Chapter 3

Hey bro can I come in," Lora Lan said with a big smile

"Come in" Charles replied with a cold glint

" What are you up to bro... Let's go have lunch together I am done with my meeting... Oh, I almost forgot today is grandma Karen birthday please be my date..." Lora said with a beaming smile

"I have something to take care of... Have lunch alone"

After dropping those words he left leaving his assistant John and Lora

Out of curiosity, she continued to ask

"What has Charles been up to... Where is he going" Lora asked with a slightly hurt expression

"Ma'am I do not know" John answered with his eyes on the floor

" You don't know!! Or you don't wish to tell me" Lora said with her eyes wide open as if looking into his soul

"Answer me John is it a woman? I am right it is a woman... But who could it be because Charles is not fond of women"

..........

Charles drove to the marriage registration office there he saw Amanda standing, spacing out.

"Why didn't you call," 

Charles question brought Amanda back to earth

"I thought you were busy... I didn't want to disturb you... You are here now" Amanda said looking devastated

"How did it go?"

"I am divorced now" Amanda replied trying to force a smile.

"Are you okay?" Charles asked knowing the answer

"Are you okay"... He asked if I am okay... When was the last time I heard that statement... It's been so many years... He asked with care. Amanda thought to herself

The word kept ringing in her ear because that statement was like gold to her, to some people it is nothing it is just a word but to her, it is more than a word.

When she heard the word, she had the urge to cry because sincerely she is not fine. She has been trying hard to be fine since today. For once she didn't want to be strong, for once she wants to act like other girls, she just wanted to depend on someone, she wants someone who will walk up to her and tell her everything will be fine. 

She has been fighting since she knew herself, for love, for a better life. All she asks is a quiet life, free from worries and fighting but it is so difficult to come by.

Only her knew how her heartfelt when she signed the divorce papers, it was as if a huge hole was created in her heart, a part of her heart has been ripped out and it was tearing in pain

Amanda stood in place starring at Charles with tears trying to force it back in

"I am not a crybaby but ever since I met him crying have become my hubby," Amanda thought to herself while starring at the culprit biting down her lips to stop herself from crying.

" You know, crying is not a crime and it is not a sign of weakness... I can lend you my shoulder to cry on if you want... My shoulder is broad enough no one will notice you" Charles said looking into her eyes which was filled with tears ready to pour out

Unable to hold it in she ran to him, Charles drew her into a warm embrace, allowing her to wet his suit with her tears

Amanda allowed her tears to flow without stopping it, she wanted to pour out all her grievances in tears, she kept crying non-stop. Her fragile heart has been wounded over and over again she doesn't know when she will.

Amanda never knew her heart could hold on this long after everything she has been through she still managed to live.

Amanda never knew how long she stayed crying but when she was done Charles suit was soak in tears, he gave her clean clothes for her to wipe her face

"Are you fine now?" Charles asked starring at her

"Yes, I am... Thank you and I am sorry for your suit" Amanda said looking apologetic

"Are you ready to go into a new world?" Charles said starring at the marriage registration office.

"Never been more ready," Amanda mumbled with a weak smile

Together they made their way to the office to get their marriage registered, when they were done they strolled out.

Charles had his usually cold expression throughout the whole process but it was different with Amanda as she had shock, disbelief written all over her face, she couldn't believe it, she is married again.

"Regret it," Charles asked starring at her

"No don't get me wrong... I was single a while ago... Now I have gotten back to being married" Amanda replied with her eyes glued to the booklet.

The harsh sunlight poured down on Amanda's little face, her originally pale face became glittering pink. One could make out the later of fine fur on her face, her bright big eyes were able to tell her emotions at the moment, with her head lowered she stared directly at the booklet without blinking.

After staring at her for a while with tightly knitted brows he ordered

"Get in the car" 

"Can't this man speak without command, can't he be a bit polite?" Amanda thought

"Drive" Charles commanded with his eyes closed and his arm on the armrest.

After a long ride, they finally came to a deserted street, with one big building standing tall, they were no building or houses located in the area

"Get out" Charles ordered

Amanda obeyed as she got down from the car. When she got out she kept looking at the strange place

"Where are we... Why are we here" Amanda asked like a frightened cat

"Scared"

"Of course this place is creepy"

"Well do not be... I am here with you... Watch your steps" Charles said as he pulled Amanda to his chest in other to stop her from falling.

Amanda immediately regained her composure as she doesn't want to be intimate with him.

Thank you she said as she carried on in her steps but this time slowly.

Immediately Charles stepped in, all the staff and management came to bow to him respectfully

"Why are they like that," she asked with a confused expression.

"Do not mind them"Charles replied

The building was big with different sections, there were a lot of fashion murals well placed on the wall, a lot of beautiful clothing designs, the place was beautifully constructed with expensive furniture

When Amanda stepped in she was left amazed, she stood at the entrance of the door starring at the place with her mouth widely open

"Wow, Charles welcome it's been awhile t..." 

Immediately Gerald saw Amanda his statement was cut short as he had his eyes glued to the birthmark, after looking at it for a while he drew his eyes to Charles as he had a lot of questions for him.

