Karl

"I don't think I can handle these," Amelia whispered, her voice full of uncertainty as her fingers splayed across the necklace resting just above her collarbone. The diamonds glimmered softly under the lights, but her unease overshadowed it all.

"They suit you and that too perfectly," I said, hoping to soothe her nerves, though I knew it wouldn't help much. Amelia wasn't used to standing in the spotlight, she preferred to remain in the background, letting her pieces take center stage. People turned their heads a bit to have a look at her. She was captivating.

I scanned the room, searching for somewhere quieter, somewhere we could escape the noise and curious glances. I rarely showed up at events like this but here I was after many years and that too with someone Finally spotting a corner partially hidden by elegant drapes, I placed a guiding hand on Amelia's back to guide her through the crowd. The instant my fingers brushed her bare skin, I felt the subtle intake of her breath, a reaction so fleeting, yet impossible to miss. I could feel her body momentarily tensing under my touch and that small reaction sent a jolt through me, a quiet reminder of the chemistry between us.

"I've never worn anything, you know," she said quickly. Her fingers continued to toy with the necklace, brushing over the intricate design that now felt far more intimate than I had intended when I offered it to her.

I chuckled, knowing that it earned me a glare. It was so very Amelia, the creator of some of the world's most exquisite jewelry, too hesitant to wear any of it herself.

"But you've made so many." I pointed out leading her further toward a secluded corner, away from the dazzling lights and curious eyes. It was quieter here, the noise from the event was reduced to a distant hum.

"For others, not for me," she said immediately, her voice stirring something in me. Amelia was unaware of just how captivating she looked tonight. I had always admired how grounded she was but tonight, seeing her like this, draped in midnight blue sequins and wearing the very piece I had crafted myself, something stirred in me, something deeper, more dangerous.

I did not stop moving until I had her backed into the corner, before she could say another word, I stepped closer, bracing my hands on either side of her head, trapping her between my arms. The warmth of her body radiated toward me, and the scent of her perfume something soft and floral filled the narrow space between us.

"You may have made many," I said quietly, my voice dropping lower, "but this one, this one was made for you. They are just diamonds but it's you who turns them into a masterpiece wearing it." My gaze dropped to the necklace, the diamonds gleaming like starlight against her skin. It was not just any piece, it was one I had designed years ago, using heirloom stones from my family's vault. I had kept it hidden all this time, waiting for the right person to wear it. That person had always been Amelia.

"You didn't have to," she began, her voice dying when my eyes met hers again. Her lips parted slightly, and for a moment, the air between us felt charged, as though we were standing on the edge of something neither of us could control.

"I wanted to," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to see you wearing this."

Her breath caught again, and for a fleeting second, I thought she might lean into me. The warmth of her body radiated toward mine, drawing me closer, making it harder to remember why I should not touch her the way I wanted to. The blush that crept up her neck didn't escape my notice, and it only fuelled the tension crackling between us. My eyes dipped down, tracing the delicate line of her collarbone, where the necklace rested like a crown on a queen.

But before either of us could speak again, footsteps echoed nearby, and a voice cut through the thick silence.

"There are you both." Taking in a deep breath I got my senses in control. I knew who it was as I slowly pulled back my arms as Amelia turned her eyes toward Lucien. Closing my eyes for a second I turned to greet Lucien.

"Oh my god," Lucien's eyes were set on the necklace. Without asking, he reached out and touched the necklace, his fingers brushing against Amelia's skin in a way that made my jaw tighten even though there was no need for it. Lucien was old but I didn't like him touching Amelia, something that I loved.

"Stunning piece," he was truly mesmerized by the piece. "And, of course, the woman wearing it makes it even more exquisite." He added taking a step back. "Let me see the whole of that dress," he held out his hand for Amelia to take, and with a dazzling smile she put her hand into his. Lucien twirled her in a full circle looking at her dress, makeup, and hair and his eyes finally settled on the piece around her neck.

"It's not for sale," I said before Lucien could ask for the price of the necklace. I would never sell it. It was Amelia's from now on and would never let any other have it.

"That's a downer," Lucien looked at me with a mocking face and I just shook my head at him. I have had very least interactions with Lucien all through the years I have worked but he had a personality that really was hard to miss.

"Not everything has got a price for it, Lucien," Amelia spoke from beside me. "Some things are ... personal," her eyes turned to me and I could feel the heated gaze passing between us.

"Okay," he drawled out the word almost whistling looking at both of us.

"Want to tell me what's going between you two," he pointed between us. "Here?"

"Amelia and I are seeing each other," I told him in a proud tone. "She is my girlfriend now," I was practically beaming from ear to ear calling her mine. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder I pulled her to me.

"Now this is news that I assure you will spread like wildfire. I can totally see people gossiping about the power couple," he was surely exaggerating it but I didn't mind. I had no care about the people in the world. The only person who I cared about was Amelia and her opinions.

"A little too much, Lucien," Amelia spoke up with a raised eyebrow and a smile that could bring me to my knees.

"I'm just so happy for you," he said stepping towards Amelia. Putting his hands over Amelia's cheek he looked at her.

"I have never seen you this happy, Amelia and I pray for all the happiness for you," he spoke as if a father speaking to his daughter. "You deserve it and a lot more."

"And if you dare to hurt her," he added turning towards me." I assure you that you will have a lot to pay for it." His words didn't scare me at all but I still acknowledged them with a smile. It was nice to see that Amelia had someone to have a friendly relationship with.

