Tessa's outfit above.
Amelia Black
After taking a shower and getting dressed, I try to make up the pieces from last night. I remember saying goodbye to Adam and then leaving with Tessa.
My cousin Julian aka Nicole's situationship came up with a plan for us to take as much money as we could. See, grandpa made his announcement yesterday which was a Friday so his bank won't be able to cut us off till Monday so basically my cousins decide to purge on things they can later sell for their money (solid assets).
Unlike my brother who started buying random stocks yesterday, I didn't want anything to do with that.
It was a Friday night and I knew there were a lot of parties so I called Nicole and found out she, Cam and their fashion friends were was having a party at Tyler's house so I dragged my Tessa and we went.
I told my friends what happened but didn't really feel like talking about it. Tyler was nowhere to be found and he's the one that gives the best advice.
"I'm so sorry. If you need anything, we're gonna be here." Nicole says, hugging me tight.
"I think I'm just angry about everything I missed out on. Do you remember how strict my parents were when we growing up? I had so many rules."
"And bodyguards." Jasmine adds.
"Exactly! I never had any freedom and now it's all been for nothing."
My parents controlled every aspect of my life, including the person I get to love. My mum arranged me being best friends with Emily and Nicole since we were in preschool.
They believed that when the time came for me to take over in my dad's company, my record had to be a hundred percent clean.
"So are you like poor now?" Camilla asks bluntly.
"Not really."
"You honestly have nothing to worry about. My dad cuts me off like every two years but then he comes back practically begging me to take his money back." Brian says and Tara agrees with him. "Yeah, I always say this; if your parents punish you, punish them back. It hurts them."
Jasmine looks at her in disbelief. "What are you talking about? Only a white person says shit like that."
"My parents are white washed." Tara shrugs and Jasmine just rolls her eyes at her.
"This isn't our parents, it's our grandfather. No one can go against him." Tessa informs them.
"He is without doubt the most powerful man in this city." Nicole indicates.
And truer words were never spoken.
But did that mean he could treat his own family without any respect? He made this decision without any regard to our feelings. I know most of us are super spoiled and have no idea what true challenges of the world are but he could have given a better approach to his decision.
No he's created this thing where it's everyone for themselves. The cousins are going to start competing against each other to get their inheritance.
I'm in a place where I don't actually know how much money I have but now it's like I have to start think about money. I like having a comfortable life. Do I need to get a real job now?
After the party, Wesley brought Tessa and I back home and she and I ended up crashing in my bedroom.
Adam was treating me like glass. He thought I was going to break so he treated me very carefully. I could tell he didn't feel good about me going to Tyler's but he never said anything.
This morning he had to go to work to solve an emergency with one of his international businesses. He's still not back so Tessa and I are eating by ourselves.
"You should totally keep that dress. It looks great on you."
"Look at you, gifting me a Givenchy! Remember when you bit me for playing with one of your dolls."
"We were six."
"So have you done any shopping yet?"
She's asking if I have acquired any assets yet.
I look at her and reply. "No. Have you?"
"Yup. My lawyers bought me two companies and at the moment, they're making some real estate deals."
Her answer shocks me so I put my fork down. "You have lawyers?"
"Yes! Don't you?"
"Nope."
"You have to hire the law firm I use. You can't trust lawyers that are in your parents' pockets. You need a personal lawyer and maybe a financial advisor for all your assets."
"You know I hate these stuff. They freak me out. Having a lawyer, finances. I don't want to be thinking about those things."
"Well, you need to. This whole thing has affected you more than anyone. You're in a business marriage because of it and we all know your dad a has gotten you a huge stock. You need to know what you have and hire someone to start taking care of it for you before you lose it all like you did last night."
"I know, I know." I sigh, pushing my face into my hands. "I wish Adam was here."
"You know you really are living the dream." Tessa smiles.
"I made a sacrifice and it turned out well."
She scoffs, pushing her hair back. "Marrying a hot, young billionaire isn't much of a sacrifice if you ask me. You got your dream guy."
