Tipsy Amy

It was a feast, Henry made sure that everyone's tummy would be filled with both food and drinks. It was an open bar for everyone.

Henry also invited the people from Barnes and the three groups who won their investment contracts. At first, it was supposed to be just Amy's group together with Rei and Anton's staff, but after seeing how the men from Barnes looked and flirted with Amy during the judging and food tasting he just couldn't let it go. 

He must make them aware that Amy is his and no one is allowed to flirt with her.

This is the first time that he has become this unreasonable and paranoid. He knows it's not right but he cannot contain his possessiveness every time he remembers how the eyes of those men sparkle when they look at Amy, his mind automatically becomes filled with rage.

Henry did not leave Amy's side, not even a minute. He kept on touching her waist, back, shoulder, and hands, making sure that everybody saw their intimacy.

Anton kept on looking at his friend while shaking his head. "Rei, tell me this isn't real. That's not Henry, he never liked PDA."

Rei tapped Anton's shoulder as he stood from his seat to get something from the bar, "You'll get used to it man. I did, and you will too. I told you he's a changed man. He's head over heels for Amy."

It was not only Anton who kept on looking at Henry and Amy. At another table beside them are Amy's group and her security team.

Mary can't take the sight of the two lovebirds anymore and whispers to Ava, "Is this how they usually are?"

"Uhmm you can say that I guess but we've only seen them together a couple of times since the boss went overseas," Ava is also thinking of the same thing as Mary.

She heard stories about how her boss treated his women from her colleagues at the agency but it's nothing like what she is witnessing now.

Whenever she looks at Henry, she can confidently say that her boss cares about Amy. From what she heard, Henry does not care about anyone but himself. The women he was with were only useful in bed and in social gatherings to avoid other women flocking to him.

Amy kept on fidgeting whenever Henry would touch her. She hasn't talked to Mary or her cousins since they signed the contract with Welsh Holdings.

She is happy that Henry is back but she doesn't want Mary and her cousins to misunderstand her.

Right now they are giving her a worried look. She told them that nothing was happening between her and Henry, that it was an all-business-only deal. But here she is being intimate with him.

"What is wrong? You seem uneasy. Are you uncomfortable with me touching you?" Henry couldn't hold it anymore and asked her. He can feel her body getting tense and stiff whenever he touches her.

"Yes… No… I'm sorry… I mean yes I am uncomfortable but not because of your touch. You see, I told Mary and my cousins that our deal is purely business where we both benefit. But then you kissed me earlier. They look worried and I can imagine what they are thinking now."

Even though Amy wanted to talk and explain herself, she just didn't know how to. Her situation and relationship with Henry are out of the ordinary, something that society would not accept.

If other people know her story, it will appear that she is no different than a prostitute who sells their body for money, even if she's not. She cannot even be categorized under a paid escort since she is being intimate with her supposed-to-be client.

She doesn't want to look like that to her best friend and cousins, but she is afraid that once she tells them the real story, they might not understand her and go against her decision. Amy doesn't like conflicts, especially with the people she loves. As much as possible she wants to have a good and peaceful relationship with them.

Her family's accident taught her that life is short and that she should live harmoniously with the people she cares about and avoid misunderstandings with them because no one knows when will they permanently leave everyone just like her parents and brother.

Henry thinks the same way as Amy but he is not worried. He knows what his intentions are and he is absolutely sure that they will not change.

Henry pulled up Amy's hand and kissed the back of it. "Stay here," he said to her then stood up.

"Where are you going?" Amy quickly asks as Henry walks away from their seat. She watches him move towards Mary and her cousins' table. And she started to panic. She has no idea how they will react to him and to what extent of information will Henry tell them.

"Henry!" Her voice came out a little loud and some people near their table looked at her.

She was about to run after him when Henry looked back at her and said "Relax, I got this." He also gestured 'Stop and sit down.'

