Chapter One Hundred and Sixty Four - Remembering the First Meeting

After ordering breakfast for Gerard and myself, we sat and ate in total silence, until I caught the eye of the waitress Adian ran to hide from, when we first met.

She couldn't hide her surprise to see me with someone other that Adian, since on that day, Adian and I were a couple celebrating my birthday.

Gerard followed my gaze before breaking our silence, "a friend?" he asked while sipping his coffee.

I gazed at the waitress and shook my head, with a giggle.

"She's the reason, Adain and I met a few months ago at this cafe." I explained and Gerard laughed out.

Loosing my humor, I frowned at him, "you heard about that?" I asked suspiciously , wondering if Adain shared the story of our first meeting with everyone.

Tilting his head side to side, Gerard curled his lips with a thoughtful expression in his eyes.

"He drank himself senseless after losing you that day. He was unbearable and what made it worst, was he had didn't even know your name or how to contact you again." Gerard explains and I smiled sadly.

"Oh," was all I could manage, because Adian and I never discussed how he felt after dropping me off at the supermarket without even knowing anything about me.

Chuckling softly, "I don't know what you think, but you made an impression on him. He was lost and angry for so long, that Bas and I couldn't figure out what happened between the both of you." Gerard continues to fill me in on what happened when Adian and I parted ways after meeting for the first time.

Smiling shyly, because this information is the last thing I expected to hear. Especially since I sometimes doubt Adian's affection for me, because it happened so quickly and now Gerard tells me this.

The ringing of my phone broke our lighthearted conversation.

Reluctant to take the call, but I knew I had to answer.

"Mel" I answered, feigning an enthusiasm I didn't feel. "You ready?" I asked, crossing my fingers that she was ready, unwilling to face Mr. Knox right now.

Sounding perky, "yeah, I'm done, Mr. Knox is now waiting for you." Mel informs me.

"Oh please let him know that I'll have to reschedule. Caleb just called and I need to be at the office immediately.

There was a slight pause on the other end of the line and Gerard sat opposite me with a puzzled look on his face, because he knows that I am lying.

Ignoring Gerard, I wait for Mel to respond to me.

"Uh, okay" Mel finally responded, "I'll meet you guys downstairs in a bit." Mel was saying but I cut her off.

"Wait" I interrupted her. "Please let him send the bill to Adian or myself." I instructed her because I still have no idea why she was visiting Mr. Knox and if it was on behalf of Adian, it's our responsibility to handle the fee.

There was another pause before Mel responded, "okay, thank you." She says before hanging up.

"Changed your mind?" Gerard asked the second I cut the call.

Without answering him, I signal the waitress for the bill and to collect the extra pastries I ordered for the office.

Gerard gathered the two boxes of pastries, while I settle the bill.

Twitching his lips, he smiles at the generous tip I gave to the waitress.

As we walked out, "she's the one who brought Adain and I together." I chuckle, opening the door for Gerard, following him into the alleyway to retrieve the SUV, despite his objections about the place being unsafe.

Since we were on a one way street, Gerard had to make an entire block through heavy traffic to meet Mel in front of Mr. Knox's office.

Mel joined me in the back seat with a white cake box in her hand and I immediately felt embarrassed, because I am sure that Kathryn sent me something, even with my visit being short notice.

Smiling broadly, Mel passes the cake box over to me, "Kathryn sent you this. She said to give her a call sometime." Mel relays Kathryn message which makes me feel so much worse for being ungrateful to a woman who advised and helped me during the years that I have known her.

Nodding, "I'll call her when I get to the office." I promised Mel, offering her pastries from the box I bought at the cafe.

Mel nibbled on her snack, while I went back into my quiet place, my thoughts back to my father and what happened to him at prison.'

So many question, but why, was he arrested was at the top of the list. I have a strange feeling, Mr. Knox would not have revealed anything to me concerning my late father.

Sighing, when Gerard pulled up in front of the building, letting Mel and I off at the lobby. I hate coming off here with all eyes always on me.

Gerard explained that he had to make a fifteen minute detour which will be close to an hour based on the traffic on the streets.

He explained that another security is already in the lobby waiting to escort us to my office, where Caleb is waiting.

Mel and I balance the three boxes in our hands, until the security, whom I remembered took the boxes out of our hands, while we walked towards the Knight's private elevator, where I suddenly felt self-conscious about my casual dress code.

I was silently fuming at Gerard for dropping us off at the lobby, grateful only when the elevator doors opened for us.

Again Mel and I traveled in silence with my mind still on my reasons for cancelling my visit with Mr. Knox.

When the doors opened, I walked in to see Caleb pacing the corridor of the private elevator anxiously.

Caleb rushed in, shutting the lift doors, pressing the button to stop the lift.

"Amelia!" He answers my silent question.