Chapter 39 - A shocking discovery.

"Why do you want me to go with you? We barely know each other."

Amelia retorted as she dropped the pamphlet on her coffee table and walked to her kitchen, her throat was dry and itchy. She needed water.

"Well, I think it's a great opportunity. We don't have to know each other that well, We're both artists."

Boston replied loud enough for Amelia to hear as he eyed her phone. She came back a few minutes later with her blanket over her and a bottle of water with her. Her hair was a hot mess and half of her face was covered with a dark sunglasses. But she still looked perfect to him, in fact, she would always look beautiful to him.

It didn't matter if she was clothed in rags or pretty dresses, Amelia's beauty always found a way to shine through whatever outfit she had on.

"I know. But still, it's a very spontaneous and random thing to do. Even for me. Not sure I want to go for some art retreat."

Boston raises his eyebrows.

"Not even when they're promising you full course meals and a serene and peaceful environment away from the buzz of the city?"

He asked and Amelia was about to answer the question in the negative when she paused, Boston had put her in a tight corner.

Some peace and serenity would do her a lot of good, but she knew the reason she was holding back, it was because of Xavier. A large part of her still really missed him. She loved the calls and texts and sweet gestures but she wanted to see him in person, she wanted to see him try and at least prove his innocence like he had claimed.
Maybe an arts retreat was what she needed after all, to clear her head and think of the next thing to do. Was she going to go through with the divorce idea with Xavier, and even if she did, there was still the original agreement.

Xavier could simply force her to stay married to him, worse still, she and her parents would be required to pay back every dime of what he helped them with. She knew deep in her heart that Xavier would never do such a thing, but still the thought if it kept on bothering her.

What would she do if Xavier didn't want a divorce?
And the most important question, did she even really want a divorce?

She didn't, but he had cheated and broke her trust, she didn't think she could ever look at him in the same light again.

"I want to make a few things clear Boston..."

Amelia started and Boston leaned in to listen to her.

"If I agree to go to the retreat, it's only because I feel it's good for me. Not because of anything else."

Boston nodded his head.

"I understand."

She shook her head slowly as she raised a hand to stop him.

"No, I don't think you do. There really can't be anything between us. I'm in a very delicate state right now...."

Amelia struggled to find the words so she wouldn't come off as too harsh but Boston didn't seem to be listening anymore.

"What do you see in that guy?"

He asked out of the blues and Amelia frowned, she wasn't quite sure who he was referring to.

"Xavier?"

Boston shrugged.

"Yea, what do you see in your husband? I mean, he cheated on you."

"Yes, I know he did..."

"So what's the problem? Divorce him already! He isn't worthy of you or your love."

Amelia chuckled as she shook her head, she didn't know who Boston thought he was, trying to make decisions for her but she wasn't having any of it.

"I don't think that's your problem. Or business either. I've never discussed my personal issues with you so I don't believe you should have an opinion on it."

Boston shrugged.

His face was slowly contorting into anger and Amelia slowly stood up from the couch, eager to get away from him.

"Whatever you do or think you'll do he's still always going to get back to that Daphne girl. I mean, if he slept with her once, what's the guarantee that he won't do it again?"

"I mean, he might even be with her right now!"

How did Boston know about Daphne? Amelia thought as she squeezed her face in concentration, she was trying to remember if there was ever a moment she told Boston about Daphne. She never did. And there was no way he would have known either.

"I never told you about Daphne. Or my husband. How do you know that?"

She asked with a low voice, picking up her phone and putting as much space as she could between her and Boston. She finally understood what Xavier was getting at when he said he didn't like Boston.

Boston was creepy, he must have been stalking her for such a long time and Amelia had been oblivious to his true nature. He had taken advantage of the fact that Amelia wasn't in her right state of her mind, pretended to be her friend under the guise of friendship and good neighbourliness. Utter bullshit! She could have called out his bullshit and gave him a strict warning the day he sent that painting.

"I... I mean you told me? I don't know but you definitely mentioned it once when you were drunk."

Amelia shook her head strongly.

"I don't recall saying anything like That! I never told you anything like that!"

"Calm down Amelia! Calm down I'm sure you forgot."

Boston said as he stood up and gestured for Amelia to calm down.

"Here have your pamphlet. I'm not going to any stupid arts retreat. Leave my apartment."

Amelia said as she handed Boston the pamphlet and walked towards her door. She opened it impatiently and pointed to the door.

"Please leave my apartment Boston. Have fun at your art retreat."

She sniggered as she rolled her eyes at him.

Boston on the other hand stood transfixed to the spot, his eyes were glued to the doorway and Amelia was getting pissed off as he stood frozen on the spot.

"What the hell are you waiting for?"

She said as she turned to the door and found Xavier standing there. Her throat immediately went dry.

"Amelia."

He called out slowly, his eyes transfixed on her.

"What are you doing here?" Amelia asked as she walked back slowly, her resolve was crumbling fast and she couldn't even bear to look at Xavier's face. Her hands were shaking as she placed them on the door to support herself.

"Please just give me a minute to explain you can't send me away without knowing the whole truth."

Xavier pleaded, hi desperation was visible in his voice. Amelia stared at him, nervous and unsure but she wanted to listen. She could smell his cologne on him, the one he liked to use often, she didn't realise how much she missed it.

"Okay I'll give you a chance to explain."

Amelia said as she let him in, Xavier's eyes wandered to her hand and he smiled fondly as he found out that she was still wearing their engagement and wedding band.

"You still have the ring."he said quietly as he walked in. Amelia tucked her hair behind her ears and rolled her eyes. She lowered her gaze as Xavier walked in, suddenly feeling self conscious and unkempt in her party clothes from the day before. They were both still oblivious to the fact that Boston was still in the room.

In fact, it was as if they had completely forgotten about his existence the moment their eyes connected and they saw each other.

Xavier turned to Boston slowly and narrowed his eyes. He then glanced at Amelia.

"Did you get the file I sent you? The one with all the proof that I didn't cheat on you?"

Amelia frowned as she looked around, obviously confused. Boston shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"What file?" She fired back quickly after racking her brain.

"I came here earlier today. I left some documents in a file. I slipped it underneath your door. You don't remember?"

Xavier asked as he turned to Boston. If he remembered correctly, Boston was in the hallway while he slipped the file underneath Amelia's door.

"He was there. He saw when I slipped it in this morning."

Amelia tried very hard to remember what happened when she arrived back.at home. She had arrived at her apartment with Boston closely behind her, when she saw a file on the floor Boston had claimed that it was his and he took it before she even had a chance to inspect it. And she had been too hungover to even argue with him.

"I remember seeing a brown file, but Boston told me it was his mail. Isn't that right Boston?"

She asked as she turned to look at him. The heat of Amelia and Xavier's gaze made Boston very uncomfortable as he started to fumble with his collar. Amelia remembered Boston had taken the file from her apartment and claimed it was his.

He must have been lying. She turned to Xavier and the look on his face further confirmed her suspicions.

"Amelia, this guy's a big phony. I'm sure he took the file."