FLASH MARRIAGE; CHARMED BY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE CEO-Chapter 316: Second Mother

"Hello, Henry." A sweet smile spread across Amelia's face.

"Hey." Henry came into view, forcing a smile on his face. "I thought you were sleeping."

"No. I was merely relaxing."

Amelia's sensitive ears captured the sadness in Henry's voice. She turned her head sideways to look at him as he plopped into one of the seats, releasing a sigh. ƒreewebɳovel.com

"I hope you don't mind my joining you."

"Of course not." Amelia sat up, turning her full attention to Henry. "I always love a good company.

"Mmm..." Henry forced a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Are you all right?" Amelia asked softly, troubled to see such a lively and chatty man looking so downcast.

"Yeah! I'm fine. What about you?"

"I'm doing great, but don't try to change the topic." Amelia stood up and walked over to the double couch seat where Henry was seated. She slowly sat down beside Henry, placing her right hand on his.

What's the matter? Why the long face?"

"It's nothing serious. I promise." Henry tried to look away, but Amelia forced him to look at her.

"You can't tell me nothing is wrong because I can see it in your eyes. I've been here before, and trust me, I know how you feel."

Henry lowered his gaze, unable to hide his feelings from Amelia. This was the first time he was truly madly in love with a woman, and seeing her so angry at him shook him to the bone.

"You do know we are a family now, right?" Amelia gently stroked Henry's arms, easing his heartache.

"Yeah..." Henry gritted his teeth, finding solace in Amelia's gentle touch.

"So talk to me. Does this have to do with Sarah?"

Henry snapped his head upwards to look into Amelia's tender gaze.

"Did she call you?" Henry asked in a slight trembling voice.

Amelia grinned, knowing exactly how she felt anytime she quarrelled with Blaze.

"She didn't have to. I could tell from the look in your eyes that whatever is bothering you has to do with her."

"Am I that obvious?" Henry sighed again.

"When you are in love, it is difficult to hide your emotions."

Henry nodded, massaging his forehead and blowing air through his mouth.

"So tell me. Did you both have a fight?"

"Not really." Henry gave Amelia a rundown of the incident that transpired between him and Sarah, and all the things that led to it.

Amelia was slightly shocked at the end of Henry's heartbreaking story. "That young man has got some nerves."

"I'll deal with him later, but for now, I can't help it that Sarah is mad at me. I don't want to lose her."

"You won't because you didn't do anything wrong. Rather, I must commend you for protecting my cousin from such a jerk. Sebastian or whatever that fool's name is a pervert and a two timing son of a b*tch. He doesn't deserve to be friends with my cousin, and I'll make sure of it."

Henry watched Amelia stand up and reach for a phone.

"You want to call Sarah?" Henry was slightly alarmed.

"Yes and..." Amelia stopped Henry from protesting. "... I'll pretend like I don't know anything."

"Thank you." Henry released a forced breath,

rubbing his palms together in anxiety as Amelia dialled Sarah's number.

They both watched silently as the number rang without Sarah picking up.

Just when Henry was about to give up, he heard her subtle voice echo in the background, before Amelia removed the call from speaker mode.

"Hello sweetie, did I call at the wrong time?"

"No. Hi."

Amelia smiled.

"How are you?"

"I'm good. What about you?"

Amelia could hear the masked crack his Sarah's voice.

"I'm fine, dearie. Thanks for asking. So, how is your music class going? I'm guessing you are there right now, even though I can't hear the sounds of instruments like yesterday." Amelia said teasingly.

"That's because I'm not there." Sarah's voice cracked a bit, revealing her pain. "I decided to stay home today."

"Why? And you don't sound so great. Are you all right?" Amelia asked in her most soothing voice, breaking through Sarah's already crumbling wall.

"Yes," Sarah replied with a sob.

"Sarah..." Amelia frowned, her heart aching to hear her cousin crying. She knew how fragile Sarah's emotions were, intensifying her hatred for this Sebastian guy. "Please talk to me. You know you can tell me anything."

"I don't want to trouble you. You've done enough for me already."

"Nonsense... I'm coming over right now."

"No cousin." Sarah pleaded.

"Expect me in the next thirty minutes with your favourite chocolate bar?" Amelia blew kisses over the phone and ended the call."

Henry looked up to her expectantly, his deep blue eyes already conveying his unspoken plea.

"How about an evening ride to my aunt's house?"

"It will be my pleasure to take you there."

"Which aunt's house?" Maria walked onto the terrace holding a tray containing a bowl of vegetable salad.

"Aunt Judith and I promise I won't be long, Mom," Amelia said, pleading.

Maria pouted, not liking this one bit.

"Did something bad happen?"

"No, mom. I just need to see my cousin, who needs me right now."

Maria sighed, looking at Henry accusingly.

"Sarah?"

"Yes. You know I'm like a second mother to her."

"What about this salad I just made for you?" Maria gestured to the tray she was holding.

"I'll eat it when I get back."

"Or you can eat it on your way there because I'm coming with you," Maria said, retracing her steps into the house.

"But mom..."

"No, but," Maria stressed firmly. "We are all going together, and that is final."

-

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The terrifying events of the day slowly vaporised out of Gwen's mind as she prepared feverishly for her dinner date.

Tyler had agreed to come down to the mansion and pick her up based on her request, and she wanted to make a good first impression on him by looking her best.

She took her time getting ready, paying attention to every detail in her dress, her accessories and even her makeup.

By the time she was done dressing, a slight knock on her bedroom door told her that Tyler had arrived at the mansion.

"You've still got the looks, baby girl." Gwen beamed at her beautiful reflection on the vanity mirror. "Now it's time to shoot your shots." She hastily applied more perfume before hurrying towards the door.