18 chapter eighteen

She sighed as the radio filled the car, she was driving and Jake by her side.

Unfortunately no man cancelled, they both wanted to go to the wedding and they both wanted to dance with her.

She wasn't the most prettiest in the universe, why didn't Jake think of someone to carry along or why didn't Nicholas bring Apirl? ok

She pondered on these questions as she made a U-turn.

She took a glimpse of Jake beside her.

Jake had had lunch with her a week ago; he had apologized for raising his voice and he wanted her to promise him; she would not give him up for Nicholas. But Amber didn't make that promise, because she knew, it was her life that was being spoken of here. So instead she told him, nothing would stop her from making right decision for herself.

Which meant it was either him or Nicholas or neither.

She could make her decision at the end.

He didn't even pursue the topic, instead spoke about how he was going to celebrate her birthday that was coming soon. She took a mental note that he was always talking about her, when she wanted to talk about him; he acted like his life was insignificant to be considered a subject.

Nicholas hadn't brought the breakfast but his sister did; and she had brought it up by herself to her office. And Apirl quote Nicholas; 'Do not give it to anybody. Deliver the package directly.' An instruction she followed strictly without any questions. Apirl had added; he woke up early and did the cooking by himself.

She had seen a note attached to the flask that he was trying to make it the way she did. He doesn't actually know how good it was.

Nicholas called her at 12 noon that day, he asked how the food tasted and if she liked it.

She just told him, he tried but Nicholas made her promise to teach him, how to make it, so that he doesn't screw it up next time.

As if there would be a next time.

For remaining of that week and this week; Nicholas had made sure he called twice in a day to hear how she was and to hear her voice, but Jake; who still felt he had a upper hand in this competition, called only four times in eight days. His excuse was; he had been busy.

She had seen his posts on Facebook and Instagram; partying with friends. He called that busy but she didn't confront him with this instead kept the information to herself.

Dinner on Sunday was great; Uncle Trevor and his new wife loved her like Mary did. He had married this woman when he traveled out last month; a court wedding and Amber was surprised Beth didn't hate her father; for forgetting her mom after a year; instead she was happy for him but Amber knew if her mom died; her dad will never be the same; he would not even marry again, she was afraid he'd lose his mind because they were like two ends of a bridge, if the other end crumbles, there is no more bridge and the other end was useless; if another end is built to hold the bridge again; the other end is too week to sustain the force by which the other ends pulls to make the bridge stable and functional but if not, the bridge is unstable and the end is still useless.

She had asked uncle Trevor if he still remembers his wife. He had just simply said; he could and would never forget her. Cynthia understood that.

Before they had left; Nicholas had told her, if she died; he didn't think he would ever love anyone the way he loved her and he had quickly added that he would never let her die.

She had just smiled at him; when he said that.

Frank and Jonah were great kids; 13 and 12 respectively. She was glad they visited their grandpa once in a while. Mary's picture was still in their living room, smiling ever so beautiful that she was proud of her family.

Her own large family; four Uncles, six Aunts; fourteen cousins and multiple nieces and nephews. Including friends of the family and colleagues. They were a nut case, all of them.

She parked the car and got out with Jake.

Cecilia came hugging her legs; it took enough strength to stop her feet to crushing into Cecilia's smaller ones.

She bent down and pulled the girl into her arms, the little girl wrapped her hands round Amber's neck and hugged it.

'Where did you get all this strength, sweetie?' She asked the little one.

'From Daddy.' The four year said.

Susan; the one with many talents came from the side of her car.

'Her dad always lets her eat whatever he is having.'

She didn't believe this. 'Every time?'

Susan laughed. 'Not every time.'

Amber just shifted Cecilia on her other arm as Sarah lean in for a hug; she heard Susan's whisper quietly.

'Nicholas?'

Sarah pulled back; Amber didn't want Jake who had come to meet them to think that her family didn't like him. Well...not everyone.

'He should be here.' But face it; everyone here knows she is still married to Nicholas and bringing another guy to the wedding?

She didn't even know how this would go.

'Aunt Amber, when will you come visit us?' Cecilia asked still holding Amber's neck.