"I'm sorry not all us like tortured broke artists, hanging around in the streets of Rome."
"Brooding artists are the bests."
"Isn't it kind of narcissistic to like people that mirror us in a way."
"Amelia, we're Smiths. Of course it is."
****
After Tessa left I got super lonely and called Adam but he didn't answer which is so unlike him so I kept calling and calling but still couldn't reach him. I got so frustrated with everything that I had to let out angry tears.
I decided to just go to his office. I hope that's okay and not weird at all. I mean it's the weekend. We're supposed to be spending time together.
I had a permanent guest pass in Adam's building so it was easy for me to go straight to his floor. I feel nervous dropping in like this but I don't know what else to do.
I feel a little bit weird to talk to my friends about this. They might not understand what it feels like and honestly I'm kind of embarrassed.
The building is very quiet but still there are people around. Do billion dollar really companies make you work on Saturdays?
Adam is in the meeting room so his secretary directs me into his office. My eyes roam around the office. It is designed perfectly and well suited for him and my mind goes back to him owning Chateyour to piss of his mum. Seriously, who does that?
I boldly sit on his chair. He has two computers, a laptop and an ipad and a few folders on the desk. Is this the life I want?
I don't wanna be a freaking CEO. I don't know how he does it. It what he loves and he does it so well. I could never.
The door opens. My amazing husband comes in smiling and he tucks his phone in his pocket. "Hello." He says but I can't form any words to say back to him. He glances at me and his smile drops. "What's wrong, darling?"
I stand up and walk over to him. "Hi."
He puts his hands on my waist. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to see you. I called but you didn't answer so I came over. I hope it's okay."
"Of course it is, my darling. You're welcome here whenever you want. I was in a meeting and Ned decided to silence my phone. I just finished dealing with him on that. He has standing orders to connect you to me anytime you call."
"Really?"
"Yes, I want you to be able to reach me, always. Now, tell me what's made you so upset." He pulls my hand and we sit on the sofa.
"It's nothing......it's kinda stupid."
He looks worried and I feel bad. He has his work emergency, I shouldn't even be here.
"It's not stupid if it made you cry." He says and I frown. I took two good hours to look my best because I was coming here. I wanted to look the complete opposite of how I felt on the inside.
"I didn't cry." I lie which he decides to ignore.
"Does it have to with your grandfather's announcement?" He asks and I nod. "Yeah, a little bit. I feel so helpless."
"Do you really want to become a CEO that bad?"
"It's not about that. It's the way it was taken from me."
I explain how I feel to him and tell him about the conversation I had with Tessa this morning. The few minutes I spent before he entered made me realize how much this wasn't for me. I can never dedicate my life to one thing and have thousands of people relying on me. I just want to live my life the way I want, choose my own path.
"So what are you gonna do now?"
"I don't know. Do you think I should acquire solid assets like everyone else?" I ask but he snorts at the idea."Trust me, we're good."
"I don't want your money, no offense."
He narrows his eyes. "Offense taken."
I decide to ignore him and take out my phone. "I'm going to talk to my dad and have him break everything down for me."
I'm not completely sure how all this is going to affect. I know I'm currently fine but I need to think about my future.
"You don't need your father. I'm going to help you with whatever you need. My financiers and my lawyers will take a look at your assets and I will hire you a financial advisor."
"I want to do that on my own."
"You just said you're going to talk to your dad."
"Yeah, I need his help."
"I'm your husband. I can take your of whatever it is you need."
"Adam, we have our marriage which is, arranged and there's our relationship. Those are two separate things."
He frowns. "To me they're one and the same."
"Because you have the upper hand. If something happens, I need to protect myself."
"What are you talking about? Do you think I would hurt you?" I can tell he's getting angry because he takes away the soothing circles he's been rubbing on my hand since I started speaking.
"Not you but your lawyers? We don't have a prenup, remember?" I point out.
"Because we legally cannot get divorced which means you have nothing to worry about."
"But I-" I didn't know what argument to give. I don't want him to assume the worst. "This is just what I want, Adam."
He closes his eyes and leans his head back, exasperated. "Why are you so stubborn?"
