Chapter 2: A stolen kiss

Amelia finished applying her light makeup, and she looked at her face in her large mirror. Her blue ball gown covered the baby shoes she wore, and was sweeping the floor.

The gown slightly exposed the upper part of her breasts and her back was bare and exposed. She had straightened her hair, and they weren't as wavy as they were initially.

She faintly applied her black eyeliner which made her almond-shaped eyes look more elegant. Her alluring blue eyes glittered under the bright lights that hung on the top edges of her mirror.

Her Cupid bow lips were masked with a colorless lip gloss that helped showcase how pink her lips were.

She let out a sad sigh and lowered her head. She picked up the portrait of her parents that was on the table in front of her and stared at their faces.

She ran her finger on the picture and said, "I wish you two were here with me today. I made you proud again. I am one of the best graduating students in my faculty and department." She smiled and felt tears gather in her eyes again.

"Uncle Freddie is so proud of me. He threw me a surprise graduation party. I know I should be happy, but…" She stopped talking and covered her mouth with her palm and started weeping again.

She threw her head backwards and exhaled softly through her mouth. "I should go now. Uncle Freddie and the others are waiting for me. We will talk well before I sleep."

She placed the portrait on the table carefully and looked into the mirror again. She picked up her handkerchief from the bed and carefully mopped the tears off her face.

After mopping her face, she forced on a big smile and lifted her dress with her hands. She walked out of her room and headed down the stairs.

As she climbed down the stairs, the people began to clap for her. She felt so shy, so she lowered her head as her cheeks reddened.

Freddie quickly approached her before she got off the stairs and gave her his hand.

She looked at his face and with a bright smile, she gave her his hand too. He held her as she climbed down the stairs, and he began to introduce her to the visitors.

"I still don't understand why your father likes her so much. I mean, anytime I see her, she irritates me." Marie, Ava's friend muttered as they watched her walk with Freddie.

"She irritates me too, and you know the most annoying thing? My father told us to be here to celebrate with her! Gosh! I'm so pissed!" Ava groaned in disgust.

"Don't worry, Ava. I am here to help you ruin her fun," Marie uttered, and they both chuckled wickedly.

"Hi, Mr. Matt, this is my daughter, Amelia, I was talking about. Always making me proud! She is one of the best graduating students in her set. The news is everywhere. Isn't that great?!" Freddie boasted to an average-age looking man.

"Very pleased to meet you, Miss Amelia. My friend won't stop singing your praises." Matt stretched his hand to Amelia, and she shook his hand.

"Pleased to meet you too, Mr. Matt," She responded shyly, and they all chuckled.

One of their servers was passing by, and Freddie stopped him and picked up a fork from the tray. He lifted his glass cup and hit the fork on it, making a clink sound.

"I hope everyone is enjoying the party! I would love Amelia, my daughter, to say something to all of us!" He announced, and Amelia's eyes widened in surprise. She wasn't expecting it.

"Come on girl. Say something to the people," He whispered in her ear, and she bounced her head slowly. She let out an exhale and made a quick turn to look at everyone.

She saw her cousins at the corner with some other guest, their eyes that peered at her said many awful things.

"I bet she feels so proud of herself. Why would your uncle throw her a party, but he didn't when you graduated?" Marie asked.

"Shut up, Marie, and let us listen to the rubbish she has to say," Hudson broke in, while Ava couldn't stop glaring at Amelia.

'Who the fk does she think she is? I promise you, bch, I'll ruin this stupid party of yours!' Ava's thoughts made her smirk evilly.

"Good evening everyone. I don't have much to say because I wasn't expecting uncle to bring me out this way," she said, and they all giggled.

"I just want to say thank you to everyone that is here, especially my Uncle. He has been the best person in my life. He has been a father and friend. I love you so much, Uncle."

She looked at Freddie, and he placed his hand on his chest and pouted playfully.

"I love you too, daughter." He responded and embraced her. "Continue feasting, please! The night is still early." Freddie lifted his cup and sipped from his wine.

"Hey… won't you have some wine too? Trust me, it tastes very nice," Freddie said to her, and she shook her head.

"I prefer juice, Uncle."

"Juice? C'mon, Amelia, you are twenty not twelve. Try new things, okay?" He said, and she giggled, bouncing her head.

"Freddie Cooper!" They heard the vibrant voice of a man that looked the same age as Freddie.

"Charles Parker!" Freddie responded in excitement.

He opened his arms, and they hugged each other. "I thought you wouldn't make it." Freddie said, and Charles shook his head.

"You know I would! Great job you have done here." He looked around the living room and Freddie gave a slight bow.

"I'm happy you like it. We have things to discuss. But before we get to it, Charles. Amelia, my daughter. Amelia. Charles, my very good friend." He introduced them and stepped aside so they could greet themselves.

"How are you doing, Amelia?" "I'm good, Mr. Charles. Welcome." She lowered her head, and Charles chuckled, looking at Freddie.

"She is one with a pleasant manner of approach," He complimented, and Freddie twitched his eyebrows at Amelia.

"Thank you, Charles. Shall we?" Freddie asked, and Charles nodded. They both walked away from Amelia and headed to a private room to talk business.

The smile on Amelia's face slowly faded away when Freddie left. She heaved a sigh and looked around her, everyone was busy with one thing or the other.

She looked at her cousins and saw they were busy having a chat with some friends at the other end of the living room.

They all turned to look at her at the same time, and she felt shivers run down her spine.

'They are definitely planning something evil.' She thought and hurriedly turned to walk away.

As she walked, her stomach began to grumble. She remembered she was yet to have lunch. She looked at her right-hand side and saw where the dishes were displayed.

She hurried to the table and picked an apple from the basket of fruits. She hungrily took a bite and began to munch. In a few minutes, she was done eating the apple. She picked up a slice of bread and also munched on it.

A server was passing by, and she raised her hand to stop him. "I'll have one," She said to him, and he moved the tray to her.

She picked up a glass of red wine, and raised her index finger, telling him not to leave yet.

She took a sip of the wine and when she saw it was tasty, she gulped all of it at once. She placed the glass on the tray carefully and picked up another one.

"This should do. Thank you." She nodded and smiled and the server walked away.

She closed her eyes and gulped all the wine at once again. She dropped the glass on the table and a satisfied grin crawled up her face.

She looked up and saw Ava and Hudson approaching her very fast.

'Oh no. Not again.'

She hastily lifted her dress and turned to leave. She headed for the corridor that led to the rooms on the ground floor. She looked back to make sure she wasn't being followed by her cousins.

Still walking very fast, before she could look at where she was going, she collided with someone.

Her eyes widened and moved back hastily, as she moved back, she stepped on the hem of her dress and tripped. She quickly grabbed the suit of the gorgeous young man in front of her for support.

Instead of receiving support from this man, he fell after her. She fell to the ground and hit her head on the Italian floor. Before the young man could regain his stability, he fell on her and their faces collided.

His lips pressed against hers very firmly, and their eyes popped open.