The Vampire's Reluctant Bride

The Vampire's Reluctant Bride: chapter-27

Chapter-27

Recap- The unexpected voice from the other end had Amelia sitting up straight- jerking her arm away from where it lay curled in Lucius’ hand.

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“Carlitos?!!...uhm, Wow... I.. uh, how are you?”

She glanced at Lucius, mouthing a ‘sorry’ as she replaced her hand in his; pleading with her eyes for him not to be offended. His face was carefully devoid of emotion but she noticed the tell-tale hardening around his eyes to realize that he was not too happy about her re-connecting with Carlitos.

With a forced smile he resumed his caresses, but after another minute, he gently set her aside- getting up on the pretext of needing a shower. With an effort, he managed to keep his smile in place, but knowing him the way she did- Amelia was not fooled for a second. Accepting that she could do nothing to smooth things out with Lucius at that instant, she tried to concentrate on the conversation.

“When did you change your number?”She asked, working hard to inject a cheerfulness into her voice that she did not feel.

“Actually, I was not sure that your husband would allow you to return my call, so...”

“Don’t be absurd!” she snapped, irritated by his thinly veiled barb at Lucius.

“I’m not being absurd, Amelia. I tried to reach you before...” Carlitos objected.

“Indeed?” They had not spoken since their ‘date’; he had even turned down her wedding invitation.

“I felt guilty about not attending your wedding, so I called that weekend to apologise... no one answered...”

“I had been away on my honeymoon, Carlitos. I was not avoiding you.” She sighed.

“Oh, I know that you would not avoid me... but I thought-“

“Thought what?” he was beginning to get on her nerves.

“Well, after what happened the last time we met...”

“That was just a simple case of misunderstanding-”

“Misunderstanding? For the love of God, Amelia-he had you arrested!”

She closed her eyes, briefly pinching the bridge of her nose. She hated anything which reminded her of that horrific time.

“As I already said, Carlitos- it was a mistake.” She told him in a tired voice.

“Did you get into a lot of trouble because of that kiss?” he asked quietly.

“That kiss should never have happened... I am sorry.”

“You should have told me that you were already engaged, querida... had I known, I would have never-”

“I know. And I apologise... it’s just that we had had a fight and... And I never realized that you had feelings for me.” She lied, hoping that would inspire him to change the subject.

“It must have been some fight... he never contacted you for over two months.” Carlitos muttered.

“You can’t know that!”

“Well, I never saw him come for you.”

How dare he! She bristled.

“That’s because I had asked him not to...and that is none of your business.”

“And you had stopped wearing your engagement ring.” He observed dryly.

“As I said, I was angry.” Why was she explaining herself to that man?

“Amelia,” he hesitated for the fraction of a second; “tell me the truth- did the Romanowsky’s force you into this marriage?”

“You- you!” she spluttered angrily; then regaining her composure- “If that is the purpose of your call; I am done talking, Carlitos. Goodbye, and please don’t call me again.”

“Amelia, don’t hang up!”

She waited, fuming silently.

“I apologise, alright? But answer me just this once, okay? And we will never have this conversation again.”

The nerve of that man!

“You never actually did answer me, querida...did Lucius Romanowsky force you to marry him?” He repeated.

“No.” Her voice was sharp.

She heard his resigned exhalation. It was a moment before he spoke again, “I had to know, Amelia. I’m sorry.”

“I hate you.” She retorted.

“So, are you happy?” He continued like he had not heard her.

“Yes, thank you very much.” She snapped.

“You are not going to get into trouble for talking to me, Amelia; are you?”

“Of- course not!” She tried to block the memory of Lucius’ forced smile.

“Good. Good.”

“Carlitos, why did you call me? I mean apart for from making rude jibes at my husband?”

“You were always such an adorable a spitfire, Amelia.”

“Seriously, Carlitos. Why did you call me?”

He sighed. “Fine! I called to find out if you were coming.”

“Coming where? For what?” she asked suspiciously.

For a heartbeat, there was silence on the line. Then, Carlitos’ incredulous voice crackled across the wire.

“Your husband did not give you the letter???”