Chapter 2

"...That lady is dead..." Charles muttered to himself

Unable to contend with the feeling of familiarity with the lady, Charles lan took a photo of Amanda Brian 

"... I sent you a picture of a lady look into her for me I need the information latest by tomorrow..."

Charles immediately hung up after passing the information without waiting for a reply from the receiver

After hanging up he took a stroll to Amanda's stool and took a seat close to her's

Feeling the presence of a strong and different aura, Amanda turned to look at the stranger with her messy face. 

One can not make out her look as it got messy with makeup and tears

"...You look horrible" Charles complimented coldly

 Hey... Mr... How is that your business, just go mind your business... live me alone or do you want transferred aggression?

"... You are drunk where do you live... let me take you home..." 

 With a drunken attitude, Amanda replied 

"... Home... Home... Home you say... everyone has a home but Amanda doesn't... Where is home? Oh, I know... Here is home... That's why I'm here... This is my home... Oh Sweethome 

After that statement, Amanda blacked out

Scared of living her there Charles paid for the shot she took, he carried Amanda in a bridal, style with all eyes on them he took her out of the bar to his black customised Suv.

After carefully placing her in the passenger seat he made his way to the driver seat as he drove her straight to his apartment downtown.

The following day Amanda woke up to a splitting headache, as a result of last night's drink she was nausea, she stood up to puke but it dawned on her that she was in a different room.

"... The toilet is straight ahead to your right..." Charles said as he went on to answer his ringing phone

Amanda immediately ran to the direction she was told after she was done she washed her face in the basin to get herself before stepping out.

The magnetic voice of the man like that of a cello hit Amanda's ear which made her stop in her tracks

"Just pick out a random lady... It doesn't matter who she is or what she wants... So long as she makes grandma Karen happy then I am okay with the marriage"

After dropping that statement Charles Lan hung up.

"... Who are you..." Amanda asked curiously

Charles who had his back at Amanda facing the window turned to look at her. 

The moment Amanda saw his face she was taken aback.

"That scar... It looks scary yet familiar" Amanda thought 

"... You don't know me?..." Charles asked feeling surprised

"Why? Am I to know you... Are you some kind of celebrity... Well if you are I am sorry I am not a fan of entertainment" Amanda replied"

"My name is Charles... Charles Lan" you were drunk last night... at the bar..."

"Oh... Thank you, Charles, but... My clothes"

"The housekeeper... She is a female take the sober soup on the coffee table" Charles commanded

Amanda immediately ran to the coffee table closed to the bed and gulped down the whole liquid not minding the hotness.

When she dropped the bowl her big eyes wandered around to the scar on his face staring at the scar close to his eyebrows curiously, no matter how she looked at it, it looks familiar

"... What do you keep starring at..." Charles asked

"...Your face..." Amanda replied 

"What happened last night... You were broken"

Charles question brought her back to reality, the smile she had on her face froze in an instant as her face became pale.

Maybe it is as a result of the effects of the alcohol or because this man gives this sense of security or because of the strong familiarity, she felt the first time she saw him.

For some reason, she felt it was okay to open up to a stranger this is not like her but she needed to talk to someone and she felt that someone can be him.

"It goes like this... I have been married for two years now... Two good years and I love my husband, I have been in love with him for ten years... Ten whole years... l got to find out last night that the one he loves is my sister and he was cheating on me with her... I don't know long they have been together but she is pregnant... The funniest thing is that he thinks I am a silly dumb girl... He wants to fool me into signing the divorce papers... You know what... he is right... I am a dumb girl... I am dumb..." Amanda said with a smile worst than tears.

With eyes void of any emotions, Amanda asked

"I don't know you but I feel you are a good man... I do not want to be the looser... I want him to see what he has lost... I want to emerge the winner for once, above all, I do not want my sick dad to worry about me... Please marry me... I know it is too much to ask for but when I was in the washroom I heard you on the phone... you are also looking for a wife... We will be married on papers only... You can do whatever you want I won't stop you..."

" Ok I agree"

"Charles!! You agree... Thank you, Soo much you won't regret this"

" Of course I won't... I can and will give you everything and anything you need including my last name... Except for love I can't and won't give you that" 

.............

After Amanda left Charles villa she got a call from Desmond telling her he has something important to tell her. They decided to meet at there villa 

Amanda boarded a taxi to the house on getting there she saw Desmond and Jade all-loving in the living room.

"... Hey sister if others saw you both, they might think you guys are married," Amanda said in a mocking tone.

"... You know we are best of friends... We have been best friends since childhood so we are naturally close to each other..." Jade tried to defend herself with a complacent smile when Amanda was looking.

"Where were you last night, yesterday was my birthday you didn't even care to wish me a happy birthday," Desmond said cutting their discussion.

Amanda immediately brought out a box and hand it over to Desmond.