Amber looked at her; she had thought few months after her wedding, she would be a mom but she thought she saw signs few months before Nicholas left but her period came up later; her doctor had told her, it was because of stress, that she should relax but she relaxed and then Nicholas disappeared. The joy of being a mother flew out the window.

She smiled at her little niece. 'Very soon baby. Your aunt is just busy with work.'

Sarah touched her daughter's hand. 'Amber's visit is going to be a surprise, you don't want Amber changing her mind, do you Cecilia?'

Her four year old shake her head.

Sarah gestured to the visitor beside her; he was foreign to her right now.

'This is Jake.' She introduced.

Jake looked at her, a bit confused.

Sarah looked at him and then at her before looking back at Jake; confused on the relationship between the both of them.

'Let's go in; everyone is in.' Sarah said looking at the both of them.

Amber avoided Jake's eyes and walked ahead of him not wanting to read the questions his eyes told her.

She dropped Cecilia as the little girl ran off without hearing her mother's warning;

'Stop running!'

The hall were filled with chairs and guests arriving and taking their seats with ushers by their sides. The ushers didn't even look their direction. Amber and Jake found their way to the front table where her family sat waiting for the bride and groom; since Amber had drove from the church.

They stopped chatting when Amber came to the long table; they tried to register who the lost person belong to; normally it was Nicholas who followed her around like a lost puppy not this strange guest.

'Amber darling, where is Nicholas?' Her nosy Aunt; Florence's mother decided to take the leap.

She even took the liberty of looking towards the entrance to look for him.

'Aunt Aiya, Nicholas should be on his way.' She told the woman; who was one of the persons who told her to not wait for Nicholas forever, that she should move on with her life.

'Amber dear, who is this fine gentleman?' Her uncle; her father's brother asked.

She looked at Jessie or her friends for anything....but they didn't look at her because this time was her own time.

If she said she and Nicholas were getting a divorce; her uncle and her dad's sister will vent and yell at her that why would she divorce him; when she still loves him and besides she wanted to do this discreetly not in the presence of Florence's guests or colleagues.

'Uncle Steve, this is Jake...' She started as Jake bent to shake the man's hands.

'Your friend?' Aunt Aiya asked.

Her parents exchanged glances with her. They know she wouldn't like them butting in.

'Yes, aunt. He is a very good friend of mine.' She said ignoring Jake's eyes as they put an hole through her face.

'And all those times, Nicholas traveled was he there?' Her aunt pried.

Amber rolled her eyes. 'Yes, Aunt.' She answered honestly. So what! They didn't decide her life for her, she just needed them to support her.

'Does Nicholas know this?' Her uncle asked her, looking at Jake.

She nod.

'And what did he say about it?' He asked again.

'Baby!' She heard someone hugged her from behind.

She tried to shrug Tricia's hand from her waist but she couldn't be happier about not answering her uncle's question.

Tricia scanned the guy standing beside her cousin; she had seen him before the day she came to Amber's house but she had forgotten to tell Amber about it but he was here now with Amber.

She released Amber's waist and stood to observe the guy.

'Amber?' She tugged her arm.

Amber fought the need to turn to look at her.

'Yes, Tricia.'

She moved closer to her to her, not to sound too rude. 'Who is this?'

She sighed; she was sure that was what the whole of her family were wondering right now.; The one she had met and the ones she haven't met yet.

'Tricia, he is my friend.'

Tricia just nod her head and it made Amber think; what was Tricia thinking?

Amber sighed and took Jake's hand, dragging him with her away from prying eyesight.

She sighed when they were at a corner, even though their eyes followed them.

She rubbed her temples and push away the headaches she was beginning to feel.

'Really, Amber. Friend?' She heard his voice only adding more pain to her head.

She looked at him. She owed him an apology but he should understand, she had told him how she felt and what she might do when he came back in her life.

'I'm sorry, Jake. I really am, I couldn't think of anything else to say.'

'Maybe your boyfriend.' He suggested.

She looked at Jake; he was right. But how could she have a husband and a boyfriend at the same time; it would be like hanging her own dirty linen outside for people to see. Not that she cared what people thought about her. She cared what her family thought about her; it was okay to do it in private but in public too.

God! She couldn't be that shameless.

