Austin's outfit above.

Why the fuck am I knocking?

"It's open." I hear Austin's voice so I open the door and go inside.

"What the fuck?" He asks as he sees me. "Did you just knock in your own home?"

"I haven't been here in like three months. I was nervous." I say then walk up to him.

"I'm not going to hug you, I saw you yesterday." He says.

"I'm sure you stink anyway." I smirk.

He looks at me then crosses his arms over his chest. "What brings you here?"

"I came to see mum."

"Did something happen?"

"No, I came to apologise for not talking to her for two months." I answer.

"Yeah, she talks about that every Friday. She misses you."

"I miss her too and you and Mae. You should all come over for dinner or something." I give him a suggestive smile.

He brushes his hair back in a cool way. "I will think about it."

"Please, Austin! You can even come with your pretty girlfriends." I wink at him.

"They are not my girlfriends!" He explains.

"If you say so ."

"Can I come with Hayden as well?" He asks on a more serious note. Hayden is our cousin and his best friend.

"Of course you can."

"Alright, we'll be there."

"Great." I kiss his cheek then stride to the stairs.

As I'm walking to my mum's room, I see the door to the little sitting room upstairs open. It's where I usually hung out with my friends or studied and Mum is sitting there with a book in her hand but her attention is on the TV.

"Mum." I whisper.

She turns to me with widened eyes. "Amelia?"

"Hi."

She closes her magazine and stands up, crossing her arms over her chest. "I don't know if I should be angry and start yelling at you or hug you?"

"I will take the hug." I grin and walk over to wrap my arms around her.

"Oh, honey." She squeezes me hard. "I've missed you so much." She breaks into tears.

"I've missed you too, mum." I also start crying. We pull away and I sit with her on the couch.

"How are you?" She asks with a crying voice, holding onto my hand.

"I'm great, mum. I just got back from Italy."

"Yes, I heard." She smiles, "And your father also told me what happened with him. You know he tends to overreact a lot."

"Yes. I'm a little glad that he did what he did though."

"Really?"

"Yes." I reply then start catching her up with what's been going on in my life for the past two and a half months.

****

"So this is your room?"

I gasp and sit up. "What are doing here?"

"I came to pick you up." Adam replies. I haven't seen him since the day before yesterday at breakfast.

He's been so busy with work since we got back and I've also been busy with school.

"Noooo." I lie back on the bed. "Can I sleep over?"

"No." His answers comes quickly.

"Please." I say in a sweet voice.

"No. Get up, your father wants to have a word."

He's so bossy.

"But I don't want to talk to him. He deactivated my trust fund and seized my cars."

"I know which is why you should go talk to him." He insists.

"No."

"Amelia." Adam warns.

"Adam Black." I reply with a smile.

"Get up or I will carry you."

He wouldn't.

"But I don't want to go talk to him or go home. I want to stay here all day." I tell him. I've missed my room so much.

My mum and I spent like two hours talking and she forgives me. I understood that she wouldn't hurt me in anyway so she probably forgot that I was supposed to marry Adam.

Dad hadn't though. Thanks to Jamie, I got to learn the truth.

"And I said no to that." Adam grumbles.

"Why?"

He doesn't answer me but I feel him walking closer and in a swift motion, he throws me over his shoulder. "Oh my God!" I laugh.

"You annoy the fuck out of me, I hope you know that." He says and starts walking.

"You annoy me too! Put me down!" I giggle.

"No!"

"Help! Somebody help me!" I scream.

"Shut the fuck up." God! What is wrong with him?

"I'm sorry, please put me down."

Adam drops me with my feet on the floor. "You're so fucking heavy. How much do you weigh?"

My eyes widen in horror. "Am I really heavy?"

He rolls his eyes. "Haven't you heard of a thing called sarcasm? You weigh like a feather, you should eat more."

"You scared me, you pretzel face!" I yell at him in annoyance.

"Pretzel face, really? Can't you be more creative?"

"No." I pout then start walking down the stairs.

Adam follows me and once reach down, I turn an ask him where my dad is.

"He is in the study."

We start walking to the study and I see my mum, coming from the kitchen with a mug in her hand. "Here you go, darling." She gives the cup to Adam.

"Thank you, Elle. You're the best." He says then takes the cup to his lips. It's like to different people.

It's smells like coffee so I roll my eyes as I keep walking. I forgot about my mum's weird obsession with Adam.

Once we reach the study, I knock gently and Dad asks me to come in.

I look at Adam and he gives me an encouraging look so I open the door and step inside.

My dad's eyes meet mine and he smiles. "Hi, honey."

"What do you want?"

"Are you still mad at me?" He asks.

I ignore him and look away.

"I heard about your little trip and thar you've booked lots of shows and endorsements. I'm proud of you."

"I'm also proud of myself." I say confidently.

"Then why are you still angry?"

