briefed me about it. And yes, I agree."
Her parents breathed out signs of relief.
"Good. That's good. I will be contacting you soon with a few contracts you need to sign, this needs to be confidential."
"Sure, whenever you bring them over I will sign them."
Xavier nodded. Who was this woman? He thought as he studied her. She was far from the wild and sensual woman he met in the club. This one was more composed and refined.
"Now, unto the next thing." he said as he reached into his pocket and brought out a black velvet box.
Her parents gasped.
He opened it and it was magnificent. It was a 10 carat marquise cut diamond set horizontally and arranged with dozens of smaller diamonds.
"Oh my! Amelia it's beautiful!!!" Her mother gushed out as Xavier mindlessly slipped the ring on her finger.
Amelia admired the ring, it was huge! And from the looks of it, it cost well over a million dollars. She looked up and her eyes met Xavier's once again.
He didn't display any emotion other than mild amusement.
"The wedding will be in a week. It will be a private affair. Every detail is already taken care of, except your wedding gown which you have a week to choose."
"A week!"
Getting married in a week? Amelia thought she at least had months to mentally prepare for the utter lack of freedom.
"Why is it so soon? Why a week?"
Xavier shrugged.
"I want the wedding to happen soon. That's what I want."
She wanted to him to clarify why but a look from her mother made her shut her mouth.
"A private affair? How private are we talking about? A few hundred people?"
Her mother asked and Amelia rolled her eyes.
"No, not a few hundred. The maximum number will be six."
"Six? That can't be right. Are you absolutely sure Mr Black?"
Her mother asked and Xavier gave her a tight smile.
"Yes, Just six. I don't want a public ceremony."
"Okay. Okay. That's okay, we actually prefer small intimate weddings! It's the new trend these days."
Her Dad added with a smile.
"This is my Amex black card, I will be borrowing it to you to purchase a dress. Once we are married, I will get you your own credit card."
Amelia's eyes bulged, he was giving her his credit card????
No, she shouldn't accept that.
"I'm capable of paying for my own dress thank you."
Amelia answered haughtily with a frown as she folded her arms.
Her mother stood up from her chair and collected the card from Xavier.
"She's just being polite. Amelia knows she needs the card so we can buy her a befitting wedding dress don't you Amelia?"
Her mother out rightly glared at her and Amelia caved.
"Yes, I understand. I promise to return it the moment I'm done."
Xavier shrugs.
"It's okay. Make plans to start moving your stuff. Very soon you will be living with me in Atherton."
"Atherton? Wait, no! I have to leave New York?!!"
Amelia almost screamed. She didn't know, she had no idea and her parents didn't tell her that she was going to be leaving the city.
How would she be able to leave her friends and move to a strange city where she knew nobody.
Amelia didn't think she could take it, why didn't her parents tell her about this.
"Yes, I live in California. So you will be coming with me. I suggest you start saying your goodbyes."
There was no tone or emotion in his voice and suddenly Amelia felt very angry looking at his handsome face.
She knew she could easily say no and decide that she didn't want to be a slave to her parents demands but one more look at them and so many thoughts ran through her mind.
Like how her brother Griffin was going to have to drop out of medical school if they couldn't pay his tuition.
"I will do all what you say. But, it will be on one condition."
Xavier raised his eyebrow.
"And what would that be?"
"If my parents are able to pay you back every dime you helped them with, I will divorce you."
Xavier's face broke out in a cruel smile.
"Deal."