She turned to Jake.

'I will tell them after the wedding.' Thus, this was Florence's big day; she couldn't risk them talking about her while enjoying Florence's wedding. It would be like sand in a meal and they would go into any conclusion they liked.

'Why can't you tell them, now Amber. Because of Nicholas?'

Speak of the devil and he shall appear; she saw what Jake was looking at and she understood the excitement of the youngsters.

Her family loves Nicholas and he loved them too. They had forgotten and forgiven him for leaving her when she had not.....well, maybe she had.

It was his fault; she was in this situation, in first place. If he hadn't left...

But he was back now.....

What then.....

Nicholas carried the four years ago, he remembered in his arms; lifting them up. The two giggled and laughed and then she remembered why they loved him; he was easygoing, kind-hearted and really dashing. Ready to help and play if need be.

'Uncle Nick, where have you been?' she heard Hillary's voice; a sixteen year old as he shook Nicholas' hand, like he was too big, to be pulled into a hug.

She looked back at Jake and apologies again.

'After the wedding, Jake. Please.' She said just as Jessie, Susan and Cassie reached them.

'Am, the couple is arriving soon. We are needed outside.'

She nod and looked at Jake again before apologising and turned to Cassie to help take him to his seat.

As soon as Cassie took him to where he was supposed to seat, she just left, she turned to Susan. 'Where are you going?'

'Lucky said he is outside.' She said simply.

She looked at Nicholas again. This time, he has dropped the children and was talking to the teenagers in front of him.

'I didn't think you would ever come back.' She heard Matthew's voice; he was fifteen now.

She saw Nicholas pulled him into a hug before she stepped out with Jessie.

This is her family's tree and how they had met Nicholas.

Her dad has four siblings; he was the second of five; his sister; Sonia; her father's twin; although they look nothing alike, didn't get married was his eldest born only five minutes before him and then; uncle Steven, Aunt Riana and Uncle Mike; who was the last child of the family; he liked travelling a lot with his family of three; he, Mrs Tracy and Elena. But they couldn't make it to the wedding this time but Nicholas knew them; how?

They had visited their parent's home and her dad had been Skyping with his younger brother, before the man invited her over for a small talk and then Nicholas was roaming about like a lizard until he called Nicholas over and Nicholas used the opportunity to invite him for their wedding, he had happily said he would make It. Nicholas had made it his sole responsibility to know her family, all of them.

Aunt Riana had only Tricia but now she was seeing someone new because her husband passed on five years ago; it took Tricia and the whole family to convince her to move on; even though she had never truly forgotten her husband; who jumped in front of a bullet for her. She lived with her sister; aunt Sonia; so that she wouldn't be too lonely, since she had decided to turn a nun after she lost her husband and child in a crash. Tricia loved hanging out more because she didn't like spending all day with her Aunt Sonia. She and her husband; Clark has a four year old; Clare and Incredible naughty Seth who was recently given birth to. Only aunt and Amber could put her right.

Uncle Steven; the third of the five; married this woman, aunt Aiya; who wanted Amber to be nothing but perfect and experienced in everything; that was why Amber didn't like being around her much because she complains a lot about whatever she did. Her mom didn't like her much. Uncle Steven loved her like she was his own and she knew she was his favorite in all his nieces and nephews combined and he showed it everytime. They had Terence, Florence and Anthony. Terence wasn't married yet; he wasn't even in the country at present; his business was taking his time and the family had been counting on her to bring him home; because Terence loved talking to her instead of his blood relations, Florence was getting married and Anthony; Twenty was annoying but sweet.

From her mother's side; she had three brothers and three sisters. Uncle Daniel, Uncle Albert, Uncle Joshua, Aunt Patricia, Aunt Eunice and Esther.

Uncle Daniel is adopted and married a beautiful woman with four kids; May, Stanley, Nathaniel and Sandra; even though she still couldn't remember his wife's name but she knew her face. May is married with two young children; Caleb and Justin. They were six and five. May had said Nicholas was too fine. Her husband was cute. Stanley wasn't married; he wasn't even in a hurry to get married but she knew he was seeing someone. Nathaniel was married; his wife; Pearl was expecting a baby; she was six months long and Sandra; she wasn't married yet; also not in a hurry. The only persons she talked more frequently with were May and Nathaniel. She only spoke to Stanley to remind him to do something that he forgot.