Gerald went on to greet Amanda warmly, while they were exchanging pleasantries a lady on a black short gown and thick makeup stepped out.

She spoke with a Chinese accent but her face was difficult to comprehend as one could not tell her identity with her face. She spoke with broken English and a mixture of Chinese.

"Transform her" Charles instructed.

"好的，先生" (okay sir) Kim Chiu replied as she turned to look at Amanda

"Hello, Amanda... My name is Kim Chiu, I am from China but I speak English... I will be your designer for today"

"You are Kim Chiu the popular Kim Chiu," Amanda asked amazed

"Yes I am"

"Oh my goodness it has been my dream to meet you... I am honoured"

"Shall we?" Kim Chiu said demonstrating her hand to a passageway as she added "we will chat more while getting you ready" 

Amanda turned to look at Charles who gave her a go-ahead signal

"It's okay I am down here" Charles whispered into her ears.

After getting a confirmation Amanda followed Kim Chiu upstairs as she took her to a room filled with makeup kits on the table.

Amanda sat facing the mirror

"Amanda you are beautiful you don't need much work on your face but your hair... After this night it won't be curly" Kim Chiu said getting her make up kits ready

"Thank you, Kim Chiu... I am a huge fan of yours... It is such an honour to be seated here, having you touch my face..." Amanda said with a huge smile plastered on her face

"Wow... Amanda, I am flattered" Kim Chiu replied

"I am telling you the truth... I am also a designer... It has been my dream to do better than you" Amanda said happily

"And you will... I have a show coming up... Do you want to showcase your designs... I can help you grow big"

"I love that... Thank you, Soo much Kim Chiu"

"I will keep in contact... You send me your designs if your designs are good enough then you will be joining my annual bolloon fashion show"

Once Kim Chiu said that Amanda immediately leapt for joy, this is the best news she has received in days

"Oh my goodness Kim Chiu... That is huge... I will try my best and also make sure you receive my designs" Amanda said with joy.

After Kim Chiu was done applying the makeup she went ahead to stretch her curly hair long, the curly fringe at the front was also stretched and taking to the back.

After Kim Chiu was satisfied with her new appearance she went ahead to bring a long red dress for Amanda

"This is my latest piece," Kim Chiu said admiring the dress.

.........

"Who is the lady... Why does she have that birthmark" Gerald asked looking confused

Gerald is one of Charles good friend and best friend, he is one of the people who are familiar with Charles as they grew up together and he was present when the incident with the little girl with the birthmark took place eighteen years ago.

"I also don't know Gerald but whenever I am with her I feel the familiarity, the bond, it's just like eighteen years ago"

"What about Nora the dead lady with the same birthmark"

"I don't know about that lady... Nora and Amanda have much in common aside from the similar birthmark... Their resemblance is striking and they are from a different background... There is something fishy about those two... I don't get it" Charles replied

"Does she know you... Or in any way recognize you" Gerald asked

"I don't think so... She has amnesia" Charles replied.

The door to a closed room was flung open and Kim Chiu stepped out with Amanda trailing behind her.

When Charles saw Amanda he was flabbergasted, he was starring at her with eyes filled with amazement but that only lasted for a moment or two before he regained his composure.

Under the glint of light, Amanda's jade-like skin was glittering brightly her once pale face was filled with life and well-defined features her full eyelashes carefully fluttered whenever she performs her reflex action, the red dress she wore brought out her exquisite figure.

Amanda wore a full-body hug red dress with a slit from above the knee of the dress down to the full length of the dress, the dress is an off-shoulder vee neck dress with a slit from the boast of the dress down to the stomach which was covered in nude net

Amanda's hair was well stretched and long scattered across her shoulder, Amanda wore light makeup and a red four inches heels.

Amanda made her way to Charles as she stood in front of him.

"You look beautiful Amanda" Charles complimented in a husky voice

"Thank you" Amanda replied blushingly.

"Charles you never told me your wife is a designer" Kim Chiu butt in

"Never thought it was necessary" Charles replied with his eyes glued on Amanda

"You look more handsome than ever on your suit and new hairstyle" Amanda complimented shyly 

Charles had a silver-grey suit on and his hair well styled to the back, he also had black leather shoes on.

"Let's go" Charles commanded

When they stepped out the big building a black limousine was waiting for them outside the building.

"We came with a black SUV how come we are going back with a limousine," Amanda said admiring the car

"Get in" not replying he ordered

In the car, Charles had his usual sitting position with his eyes closed, while Amanda kept staring at the scenery out the window when a sudden thought hit her

"Where are we going to," Amanda asked curiously

"To see my family" Charles answered with his eyes closed

"Oh... Then why do we have to dress like this" Amanda went on to ask

"Today is my Grandma Karen's birthday" he replied patiently

"Really... You should have told me earlier... I would have prepared a gift" Amanda replied

"You don't have to worry about that... She has gotten her greatest wish"

While driving the car suddenly hit an emergency brake which made Amanda lose balance and fall in Charles's arm who held her tightly and refuse to let her go