Amy

"What the hell do you think of yourself?" I heard a voice behind me and everyone stopped to look. Before I could react, an hand held my arm and turned me around.

"What the-"

"What do you think of yourself? How could you have stopped me from meeting Aaron?" Ashley shouted at me.

"Ashley, what are you saying?" I cringed at her voice. I swear my ears are hurting.

"You asked the guards to not let me in the hospital or the apartment building, didn't you? I wanted to see Aaron and they didn't let me in. Do you know how worried I was?" she continued yelling.

I looked around to see the other employees were whispering and looking with question. More people were joining the crowd with each passing second.

I softly whispered to her, "Ashley, I asked them to not let anyone except the family members and Peter to be in because of the media. You could have called me or Daniel-"

"Oh please! As if you would have let me in. I know you have a problem with me. But, let me tell you, I am Aaron's friend even before you met him, okay? I mean way more to him then you ever will. Also, for your information, I had told Aaron yesterday that I will see him in office today and I just came here after meeting Aaron in his office, okay? So, your plan has failed", she yelled at me.

So, that was his important work? Last night he was texting Ashley? He could have just told me. Why lie to me?

"And how dare you? How dare you talk to me like this? Aren't you ashamed at all? You are the reason behind his accident. You fought with him and he-"

"I think that's enough", Aaron's voice boomed in the reception area making us turn to face him.

"Aaron-"

"I think that's enough, Ashley", Aaron looked at her.

Ashley threw him a fake smile and held his right hand saying, "Aaron, I was just telling her that-"

"I heard everything Ashley, that's enough. Thanks for your concern but, this is between me and Amelia", Aaron fucking smiled at her. Here, I wanted to strangle her to death and he smiled at her after all of this nuisance she caused. He slowly pulled out his hand from hers.

"Aaron, since the day this woman has stepped a foot in your life everything is going bad. I am telling you, all of this is her fault. This tramp-"

"Ms. Ashley Jones, mind your language! That is my wife you are talking about", Aaron yelled at her making everyone around us gasp. I turned my head to look at him in shock.

Please, tell me he did not just declare that in front of almost hundred employees.

Actually, it could be more than hundred. It is just past lunch time. My conscious reminded me.

Shut up. I waved it off.

"You maybe my friend but, I expect you to talk to her and about her with respect. She is not anybody. She is Mrs. Amelia Kingston. Think twice before every word that you utter about her", Aaron told her straight.

"Aaron, you got into the accident because of-"

"Because of brake failure. I was driving at high speed and yes, we did have a small argument that night. But, so what? Every husband and wife have issues between them. But, you are a third party here and you have no right to say anything to her", Aaron told her.

"But, I-"

"I hope you will be able to find your way out of the office, Ashley", Aaron told her and caught my hand and dragged me upstairs to his office.

We sat on the couch and stayed silent for sometime.

I opened my mouth to break the silence but Aaron beat me to it.

"Do not even think about arguing with me, Mel. I know you didn't want anyone to know that you are my wife and I tried to keep it a secret for so long. But, I couldn't hear what Ashley was saying and I said it in anger without realising that we were surrounded by people. Now, deal with it", he said and his frown deepened.

"But, I wasn't going to argue at all", I told him and shook my head when he looked at me.

"I was just going to ask if you will be okay if I laugh?" I asked chuckling.

"What can you possible find funny in this?" he scoffed.

"Well, you yelled at Ashley in front of more than hundred people", I laughed.

"I still don't get it", he said.

"I felt so damn victorious", I laughed harder as tears welled in my eyes.

"Seriously, Mel? Am I some kind of a trophy for both of you?", he told me.

"Oh my god, you should have seen her face. She couldn't believe it", I said in between of laughs and he just rolled his eyes.

"And I can't believe this", he shook his head.

"But, why did you get all angry on Ashley?" I asked him.

"She called you names and I didn't like it, okay? I had to tell her to stop", he said angrily.

"But, she is your friend since before you met me", I shrugged.

"You are my wife, Mel", he said looking at me incredulously. "No matter who I met first. Time has nothing to do with this. She can't come into my office and blame you for things you didn't do."

