19. West
Chapter 19
West
“ I ’m so nervous,” she whispers as we sit in the back of the black car as we pull up to the LaBelle hotel.
I smile at Amelia. She’s absolutely gorgeous.
Her glossy brunette hair is curled at the back of her head. Her thick black lashes close over her bright blue eyes as she sighs.
I lean in and give her a kiss. “You shouldn’t be. This is for you.”
She rolls her eyes to the ceiling. “For your family.”
“They do like a good party.” I chuckle.
She smiles as she swipes her finger over my mouth, wiping away the red lipstick. The same red that matches her dress.
The door to the black town car opens.
White marquees cover the sidewalk and into the hotel. But I know it’s the photographers who are lining up on the opposite sidewalk that are fraying her nerves.
After I get out, I reach for her hand. The smile she gives me is real. So are the red marks on her ass, which as she walks will remind her who makes her feel the way she does.
Her hips sway gently as the cameras flash behind us. Photographers screaming for us to pose for their lens. But I can’t take the risk of her past catching up with her and the reason I tell her, “Keep looking ahead.”
I guide Amelia through the grand doors of the LaBelle, my hand resting on the small of her back. The foyer bustles with activity, filled with familiar faces and strangers.
The moment we step inside, we’re engulfed by a sea of people.
“West! Congratulations!” A portly man with a ruddy face claps me on the shoulder. I recognize him as my father’s golfing friend.
“Thank you, Mr. Neilson.” I nod, steering Amelia past him after a quick handshake. “Have a nice evening.”
We weave through the crowd, accepting well-wishes and dodging air kisses. Amelia’s grip on my hand tightens with each step.
“Are you okay?” I whisper.
She nods, her smile a bit strained. “It’s overwhelming.”
We make our way to the dining room. The air is thick with the aroma of roasted meats and fragrant spices.
“Smells like we’re in for quite a feast,” I murmur.
“This dress is too tight to eat,” she says.
“You look stunning.” She does. The red silk dress clings to her every curve, but her shoulders are bare.
“You look hot yourself.”
I laugh and kiss her cheek. “Just a boring tux.”
“Not on you.”
Amelia’s eyes widen as she takes in the opulence of the dining room. “It’s beautiful.”
Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over tables draped in crisp white linen edged in gold.
I lean in close, my lips brushing her ear. “Wait until you see the other room.”
We continue our circuit, greeting more guests. Amelia’s bravery grows with each step.
Finally, we reach the second room. I pause at the threshold, watching Amelia’s face.
She gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. The room is a winter wonderland. Twinkling lights adorn snow-frosted pine trees and cover the entire ceiling. Garlands of holly and ivy drape across the walls. But it’s the large bauble covered Christmas tree that makes her whisper, “West...”
Amelia’s eyes roam over the Christmas tree, taking in every detail. Her gaze stops suddenly, and I follow it to a delicate ornament nestled among the branches. It’s a small sailboat, its white sails catching the twinkling lights.
“I miss Christmas, West,” she breathes, her voice barely above a whisper. “How did you...?”
I squeeze her hand gently. “Keep looking.”
Her eyes widen as she spots the first photo. It’s of her parents, young and carefree, standing on the deck of a boat. Then another catches her attention, and another.
Photos of her family are hidden in the tree, capturing moments frozen in time.
“These are the photos you helped me get from Felix’s apartment,” she says, her voice thick with emotion.
I nod, watching her face closely. “I know how much they mean to you. And as they can’t be here in person to celebrate your engagement. I want them here in spirit.”
Amelia’s eyes fill with tears as she moves around the tree. She reaches out to touch a photo of her mother laughing, her head thrown back in joy.
“I won’t let you forget them,” I promise.
She turns to me, her eyes shining. “Thank you, West. This means everything to me.”
I pull her close, feeling her warmth against me. “And you mean everything to me.”
She looks up at me, a soft smile on her lips. “It’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
My heart swells at her words. I lean down, pressing my forehead against hers. I pull her close, pressing a kiss to her temple.
“There you both are.” My mother, Catherine, glides towards us, her arms outstretched.
She embraces us both, her signature Chanel No. 5 perfume enveloping as she moves closer.
“West, darling,” she coos, holding her palms on Amelia’s arms and staring at her stunning face. “You’ve picked such a beautiful girl for your future wife.”
Amelia stiffens beside me, her hand tightening in mine. I squeeze back, hoping to reassure her.
“I did, but…” I say, gazing down at Amelia. “I’m lucky she chose me.”
Amelia’s eyes meet mine, surprise in their depths. I can’t help but smile, realizing how true my words are.
Catherine claps her hands together, beaming. “Oh, how wonderful! You two are just perfect together. My grandchildren are going to be gorgeous.”
Amelia swallows.
She leans into me, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Now, dear, your father is planning to make a speech before dinner. West, I hope you’re prepared.”
My stomach knots at her words. I’m used to high-pressure situations in the boardroom, but facing my father’s scrutiny in front of all these people. That’s a different beast entirely.
“Thanks for the heads up,” I manage, trying to keep my voice steady.
Catherine pats my cheek, like she’s done since I was a baby. “You’ll do splendidly, darling. Just be yourself.”
A soft tinkling sound cuts through the air, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Oh! That’s the dinner bell,” Catherine says, her eyes lighting up. “We’d better take our seats. Come along, you two.”
As we follow my mother towards the dining room, I lean down and whisper, “Ready for the main event, princess?”
“I think I’m going to be sick. How should I act around these people?”
I squeeze her hand. “Just be you.”