"Dad, I know what you, Peter and the mayor did. Jamie told me."

He looks at Adam with widened eyes. "You let her to go see him?"

Adam just shrugs and leans against one of the book shelves. I'm surprised that he didn't say that I went behind his back.

I sigh then turn to my father. "Dad, that's not the case. I want to know why."

"Daniel fucked up our main plan." He finally says.

"Which was?"

"The day before you began your third year at the university, I called you to my office, correct?" He brings his hand to the desk he's sitting behind.

"Yes." I say slowly.

"I wanted you to meet him." He confesses.

"Who?"

"Who do you think?" Adam glares at me.

My eyes widen. No!

"But Adam wasn't in your office when I arrived. He had already left then." I talk in confusion.

"We wanted you to bump into each other just like you did. We just didn't expect that you two would argue."

"What the heck did you expect then?" I snap.

"That you would remember each other." He answers in a cool tone.

"Fuck!" Adam swears out loud.

"Remember wha-" Oh. "So my dreams were real?" I whisper in realisation.

Oh my God! I've known Adam since we were kids. We were sort of friends and now I'm married to him. What has my life turned into?

"What dreams?" Dad asks in confusion.

"The ones where Adam gave me a kit kat and when we played in the garden." I reply but he just looks at me in confusion.

"Yes, they were but that is not what's important right now." Adam says in a low voice.

Dad shares a look between Adam and he then continues. "Since you guys didn't remember

each other, we decided to come up with another plan. Little did we know, that Daniel was trying to bring Amelia and Liam together."

"But then why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you stop my relationship with Liam?" I ask.

That is what I don't fucking get. I understand why I had to marry Adam but why did they allow me to fall in love with Liam?

"We wanted to but we just didn't know how to do that without hurting you so when we found out about Daniel, we decided to leave you to continue your relationship so that he would think that his plan is working and then he wouldn't see your marriage to Adam coming."

"But why did you have to hide everything?" I cry, running my fingers through my hair.

"Amelia, it was to protect you. Your safety comes before everything. If we didn't allow Daniel to think that his plan is working, he would have found a way to harm one of you so that the wedding would not take place. And we decided not to tell you because it was just too risky. You and Liam are two adults in love, you could run away or do something crazy.

He has a point and it makes sense. I don't have the energy to rethink or bother myself with the past.

"Okay." I mumble.

Dad looks surprised. "Okay? You're not going to yell and show how angry you are."

"No, I understand your reasons."

His eyes bulge out. "Really?"

"Yes." I say and he smiles. "Well, I'm glad, honey. Our intention was never to hurt you."

Okay, why does he keep saying 'we'? I believe that my mum had nothing to do with this whole marriage thing. We've talked everything through.

"By 'we' you mean?" I ask.

"I'm talking about Peter and I. We planned everything. Your mothers had no idea."

"Oh okay." I whisper then look down.

I feel Adam's hand on my back. "Are you okay?" He asks.

"Yes, I'm fine." I mumble. "Let's go." I give him a soft smile.

"You don't want to sleepover? I can allow one night." He says.

He can allow?

I roll my eyes at him. "You're not my boss, Adam Black."

"Are you sure about that?" He smirks lightly.

I roll my eyes again and walk out of the study saying bye to my father.

****

"So can I have a party?" I ask Adam on our way back home.

"A party?"

"Yes, I want to have an 'I'm home party' at our house if that's okay." I answer.

"Yes it is. I told you can do anything you want, Amelia. You don't have to ask me." He says in an annoyed tone.

"Thank you. I just thought that you should know."

"Yeah, you can tell me but you don't have to ask."

"Okay."

"I will pay for the party." He decides.

I turn to him. "Are you asking or telling?"

"I'm telling."

God! He really thinks he's the boss of me.

"I haven't had a party in forever so it's going to be awesome. A lot of money has to be spent." I explain.

Adam shrugs.. "I don't mind. I will pay for anything you want."

I don't know why I feel butterflies in my stomach as he says that but I do.

"I can take care of it. Thanks for offering though." I mumble, playing with my fingers.

I watch him grip hard on the steering wheel. "I'm not asking, Amelia. I'm paying for the the party. No more arguments." He says with a hint of anger in his tone.

Geez, the slightest things make him angry.

"Alright, thank you."

My emotions are still running high. My dad has always been the bad guy but I kept thinking that it was my mum. He is the one that does all the planning. I can't believe he planned my first meeting with Adam!

But now, I wouldn't let all that get to me. Life is too short. That was all in the past. It's time to focus on my future.

****

"Marina, have the Chanel sunglasses arrive?" I call from upstairs.

"Yes, Mrs Amelia."

"Alright put them in each of the pink gift bags."

Today is the day of the party. The decorators left about thirty minutes ago. Everything looks just the way I want it to. It's gorgeous.