"But, she wasn't wrong completely. You did drive insanely because you were angry at me", I told him.

"That's not true, Mel."

"Don't lie. You left in anger."

"I was...I was not angry. I was just confused and...There were a lot of things going on in my head and I didn't even realise before it was too late that the brakes were not working", he told me.

"Aaron, that reminds me did the police find out how the brakes failed?" I asked me.

"The car is in a very bad condition. They don't know where to start", Aaron just shrugged.

I didn't say it to him but, I have a feeling that someone did it. I mean we were in that same car not two hours ago and it was working fine. How can the brakes fail all of a sudden?

"You...you never cared before about how Ashley and I behaved with each other. Then, why today?" I asked biting my lip.

"She has never insulted you like that before. Your cat fights are between you two but, if she insults you then I can't let her do that", he told me.

"Why?" I asked him.

Aaron turned to look at me and stared into my eyes. He was extremely calm and his eyes had some weird emotion. It was a mix of confusion and anticipation.

He finally averted his eyes and took a deep breath. He got up and said, "We should go."

He pulled his phone out and texted someone. We walked out of the office and looked at all the employees. Everyone stared at us in anticipation. There were murmurs and whispers everywhere. Some of them were even staring at our hands that were linked together.

We entered the elevator and I saw aaron press a different floor.

"Aaron, where are we going?" I asked him.

"The conference room on first floor has a camera linked to all the floors. I can address the whole office from there. I think my employees have had a lot of drama for one day and need an explanation", he chuckled.

"Aaron, I don't-"

"Relax. Trust me", he said and pulled me up with him.

Trust him? I remembered how he had once said to me that I shouldn't trust him. Today, he says that I should trust him. No matter what Luke says, I know something has changed in Aaron.

We walked to the conference floor and Peter was waiting there. Peter nodded at us and we sat in front of the camera. I was nervous as hell.

"Hello everyone. I apologise for the events that happened at the reception a while ago. I am sure by this time the grapevine must have already done it's work and all of you must already know who Amelia really is. Yes, she is my wife. We are sorry that we couldn't reveal it before. Amelia is a very simple girl just like all of you and she doesn't like much attention. As a husband, I felt that I should do everything possible in my hands to make her feel comfortable. So, I helped her keep it a secret. But, I accidentally revealed it today. I am sure half of you must have your phones in your hand right now recording this ready to be posted on social media. I do not have a problem with that either because I am proud of Amy and I am glad she is in my life. So, I am enthralled to claim this in front of the whole world today that this is Amelia and I am her husband", Aaron said and looked at me with a huge smile.

I had tears welling in my eyes. I never felt so overwhelmed with emotions. I don't know what it was. Happiness? Pride? Love? I don't know. I just know that I was loving the fact that Aaron said all of this. He praised me in his speech. He understood that I didn't want to be known as Aaron Kingston's wife but for what I was, Amelia. Just Amelia.

"I know it will take a while for some of you to process this, but I hope all of you will understand us and continue treating Amy just like how you all did. Like a friend and a co-worker. Just because she is my wife, no one has to treat her different or make her feel uncomfortable or special. She is what she is not because she is my wife or anyone's sister but because she is very hard working and she has earned it all. I am sure everyone who has worked along with her has seen it. That's all we have to say. Thanks everyone and please, get back to work", Aaron said it and smiled as the camera shut.

"Thank you", I whispered to him.

"Why?" he asked wiping my tears. I didn't even realise when I started crying.

"For saying all of this", I smiled.

"It is the truth, Mel. You don't have to thank me", he smiled back.

"Oh god, Aaron! I swear I am tired now", I said frustrated and he just laughed.

"How many more people do I have to talk to?" I groaned.

"Well, you are famous now", Aaron laughed.

"This is not funny. My phone is ringing non-stop since last afternoon. I am tired of telling people that I can't attend parties right now", I pouted.

"Why though?" he pursed his lips.

"You know why? I hate those social parties. I am always left alone in a corner unless I am getting bored in a conversation about makeup and jewelleries. This is why I didn't want to be famous", I told him.