Uncle Albert; is a cool man; Sarah's father; he could do anything for his baby girl; Sarah because the last girl had been given to them when they least expected. He had four children. Choice, Andy, Sarah and the last born, Sixteen year old Francisca. Choice was married with two children; Isabella and Chole; they were fifteen and twelve; they prefer sending time with Nicholas instead of helping their mother do the dishes. Andy; Andrew was an artitech like Nicholas only difference; it was his source of livelihood, he was married with two children; Cynthia and Flora; they were four and six and they liked hanging around Nicholas whenever he visited. Sarah was the closest to her in her family; she had talents and her husband loved her; she wondered if, if she hadn't listened to what Amber said; would she had gotten her husband back? Sarah and Ben had two children; Cecilia who was four and Harrison who was three. Nicholas loved them a lot.

Fransisca was Sixteen, Amber was alarmed at the things, her cousin did because apparently Fransisca didn't listen to anyone but her conscience.

Uncle Joshua was divorced right now; he was keeping his children. Gary; a sixteen year old, Skype; ten year old and Deila; six year old; they prefer to stay with their dad to their mom; who didn't care about them and her uncle had told her several times; she could make her marriage work because he tried.

Aunt Pat; a medical doctor but charges very high; she had four children with her husband; Melanie; A nineteen year old, Hilary; a sixteen year old and June; seven year old. The woman was a woman of few words believe me, that few words are enough if she repeats herself; you might want to run.

Aunt Eunice, a lovely lady as if her life was caught out from a fairytale book but it was not all perfect. She has four children; Matthew; fifteen, Jackie; nine, Vincent, seven and Lilly; five. She prefer to bring her children to her sister's, Elisabeth's house than have them listen to her husband endless battering and shouting.

And Esther; Esther was the same age with her. But she had problem with the respect, she claimed Amber didn't give to her.

Nicholas knew all these people within the space of a week; they spent to celebrate; her mother's parent's anniversary. She was more closer to Nana, her father's mother but her mother's parent's loved and cared for her.

She smiled when she watched Florence and Bright cut the cake, Aunt Eunice baked for them.

Nicholas had only his sister right now; although his aunt and uncles haven't contacted him since his mom passed away, the only person that was family was she, Apirl and uncle Trevor and the rest of her family; he had told her before.

She was sitting with Jake and Nicholas by her sides and she could feel pair of eyes looking at her instead of watching the newly weds. Her aunt Aiya couldn't stop looking a her; even though her husband, he had told her to leave Amber alone, aunt Patricia kept looking in her direction; she won't be surprised after the reception, she asked her to wait for a quick word and to top it; Esther kept staring; she couldn't tell if it was at her or Nicholas or Jake but she knew what other girls looked at. They were looking at her husband who carried Cynthia on his laps and Cecilia seat beside him at his left and Skype at his right.

When it came the time for slow dance; after watching the couple dance for a while; The MC invited other couples to dance with their partners; she watch as Uncle Steven and Aunt Aiya joined them on the dance and exchange dance partners before Max invite his three months pregnant wife for a dance and Susan and Lucky followed. Isabella came to collect sleeping Cynthia at the request of Lucille; Andrew's wife.

After he stretched his hands; Amber smiled and he smiled back upsetting Jake but he knew he couldn't cause a scene. Just as he was about to ask Amber something; Esther came by; with a smile plastered on her face.

She looked at Amber and rolled her eyes before acknowledging Jake and then her eyes rested on Nicholas.

'Hi, Esther how are you doing?' Nicholas asked harmlessly.

She smiled at him and touched his shoulder lightly. 'Can we discuss that over a dance?'

He looked at her and turned to Amber who just shrugged; like he didn't need her permission.

Reluctantly, he stood and took Esther's hand, led her to the dance floor.

Amber watched them and suddenly Jake drove her attention to him; by talking about the large members of family, she had. Just as she touched her hair, a smile on her lips. She was about to comment on that. Nicholas showed up.

He bent over her, but not before looking at Jake.

