Chapter 40 - The Whole Truth.

"Boston why would you do that?"

Amelia asked in shock and Boston stood up quickly.

"Because he doesn't want us to get back together that's why. What other reason could he have for lying and hiding the file?"

Xavier fired as he glared at Boston who had surprisingly gone very quiet.

"Where is it Boston? Where is the file?"

Amelia asked calmly as she watched him closely, he looked defeated but Amelia didn't care, she only wished that he would stop lying and give the files back to her.

"They're in my apartment..."

He started and Amelia shrugged.

"So? I don't care.  They never belonged to you."

"I'll escort him out and get the file." Xavier said as he followed Boston out. Amelia sighed and looked at the door, obviously still shaken up by what was happening around her.
And the fact that Xavier was with her. And he claimed had evidence.



It didn't take long for Xavier and Amelia to be back alone again in her apartment.  Slowly and quietly, Amelia went through the files while Xavier slowly explained what happened. She took her time, digesting every word, phrase and statement as slowly as she could, as if she could avoid the inevitable, which was talking to Xavier.

But the truth was clear and it was glaring unless Amelia decided to be blind to it. Xavier did not cheat on her. And unless she wanted to lie or pretend like his feelings didn't matter, Amelia had to apologise. She was about to say something to him when Xavier paused her mid sentence and played the audio recording of while he was talking to Daphne.

Amelia put a hand to her mouth, hearing the hurtful things that Daphne was saying really made her feel foolish for underestimating the woman's determination to get whatever she wanted at any costs.
The most infuriating thing was that she sounded so unapologetic that she didn't even seem to realise the gravity of her actions. She drugged and sexually assaulted Xavier.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all of that."

Amelia said as she touched Xavier's arm lightly, she was about to withdraw her hand when he held onto hers quickly.

"Do you believe me now?"

He asked and Amelia nodded with a small smile on her face.

"I'm so sorry. I was so blinded by my anger and pain that I failed to try and listen to you. Especially with everything that's going on."

Amelia said as she shuddered a bit. It was hard for her to think of how Xavier had been coping, dealing with the death of his Nana and also trying to clear up his name when it came to her.

"I don't blame you Amelia. I really don't. I'm just happy that you believe me. It's all I ever wanted."

He replied with a smile as he kissed her fingers, there were so many things he wanted to tell her, especially about his feelings. Xavier had never felt more relieved as he did when he saw the look on Amelia's face. He had never been more happy to see that she actually believed him.
The whole nightmare was over.

"Xavier..."

Amelia called out and Xavier answered with a yes and a smile that was teeming with joy.

"Do you really think we're ever going to work out?"

Xavier paused, a bit confused by the question and Amelia seemed to pause too. The silence between them began to spread slowly until Xavier cleared his throat.

"Why not? We love each other..."

"Love?" Amelia said as she raised her eyebrows, she knew Xavier had mentioned love to her a couple of times, but he had not officially said the words in front of her and she didn't want him saying the words for all the wrong reasons.

"Yes love. Because there's no other way to explain the way that I feel about you. The past few days I have spent without you have been hell and I know you feel the same way too. Why torture ourselves when we can simply be together?"

He asked.

Amelia shrugged, still momentarily shocked by Xavier's words. The past dew days for her had been a rollercoaster of emotions and thoughts. Some had confused her and others had given her clarity. But there was one thing she knew
She didn't want be with Xavier because she was being paid to be his wife and she didn't want Xavier to confuse attraction for love. Most importantly she didn't want to get her heart broken like it did before.

"Xavier, when we first started out, this was all a contract. The only reason I did all this was to help my parents out because I thought we were going bankrupt. That was all."

"But now, things are so much different now... I've grown to really like you and I must confess that I do have feelings for you. But then I can't help but think about one thing..."

"Which is?"

Xavier asked impatiently, there was worry etched all over his face and his voice.

"You got married because of Nana, not because you wanted to. You got married because it was her dying wish for her to see you with your family. And now you're married. But sadly she's gone..."

Amelia paused. There was a long silence as they both felt the weight of Amelia's words all around the room.

"Amelia, what are you trying to say?"

Amelia gently shrugged off Xavier's hands off hers, her eyes travelling to the drawing of Xavier she made while he modelled nude for her, she smiled at the fond memories as her fingers found the engagement and wedding rings. Slowly, she slipped them off her hands.

The she turned to Xavier, his intense blue eyes were starting at her with so much emotion that she couldn't even bear to look at him anymore. She lowered her eyes as she put the rings in his open palm, closing it quickly.

"You're not obligated to marry me Xavier. And you don't have to pay me to be your wife. You don't have to do this."

