Amelia's outfit above.

The past few days have been the best. Adam and I had a lovely dinner with my family on Friday. Before that, I asked him not to say anything about us being together to my mother because she's going to start acting crazy.

Adam wasn't happy about the fact that I was trying to hide our relationship but he agreed. I told him that Mae and Austin know cause they saw it on my Snapchat.

Mae and I even talked about it a little when I went to her room. I'm glad that she's older now and I can trust her to keep my secrets. For once, it's nice to actually talk to her. She even told me about the guy she likes.

On Saturday, Adam and I went on a picnic. It was amazing and while we were eating he asked me if I would go anywhere in the world, where would I want to go and I told him Machu Picchu. The next thing I know, I'm not even kidding we were on our way to the airport and heading to Peru.

"Are you serious?"

"Well, it's Sunday tomorrow." He said like that explained it all.

"Yeah, but do you have a plane on standby or something?"

"Yes, I do." He answered and when I look at him in shock, he added, "I work all over the world, you know so, in case of emergencies." He explained with a shrug.

"Okay, cool. That's cool."

"Why are you so tense?"

"I'm not." I lied.

"We can go another time if you want."

"No! I want to go. It's just very spontaneous, I'm not used to that."

"Get used it to then. We have the money and I wanna give you the world." He says. "As much I can."

"Okay," I tell him, feeling shy. "Thank you, Adam," I add which he replied with a kiss.

****

"Inhale deeply."

I suck in the air.

"Now, slowly let go. Not just the air but allow all the tension in your body to leave." The shaman says.

Yes, I'm with a shaman. Not with Adam. It's been 3 days since we came back from our little trip to Peru. He's been so busy with work, we haven't been able to spend much time which each other. I miss him a lot and that scares me sometimes. We sleep in the same bed and have we've had at least two meals together in the past 3 days but somehow that still isn't enough for me. I've become so attached very quickly. I hope he hasn't noticed though nothing really goes past him. Even if he has, he hasn't said anything so I guess that's a good thing, right?

I do what the shaman says. I breathe the tension out.

"This is stupid," Brian whispers beside me.

"Shh." I snap, refusing to open my eyes.

"Allow yourselves to connect," Miko says.

"Absorb each other's energy."

"Now think about your happiest memory together and allow yourself to smile."

"What the fuck?" Brian speaks again. We're not allowed to speak!

Emily organized this as a group activity for all of us because she believes we haven't been spending a lot of time together. I know Adam would disagree. He thinks we're always together which is kind of true because if I'm not with one friend then I'm with the other and if not, it's a group.

I force Adam out of my thoughts and think about my friends, all the good times we spent together. The council's ball, Liam's birthday in Hè, London also! The Hamptons, times we went out or when we'd just stay in at Liam's house or even all the time we spent planning Liam and I's wedding.

I hold back my tears. We've really had the best memories but Emily is right. It's very different now. Do people really outgrow friendships?

"Yeah, getting kidnapped was fantastic." Brian blurts, sarcastically.

Shit.

"Way to ruin the whole mood, jackass!" Cam snaps at him. Shit! She's been triggered.

"I just don't understand. What's the point of this shit?!"

"It's supposed to help us reconnect," Emily explains.

"Fuck. That." He says and walks away.

Emily's lip starts quivering.

"Oh, babe." Colton reaches for her before she bursts into tears.

"I'll talk to him." I volunteer.

"Hey." I find him smoking. The smell of weed surrounding him.

"I'm not in the mood."

"Neither am I. I just want to let you know that if you need someone to talk to, I'm here."

"Talk? What the fuck would I want to talk about?"

"Whatever the fuck is bothering you." I steal his favorite word.

At least it makes him smile. "I like this new version of you. You're more.......gutsy."

"So you smoke now?"

"Hmm, judgy Amelia hasn't gone far after all."

"I guess not." I smile.

He smiles back but it doesn't reach his eyes. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure?"

"What's the point of all this shit?"

"For us to reconnect. Wouldn't it be nice to be friends for the rest of our lives?"

"Not if it's forced."

"It's not forced. We're bound be together anyway. Look at our parents. They've known each other since they were kids and they're still friends."

"Except my mum."