"Concentrate on your work, Mel. Forget the phone", he laughed.

"Work? I am unable to do any work. The phone rings every other minute. You should have banned your employees from posting our pictures on the internet", I frowned at him.

"Banned?" he laughed taking a sip from his coffee.

"Yes, banned. I was lucky that I wore something good yesterday. Imagine my pictures with messy hair or bad angles flooding the internet. That would have been so embarrassing", I told him facing my laptop.

"Since when do you care?" he frowned.

"I wouldn't have cared in usual circumstances but, the identity of Amelia Kingston has been anticipated since forever. I know I am going to be in news for days. I don't want to look bad", I told him like it is the most obvious thing in the world.

"I swear no one can understand how woman's mind works", Aaron chuckled typing on his laptop.

"It is simple. When you are going to give the world a shock, you should do it in the best way you can", I told him.

"You would have looked good in anything. Also, that reminds me. This weekend it will be five months into our wedding", he said reading the newspaper.

"Stop buttering me up. Yup, five long months", I muttered.

"I am not buttering you up. It is true. You know what else is this week?" he asked.

"What?" I asked looking up from the screen.

"This sunday is the day when we met at the orphanage", he told me.

"Aaron, since when have you become like those people who decide to celebrate the first of everything?" I asked him with question. How the hell does he even remember this?

He just laughed and said, "I don't remember all the firsts. It is just that.."

"Just that?" I prompted when he stopped in the middle.

"I make a donation to the orphanage every year on that day. So, I remember it", he shrugged with a slightly sad smile.

"Every year on the same day?" I asked him.

"Yes."

"Why just that day?" I asked him. He averted his eyes and blinked a few times.

"I'll tell you some other day", he shrugged. just then the phone rang again. I thought it was mine but, it was Aaron's. I read the caller id and the color drained from my face. It was Ruby.

Aaron saw it too and looked at me. Nonetheless, he picked it up and went to the other room. I took a deep breath and gulped down the lump that formed in my throat.

And here I was thinking things are starting to get better between us. He is still in touch with her. He has saved her number so it means that she is somewhat important to him.

I ignored the sour taste in my mouth and went to the kitchen to make something for myself. I wanted to stop thinking about it but, I just couldn't do it. I picked up the knife in my hand but, kept staring in the space.

My thoughts were still stuck at how he just ignored me and left to the bedroom. If it was something urgent, he could have talked to her in front of me too. Unless, maybe he didn't want me to hear. Maybe it was private.

Of course, it was private, Amy. You shouldn't have gotten your hopes up. Maybe she wants to know how he is and all. Just because he took your side in front of Ashley yesterday, doesn't mean that he will always be by your side.

I was scolding myself as the tears threatened to fall from my eyes. I was scolding myself for feeling this hurt and getting affected so much. I should have known that he will go back to his old ways. I shouldn't have let my heart lead my head. I-

"What the hell, Mel?" I was brought out of my thoughts as Aaron yelled at me.

He was standing at the door and quickly rushed to me. He snatched the knife out of my hand and threw it on the counter. He pulled me to him.

"What the hell, Mel? What were you doing with the knife? Why were you staring at it like that? You were thinking about attempting to suicide again?" he yelled.

"What? Suicide? I-"

He cut me off and said fanatically, "Yes, suicide. Just like..Just like that night? Was it Ruby's call? I was not...I don't have anything going on with her. I promise. Don't misunderstand me. I swear it was just business. I will tell you everything. You...you don't have to-"

"Aaron, relax. Take a breath. What are you saying? I wasn't thinking about suicide. I was thinking about-But, why will I suicide?" I asked him.

"Because you think I will cheat on you again, right? Just like that night with Jasmine Trent", Aaron said.

Wait, what? Aaron thinks I am suicidal? Oh my god!

"Aaron, first of all, calm down. I am not trying to kill myself, okay? Calm down. Relax", I told him and he took a breath still looking at me skeptically.

I pulled him with me out of the kitchen and made him sit on the couch. I sat next to him and gave him a glass of water. He didn't take it so, I just left it aside.