He doesn't want Amy to explain their situation all by herself to her loved ones. Some people would not care about what other people might think and so was he, but he wanted to do this for Amy

They are in this together. He promised himself that he would not allow Amy to fight her battles alone even if it is as simple as this.

He will stay by her side no matter what the situation is. He wanted the people close to her to accept him, and if that will put Amy's mind at peace then he will do his best by all means.

Amy did as she was instructed since she trusted Henry and hoped that he could explain better their situation to the people whom she treats as family.

Henry then sent a quick message to Rei and Anton in their group chat to keep Amy occupied which they did.

The ladies saw Henry walking towards them and they gulped. They wanted to ask too many questions to Amy, but they didn't expect Henry to go to them without Amy by his side.

"Hi, how's everything going here? Do you like the food and wine?" Henry started off.

"Everything is perfect Mr. Welsh," Sandra was the one who replied on behalf of the group.

"Call me Henry, please. I actually wanted to talk to the three of you because of some personal matters."

Dave, Ava, and Mitch who currently are sharing the table with the three ladies understood what Henry meant and swiftly stood up from their seats to give them privacy.

Henry fired off his piece as soon as the three were far enough. "I want you all to know that my intention with Amy is nothing but good. I know she told you that it was just business and nothing more. It was true at first. But not anymore."

Henry watches the different emotions on the ladies' faces as he tells them how he met Amy when they were young and that he has liked her ever since then.

He even told them that he stalked Amy when Rei told him about her. At first, he doesn't want to accept her proposal but Rei convinces him.

He left out some details about what their real contract is about. He made it look like he was only looking for a paid escort to accompany him in social gatherings in order to avoid indecent proposals from other women and arranged marriages with other rich families.

But his main goal was to let them know that he is now pursuing Amy with marriage in mind.

The ladies couldn't contain their happiness and each of them gave him a hug of acceptance.

"I couldn't be any happier with what you said, Henry. If Amy accepts you then who are we to counter her decision," Mary's eyes welled up while giving her approval to Henry.

She can't believe that finally, she will be able to see her best friend happy. She did not lose hope that one day Amy would find the person that would make her happy, even though back then Amy kept on saying that she would not get married and die an old maid.

"I will not tell you to not make her cry, because she cries even if she's happy, but do not cheat on her, or we will hunt you even if you are Henry Welsh…" Sandra's voice was firm and serious and while looking directly into Henry's eyes, she took the knife and stabbed the steak on her plate hard enough to make a sound. "... got that?" She then added, obviously letting Henry know that it was a threat that she had given.

Maya on the other hand gave Henry some pointers and encouragement. "If you really want our cousin to fall for you, you have to be patient with her. She had locked up her heart somewhere very deep after the accident.

She will need time to open up to you. She's sweet but hard on herself. She always puts others first before herself. But once she gives herself to you, she'll never leave you."

Henry felt overwhelmed by the support that he was getting from these three lovely ladies even with Sandra's spoken threat. He knows that they are only looking after Amy.

He can't thank them enough for trusting him and accepting his intentions. Right now his heart is full and can't wait for Amy to fully accept him in her life.

After talking with the girls, Henry went back to where he was seated only to find a tipsy Amy who looked very happy with her drinking buddies. She was laughing at whatever the two men were saying.

Amy felt someone touch her shoulder and when she looked up, she flashed her widest smile. "My love you are back," she stood up and gave him a big tight hug.

Henry glared at Anton and Rei. "What did you two do?"

"We kept her occupied, just like what you said," Anton reasoned as he poured drinks into the three shot glasses in front of him.

"Yes, I did tell you to accompany her, not make her drunk." Henry sighed and shook his head.

"Who's drunk now?" Amy frowned at Henry. She knows she had several shots already but she can still think clearly… Or that's what she thought.

"You, you are drunk," Henry doesn't know if he will laugh at her current state or be angry with his two best friends.

"What? How dare you! I'll show you I'm not drunk. Let's go, dance with me."

"I don't think that's argh…" Before Henry could finish his rebuttal, Amy pulled his arm briskly to the center of the dance floor.