When we reach the doorway, the room falls silent as my father rises from his seat. Just his mere presence commands the attention of everyone in the room. He adjusts his tie as he looks around the room.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he begins. “Thank you for joining us this evening to celebrate this beautiful occasion.” He gestures toward me and Amelia as we walk to our seats to cheering. Her hand is warm and reassuring in mine.
Amelia tenses, but he continues, “Today marks the engagement of my son Westley to the lovely Amelia.” His eyes soften as he looks at her, almost too soft for a man like him. And strange since he hardly knows her. “Now, I must address something very important.”
He pauses as we take our seats.
I freeze, waiting. “As many of you know, Amelia’s parents are not here with us today. They passed away far too soon.”
The murmurs among the guests fade into a solemn hush. I glance at Amelia; her jaw tightens. I squeeze her hand again.
A low ripple of understanding sweeps through the attendees. As eyes shift towards Amelia, assessing and acknowledging her loss.
“My heart aches for her,” he continues, his voice gaining strength. “It aches because a day like today she shouldn’t be without their support.” He scans the crowd with an intensity that makes me feel like he means his words. “But Amelia, I am delighted to welcome you to my family.”
Guests clap and cheer once again.
My father’s eyes land on me, then shift back to her, and there’s something almost paternal there. A flicker of compassion that surprises me.
“Amelia,” he says. His gaze never wavers from hers. “While your parents may not be here physically, know that they live on through your spirit. So today,” he adds with a slight smile, “we celebrate not just an engagement but also the creation of new family bonds.” He raises his glass high. “To West and Amelia! May your love be strong and weather any storm!”
That’s it?
What the fuck is he up to?
There’s no way my father can say something like that about someone he hardly knows. Someone who isn’t one of his friend’s daughters.
“That was nice,” Amelia says, her eyes sparkling as she picks up her fork to dig into the lobster and caviar.
“Too nice.” I tell her.
Despite my father’s words, I can’t help but smile back at her as she moans as she tastes the delicate flavor of the lobster. “I haven’t had lobster in years.”
I watch in awe as she takes another bite. Knowing I need to ask the chef to cook lobster every day if these are the sounds I get to listen to.
“Taste it,” she groans.
I chuckle as I stab my fork into the juicy pink flesh and lift it to my mouth. Letting the delicate flavors explode on my tongue. But despite the delicious taste, it’s not the food that has my heart racing. It’s the way she looks tonight, and the way she smiles at me.
The evening rolls on, laughter and chatter filling the air as we savor each course. I watch her engage with everyone around us, effortlessly charming.
Each compliment she receives sends a rush of pride through me. She’s perfect for this world, even if she doesn’t yet realize it.
As dinner winds down, a slow song fills the room, and I stand, extending my hand toward her. “Come and dance with me?”
The doors open to the dance floor, everyone gasps at the Christmas themed room.
She bites her lip as she glances around, and then she smiles as she takes my hand. We weave through tables to the dance floor.
“I love this song,” she whispers close to my ear.
The dimmed ceiling lights cast a warm glow over us as we sway together.
“Yeah?” I pull her in closer, feeling the heat radiate between us.
Amelia nods. “This feels...”
“Real?” I spin her around.
She smiles. “I suppose.”
“Get used to it because I’m not letting you go.”
She gasps. “You keep telling me.”
“Then start believing it.”
Dom taps my shoulder, a mischievous grin on his face. “Mind if I steal your fiancée for a dance?”
“Be my guest.” I step back, letting Dom take Amelia’s hand. Her laughter echoes across the dance floor as he spins her dramatically.
I join Sam, Henry, and Arabella at the edge of the room. They’re all watching the dancing couple. Dom says something that makes Amelia throw her head back in genuine amusement. From nowhere, a flicker of resentment roils in my stomach.
“You look different,” Henry says, taking a sip of his champagne. His dark eyes studying me.
“Different how?”
“Less...” Henry waves his hand as if he’s finding the right word.
“Less like you’ve got a stick up your ass,” Sam finishes, running his fingers through his dark blond hair. “Who knew all you needed was to find what you never knew you wanted?”
I shoot him a look but can’t help smiling as Amelia’s laughter rings out again.
My sister Arabella’s pale blue eyes fix on the dance floor as she twirls her platinum hair in her fingers. Arabella hasn’t said a word, but she watches Amelia and Dom as he dips her low, causing another burst of giggles.
“You’re quite the dancer,” Henry comments to Dom as they twirl past us.
“I’m terrible,” Amelia calls back, still laughing. “I keep stepping on his toes!”
Dom grins, leading her in another spin. “Worth every bruise, darling.”
I catch Amelia’s eye as she spins. She gives me a bright smile. It’s genuine, reaching all the way to her eyes, lighting up her entire face and makes my heart skip.
Suddenly, the music cuts out, leaving an echoing silence. Confused murmurs ripple among our guests as they look toward me.
I walk to Amelia, her brow furrows with confusion.
Dom steps back as my friends gather around us.
Then I reach into my pocket, pull out a small velvet box, and hold it close to my chest for a moment longer than necessary.
“Amelia,” I say softly as I kneel before her. She swallows hard, surprise etched across her features.
Gasps surround us as guests turn our way.
“I’d be honored if you’ll...” My heart pounds against my ribcage. I flick open the box to reveal a massive oval shaped diamond set on a thin gold band.
I never planned to buy her something so expensive the night I offered her the deal. But the moment I knew she was mine forever, I redesigned the ring, much to the chagrin of the jeweler. Though he never complained about how much extra commission he made.
Her breath hitches. This wasn’t something she ever expected from me or this arrangement.
“Will you marry me?” I ask her for the first time.