"Brian I'm so sorry."

"Hey, that's not even the point. I don't know why all of you have this mindset of our parents being perfect. The last thing I want is to be like them."

"Brian-"

"No. You think my mum and dad are the only ones that have had issues? It's not easy to walk away from all of this. They were separated four years before they officially got divorced. For four years, my mother stayed with us and pretended everything was fine."

"We had just got back from the best family trip of our lives where I thought we were all happy but then that night, she came to my room and told me she was leaving." He shakes his head. "I thought she was joking but she said "Brian, your father and I haven't been together for four years." Can you believe that?"

"I had no idea. I'm so sorry, Brian."

"Yeah, well the worst part is the guy she's in love with still hasn't walked away from his own marriage. He's doing the same thing she did, living pretentiously."

"That must be sad for your mum."

He shrugs. "Her fault for falling in love with an ass."

Realization hits me.

"Wait. This person, is he part of the council?"

"Yes."

I gasp. Oh my God. It could be anyone. I hope it's not my dad. Haha, nah! My mum, I can imagine doing something like this but my dad, he loves her too much.

Maybe my in-laws? I mean Peter and Diana act weird sometimes. Though that could be Adam's fault. They didn't act that way when I was with Liam.

I just hope is not any of my friends' family.

Colton's dad may he Rest In Peace is obviously out of the question.

Jacob's parents are divorced too.

Rob's mum also passed away. His dad is in a relationship but he isn't married.

So Liam, Nicole, Jas, Tyler, Ian, Camilla, Aaron, Mia or Hannah.

I honestly don't think it's Mia's dad or Nicole's. Only because I know them the most but when it comes to things like this, you never know.

I mean, the main reason I'm not suspecting my parents is not their love for each other but because Brian wouldn't have told me.

Or maybe he is. I mean, he can be a jerk.

"Do you want to know who?"

"Nope." I say quickly.

"Yes, you do. I can see it in your eyes."

"Fine, tell me."

"I'll show you." He wraps his arm around my shoulders and turns us so we can face the group. Oh my God, no! It's one of us.

Brian starts twirling his finger around them, playing with me.

"Brian." I urge.

He sighs and finally points at Emily. My eyes widen. "Andrew?"

"Yes."

I sigh, feeling very releived. "But he's getting divorce."

Brian smiles. "How long have I heard that song?"

"You think he won't?"

"Nope."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Maybe Jess doesn't want to lose fifty percent of her fortune." He chuckles.

"How about Andrew?"

"Oh she has way more money. How much do you think Architects make?"

I hit his arm. "Hey!"

"Sorry." He raises his arms laughing.

"But how about the family money?"

"Andrew isn't the richest Parker nor the second and probably not the third. Jessica on the other hand was an only child so she's swimming in endless inheritance."

"It's not always about money."

"But it is."

I just shake my head.

"Just make sure you don't tell Emily." He says and walks away.

****

I decided to go home early to take a nap because Adam woke me up when he was leaving and I'm so tired. I came with Camilla and she doesn't want to leave now so I took Nicole's car.

For some reason, Nicole is crazy about her Tesla but I just don't get the hype and now in the middle of the road, the car stopped because it has ran out of battery.

Can you send someone to pick me up? I took Nicole's car and it has run out of battery.

I didn't want to text Wesley cause believe it or not, he might scold me.

💍Of course. Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm good.....waiting.

Adam arrives in fifteen minutes and I rush over to hug him. "Are you sure you're fine?" He asks softly.

"Yes, just.... fucking Teslas."

"Well, now I know what car to not get you."

"You've already bought me my dream car."

"I have, haven't I?"

"And if you hadn't been stubborn and taken it with your driver, this wouldn't have happened." He deadpans.

"Thanks for coming to pick me up." I quickly change the subject. I don't want to get into this.

"Anytime." He says and look around. "So where's Cooper?"

"Hmm?"

"Wesley told me the security team wasn't alerted when your car stopped."

I clear my throat. "Um..." Should I lie?

"Amelia."

"Fine, I gave him the day off." I confess.

"What?"

"He wanted to visit mum in Brooklyn."

Adam's jaw clenches.

"Please don't get angry." I beg, tightening my grip around.

