The Arranged Marriage || Christian Keyes & Amber Riley

Chapter 4

A couple days later -

Christian -

Today was going to be a busy day for me. Later on tonight my parents were hosting a barbecue with the Swanson family. My mother wanted to get to know Andrea more and since Mr Swanson was selling half of his company to my pops they had business to discuss.

I was going to have a few club sodas and enjoy the party tonight but I had to clear my mind. All I had been thinking about was Amber. The only time I could see her was at the hospital, and she was so busy with Tonya and Olivia that we didn't get a chance to talk. I felt like she was purposely avoiding me so I got the hint and stopped trying.

Instead I focused on me and Andrea. We had lunch today and afterwards we went out to see a movie. "You want some pop corn or something to drink?" I asked as we passed by the concession stand.

"No I'm fine thanks all that food we just ate," she says laughing.

"I just wanted to know," I say as we give the guy or tickets and he scans them.

We held hands as we walked down to our theater. Once the movie started we leaned more into each other and focused on the screen.

I was trying to focus on the movie but I couldn't stop thinking about Amber. I contemplated going back to her office but I didn't want things to end up in another argument. So I just sat there for the next hour until finally the movie was over.

"I gotta make a run real quick, but I promise I'll drop you off afterwards," I say backing out of the parking spot and driving towards Amber's office. I knew she was going to be upset but I ain't care I needed to see her... I wanted to see her.

I was dressed in a casual light blue long sleeve shirt, a pair of Khaki jeans, and brand new pair of tan timberland boots. The only jewelry I had on was my Apple Watch.

"Hey Sam," I greet.

"Hey Christian, you looking for Amber?" She asks.

"Yeah?"

"You missed her she just left,"

"Damn no wonder I ain't see her car I thought maybe she parked in the parking garage,"

"No she parked in her normal but she left a little early she's been running around like a chicken with its head cut off, and she's not eating like she's supposed to,"

"I wish I could talk to her but she been giving me the cold shoulder lately so all I can do is hope she come around," I say sadly.

"Yeah you guys were real close, woulda made a cute couple too," she says and those words struck me a little. I never really thought about it me and Amber a couple until everyday now.

"See you later Sam," I say back.

"See you Chris," she says back. I get in the car and drive Andrea home, I had the blues and didn't even know it.

******

Amber -

Every day this week I had gone to the hospital to see Tonya, sometimes in the night she had slipped into a coma. I prayed and I talked to her everyday. I had let Olivia spend the night at my house in my guest room. I was beyond tired, I was thankful that Christian, Megan, and CJ had been taking Olivia out for ice cream.

It was hard telling her that her mother was in a coma and that the doctors said that she wouldn't turn around. I heard her some nights crying, which made me cry. Tonya and Megan were my girls and if anything happened to them I wouldn't know how to keep going. They were my sisters we were more than friends.