Chapter 4
As it is getting closer and closer to 6:30 I am getting super excited knowing that it's almost quitting time for me. I'll be able to spend some time with Britney. Today went extremely slow. I then look at my manager Tom to tell him that I will be leaving soon.
He then looks at me confused, "What are you talking about?"
"Remember? I told you last week that I was leaving early at 6:30. My best friend Britney has came back to town from college."
Then he comes over to me. I try not to react not wanting to make him angry because I need this job. "Amelia, Fridays are the busiest days of the week, and the rush still hasn't hit. Not until 7:30."
"Look, I asked you last week, and you said it was fine. She's only back for a week. I haven't seen her in 2 years. This is really important to me."
He then comes up to me wrappng his finger around a piece of my hair to put it behind my ear. "If I do this for you Amelia, what are you willing to do for me?"
I look at him nervously knowing what he wants, but I refuse to give. Instead I respond, "I will work the holidays for you this year."
He smiles and says, "That's not what I had in mind, but all right fine. Sounds good."
As I walk outside I realize I forgot my coat. I don't go back for it not wanting to go back inside with him. He treats me like I always owe him something in return for him giving me a job. It makes me nervous and uncomfortable to be around him so much. I'd rather just freeze waiting outside in the cold. Of course Britney is late like she always is. If she even remembered to pick me up. As I decide to just start walking I see a car pulling up to me.
I look in the window. It rolls down, and I hear a mans voice, "I'm here to take you to Britney's party." I get in the car then the driver says, "I could of got the door for you."
"It's ok. I know how to open a door. Where is Britney?"
"She chose to stay at the party. I told her I would come and get you."
I smile, "Well, thank you for coming. I'm just happy she didn't forget. I am Amelia, by the way."
The driver stops and turns back, "Its nice to meet you again Amelia."
I look up and it's Derek, Britney's fiancé. I smile not sure what to say.
"So, Amelia, do you like your job."
"Yes. Somedays I forget my coat though."
He presses the breaks, "Would you like to go back and get it?"
"No," I reply, "the manager gets touchy sometimes, and I try to be nice because I really need my job. I'll get it tomorrow. Thank you though."
He then says, "I can understand why he becomes touchy with you. You are a very attractive woman."
I start to blush not sure what to say, "Do you really think so," I ask.
"Yes, I do. You have a rare beauty that most women don't have."
I laugh out loud, "Yeah, ok. I have never been called beautiful or anything like that, but thank you." I just look out the window wondering why the first man that calls me beautiful has to be taken by my best friend.
He pulls up to Britney's house. I jump out of the car and run inside to find Britney knowing it might seem a little dramatic. I just need to get away from him. I cant get wrapped up with him.
Of course everybody is dressed so nicely, and here I am in blue jeans and a plain shirt. I'm always out of place no matter where I go. As I look for Britney I don't see her anywhere, so I decide to go upstairs to use the restroom.
As I do I see Britney all over another dude. I am not really surprised. She was never one to settle down with just one person, but to do it with her fiancé possibly catching her is crazy. She can't be messing around with other guys. It's just ridiculous in my book, but really who am I to judge her. Maybe I am just jealous of what she has.
As I walk in to the bathroom I look into the mirror. I brush my hair to try to make it look half decent, but it's not like I really have anybody to impress. As I walked back into the hallway I look for her, but I still don't see her anywhere, so I just go back downstairs. I see Britney's mom and ask her if she knows where Britney is.
She immediately hugs me. "I haven't seen you in so long Amelia! It is so nice to see you! She's around here somewhere sweetheart. You just have to look for her."
As I am walking around I cannot find her anywhere, so I just decide to give up. If she runs into me she runs into me. If not then I will just go without seeing her for tonight.
So, as the night goes on there is no Britney to be found. I had only seen her that one time making out with some dude. No idea who he is, but sure as hell wasn't her fiancé. I am starting to get bored and it's getting late, so I decide to start heading out. Britney knows everybody and everybody loves her, but I don't really know anybody, so there's nobody to talk to. So as I go to get my coat I then realize that I left my coat at work.
I am so mad at myself knowing it's going to be a freezing walk home. I decide to leave anyway just because of the fact that there's no reason to be here, and I need to be up early to do my chores. As I start walking out the door I feel someone grab my arm. I look back and it's Derek. I am shocked. He then proceeds to ask me where I am going.
"I decided to go home. I'm not really sure what Britney is doing, but I haven't seen her all night. It's getting awfully late."
He then looks at his watch and says, "It's only 11."
I smile at him, "Late is a different time for everybody."
"Well, Amelia, I guess your late is my early."
I smile at him starting to blush not understanding why, but knowing that he makes my heart skip a beat.
He then tells me, "Let me grab my coat, and I will drive you home. It is way too cold for you to walk, and it's dark out."
"I don't wanna be any trouble. I've walked this path plenty of times in the dark. I will be Ok."
"Hey," then he grabs my arm, "I insist. Let me drive you home."
"Ok. If you really want to then I guess that would be fine. Thank you."
We are walking out to the car and of course I have to step on a sheet of ice almost falling on my face, but luckily I am caught once again. As I look into his eyes I just want to kiss him.
He then helps me stand, "Amelia, you must be really unsteady on your feet. Unless it is just because I make you nervous on you feet," he smiles at me. I start to blush not sure if he is flirting with me. I'm shocked. I want him to be flirting with me, but he is taken by my best friend. He then opens the car door to let me in. I thank him and sit in the car.
He smiles as he is getting in the car and starts to ask, "Ok, where are we going? I'm not sure where you live."
"I'm not too good with directions, so just drive back to the store you picked me up at. I can show you from there. That will be the easiest."
He then asks, "So, Amelia, are you single?"
I reply, "Yes, I am. I've never really had a relationship. Never was interested in anyone enough to want to date them. Everyone knows everyone around here. I've just never been attracted to any of my options. They are pretty limited," I laughed.
He then looks at me and says, "If I would ask you to marry me, and be under contract with me would you?"
I look at him confused, "What kind of question is that?" I ask him.
"I'm looking for a wife. My parents want me to marry because it looks good for business."
"You are engaged to my best friend!"
"She won't mind if I don't marry her. She was with a different guy at her party. Amelia, you even saw her."
I look at him, "I really don't know what to say to you Derek. I'm not the girl you want trust me. I've never even had a boyfriend. I don't know what you would expect from me, and becoming a wife to a stranger is insane."
Derek then smiles at me, "You will be awarded for becoming my wife."
I look at him, "What? Like a dog? Good girl here's your treat."
He laughs, "I guess kinda in a way, but you will have rules that will have to be followed. You'll also have to sign a contract."
"I think I will pass, but thank you."
As he stops at my house he leans over me to open the car door. He then faces me and kisses me on my lips so passionately I feel things I have never felt. I'm surprised.
He then asks, "Are you getting out, or do you want more?"