"He's supposed to tell me or Rhodes."

"I too am his boss, you know." I let him go, crossing my arms.

"Amelia, I told you I won't tolerate you putting your safety at risk. What if something happened before I got here?"

"But I-"

"Do you want me to bring back Dante and Kristina?" He asks coldly and my heart pounds. Shit. I can't believe he's threatening me.

"No!" I answer.

"I'm not saying you can't give Cooper a day off but if you do, let me know so we can replace him."

"Okay."

He opens the front seat of his car and I get in, embarrassed. He's making me feel like a child. I know I acted irresponsibly but I was just at Nicole's house for God's sake.

I don't get why he's so serious about security.

He comes in and glances at me. Then, he leans his body in and I blink wordlessly. What is he doing? He looks at me then grabs the seatbelt strap and buckles me in.

Oh.

I feel his fingers on my chin and when I look into his eyes, he places his lips on mine.

I close my eyes and kiss him back

"You're not mad anymore?" I ask.

"I'm not. I'm sorry I lost my temper."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. I just can't seem to think straight when it comes to you. I wasn't kidding when I said you drive me crazy."

That makes me chuckle. Join the club!

He stares at me blankly. "Are you laughing at me?"

"Maybe."

He shakes his head and starts the car. "Let's get out of here before the cops come."

"Like they'll do anything."

"What?"

"Adam, we both know you're untouchable."

"You mean we."

"Well, yeah." Obviously.

He looks at me in shock. "But we're not. We're not above the law, even with our last names."

"I know but not here in Bluefall at least."

"Even here. It's corrupt for you to think the law would exempt you."

"Corrupt? Are you serious? I know it's wrong but every time I or my friends get pulled over, the cops stop asking questions as soon as they see our last names, some even recognize us."

"I have to look into that."

I roll my eyes at his sudden seriousness. "You can't tell me that you've never been let go by the cops because of who you are."

"No. Besides I can't even remember the last time I got pulled over."

"What?"

"Wesley is an excellent driver."

"Or maybe they recognize your Maybach and don't even think of stopping you."

"I'm very familiar with the police department from my wild days, okay? They never overlooked who I was. Now, I just try my best to avoid them at all costs. You should too."

"So what are you going to do now?"

"I'll talk to the chief of police. I don't want the younger generation growing up in a society where everything is dictated by privilege."

"But Jasmine also gets away with things! And Rob and-"

"I'm not just talking about white privilege."

"Oh.... I understand."

"You do?" Adam asks carefully.

"Yes."

"Good."

****

"You look amazing." Gustav says from across the table. After Adam dropped me at home, he went back to work so I decided to have dinner with one of my old friends.

Well, I didn't actually decide. He texted me and asked and I said yes. Gustav and I have known each other a long time but he travels the world.

We bumped into each other at Adam's launch party and since he's leaving tonight, he wanted to catch up a little bit. I was bored so why not?

"Thanks." I chuckle.

"You're probably so used to hearing that it doesn't faze you."

"What? That's so not true."

"You remember what you told me the night that we broke up."

"Just so you know, I'm the most beautiful girl you'll ever date."

"Just so you know, I'm the most beautiful girl you'll ever date."

"Jinx." I laugh then add, "In my defense, I was a sassy eighteen year old. My ego did most of the talking then."

"Hmm."

"And don't you dare say we broke up because first of all, we weren't even official and secondly, you were the one that ended things."

Because he "wanted to see what's out there".

"I know." He smiles sadly.

"But it all worked out. You have a successful business." I smile, feeling haply for him. That's all he's always wanted.

"And you're married."

"Mhm."

"It's suits you, you know."

"Really?"

"You know my mum liked you a lot so when I told her we broke but hoped we'll be together again in the future, she said it was impossible because girls like you get hitched in a snap."

"You hoped we would get back together?"

"Hell yeah. You didn't?"

"Of course not." I scoff. Men think their the shit, don't they?

Except my Adam. Fuck, I miss him.

"But what about all the talks we had about having a future and all that?"

"Yeah, we had those talks but then you left, Gustav. Remember?"

"I guess I did."

"I'm sorry if I hurt you in anyway when I decided to leave." He says genuinely.

"I forgave you a long time ago."