The party is beach themed so I have palm trees and floaters all for the decoration.

Outside by the pool, there is a photo booth and a snack table. I called my mum's favourite catering company and they are going to be serving the food inside.

I go to the downstairs living room where the maids are organising the gift bags.

I have pink bags for girls which have sunscreen, sunglasses, beauty masks and a Victoria Secret body mist.

Then blue bags for the boys and there's also sunscreen then key chains, mugs and cologne.

Adam gave me his card and asked me to do anything I wanted and I think, I went a little crazy. I'm an extravagant spender.

My friends always say that I have a super expensive taste because every time we go shopping or to a restaurant, my bill is usually higher than theirs.

"Helloo! Welcome to the coolest party of the month!" I Welcome Camilla and Nicole.

Camilla scoffs. "I think you mean the year. Are those Ariel Dancers I saw outside?"

"Yes." I reply not bothering to mention that there are also sensational swimmers coming to perform.

"Holy shit, Amelia. You've outdone yourself. This house looks awesome. Do you know how many people are coming?" Nicole asks, looking around.

"No, I gave out a hundred and fifty cards though." I answer, looking around.

"Are you kidding? Everyone is dying to see the mansion you're living in with your billionaire husband. Expect a thousand people." She says.

"Don't exaggerate." I chuckle.

She and Camilla share a look. "Fine, three or four hundred."

I shrug. "There's enough food."

A server calls on to my attention so I excuse myself and go over to him.

"Does this look okay?" He points at one of the dessert stands. They have put each around every corner in the house. I examine it and nod my head.

It looks great.

****

There are a lot of people here. My friends, people that I say hi to and people that I've never seen in my life.

Everyone seems to enjoying the party. Most people are outside though because that is where most of the entertainment is, the DJ, the sensational swimmers and the Ariel dancers.

"Great party, Amelia." Ahmad wraps his arms around my shoulders. He is Liam's middle eastern friend and I like so I invited him.

"Thank you." I smile at him.

"There are gorgeous chicks everywhere." He grins, looking around.

"Yeah, you can take your pick."

"Dudeeee." Tyler approaches where we're standing, giving Ahmad a look. "What the heck happened last night?"

Ahmad release me. "Man, that blonde chick was crazy. I had to run away."

"You're such a chicken." Tyler chuckles then looks at me. "You look great, Milly." He smiles softly.

He was really mad because I travelled without saying goodbye and then I switched off my phone. I apologised deeply and then he finally forgave me but I feel like the air hasn't been completely cleared.

"Thanks, Tyler. You look hot." I smile back.

"I know." He replies and I chuckle then walks away from them. My feet are killing me. I'm so fucking tired.

"Amelia!" I hear a girly voice call and I turn around to see three girl familiar faces but I have no idea what their names are.

"Hey." One of them hugs me so I smile and hug her back and the others as well.

"Awesome party! Do you want to take a selfie?"

"Sure." I reply and the girl raises her phone. The four of us pout our lips and she clicks.

I say bye to them then start heading outside and on my way, I see Tara.

"How many people did you invite?" I ask her.

I gave some of the invitation cards to Tara so that she could give it out because she literally knows everyone in Hardwood.

She gives a sheepish smile. "Everyone wanted to come, Amelia! They kept calling and I didn't know what to do so I gave them the address." She explains.

"Well, it's fine. I hope I don't start seeing freshmen students though." I joke.

"You won't." She reassures. "All the people here are either in our year, third year or the fifth year seniors and they are all cool and high class people, trust me."

"Okay, I'll see you later." I wave then head outside.

I see Chloe and Jacob talking by the pool where the caterers put a nice ice cream stand.

"Amelia." I hear Josie call my name. She is one of my friends whom I study Architecture with.

"Hey, Josie." I hug her.

"Hey, you look awesome." She says and air kisses me.

"So do you." I reply.

"So where is your husband?"

Hmm, where is Adam? I haven't seen him today. I don't know if he's home or not.

"He doesn't like crowds so I think he's upstairs in our bedroom. I was about to go check up on him." I lie smoothly.

"Oh, that's great. I would love to meet him." She says.

"Alright, I will try to make him come down." I throw her a fake smile then walk over to Jacob and Chloe.

"So Josie just asked where Adam is and I lied to her." I tell them then take an ice cream cone. "I don't even know if he's home."

They both chuckle. "He's upstairs in his room. I texted and asked if he's coming but he said he wasn't invited." Jacob tells me.

"What?" My eyebrows draw together.

"Excuse me." I mutter then move a side to call Talia with my phone. "Talia, didn't you drop the invitation card I asked you to in Adam's room?" I ask angrily as she picks up.

"I did." She quickly replies.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, hundred percent."

"Fine." I sigh then hang up.

Maybe he didn't see it.

I look at the snack table then pick a strawberry and put it in my mouth.