'Sorry, I would like Amber to dance with me. Do you mind?' He told his competition because he knew no matter which answer he gave; Amber would still dance with him.

Jake scanned Nicholas' face; he knew he was mocking him right now.

'Not that I have a choice.' Amber heard him.

Nicholas shook his head. 'No you don't.' Of course he didn't. He was in a wedding where everyone loved Nicholas and if he said no, there was hardly any chance of he ever being liked in her family.

'Jake?' Amber asked his permission which she knew was totally unnecessary.

He looked at her to him and back and then his eyes stopped on her, completely disheartening. 'Go ahead.' He said with a shove of his hand.

When she stood up, Jake held Nicholas' hand digging his nails into it, she noticed and was about to reproach Jake when she heard him say;

'Remember, while you are having this little fun, Mr Mitchell. Amber is mine, she will never be yours. She will get that divorce.'

She didn't miss the amusement she saw on Nicholas' face, as he took hold of Jake's finger and yanked it from his grasp. It was a good thing; they were close to the wall but a lot of persons behind could see what was going on because she wasn't fat enough to cover the show.

'Let me remind you again, Jake Darnell.' Nicholas started his voice low, she didn't even know if Jake could hear what he said but by the look on his face he did. She haven't told Nicholas, Jake's surname. Did she forget her husband had friends?

'Amber doesn't belong to you, she is not a property for you to keep and may I remind you; she is capable of making her decision herself.'

Amber touched Nicholas' shoulders, his muscles tensed and she didn't know why exactly. He released the breath he was holding and smiled like nothing happened.

'Please, for your sake. Do not touch me again. I might not be able maintain this level of patience and civility with you. Thank you.' He stood and smiled his biggest smile, before looking at Amber.

'Can we?' He put his hand out for her to take.

She looked at him and looked at Jake; he had made a spectacle of them. But she knew it couldn't be straightened here. 'Jake, a few minutes, please.' Then she took Nicholas' hand and he led her to the dance floor.

She didn't miss the stares when she joined worried Cassie on the dance floor with Max or the stares her dad and her uncle gave her.

She sighed as she turned to smile at Nicholas.

Jake needed to be calm until they were out of here.

For a few minutes.

But a few minutes turned to thirty, but they weren't on the dance floor. Nicholas had hugged her for the rest of that thirty minutes; they were at the balcony. Nicholas' hands were around her waist and her hands round his neck. He missed hugging her.

She could feel he was so sad and needed comforting and since he had just after the dance, brought her here and put his hands around her.....no words. She didn't want to rush him.

'Nicko....' She tried to smoothing his aching heart because they beat uncontrollable on his chest. He wasn't crying and Amber knew he was close and she also knew he wouldn't cry with all of Pade here.

If only he could tell her what happened. She pat his back.

'Amber!'

She looked to where the voice came from, but her hand didn't drop.

'What do you think you are doing?' Jake queried, looking at the position he found her; his eyes filled with rage.

'Jake, Nicholas is...' She paused. Wait! What was she even doing? Why should she give Jake an explanation when he didn't care in the first place.

'Are you giving him a backrub?' He raised his voice.

'Jake, don't talk like that, if you don't know anything.' Even she was clueless but she wasn't ready to leave until Nicholas told her, what the problem was.

Jake sighed and sighed rather loudly. 'I am leaving, if I don't see you outside in the next minute; I will go ahead and God help you, I don't lose my way. Because if I do Amber; you will blamed for my sudden misfortune.'

She looked at him; half believing what he uttered. Is he joking right now?

'Are you being serious, Jake?'

Nicholas had moved away from her drip and was standing looking out, instead at them.

'What could be so important that he needs you, that he can't figure out himself. He lived away from you for a year. He should learn to work things out by himself.'

She scoffed. He had obviously no idea what marriage was really. 'Jake, give us a few minutes.'

He shook her head. 'No, Amber. You are my girlfriend, now. He should know that.'

She was shocked by his outburst. If she haven't driven him here; by God! She could care less if he lost his way..... honestly.

'Amber, I am leaving now, anyways.' He said, his back still turned to her.

'Nick...'

He face them and smiled; no one would even think anything was wrong, if they looked at him.