She said as she started to move to the other end of her sofa, eager to leave her living room as quick as possible. She didn't think she could endure the look on Xavier's face. Or whatever he would say. She knew he was right, he didn't cheat on her but Amelia could  ignore the real reason why they were married.
And the truth be told, there was no reason for them to stay married. She needed Xavier to be completely sure about his decisions. Did he truly and really want to stay married to her?

"I know what I want Amelia."

"I know what I want and it's you. Yes, the circumstances around our marriage and meeting was unconventional to say the least, but right now, I just really want you back as my wife."

"We don't have to force this Xavier...."

Amelia said softly as she stood up from her sofa, walking towards her open windows and staring at the streets below.

"Do you feel forced Amelia? Tell me, do you?"

Xavier asked softly and Amelia looked away. If it wasn't for her parents, Amelia knew there was no way in hell she would be married at the age of twenty four or to a man like Xavier. She had always been on the wild side.

And when they had first married, she had to admit, their marriage felt like a cage to her at times. A pretty gilded cage that she was forced to live in. Everything had changed when they moved to California, that was when Amelia was getting to know the real Xavier, she was slowly falling in love with him and she wanted him by her side all the time. It was meant to be, till Daphne intervened and now she didn't know which way to go.

"Amelia, I will respect whatever decision you make. Whether or not you decide to leave me or stay, trust me I will honor it. But it doesn't mean that will be the end of what we have."

She slowly turned, facing Xavier with the full strength of her gaze and with her arms folded. She gave him a long look and something in her heart knew there was no way she would let him go, at least without her regretting it.

"You never forced me..."

"Then what's the problem? What are you saying Amelia?"

Amelia sighed, her frustration was building up faster than she realized. She was not frustrated at Xavier but at herself and the things she couldn't even comprehend but were making her unsure of everything that was between her and Xavier.

"Do you love me Xavier?"

She asked and Xavier nodded as he walked closer to Amelia.

"Yes, I love you and I mean it. I'll say it a thousand times and some more if you want me to reassure you."

Amelia slowly nodded her head.

"But do you love me enough to stay married to me?"

Xavier sighed as he walked closer to Amelia, his face was merely a few inches away from hers and he cupped her face in his hands and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Sweetheart, the few days I've lived without you, has been completely miserable for me. I don't want to go back to a life without you. Without the smell of you. Without the taste of you. Without waking up beside you. I don't want to ever forget the smell of your terrible cooking."

Amelia and Xavier both chuckled when he mentioned her terrible cooking.

"I don't want to ever wake up and not see those beautiful violet eyes of yours. Or hear the sound of your laugher. Or live in a world that doesn't even have your paintings hung up on the walls."

He raised his head and for the first time and really looked at her. Her willowy frame. Her lack of makeup. Her rumpled dress. But in her, he saw her beauty. Her rich violet that stole his breath while looking through hid soul. Her hair was like an obsidian waterfall that tumbled down her back in thick disheveled locks.. And her mouth... oh, how he wanted to kiss that mouth.

And so he did. Softly grazing her lips with a fiery tease that set Amelia ablaze. Slowly, it became a full on, openmouthed, sexual kiss. And they both loved it. He loved the way her small body melted into his. The way their lips fit like two puzzle pieces like it always did. The way she relented as he played with her hair and held her tighter and tighter. When they broke away after what seemed like ages she looked at him and he could have sworn that he saw tears in her eyes.

"Why are you crying?"

He asked softly as he kissed away her tears before they fell on her cheeks.
She shook her head slowly, her emotions were overwhelming her and she was flooded with love.
Love for only one single man and he was standing right in front of her.

"It's nothing. I just really really love you."

She whimpered softly as she buried her face in his chest and Xavier kissed her hair.

"I love you too baby. Then what's the problem? Why can't we be together?"

He asked and Amelia shrugged, whimpering softly. She didn't even know why she brought it up, but she wanted to be sure of Xavier's feelings for her. She didn't want him to feel obligated to be with her because he paid for her to be his.

"I just wanted to be sure that you weren't rushing things. I mean... This was an arranged marriage from the start and ...."

Xavier coveted the rest of Amelia's words with his lips on hers and kissed her again.
He broke away a few seconds later.

"The important thing is, do you want to be with me? Forever?"

He asked with a glint in his eyes.

Amelia nodded.

"Yes, I want to."

Xavier shrugged as he lifted up the hand that the rings were in.

"Then there is really no problem! I'll ask again."

He said as he got on one knee and Amelia started giggling.

"This time it will be official."

He said as he raised the ring with a boyish grin on his beautiful face.

"Will you marry me Amelia?"

There were no after thoughts, no need to over analyse the situation or give into doubts because she had no more doubts.

Her answer was plain and clear.

Amelia smiled mischievously and told Xavier a no.
Xavier's face fell quicker than she expected and she cried out in surprise.

"Xavier!!! I'm just kidding!!! Of course I'll marry you."