"I wanted to give you last night but you were busy," Amanda said with a smile

Amanda's statement made both of them flinch but it only lasted for a while as Desmond regained his composure in less than a minute. But of course, Amanda did not miss the changes in their eyes as she kept her eyes wide open like that of a hawk to capture their expression.

Getting tired of standing Amanda made her self comfortable on the chair not far from her. Immediately some pile of documents were given to her by Desmond

" You have to sign those documents, some budget analysis as I have to give it my final signature," Desmond said handing the documents over to Amanda.

Amanda skillfully picked out the divorce agreement, after crosschecking the divorce papers she was satisfied with the draft.

"... You don't need to stoop to this method to make me sign the papers just say the word... Anyway are you sure of your decision... Do you love my sister Jade" Amanda said staring right into his eyes like a hawk

"... I am sorry sister we love each other... we can't resist each other" Jade said with pleading eyes but no matter how she tried she could not hide the satisfaction in her eyes.

Not minding Jade Amanda went on in asking

"I have loved you for ten years and we have been married for two years... Out of those years have you ever loved me... Even if it is once..."

"... There's no need for that..."

"... Answer me Desmond... Have you ever loved me..." Amanda said as she shouted on top her voice

" My feelings for you have always been platonic... I consider you my younger sister Amanda... I got married to you out of pity..."

Out of pity... Out of pity... Ok" Amanda mumbled while nodding her head

"When did you guys start seeing each other... For how long have I been a fool"

"No need to go to this length... Just sign the papers" Desmond grinned running out of patience 

"If you want me to sign it you have to answer all my questions... So tell me how long have you guys been seeing each other... How long have I been taking for a fool"

With guilt and sadness in her eyes, Jade replied pitifully "a year and some months"

Agust of cold air came to Amanda's face, the cold covered her body and she trembled fiercely

"I have been fooled for more than one year," Amanda thought as the smile on her face became a bit more sorrowful.

Without batting an eyelid, with a trembling hand Amanda signed the divorce papers

She didn't know how she opened her mouth but she felt her voice was unusually hoarse

"From this day forward Desmond I rip you out of my heart, as I drop your last name, I drop my ten years of love for you, I set both you and I free we are now strangers, Desmond I wish you and Jade a happy life sincerely... I wish you guys happiness" Amanda said with her eyes closed

She thought it will hurt, she thought she couldn't do it but she just did, she just set herself free, she is free now..." I did it... I set him free Amanda thought to herself with a broken heart"

After saying those words she opened her eyes devoid of any emotions or feelings

When Amanda dropped those words Desmond had mixed feelings, he had both complex and incomprehensive flash through his eyes but it only lasted for a while as he regained his composure. 

Wanting to mock Amanda even more Jade went ahead to get closed to Desmond while caressing her belly trying to send a message to Amanda

"... I am sorry sister but I am carrying Desmond's child, I would have giving up on him but I can't let my child grow up without his  father"

"... Jade I hope you keep this from dad for the main time... His health is poor I don't think he will be able to bear it if he learns about this..." Amanda said to Jade

Not minding the both of them Amanda made her way upstairs to her room to get her stuff. She picked some important documents with some sketchbooks and some clothes.

Some things that were left, she ordered the housekeeper to burn. She made sure she has nothing left in this miserable house, some of the pictures she took with Desmond she asked the housekeeper to burn.

Amanda went on to have her last look at the house.

This house brought me sorrows, joy and happiness. I tried so hard to fit in... I wanted to turn this place into a home... But I guess this house just never belonged to me... With a bitter smile, she continued

"... In the short span of two years I have created a lot of memories here... I have to leave them behind," Amanda thought to herself.

After looking at the house to her heart content her heart became more desolate her lip curved into a depreciating smile

With her back straightened and her chin up, Amanda walked out of the villa without looking back.

Once she got out of the villa, she hailed a taxi to the marriage registration office.

After Amanda left the house Charles went to the office to attend some important meetings after he was done with it he went to his office to review some documents.

When Charles got to the office his assistant brought some documents he requested for.

With a squinted eyes Charles said"It is not complete her life from 6 years is not included"

"I am surprised... I have searched and still couldn't find anything... She has amnesia based on her medical reports and also she easily forget things... There is something I don't understand about her family... Her sister and mother treat her poorly I have a feeling she is not the daughter of her mother but their resemblance is striking" John said looking at Charles. As he continues to tell Charles his boss. "I think the Nora of eighteen years ago is the late one"

"Coincidence you say... The same birthmark, the same position, the same age... continue your investigation also investigate on the late Nora... Something is fishy about both of them. Make sure no one finds out about it, including Lora Lan" Charles warned with a cold expression

"I missed something, I do not know if you noticed but, Amanda and Nora the late girl has a striking resemblance"

Charles's hands paused immediately

" Get me those documents, bring me a picture of Nora" Charles commanded