'I will call you.' He said, kissed her cheeks before excusing himself.

Jake watched him leave; Amber knew Nicholas would have punch him, if he said anything when he passed but luckily for Jake he didn't.

'I am going to wait for outside, only for a few minutes.' He added and excused himself.

One thing, she hated was being ordered around. Jake was doing her no favor by dating her or not, Nicholas or not. She never wanted him in the first place.

She straightened her face as she stepped into the hall.

She needed to do something about this relationship that gave her even more headache than necessary.

He didn't call, she waited for hours for his call. She then called him twice but he didn't pick up before she slept, thinking he would return her calls but waking up this morning, there was not one missed call from Nicholas, except Cassie's two missed calls, Jessie's missed call and her mom's.

She sighed and pat Skye's head as she sniffed Amber. She would try his number later when she gets to the office.

After giving Skype her meal, she went straight to work.

Lucy gave her, her busy schedule for today; she told Lucy to order her something to eat before the first meeting.

Immediately she placed the toast in her mouth; her door opened. She frowned when she saw the pregnant lady walked into. More like barge in.

She ate the toast collecting her notes for the meeting.

'And you didn't care to call me, to ask why I called?' Cassie took a seat, looking at her.

'I just thought since I would be seeing you at the office, it was a waste of my airtime and a waste of valuable time.' She answered and drank her coffee. She stood up.

'What are you even doing here? Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for a meeting.' She asked her friend. They went to the meeting, together. Cassie looked so relaxed and beautiful.

Cassie scoffed. 'Why? Did you forget you said I should take my time.'

She thought of moment and remembered. 'I did.' She sat again to finish her breakfast.

'I can't take my time. My meeting is in thirty minutes.'

'You still have plenty of time.' She said as she rolled the tip of her hair in between her fingers.

She shook her head. Frowning. 'Stop talking Cassie, you make my time even go faster.' She finished up and drop the empty pan and cup into the waste basket.

'What do you want?' She asked when Cassie didn't say anything for a few minutes. She was about to ask if she was okay.

'What happened yesterday?'

Amber stopped her movement. 'What....'

'Nick and Jake.' Cassie said gently.

Amber paused and looked at her. Whatever Cassie was thinking, it wasn't true. 'I didn't do anything.' She said defensively.

'Amber, I didn't say you did; after you left the party Aunt Aiya kept asking if you were okay for you to say a quick bye and leave....'

Amber sighed; if she just left like that, they would have even been more shocked; usually she always leaves wedding reception last.

'And your mom told me to check if you were okay; Nicholas looked fine when he came to us; he said he needed to pick Apirl up.'

Of course, he would say that; why would he even lie in the first place. She opened her mouth to talk but Cassie raised her finger and she closed her mouth.

'And the guests kept talking about the guest they saw with you and what happened at your table..... I saw it too, even Florence and your parents; what exactly happened is my question.'

Amber sighed and looked at her friend. 'Well, Nicholas asked me for a dance, after he left Esther on the dance floor.'

Cassie nod. She had seen that; Esther had been talking something about her famous clients and all, Nicholas just apologized quickly but not before telling Esther; it was a lovely dance. Then he moved towards the table he sat and came back with his hand resting on Amber waist, her head on his shoulder and her hands round him and then he held her securely like he was afraid if he let go; she would disappear but the funny thing, they didn't talk; Nicholas loved chatting with Amber everytime, it made her wonder if everything was alright.

'Then just as I said yes; Jake grabbed hold of his hand and told him I belonged to him.....' She heard Amber continue.

'Are you a property that needs to belong to someone?'

She frowned. 'Nicholas' question exactly. And I just don't know what happened next. Nicholas was upset Jake touched him or rather said what he did. If I hadn't assured him there was hardly any need or reason for him to take it further. Nicholas would have punch him hard and it would be turned to a disaster and aunt Aiya will never forget it.'