"Why don't you meet a few guests around because I just saw my next client and don't dare to leave without letting me know. I want you to meet with a few people. Until then mingle with some drinks," he said and went in an instant. He was really something.

"Shall we go mingle my dearest boyfriend," Amelia asked making me smile. Her words made me feel all tingly and excited.

"Lead the way, my dear girlfriend," we both laughed at my words before moving ahead towards the bar. Picking up a glass of champagne each we both roamed around the crowd. Amelia was always beside me as I greeted a few of my business correspondents. Every time I introduced her as my girlfriend I could feel my heart swell. Seeing the blush on her cheeks as I introduced her was going to stay in my mind forever. It was a memory worth cherishing.

"Amelia," her name was being called by some woman making us both stop in her steps. Turning around I saw her. Sasha stood there ten steps away from me and I felt anger rise inside of me. She was this close to me when she shouldn't have been anywhere close to me with the restraining order in place. Rage moved through my veins making me clench my fist.

"Ms. Sasha," Amelia greeted her. Taking a step closer to Amelia, I wrapped my arm protectively around her. Pulling out my phone from my pocket I texted Joel about this. I needed to tell him this. He needed to know so he could help me out with putting her behind bars once again.

"I thought it was you and wow," she paused as she closed off the distance between us. "What a beautiful piece you have there." Her eyes were glued to the necklace around Amelia's neck.

"Thank you it was given to me by," Amelia had no idea who Sasha was and I wanted to protect her at all costs from her.

"Me," I completed the sentence for her.

"Oh forgive me," I saw the drop of tone in her voice. The sultry in her voice almost made me want to puke in the place. Did she think that it was going to work on me after she had destroyed me so well?

"I'm Sasha, a client of Ms. Amelia," I didn't know why she was acting like that in front of me. What was her game plan? "And who you might be?" Her words gave me an unsettling feeling.

"I'm Karl Lancaster," I kept my words limited.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Lancaster," her voice seemed nothing but like poison to me. "Why do I get the feeling that we know each other from somewhere?" I had no idea where she was going with this.

"I think the only person who is missing her memory is me," Amelia took over in the conversation and I felt more than relieved.

"Oh really sorry," Sasha apologized. "I really thought I knew him from somewhere. Maybe I would have been mistaken. Keeping this talk aside I just wanted to know about how my piece is coming out." I felt Amelia's hand around mine.

"Actually Lucien would be delivering it to you soon enough," I spoke up drawing her attention back to me.

"Oh," She paused. "I was really looking forward to having some time with you. I mean you are such a nice person and I thought maybe I would be able to help you find out who you really are, about your family and all." This time I felt Amelia stiffen beside me.

"Actually we are just a bit busy right now," Sasha looked at me with a raised brown and questioning look.

"We are a bit busy planning a wedding," the lie flew out of my mouth almost instantly. I saw the color leave her face.

"Whose wedding?" She asked in a hushed tone as if almost not believing the words she had just heard.

"Ours," my reply was almost instant. "Sorry, we have to meet someone. Please you go ahead and enjoy your evening," I was dismissing her. I didn't mind if she thought I was being rude to her. I wanted to strangle her with my bare hands. With each ticking second she was in front of my eyes all I wanted to do was strangle her. I didn't wait for her reply. Without waiting further I pulled on to Amelia's hand and turned us around to move in another direction.

It was only when there was a safe distance between us I breathed a sigh of relief.

"A wedding?" Amelia asked with her big wide eyes looking at me. I stared at her with my mouth open. God, how could I have said something like that? I opened my mouth to say something but I couldn't form the right words to say anything to her.

"I'm sorry," I apologized to her. "My mind went blank for a bit there and I said what I could to get rid of her. I'm really sorry, Amelia. You are my girlfriend and by saying something like this, I think I should just stop speaking right now." Amelia looked at me for a few seconds and then broke out in a laugh.

"It's all right," she said stepping towards me in my personal space and I felt my heart beat rapidly as her perfume invaded my senses.

"Thanks for helping me out back there," the way she smiled at me I was mesmerized. I smiled back at her and all the anger I had felt from seeing Sasha drained out of me. Amelia made me forget all my worries just with that smile of hers.

"Mr. Karl Lancaster," I heard my name being called and I turned around to see a middle-aged woman whom I had no idea about.

"Yes," I replied, though I didn't know who this woman was really.

Amelia moved closer, her steps hesitant. The woman barely looked at me, her focus fixed on Amelia, as if she was studying her.

"I'm Beth Angston," she introduced herself in a cool and measured tone. "From the Angston family."

The minute she spoke Amelia went still, like a statue frozen in place. From the corner of my eye, I saw the color drain from her face as seen a ghost, her expression was full of shock and fear.

I glanced between them, a strange tension settling in the air. Neither spoke, yet their silence seemed louder than words. What was going on? Who was she, and why did her name affect Amelia this way?

The atmosphere grew tense with each passing second. They didn't look away, their eyes locked as though caught in a memory neither wanted to relive. Suddenly I felt like an outsider, standing on the edge of something I couldn't see, something so important that I didn't understand.

All I knew was that whatever was happening, Amelia was caught in the middle of it, and I had to protect her at all cost.
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Hello Everyone !! hope you all liked the chapter, my fingers are literally crossed. Like I'm hoping I did my best and you liked it enough.

The next chapter is going to be from Amelia's point of view.

See you in a few days most probably by 10 of Jan.

Love you all!!

Keeping my fingers crossed.