In your Arms

Chapter Seventy One

"Young man, you and I have to talk."

Alexander took a deep breath before walking towards Amity's father. He took one last glance at Amity and she smiled at him. Her smile was assuring. Like she's telling him that everything is going to be fine. Most likely it will but still, he feels a little nervous. He will have a talk with the father of the woman he loves, the man who clearly disapproves of him just a while ago. Nothing could be more dreadful.

"You'll be fine." Amity mouthed to Alexander before he disappeared from the stairs. She inhaled deeply. She's hoping that her father will take it easy on him for she knew her father very well. Henry might have allowed this but he wouldn't approve of Alexander that easily. Her father would have certain conditions; and she's hoping that those conditions would be reasonable.

"Amity," Elenor called her. She turned to see her mother smiling at her. It was a smile of relief. She felt bad somehow. She never wanted to hurt her mother but she knew that a while ago, she did. And she's ashamed of herself. She walked towards Elenor and wrapped her in a tight hug.

"I'm sorry, mother.. I'm sorry I made you cry.." Amity whispered in her mother's ear. She felt her mother's hand rub her back. Elenor didn't respond but Amity could feel her mother smiling.

Elenor pulled herself away and looked into her daughter's eyes and held her cheek. The gesture was enough to tell Amity that all is well between the two of them. "Well," she then turned to Amity's friends afterwards, "why don't we all have something warm to drink?"

"We would love that." Therese answered immediately. They started walking towards the dining room when someone called from behind.

"Amity." All of them turned and saw that it was Quinn.

"Quinn. You're still here." Amity felt her mouth turn dry. All of a sudden she felt unprepared to face him. Out of all the people in the room a while ago she knew he was the one who was very hurt. She will never forgive herself for what she did to him.

"I want to talk to you." Quinn answered with an expressionless face.

"You guys go ahead. I'll follow you in a few." She told Therese. Elenor motioned for Amity's friends to follow her to the dining room. Amity walked slowly towards Quinn and now that they're face to face he looked away.

"Let's talk outside." He tells her.

The two of them walked down the front steps once they were outside and sat down on one of the steps. Silence filled the air and the two of them remained still and for a couple of minutes it went on like that. Amity doesn't know where to begin. She doesn't even know what he's thinking right now. She has a lot of things to say to him and she wants to apologize to him first of all but she's waiting for him to deliver the first blow. Quinn remains quiet and the eerie silence is making her uneasy. She thought that it was her who did something terrible to him and it's only appropriate if she would talk to him first. Maybe he's waiting for her to say anything. Maybe he's waiting for her to apologize first before he says anything. Amity summoned all the courage she has before speaking.

"I don't know where to start but, I just want to say I'm sorry, Quinn." She swallowed hard. "I tried. I swear I did." She shook her head. "It's my entire fault. I'm sorry I hurt you. You've been nice to me and all I ever did was to hurt you." She paused for a while and just looked at her hands, waiting for Quinn to say anything but still there's nothing. Maybe what she said still wasn't enough. "Just tell me Quinn. Tell me that you hate me. I deserve it." She bit the inside of her lip.

"The sky looks lovely tonight. Don't you think?"

Amity's eyebrows crimped. She turns to see Quinn looking at the night sky, a small smile playing in his lips. She had her gaze up as well. The sky looks like a sea filled with stars. "It is."

"Who would've thought that something like this would happen tonight?" He chuckled. "It's crazy."

"I know." Amity felt little of herself.

"For a moment I felt like I was the happiest man on Earth." Quinn chuckled again and shook his head. "I guess you really don't know what life would bring you."

"Quinn.." It pains her. Seeing and hearing Quinn talk like this pains her. It's very obvious that deep inside he's torn, shredded into pieces. And yet he acts like everything's fine. She doesn't pity him but rather she's hurt for him. This good man; he was supposed to be her husband. Their marriage was arranged by their parents but he loved her. He really did. Not because he was forced to.

Quinn looks at her. "You don't have to say sorry. I don't hate you. I am even thankful that you became honest with your feelings. You took mercy in me. What you did was brave and I respect your bravery. Thank you, Amity. Thanks for being true in the end." He smiles at her, eyes showing no hatred. Still, his words were like daggers that pierced her heart one by one. She was hurt because all of it was true and here he is, saying it to her face. She can't blame him. She deserves this.

"I don't know what to say. That's the truth." Amity told him. "Somehow I know you hate me. There's a small part of you that hates me. I just hope that in time you'll learn to forgive me."

"You're right. There's a part of me that hates you, but it's not as strong as the love I have towards you. I don't want hate to consume the love I have for you." Quinn answered her.

Amity bit her lip. She can feel the guilt gnawing inside her chest.

"Don't worry about me." Quinn tells her. Amity didn't respond and looked away. Silence enveloped the two of them once again.

"Amity, I want you to promise me one thing."

Quinn's words made her turn to him. With questioning eyes she asked him. "What is it?"

Quinn smiles at her. "Be happy. That's all I'll ever ask."

A/N:

Halo! My update took so long I know.. *sigh* Anyhoo, I hope you guys are still enjoying the story. Yay! :D Tell me what you think and don't be shy. Araseo? *winks*

By the way, I'm going to have a Q & A portion at the end of this novel. You can ask questions pertaining to the characters, the plot, and whatever you'd like and I will answer them for you. How's that sound hmm? I will pick five (5) questions I will answer and post it at the end of this book. You can have your questions commented here and I will graciously answer them after this story is finished. :D

So. 'Til the next update! Thanks for staying with me.

Xoxo.

Katie