Once again on Valentine

Amelia's heart soared as Harrison slid into the booth, his face flushed from the brisk walk. "Sorry I'm late, traffic was insane!" he exclaimed, brushing a stray snowflake from his hair.

"Don't worry, love," Amelia replied, her voice dripping with honey, "you're worth the wait." She reached out, tracing a finger across his cheek, her touch sending shivers down his spine.

Harrison leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "You look stunning, Ames," he whispered, his gaze lingering on the crimson dress that hugged her curves perfectly. "Like a vision straight out of a fairytale."

A blush crept up Amelia's neck. "Always with the sweet talk," she teased, batting her eyelashes playfully. "But I can't say I dislike it."

They settled into their usual booth, bathed in the warm glow of fairy lights. The clatter of cutlery and hushed conversations provided a comforting background hum. Holding hands, they shared stories, their laughter echoing through the room like the tinkling of wind chimes.

Harrison recounted a particularly challenging meeting, his voice animated, his eyes seeking Amelia's approval. She listened intently, offering words of encouragement and admiration. His success thrilled her, but it was his vulnerability, his genuine need for her support, that truly ignited her love.

"You handled it like a champ, babe," she said, squeezing his hand. "I'm so proud of you."

Harrison's eyes softened. "I couldn't have done it without you, Ames. You're my rock, my lucky charm."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. Amelia gasped, her heart pounding in her chest.

"I know we already have everything," he began, his voice thick with emotion, "but I wanted to remind you how much you mean to me."

He opened the box, revealing a delicate diamond necklace, its sparkle mimicking the twinkle in his eyes.

"It's beautiful, Harrison," Amelia breathed, tears welling up. "But you didn't have to—"

"I wanted to," he interrupted, gently placing the necklace around her neck. "Every time you wear it, remember how much I love you, how lucky I am to have you in my life."

Amelia leaned in, her lips meeting his in a passionate kiss. The world around them faded away, replaced by the warmth of his touch, the taste of his lips, the echo of his whispered "I love you."

It was then,three years ago, now The plush velvet chair molded around Amilia, but the warmth emanating from the restaurant did little to soothe the chill she felt inside. Harrison was still late, Around her, couples whispered sweet nothings, their laughter carrying an undercurrent of shared joy. 

A sigh escaped Ava's lips. Glancing down, she traced the intricate design of her watch, a recent gift from her husband. It was undeniably beautiful, a testament to his success and a tangible expression of his love. 

The restaurant doors swung open, and her gaze darted towards the entrance. He walked in, carrying a single red rose, its crimson bloom mirroring the one from their first Valentine's Day. A wave of relief washed over her, erasing the doubts that had gnawed at her.

"Happy Valentine's Day, my love," he said, placing the rose gently in her hand. His eyes sparkled with a genuine warmth that melted away the chill within her.

"Harrison! You're late again!" Amelia's voice sliced through the air, laden with both frustration and a tinge of sadness as her lips formed a pout. But before another word could escape her lips, Harrison closed the distance between them with a gentle kiss, his lips tender against hers, evoking a warm, bubbly sensation within her.

"No, a mere kiss won't suffice this time! You're always late, and it's infuriating!" Amelia's arms crossed defiantly, her expression a mixture of annoyance and disappointment. Yet, Harrison, undeterred, wore a crestfallen look as he sank to one knee before her.

"Please forgive me, Amelia. I was caught in traffic, barely making it here in time," he pleaded, his eyes wide and pleading, reminiscent of a remorseful puppy seeking redemption. He knew all too well the power his puppy-dog eyes held over her, and Amelia, unable to resist their charm, relented with a nod.

"Fine, but get up from your knees, Harrison. People are starting to stare," she murmured, glancing around at the curious onlookers who mistakenly believed Harrison was about to propose to Amelia.

"Why? Are you shy?" Harrison teased, his grip on her hand tender and affectionate.

"Harrison, please!" Amelia pleaded, her cheeks flushing as she glanced nervously around, urging him to cease drawing attention to them. Eventually, Harrison relented, rising to his feet and pulling out a chair for Amelia to sit.

"It's been two years, and I still can't believe you're my wife. I can't believe I managed to 'wife you up'," Harrison remarked, his gaze softening as he looked at her with glittering eyes, his words dripping with sweetness and sincerity.

Amelia found herself endlessly enchanted by his words; he was indeed a masterful sweet talker, and it was precisely her weakness—men who possessed the gift of eloquence.

"Are you sure? Because the way you always make me wait says otherwise. I might start thinking that you're having an affair at work because of how late you always are," Amelia quipped, puffing her cheeks in a display of mock annoyance, falling into the role of the quintessential nagging wife with playful ease.

For a brief moment, Harrison's demeanor shifted, his body tensing as if a well-guarded secret had been inadvertently exposed. His gaze bore into Amelia's, a deadpan expression momentarily gripping his features, almost causing a flicker of unease to dance in Amelia's chest.

"What are you talking about, Amelia? Why would I ever think of cheating on you?" Harrison's voice broke through the air, tinged with hurt and disbelief. His words pierced through her jest, instantly stirring a pang of remorse within her.

"No, dear, I was just teasing you," she interjected quickly, her tone softening as she sought to explain herself. But before she could fully assuage the tension, Harrison's phone interrupted, drawing both their attention away, causing Amelia to glance in the direction of the ringing device, her curiosity piqued.

"Sorry, love, I have to take this call. It's important," Harrison apologized, a sense of urgency evident in his voice as he reached for his phone.

Amelia nodded understandingly, albeit reluctantly, granting him permission to attend to the call. With a small sigh, Harrison excused himself from the table, leaving Amelia once more in solitude as he ventured off to answer the ringing phone, the faint sound of his footsteps echoing in the distance.

As Harrison excused himself to take the call, Amelia's gaze wandered aimlessly around the restaurant, her fingers idly tracing patterns on the table with the spoon. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowded eatery, her attention was suddenly arrested by the sight of a man across the room.

There he was, a striking figure amidst the sea of diners, his presence commanding attention without him even trying. His rugged yet refined features exuded an air of quiet confidence, framed by tousled locks of hair that danced effortlessly in the soft glow of the ambient lighting. His eyes, a mesmerizing shade of azure, held a depth that seemed to pierce through the very soul, 

As her gaze lingered on the man, a sudden realization dawned upon Amelia like a bolt of lightning illuminating the dark corners of her memory. It was him—Matheo Abbott, her senior from college, the son of one of the wealthiest families in the country. His name alone was synonymous with privilege and power, yet Amelia's recollection of him was tainted by the memory of his notorious reputation.

Matheo Abbott, with his chiseled features and undeniable charisma, had always been the epitome of allure, but beneath the surface lay a demeanor that was anything but charming. His arrogance and disdain for those he deemed beneath him had earned him a reputation for being notoriously rude, a fact that had not escaped Amelia's notice during their brief encounters in college.

Despite his wealth and undeniable magnetism, Amelia found herself unimpressed by Matheo's demeanor, her initial curiosity giving way to a sense of indifference. For all his riches and influence, he lacked the one quality that truly mattered to her—a genuine kindness that resonated from within. And so, with a subtle shake of her head, Amelia refocused her attention elsewhere, dismissing Matheo Abbott from her thoughts as easily as she had once dismissed him from her life.