"Yeah, well most of it", Adrianne added with a nonchalant attitude diffusing the intense atmosphere. She too walked over and stood on the other side taking Amy's hand. Zach stood to the side to watch the exchange.
"How?" Amy was confused.
"We've grown close enough for us to know when you're lying and when you're being genuine. You're always uncomfortable when you lie and when I thought about it, you were like that when you sold me the story about your husband", Stella said.
"Then she started to note some oddities, like your description of your husband, your reaction to your pregnancy, the way you dealt with Daisy for taking pictures of you, and of course, your ring finger. You'd have a ring mark had you really been married for two years. When she shared this with me, I agreed with her that it was quite odd", Adrianne added.
"I'm sorry", Amy looked down in shame.
Adrianne rubbed her shoulder soothingly as she was giving her a side hug. "It's okay."
"It is?"
"We made a conclusion that you must have had your reasons but we didn't think your name was also not true", Stella said quietly.
"I'm really sorry", she said with a sniffle.
Nora suddenly started laughing earning everyone's attention and breaking the somber mood. After her angry outburst, she decided to analyze the situation until she realized something.
"That was nothing to be embarrassed or lie about", Nora said with a laid back attitude.
Everyone: "?"
What a drastic change in her attitude. Stella face palmed wondering where her daughter was going with it.
"Never thought I would see this in real life. He is from a rich family and you're from a humble background, you two are in love but his family didn't approve and so you run away and changed your name because a man as powerful as he is would easily find you but then you find out you're pregnant and now he's here, you've worked it out but there's still his family to deal with!"
She gave Amy a pitiful look as she shook her head but at the same time, she couldn't blame her. Zach was worth all the trouble. But did they really have to be together? If only the situation was different..
All three women stared at her in disbelief while Zach was amused. If the rest of his family, namely his parents, find out about Amy, well he didn't know what would happen to him but Amy would become the apple of their eye no matter her background. But would Amy go ahead with this new lie Nora spun?
Stella turned back to Amy, "How are you feeling dear? What exactly happened to you? I sent her to find out what was wrong and she, well, what happened?"
"I had a polypectomy", Amy said quietly.
"And the baby is safe, I hope? I heard that procedure can be bad for pregnancy", Adrianne said worriedly.
"We're both fine. Actually, we're getting going home this afternoon", she assured them.
"Are you just ignoring me?" Nora grumbled as she walked over.
"Are you..... not mad at me?" Amy asked carefully as she looked between her two friends.
"I'm disappointed in the lies...", Stella started.
"But it's understandable", Adrianne fi ished with a nonchalant shrug before she helped wipe away Amy's tears.
"So what is your real name?" Nora said.
"Jennifer Harper", she answered.
"Is that really your name? You're not messing with me, are you?" Nora eyes her carefully.
"Jennifer is my middle name, but it's a name I'm used to", she explained.
"What about your first name?" Nora pushed.
"My gosh! Are you interrogating her or something? Why are you so obsessed with her names? And, uh, one question, are you comfortable with us using that name or should we continue with Emily?" Stella asked.
"Whatever you're comfortable with", Amy said.
"Emily it is", Stella nodded.
"And you haven't introduced us", Adrianne nodded in Zach's direction with a bashful smile.
Amy's face heated up at the mention of him. Adrianne moved to stand behind Stella while Zach was quick to be back by Amy's side. His displeasure was quickly washed away after watching the encounter.
"This is Zachery Frost, he's cupcake's father. Zachery, these are my closest friends Stella Thornton and Adrianne Arlook, and you've met Nora, she's Stella's daughter", Amy gestured between the four.
"It's nice to meet you. I apologise for earlier", he said.
Stella waved a hand of dismissal while Adrianne was awestruck like she had been when they first walked in. "I didn't think such good looking people existed in real life."
"Right? He has nothing on Pedro and Enzo", Stella agreed.
"Not that it's my business but he looks like he's great in bed too", Adrianne moved to touch Zach's shoulders only for him to dodge her by moving behind Amy. She clicked her tongue and retracted her hand.
Stella laughed, "Leave the man alone."
Amy wasn't the only one to blush from Adrianne's statement. Nora could not help herself either. A knock was heard and in came two bodyguards wheeling in two food carts. Amy finally remembered she had not eaten as her stomach growled. They took the cart that had been delivered earlier.
"That....", She pointed at it.
"Boss said to replace it with warm food", one of them said.
"Ah.." she nodded.
They looked to Zach who nodded for them to leave. Amy looked at him too. He was quite considerate. And two carts means he had included their guests.
"You probably haven't eaten, right? Stella you should try their food, oh!" Amy's face lit up as she spoke.
Stella's gaze was warm as she watched the girl. They didn't bother turning her down and decided to join them. Nora was about to move her mother's wheeelchair when the older woman held up her hand.
"Let me use the bathroom real quick", Stella said.
"Do you need help Mom?"
"No, I'll be fine. I'll call you if I need anything", Stella said as she wheeled herself to the bathroom.
They didn't think much of it and let her go. Zach moved Amy to the lounge where they all say for the now brunch. Stella was sure to lock herself in before taking out her phone. She dialed a number and the person picked up on the second ring.
"I get a call after humiliating me last week. Tch! What is this?" A voice complained.
"I don't have time for your bullshit Lily, I have a job for you", Stella said making sure her voice was quiet.
Lily briefly fell quiet before she let out an amused laugh, "As they say, you can never forget your roots. What's the job?"
Stella rolled her eyes in annoyance but maintained the same quiet tone, "I need you to look into someone."
As she said so, she looked at the door with a grave expression. Was she doing the right thing? By coincidence, Zach was also looking at the same door from where he sat. They had all settled in the lounge to have their now brunch. Amy touched his arm and he found her staring. His expression turned soft as he stuffed his phone into his pocket. The man had just sent a message to George.
Zach: I need information on Adrianne Arlook and Stella Thornton..... especially Stella.
Something about Stella bothered him and he needed to find out what....
Follow current novels on (f)reew𝒆bnovel