"Aaron, I am not suicidal, okay? I wasn't trying to kill myself. I never did", I tried to tell him.

"Stop lying, Mel. I saw you in the bathtub that night, okay?" he told me with a frown.

"Yes, but that was because I slipped, Aaron!" I told him.

"Liar! That is just an excuse you made to the doctor. I was standing right outside the room. I heard everything. I heard how nervous you sounded. Just like when you are lying. You were talking about death the whole time since you woke up. I know-"

I cut of his yelling by yelling on top of my lungs, "Aaron, I didn't lie! Trust me, I didn't. I swear on it."

"What? Then, how? Why were you so nervous?" he asked me.

"Because, I was saying half the truth", I sighed.

"After you...went in the room with...Jasmine...I went to mine. I cried for a lot of time as I recalled everything...you said to me before and she..had said to me during school. After a while, I...couldn't take it anymore and I rushed to the bathroom to puke. I couldn't hold it until I reached the toilet and I puked some on my t-shirt. I wanted to take a bath so I clogged the bathtub and switched on the water. But, I hadn't had anything since morning so suddenly I felt dizzy. Before I could get out of the tub, I...fell. I guess I hit my head with the faucet and I fainted. When I woke up, I was in the hospital. I was still depressed because of everything that...happened the night before. When the doctor asked me, I couldn't tell him everything so I just told him the last part and didn't say that I was on empty stomach since that morning", I shrugged and looked at him when I completed.

He looked at me for a minute before his expressions turned into that of anger. He pulled me to him and said, "Are you kidding me, Mel? You couldn't have said this to me before?"

"I told the doctor and you said Daniel told you. How would I know that you were thinking that I tried to suicide? You left that room before the doctor even came in! I thought you didn't care", I yelled back.

"I didn't care? Do you know how worried I was that night? Do you know how much guilt I had on myself? Do you know how much it killed me everytime I recalled the way you were lying in that tub? Do you know how many sleepless nights I had after that night? I haven't been able to step a foot in that room because it keeps reminding me of what I did to you. Sometimes I used to get up in middle of the night to come and see if you were okay", he looked at me with anger.

"Aaron, I didn't-", but he just ignored me and continued his rant.

"Mel, I didn't even know what I'd do if something happens to you! I thought I had done a grave sin. I was always scared that I might lose you too just like Julia! And now, you are telling me that it was all because of low glucose levels? Also, how many times have I told you to eat your food at time? Why do you not listen to me?"

I angrily freed myself. "Those weren't the best days of my life, Aaron. I was sad and I used to cry a lot. There was your revenge and then Ruby and then that night it was Jasmine. I cried so much but, how you know? You were having the time of your life!" I yelled at him and took a deep breath to calm myself.

Suddenly, Aaron pulled me into a hug and held me tight.

"Sorry, Mel. I am sorry for yelling at you. I was just...just so scared. Thanks for telling me this. You have no idea how relieved I feel to know that I didn't push you into giving up your life. I felt so guilty all these days and I got all that guilt out on you right now. I...just...thank you", Aaron said pulling away from me. Tears flowed down his cheeks as I looked at him.

"Aaron, why didn't you ask me before? I could have said it..wait..were you...Is that why you never said anything to me until today? You felt guilty?" I asked him.

"It made me want to hurt myself to even talk about that day. I am sorry for...it. I wanted to say it for a long time but, the guilt never allowed me to even go there. I had shut all of it away and just tried to pretend that it never happened. I guess I was a coward", Aaron sniffed.

"Aaron, you didn't even think once? I had told the doctor..Why did you leave the room that day?" I asked with confusion.

"The nurse said that it could be possible that you tried to suicide. I didn't have enough courage to wait there and face you. I thought that I might end up doing something if you indeed agree that you tried to....But, when I went out, I wanted to know so, I waited outside the door. I was eavesdropping the whole time", Aaron shrugged looking away.

"Aaron, I could never think about killing myself. And worst is that I would never do it because of someone like Jasmine. You think I am that weak?" I asked him.