"Sure?"

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't." I shrug, stroking the end of my hair.

"You're incredible, Amelia. I hope you're husband knows how lucky he is."

"Mr Nyberg." I hear a familiar voice behind me.

I turn around. "Chase?"

"What a pleasant surprise." He grins as he stands by our table.

I stand up and give a quick hug and air kiss. "What are you doing here?"

"Um, just lunch. I came out for lunch. Heard this place is nice." He says.

"Yeah, it is. You and Gustav obviously know each other." I point.

"Mr. Handel." Gustav extends his hand and Chase takes it. "Looks like you're still in town." He says.

"Oh! You guys know-got it." I keep nodding my head.

"I see you haven't eaten yet."

"Yes, they make everything from scratch here so it takes a while."

"Good. We'll join you then." Chase decides.

I shoot him a glare. Where are his manners? Isn't he supposed to wait till we invite him first? Which I actually plan on doing?

"So Amelia, what are you eating?" He asks as he sits beside me.

"Lasagna."

"Really?" He asks with clear disbelief.

"Yes, why?"

"No reason."

The waiter comes over to our table. "Sir, may I take your order?"

"Sure. I don't see the menu though."

I give him a look. "You should obviously scan."

"Oh, sorry,"

Just as he's about to, his phone starts ringing. "Fuck, I have to answer this"

"Mmm....yes...yes. Okay." He says and hangs up. He looks at me then at Gustav. "Mr Nyberg, I apologize but we have to get going."

I am so confused. "We? Is everything okay?"

He nods. "Yeah, you can eat later. There's an emergency."

"What kind of emergency?"

"Adam."

My heart drops, panic rising in my chest. "What?"

"We need to go." He urges.

"Can I do anything to help?" Gustav asks.

"No, no, you've done enough. Enjoy your dinner." Chase answers him then looks at me. "Let's go."

When we step out of the restaurant with Chase practically dragging me, I see Adam's car and I'm more confused.

As I get in the backseat, I freeze.

"Adam?"

He's sitting, brooding, looking out the other window.

"Okay. What is going on?"

"He was ready to attack your date. I had to stop him." Damien says from the driver's seat.

What the heck is this?!!

"Date? It wasn't a date."

I look at Adam. "Please don't tell me you left the office cause you believed I was on a date with someone else."

He turns to me and stares at me blankly.

"Adam."

"Look, today it's Gustav's last day here and he asked me to have dinner. That's it."

He doesn't say anything. "Are you serious?" I move closer to him. "Please say something."

"Just give him time to calm down." Damien says.

"Fine but for the record, you guys are crazy. All three of you."

****

"Are you still mad?" I ask Adam as we enter our home.

"Why did you have dinner with him? I thought we were past this juvenile behavior." He says without a glance in my direction.

"What's juvenile about having dinner with a friend?"

"So you weren't trying to make me jealous?" He accuses.

"Of course not." Or maybe I was, subconsciously cause he's been so busy with work. I know I can be petty sometimes.

"Hmm." He says, going into the living room.

"I honestly think you're overreacting."

"Overreacting? You're mine, Amelia and nobody touches what's mine, especially not some Swedish tool."

"So now you're being racist?"

"I told you no more dates."

"It wasn't a date!" I exclaim, "But if it bothers you so much, the next time he and I go out, it'll be breakfast or a more public setting since you clearly do not trust me."

"Amelia, there won't be the next time."

"Excuse me?"

"Let's just say your friend knows better than to ask you out ever again."

"Oh my God, Adam! What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything." He frowns.

"But Chase did." Or Damien. I know how he works. "I can't believe this. Do you know how much it hurts to know that my husband doesn't trust me?"

"Of course I trust you."

"No. If you did, you wouldn't have gone behind my back and threatened my friend."

"Who said anything about threats?"

I scoff. "I'm not an idiot, okay? I also know you had something to do with Bobby canceling our outing the other day."

"Bobby and his father were very grateful for the opportunity I gave them." He shrugs.

I roll my eyes. "I just wish you would trust me."

"I do trust you."

"You're practically telling me I can't have male friends."

"No, I'm protecting from men that are trying to take advantage of your innocence."

"My innocence?"