Come To Me (Amelia and Patrick)

Chapter 3

The silence lasted for two seconds.

The caller took the initiative and started talking, "Amy, it's dad."-

"Uh huh," Amelia responded.

George Ramsay seemed to have gotten used to her attitude long ago. So he just cut to the chase, "Go to Sakura at 7:30 p.m., I will introduce you to a young man. He is a son of a friend of mine. Very goodlooking. And his family is one of the richest families in Northville. If you are still interested after this, maybe have a few more dates with him. You don't have to getting married just yet if you don't want to."

Another one?

This is George's usual way to start a conversation with his daughter. Every time Amelia would refuse to go with all sorts of excuses. But when she realized she would be turning 25 after this year's birthday, she did not bother making up another excuse and simply said, "Okay, I'll go."

After work, Amelia had a bowl of noodles with wonton from a Chinese takeaway. After that, she went back to her apartment, took a quick shower and changed her outfit again. When her roommate Jessica Albert was curious about what the occasion was, she simply replied, "Another blind date." Then off she went.

She arrived at Sakura at 7:30 p.m. sharp. Being late was never her nature.

A waitress in her neatly pressed kimono notified her co-workers of a new customer as she gently opened the door for Amelia.

"Howard, this is my eldest daughter Amelia." "Amy, this is Uncle Hopper."

As soon as she walked into the reserved dining room, her father could not wait to introduce her.

Right after George stopped talking, the young man who was sipping a cup of tea turned his head leisurely. He held his jade green cup lightly with his fingertips. Despite the room filled with cigar smoke, it could not hide his impeccable eyebrows and indifference he gave about the occasion.

After Patrick's eyes met with Amelia's, Amelia's pupils slightly contracted, and she greeted calmly, "President Hopper."

"President?"

The two fathers, Howard and George, were stumped at first, then gradually showed a smile as they seem to understand what was going on. Amelia had worked in Roxxon for several years while Patrick only joined the company recently as leadership on day one. Since Howard and George thought they had never met before, the two fathers thought Amelia and Patrick would need some time getting to know each other. Who would have thought Patrick had left Amelia quite an unforgettable impression long ago.

In that case, it would save a lot of time for what happens next.

Patrick's eyes widened when he saw his blind date was actually the same woman he shared a bed with the other night.

Amelia, is it? She was not only an employee of his company, but also the woman Howard wished to be his daughter-in-law.

"Amy, take a seat and tell them about yourself." Watching Amelia just standing in front of Patrick, George reached out and tapped her shoulder, signalling her to sit on the zabuton.

Amelia snapped out of it and crossed her legs to sit down. Then Howard tried to start another conversation, "Miss Ramsay, do you still remember me?"

Amelia squeezed a smile and replied, "Uncle Hopper, you are the former director of Roxxon. I had seen you coming to the sales department for inspections a couple times when I first joined the company. You don't have to be so formal and just call me Amelia."

Howard nodded with appreciation, "Amelia, I heard from my younger brother you've been in the department for three years now. And you've delivered nothing but exceptional performance and results. On top of that, you never act like a spoiled princess unlike those brats from their rich families! I liked you the first time I heard of you. So I want to introduce you to Patrick and welcome you to be the latest member of the Hopper family as my daughter-in-law."

Amelia was dazed, "I am sorry... What?"

Didn't Howard say that this was just a meet- and-greet and there was no rush in getting married?

Amelia thought of the chat George had with her on the phone. She squinted and squeezed another smile at Howard for she had no clue how to respond. In order to convince her to show up, Howard really went above and beyond!

Observing Amelia's facial expression and sensing her confusion, Howard was enlightened. "Has George not mentioned it to you yet? About the marriage between the Ramsays and Hoppers in two weeks?"

Patrick, who had been silent since Amelia made her appearance, interrupted heartlessly, 'Dad, you've never mentioned anything to me about a marriage either."

Howard chuckled, "Well, now you know!"

"I don't agree with this." Patrick's gritted his teeth.

"Me neither." Amelia added right after.

"Patrick and Amelia, this blind date is just a formality to introduce you two to each other. As for whether you agree to this marriage or not, it's been always our duty as parents. We never need your opinion!"

Howard first put down his cup of tea that had gone cold. Though glaring at Patrick, Howard's command was for both of them.

Patrick wanted to protest. But he hesitated when he saw the same unwillingness from Amelia's face. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

There were two reasons.

First, this woman gave him her first time without knowing who he was. That made her completely his possession.

Second, just like him, this woman shared the same reluctance toward marriage. Rather than letting his father keep shipping him with all those women who are crazy about marriages, he might just settle with Amelia.

"Since father has already selected a suitable candidate for his daughter-in-law." Patrick swept by Amelia's face filled with worries and concerns and he suddenly changed his tone, "Then I pick her."

He said it in such a casual tone as if he was picking what to eat for dinner.

In spite of the uneasiness Amelia felt, she pondered on the idea of being with Patrick as a couple. Although that night in the hotel was completely consensual, whenever she reminded herself of how her first time was "stolen" by a stranger, she would feel like an unmovable rock lying on her chest.

And now, Patrick, a fine-looking young man with a prosperous career and from an affluent family, was willing to take responsibility of taking care of her. Where could you find such a good catch?