"I don't know."
"I think you do. You know you'll always get your way with me, that I would anything for you."
"Don't you?"
"Yes."
****
Adam wasn't happy when I left his office because he thinks I need to rely on him more. He doesn't see what happened yesterday as a problem because in families like ours, everything is about money and in his case, he has already established himself. We're the same yet so different.
Last night his parents invited us over for dinner and I accepted. Adam didn't wanna come but his mum was practically begging me, I couldn't say no so here I am. He said he will be here after he's done with work.
When I arrived I was welcomed by Aunt Diana and Damien whom is apparently sleeping here. Him and Adam are like brothers but I never noticed until now because my husband's kind of aloof. However, I know Damien means a lot to him.
"I can totally see myself as a trophy wife. I will go to events, plan dinners and become a soccer mum when the time comes." I speak.
"You would get bored." Liam says.
We are discussing what happened last night and since Damien was there he shared how shocked he was. Not because of what my grandfather did but because of how he did it. Everyone thought it was gonna be a fun party but it ended with all the cousins loosing their shit.
"Ugh, you're right."
"But trophy wives are hot." Damien adds and I can't help but agree because I know a lot of trophy wives.
We are seating in the living room waiting for Adam so we could eat. He texted me and said he was on his way. He should be here by now, unless there's traffic.
"Maybe I'll just open an Architecture firm." I sigh since I dedicated four years of my life to it.
"Love, you have more money than sense and you're married to a billionaire. Any career choice you're going to made doesn't need to be about money. In fact, it shouldn't. Just do what you want to do."
"Exactly." Liam shrugs
"What do you do, Damien?"
"Nothing. That's the point!" He winks.
I just want do be defined by more than what anyone has given me. I want a purpose.
Someone clears their throat behind us and its one of the butlers. "Dinner is set. Mr Black at the table already."
"And my mother?"
"She's in her office.
Liam rolls his eyes and makes his way to the dining. "I'm too famished to wait anymore."
"I'll let Diana know." I offer and Damien nods following Liam behind.
I walk to my mother-in-law's office and as I was about to knock on her door, I hear her sobbing.
"You can't possibly imagine the kind of pain I have felt as a mother. Losing not one, but two children! Two!"
What?
"I just want a little sympathy here. I don't sleep at night, Adam. I don't. You're my first child and knowing that you hate me-"
"I don't hate you, mother. However, don't tell me that I don't know what it's like to lose someone. I've lost a lot more than you have." Adam's voice sounds deep without any emotion.
When did he even get here?
"I know, I know. You and I hurt the most and that's why I want us to share our pain. Talk about it and heal." She says and Adam laughs. "Is that the latest suggestion from your therapist?"
"I'm your mother! I deserve your respect-"
"When have you ever been my mother?"
"Adam, come on."
"Was it when you had me locked in my room for days or when you made up a mental illness so you could send me away? Please enlighten me."
Holy shit.
"I was in pain!"
"Because it's only been about you?"
It's crazy how calm and unbothered he sounds. His tone is so flat. That's how he always is with his mum.
"You want to fix our relationship? Stop playing the victim and own up to all the shit you've done."
"You also need help, Adam. Have you been seeing your doctor? The old one, the one your father recommended. What's his name again?"
"It's Dr Sloan. So that's why you suddenly want talk? To get his name so you can throw your money at him like you did in the past?"
"Shut up, Adam." His mum says.
"It's not going to work this time. I told him if you ever approach him, I'll triple the amount of money and then, I will make you pay. You will become the crazy one." He promises.
"How can you be so cruel?" She cries.
"You made me this way, mother. I'm just playing the character you created. Mad, delusional, troubled and abnormal."
Oh my God.
****
This chapter has gone through about 20 angles. I've rewritten it so many times and today I woke up feeling inspired to finish it. Writing has best so hard for me lately because I always feel like it is not good enough.
I hope you guys enjoyed it.
Are we finally going to get the truth about Adam's past?
Chapter 65 will be released on Saturday. x
All the love.