Cassie scoffed and smiled. She had seen Nicholas' anger before; it wasn't pleasant; it was like a cold ice throwing on someone else's head; first, you feel cold and then the pain before the bleeding starts. Nicholas would watch first, after watching, he would speak and then if no warning, he'd explode. The first, he had almost been detained if not for Mr Pade defending him that it was on self defense. The victim had insult both he and Amber and the second time had been Stacy; Nicholas would never hit a woman but he yelled at her and the third time; had been a innocent Chad who was just simply thinking out loud; when he saw Amber's picture; Nicholas had wanted to kill the young lad for looking at his wife like that, if not for Maxwell, Cassie knew he would have beaten the poor guy. But Nicholas wasn't the kind to get upset so easily or throw his strength around, so the story didn't actually surprised her.

She looked at her friend's stern face, which was replaced by a worrisome expression. 'Amber, did talk you talk to Jake?'

She shook her head. 'I drove in complete silence last night and when I tried to take a conversation, he said he wasn't in the mood and will talk later.'

Cassie shifted on her seat; 'What is his problem?'

Amber shrugged as she picked her phone. 'I don't know but I am beginning to think; I was better by myself, before he showed up.'

Cassie didn't believe Jake; he knew she loved someone before he told her to date him and that with time; she would forget about him.

'He knows you love someone else but he is back now.'

'The relationship with Jake is not working out; I don't think, I should think too much on it again.' She said distracted.

'You shouldn't Amber. What is it?' She said noticing her mood.

Amber didn't even look at her. 'I don't know, Cass. But I think something happened to Nicholas. He hasn't called me back.'

There came a knock on her door.

'Come in.' She told the person at the other side.

Lucy came in with her note. 'Ma'am, they are here. Waiting for you.'

'I will be there, Lucy.' She told the lady.

Lucy nod with a smile and excused herself.

'Amber?' She hated when Amber carried this frown on her face; and because she was worried about Nicholas. If nothing improved her mood someone would make her vent and make the entire day go bad.

She stopped her tracks just as she stepped away from her chair with her phone and notes. She heard the worry in Cassie's voice.

She smiled. 'I am okay, Cassie. Nothing is going to happen.' She assured her.

Cassie stood up too, just as Amber reached her.

'I will keep trying his number. Please call Max ask him if he is okay.'

Cassie just nod and walked ahead of her.

Amber sighed as she walked to the conference room, closing her door behind her.

She was worried about Nicholas; he didn't look or feel okay to her. And she shouldn't care since she was getting a divorce but she couldn't help it. She loved Nicholas and still loves him and she cared about what happened to him.

She half concernated on the presentation; the media team did. It didn't actually bother her because Cassie was there and Lucy was there to take notes.

She looked at her phone and tried his number again, putting it in her ear. The last time Nicholas left; she refused to eat until he came back and two days later she had gotten sick; after she recovered she had engulfed herself more into work. She wasn't going to be like the Amber she was when Nicholas left her; she just needed to know he was breathing then she would stop calling.

She dropped her phone after giving him two missed calls; already getting wary and agitated. She stood up and walked to the window, she looked out and then moved back. She picked the receiver by the window and dialed Nicholas' office.

He didn't answer. She dialed the Secretary's table instead.

'Hello, T.K transport, this is Pheobe speaking how can I help you?'

She sighed. 'Hello, Pheobe. This is Amber.....' She didn't finish.

'Mrs Amber, good morning. How can I help you this morning, ma?' She heard the smile in her voice.

Amber sighed. 'Is Nicholas in?' She asked quietly.

'Yes, ma'am. He is at a meeting, right now.....'

'Alright, Pheobe.' She said about to hang up.

'Do you want me to leave a message, ma?'

She shook her head. If Nicholas wanted to talk to her, he knew her number. Since he wasn't ready to speak to her, about what bothered him; then there was no reason letting him know; she was worried.

'No, Pheobe. Thank you. Have a nice day.' She hang up.

Maybe she should have told Pheobe not to tell him; she called. But this is no need anyways.

She sighed and turned to her seat; she sat down and put on her professional smile. Cassie looked at her questionably. Amber answered her unsaid question, with a smile.

Everything was fine. Nicholas was alive but didn't want to talk her. Most importantly, he was well and active.

She looked at Gabriel with his pen looking at her; apparently the presentation had ended, he waited for her input before carrying on.

As if switch from sad to work mode. 'Is that all, Mr Houston?'