ENIGMA

Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

Initially it had been a bit of an effort for Amelia to settle into her new workplace and surroundings. Especially with no familiar faces around this side of South Africa. However, the excitement of a fresh new start and the possibilities that came with it kept Amelia going.

She found that she loved her new job, the sound and smell of the fresh ocean and the change of scenery. More importantly, Amelia was elated to finally be able to complete a degree in Hospitality Management. She was in love with Cape Town altogether.

Falling into a routine had come easy enough for her over the past few months that she'd been here. Her days and nights were almost always filled with either work, studying, sight-seeing or just relaxing at the beach on her lazy days off. Lauren was more at ease than Amelia could ever remember seeing her mother and most importantly, there was no Gerrard around to ruin the little bubble of peace both mother and daughter had found. Life was finally looking up for them and they were making the most of this opportunity while it lasted.

"Mom, do you know where my sunglasses are? I can't remember where I last saw them." Amelia threw the pillow back onto the couch as her eyes searched the coffee table once again for her sunglasses.

"In the kitchen, on the counter." Lauren answered from her bedroom.

As Amelia headed towards the kitchen with a sling bag hanging to her right hip, the sound of a knock at the door rang through the little cottage. "I got it. Thanks." Amelia snatched her sunglasses and then headed to answer the door.

"Surprise!" She barely had time to register who was at the door before Juan wrapped his arms around Amelia's waist.

"When did you get here?" Amelia grinned broadly. "Mom, look who came to visit."

"We landed this morning. Thought we'd surprise you and use you as an excuse for a trip to Cape Town." Juan replied then stepped into the house just as Lauren took the turn into the hallway.

"We?" Amelia asked in a confused tone.

Her confusion was cleared almost instantly when she saw who else had joined Juan in the surprise visit. "Alex!" she cheered. She surprised herself and Alessandro both by launching herself toward him.

"I'm beginning to wonder if you're not spending more time in the sun than at work. You look well-tanned Miss Brown." Alex covered Amelia in his embrace.

"It's nice to see you too Mr. Marquez." She chuckled. After deeply inhaling the scent that can only be described as manly and Alex and filling her lungs with it, Amelia let out a breath and took a step back and immediately felt an uncomfortable twist in her stomach at the distance between herself and Alex.

"It's good to see you again." Alex whispered into her ear before letting go. A small frown appeared on his forehead as he realized that he already missed the warmth of Amelia's body against his own. His lips instantly lifted at the sight of the broad smile on Amelia's lips. Once his gaze locked with hers, Alessandro found he couldn't tear his eyes from Amelia's.

"You look like you were on your way out." Juan noted the sunglasses and hat in Amelia's hand, breaking whatever trance the two had been in.

"She makes it a habit to take a stroll along the shore every weekend." Lauren smiled. "Honestly, I just think it's an excuse to buy all the ice-cream she can digest from the little vendor at the beach."

"I was actually craving a pancake this time, but thank you for spilling my secrets mom." Amelia chuckled. "Why are we standing in the doorway? Come in." She ushered Juan and Alex into the cottage, closing the door behind them.