My entire mind and body tensed as I listened to her speak. Her revelation out of nowhere had staggered me. She had never uttered a damn, bloody thing about basically anything about my life, my family or much of anything unless it involved her or Lucy.
"Blake Knightly … "
Fuck. What did the bastard do now? I noticed that her throat bobbed, as if having a tough time remembering what had happened.
"I've been in love with him … even before he realized I existed," she started to say with a soft sob. "The first time I saw him, he was in Rome visiting his aunt and uncle. My parents and I were invited to this lavish gathering they had, but we never got the opportunity to be introduced-he was busy with this group of people, mostly women-" she wiped a single tear that fell before smiling sadly.
"Even from afar, I knew he was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. That whole night, I kept glancing at him, hoping he'd notice me, but he was too busy. I went home with a sad heart, but I knew it probably wasn't the right time anyway. I believe in soul mates, and my heart chose him.
"A year after that happened, I found him again in Marbella, socializing amongst my friends and family because he was planning on opening a casino and needed everyone's support and approval. But of course, for me, it was entirely different. I really thought he and I had a chance. Everything was perfect-beautiful-just like I imagined it would be. But it wasn't a fairytale because Sienna came in the picture and ruined everything for me."
Delusion at its best, I sadly thought before stating my opinion. "Sienna has always been in the picture, but she was in a relationship with Kyle, and Blake, being the man that he is, respected that and chose to be friends with her instead. It was only a matter of time until he did something. Before things progressed between them, he was already in love with her. I'm almost hundred percent positive he was even in love with her when he was with you."
"My life's a tragedy, Toby … " she started to break as tears streamed down her face, "and I don't think it can ever be fixed."
"It's never too late to fix anything. You're still young, and with the baby on the way, you can start afresh-a new life in every sense of the word." As I moved towards her, she held out her hand, stopping me from trying to comfort her.
"I started seeing this married guy, thinking stupid things that would make him come back to me. I'm sorry for using you, too. I wanted him to hurt because he loves you, but nothing worked. Nothing … " She shook her head, gazing up to me with tears and quivering lips.
"I paid someone to produce a fake testing for the baby. I hate not knowing who the father is, but I couldn't blame anyone except me. I made such a fool of myself." She tapped her palm against her chest. "Look at me now. It's tragic, isn't it?" A heartbreaking smile came to her lips. "I only ever fell in love … "
Haunted would be the precise word I would have used to describe her at that moment. One revelation after the other; how had she kept this up for so long? Sure, I had believed she was pining for Knightly and wanted a taste of revenge, however I'd had no notion how deeply rooted her feelings were to him until now. What did one tell the other when both persons involved were utterly and tragically hopeless?
"Amelia-"
"I'm exhausted, Toby."
As was I. More than I would admit. "I know you are. I do know that." I motioned my head towards the dining area, hoping that I could entice her to eat something because she hadn't had anything since the fruits and cream this morning. "Let me order dinner and we can discuss how to build your new life. Hell, we can even consider the thought of relocating you to a different country if it would make you feel better."
"The last supper."
I nodded. "Yep."
"Before a brand new life."
At least she was riding on the idea. That was a splendid thing.
"Anything in particular you fancy getting a taste of?"
"Get me everything on the menu. I want a tiny piece of everything. I want to savor every morsel," she enthusiastically supplied as she strode towards the hall. "I'm going for a shower. I'll be right back."
"Sure. I'll do the same."
Twenty or so minutes later, freshly showered and shaven, the six-cart entourage to our gluttony arrived with flowers and a butler equipped to serve when ready.
A vast selection of tapas, cheeses, three dishes of paella-seafood, chicken and pork-Castilian-style beef rack, chorizo filled with spices, desserts, and other dishes I had not had the pleasure of being acquainted with, filled the entire opulent rectangular dining table. All forty-two inches of it.
I was all for casually eating, but Amelia absolutely devoured her food like she had been starved, like a famished bear that had woken up from months of hibernation. Brushing off her behavior as if I wasn't in complete amazement, I diverted my attention to discussing where and what she fancied to do after the baby was born.
She was forthcoming with her thoughts, even mentioning that she played with the idea of opening a business or working again because she had enjoyed working before Blake Knightly had come into the picture. With the baby due in a few months' time, I advised that she rest and experience motherhood first. Then, when she was ready to challenge herself with work and being a mother, she could go right on ahead.
It was strange, yet we discussed about the baby not being mine in a normal manner. Strange at best, but definitely reassuring that her attitude shift could be permanent. I even went out of my comfort zone and offered to be there for her in any case if the father turned out to be the unnamed, married man she had been involved with. It was a massive promise to make, but somehow seeing that tiny peanut on the screen earlier today had touched a place in my heart.
Right after dinner, she informed me that she had decided to go home and rest. So here I was, waiting out in the living room as she changed into her clothes, hoping that this amiable communication would never alter.
Amelia came out ten minutes later, dressed in a loose, soft cotton dress that her maid, Delia, had brought. Apparently, she'd made the call after showering and before she'd come out to eat dinner with me.
"Thank you-for being here." She seemed shy all of a sudden, quite unusual again coming from her.
"This trip was … momentous." Historic. Beaming like tomorrow was going to be better and brighter, I took her in my arms and held her tight. "One day at a time," I murmured into her ear. "Just breathe and never let the past dictate your path."
I felt her nod, understanding somehow. "You're a great man, Toby. Maybe even better than your best friend," she replied, bringing a smile to my face.
As I pulled her away from my body, she produced her purse and opened it, drawing out the signed divorce papers.
"I don't have any clue what made you change your mind or what transpired that afternoon, but whatever this is, I hope it's long-lasting."
"Let's just say that a vision came to me during sleep. Like a beacon or guiding light to show me the way."
Well, that sounded hopeful, that vision … "I'm delighted to hear that. Truly, I am."
She did somehow look less troubled. I supposed the hatred that had fired her soul for the past year or so had dissipated and found a different purpose-her unborn baby.
"Before I go, I just want to tell you that a woman that loves with all her heart would never let anything stop her from being with her man. Lucy gave every excuse to leave you. Think about it."
Great point. However, I had realized that beforehand. "I know."
"Good." She smiled before stretching her neck as she stood on her tippy toes to kiss me on the cheek. "Until we meet again, Toby Watson."
Indeed. "Until then, Amelia."
Watching her leave, I stood there awhile, mesmerized and astounded of the turn of events.
The future had never looked this positive.
Optimism flowed through me and I had not felt this genuinely blissful in quite a long time.
My life certainly was bursting with surprises.
Chapter 16
Toby
The morning of my flight back, I woke up early, showered and dressed before the break of dawn. After ordering room service for breakfast, I decided to work for a few more hours before readying to leave the hotel and heading towards the airport. Ever since I got here, I had rarely used my mobile and it was overflowing with emails and messages, both business and personal. My morning revolved around that.
The hotel provided a private service to take me to the airport, making everything easy. The ride to the airport was different. This time, I actually saw Madrid, the city itself. It had been influenced by Romans, Iberians, Moors and Arab cultures; its unmarred beauty, historic wealth and style of architecture somehow saddened me because I hadn't truly experienced the city. Sure, I had travelled here more than I could count and lived here during weekends when I was obligated to leave Marbella when work didn't consume me. I had been wrapped in my own misery, so I had neglected to see something that was a distinct part of my life. After all, I had gotten married here, in one of the most historic Cathedrals in Europe.
Spain, overall, had been my home for the past year and a half. I had never thought I would feel that way, but saying goodbye to this country brought melancholy to my previously upbeat mood.