A Naive Bride for the Sophisticated CEO novel Chapter 21

“Amelia? What are you doing here?” James asked after he stopped hugging Helen.

“I brought her home, because she helped me,” Helen answered before Amelia could, and the men exchanged looks.

“I’ll tell you about it later, okay? Come on, James, join me in the kitchen.”

Helen held James’ hand and pulled him along with her to the kitchen. After they were gone, Amelia looked at Charles, she didn’t know what to say.

“Come and have your seat, Amelia. Let’s talk.”

Charles walked to the sofa, and Amelia followed behind him. She sat on the sofa in front of Charles and looked around again.

“Welcome to my home, Amelia. I’m still very surprised to see you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Charles. I never knew I’d be visiting too. But Ma’am insisted I have dinner with her. I never knew she was your wife.”

“Erm, not really. She is my ex-wife.”

“Oh… I’m sorry, Mr. Charles.” Amelia lowered her head, and he chuckled.

“It’s fine, Amelia. You never knew about it.”

*

“So, are you going to tell me why Amelia is here?” James asked as he watched Helen chop the onions.

“She is here to have dinner.”

“Why? Can’t she do that at her house?”

Helen heaved a sigh, stopped chopping, and looked at James.

“You don’t have to be so harsh. She saw me in front of the mall, struggling with torn nylons. Everything I bought scattered on the floor, she helped me pack them, brought me two new bags, and even gave me her bags to put the fruits in. I just wanted to show my appreciation.”

“C’mon, Mom. Tonight is supposed to be special. It should be a family dinner, where we get to talk about you and Dad. Amelia isn’t part of the family. She is a stranger.”

“She is no stranger. She is your secretary.”

“Now you know everything about her?” James asked sarcastically.

“Of course, I asked to know little about her, and that included the fact that she got robbed tonight!”

“What? Where? How did it happen?”

Helen knitted her brows and smiled widely. “Look who is worried about a stranger.”

“Of course not! I just want to know if the file I gave her to study today is safe.”

Helen’s jaw slacked in surprise. “James, are you serious, right now? She got robbed and all you care about is your document?”

“What else should I care about? She isn’t hurt. She seems fine to me. So…”

“Her phone and money was stolen, okay? Show some pity to her. She is a very nice girl, and I like her so much.”

“You have yet to tell me why you decided to come home. You prefer me to come to anywhere you are to see you. What changed?”

Helen narrowed her gaze at James. She knew he tried to avoid the topic about Amelia, but she decided to play along.

“Well. You are the reason why I’m here in Alabama, facing your father after a long time.”

“I am the reason? How?”

“We’ll talk better after dinner. Alone.”

“You are scaring me, Mom. I can’t wait till after dinner. Why am I the reason? Or is this an excuse to see father after a long time?”

“Nah! Your father hates me, James.”

“But he allowed you into the house after eighteen years. This is progress, right?”

Helen exhaled sadly and lowered her head, arranging the chopped onions on the chicken. James lowered his head to look at her sad face.

“You still won’t tell him?”

“No, James. This is not the right time.”

“But you want him back, don’t you?”

“I do, James. But, can we not talk about this yet? This time around, we are talking about you and that thing of yours that refuses to rest.”

Helen pointed between James’ legs, and he raised his eyebrows.

“So that is what this is about, hun? Dad reported me to you?” James asked, folding his arms.

“Let me pay attention to our meal, okay? You have distracted me enough,” Helen responded and carried the chicken to the microwave.

***

The table was finally set, and they all sat at the dining table, including Amelia.

She sat on the chair that was next to Helen. James sat directly opposite Helen, and Charles sat at the front part of the table.

“This smells so good, Ma’am Helen. I bet the taste is the same,” Amelia commended with a smile.

“Of course it is. Thank you, Amelia. Start eating so that I can drop you at your house afterwards.”

Amelia nodded and looked at James, who looked at his meal. He lifted his head and shot her a deadly look. She quickly threw her face away, and Charles and Helen exchanged looks.

“You don’t have to take her home. I’ll take her home,” Charles responded, and James hit the table.

“She is no baby. She can go home by herself.”

“No, she can’t. It’s late, okay? I’ll take her home. It’s no problem,” Charles responded, and James heaved a sigh.