A Naive Bride for the Sophisticated CEO

Chapter 22: Do you like my son?

Charles parked in front of Amelia's apartment, and she alighted. He also stepped out of the car and walked up to her.

"Thank you so much for the ride. You can go back now. I don't want to keep you waiting," Amelia said and bowed.

"I would love to talk to you about something. Do you mind if I go in with you?"

"Oh really? Sure. Let's go, Sir."

Amelia led the way and Charles followed behind her. They walked up the stairs and in no time, they got to her floor.

She headed to her door and when she drew close, she looked at Elena's door.

"She is probably asleep," She said aloud, and Charles looked at the door.

"Who is asleep?" He asked, and she looked back at him.

"My friend, Elena. I'm always coming home late, and I don't get a chance to talk to her at night:"

"Elena?" Charles knitted his brows, and Amelia nodded, opening her door.

"Why? Do you know her?"

"I know one Elena. She worked as James' Secretary before she got him pissed, and he fired her. I heard she lives around the company too. Is she your friend?"

"Yes, she is. The first friend I'll ever have actually. She is a nice person. But she has never mentioned working for James. Maybe because we haven't really talked."

Amelia opened the door and stepped aside so that Charles could go in.

"She may not be the one. And if she is the one, I don't think it matters."

Amelia walked into the apartment and locked the door behind her.

"But what would she have done to Mr. James that made him fire her? He once said she was good at her job. I believe she is a nice person too."

"Well, you know how James can be. He never told me what she did. All I knew is that he fired her."

Amelia nodded and dropped her already cleaned bag on the couch.

"Sit, Amelia." He tapped the couch he sat on, and she sat next to him.

"I am about to discuss something very important with you. I want you to be super honest with me. I have never done this before. I hope you answer everything I ask you."

Amelia looked at him and nodded nervously. 'God, I hope he isn't firing me too.' She thought fearfully.

"What do you think about my son, Amelia?"

"Sir, you mean Mr. James?" She asked almost immediately and blinked severally.

"Yes, James."

"Erm... Mr. James is a very nice person, Mr, Charles," She said, and bowed her head.

"C'mon, Amelia. Stop lying. You and I know that James isn't a nice person. He is arrogant and stubborn."

Amelia covered her mouth and let out a little laugh after hearing Charles' response.

"I didn't want to talk about him like that. He is my boss, Mr. Charles. I appreciate him so much for allowing me to work in his company despite my flaws."

Charles smiled faintly and bobbed. He looked around the living room, feeling impressed about how neatly arranged it was.

'She takes care of her apartment well. She will definitely take care of James and his apartment.

Amelia noticed Charles was lost in thoughts, staring around her living room.

"Mr. Charles, do you want anything? I don't have soft drinks at home. I'm yet to stock the freezer. But, I have cold water," She said and stood up, but Charles held her hand and made her stop.

"I don't want anything. Sit down, Amelia. I'm not done questioning you."

Amelia gulped hard and sat on the couch again. This time, she turned to look at Charles, paying him rapt attention.

"Do you like my son?" Charles asked, and Amelia knitted her brows.

"Like? I don't understand you, Mr. Charles." She let out a nervous laugh and rubbed her thighs with her hands.

"There's no other way to explain that question. It's pretty straightforward. Do you like James?"

'Oh God, what is going on? Why is he asking me these weird questions? I need to be careful with the way I answer them. Maybe this is another test.'

"Ermm... yes, Sir. I do like Mr. James."

"Great! Beautiful!" Charles clapped and sprang to his feet happily.

"Sir... hold on, I don't get you. Why are you so excited about it?" She asked curiously.

"That means you don't mind being his wife!" He raised his arms in the air.

"What?! Wife?! What?!" She yelled at the top of her voice. She sprang to her feet too and shook her head aggressively.

"I never knew you meant that. He is my boss, I work in his company. I should like him, right? I can't hate him."

Charles heaved a sigh and his arms fell weakly.

"Now you know what I'm talking about right? Would you love to be in a relationship with my son? It's you I want for him, Amelia. You are innocent, beautiful, smart, hardworking, most importantly, you aren't after his money or body. You are perfect."

Charles moved closer to her and held her hands in his. Amelia swallowed hard and shook her head again. This time, slowly.

"No, Mr. Charles... I.. I... This is a bad idea. Mr. James hates me with everything in him. He would never marry me."

Amelia struggled with words. She felt super uncomfortable and started to breathe hard in no time. Instead of a dream, it was more like a nightmare.

"Don't bother about James, Amelia. I need to know what you think. Do you think he can be your husband?" Charles asked again.Material © NôvelDrama.Org.

Amelia got her hands off his and walked away.

She stood inches away from Charles and started pacing.

"Truly, Mr. James is handsome, smart, bold, powerful, rich, smells so good, he is every woman's desire. But, I don't think he can be like my husband because I'm not worth him! He... he is too much for me. I can't. I can't handle him, Mr. Charles."

Amelia shook her head again, this time, tears streamed out of her eyes uncontrollably.

"C'mon, Amelia. You don't have to cry. Leave what James thinks about this to us, Okay? Helen and I would take care of that. But, I need you to please accept my request. I need grandchildren, and I want you to be their mother."

"But, there are other women out there. Beautiful, fashionable, smart, of age, rich, and..."

"I'll give you time to think about this, okay? I'm not forcing you, but I'll be so happy if you two end up together. Please, Amelia. I want a positive answer."

Amelia closed her eyes after Charles finished talking and tapped her shoulder softly.

"I'll excuse you now."

Amelia didn't move an inch until Charles was out of the house. She fell on her knees and began to weep.

'Why do I feel so emotional? Shouldn't I be happy I'll be getting married to such a man?' She reminisced and shook her head again.

"He hates me. He will never love you, Amelia. But what if I say no and I get fired too? My uncle will never forgive me. God! This is too much!"

Amelia was still weeping when a knock on her door came through.

"Who is it?" She mumbled, cleaning her teary face.

"Hey, it's me, Elena. Are you okay? You sound strange."

Amelia exhaled softly and stood up from where she knelt. She headed to the door and opened it.

She left the door and walked back to the couch. She sat on it, and Elena also walked to the couch.

"Hey, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

Elena sat next to her and looked at her face.

"It's nothing." Amelia faintly smiled and cleaned the tears that were gathering in her eyes again.

"We are friends, aren't we? You can't deceive me. My friend is the most jovial person I know. So tell me what happened, okay? I'll listen."

Amelia nodded and let out a loud sigh.

"My boss' father just left my apartment. He told me something I wasn't expecting at all."

Elena narrowed her eyes and leaned closer. "What did he tell you?" She further asked.

"He said something about wanting me for his son. He wants me to get married to my boss, and... and I don't see myself doing that. I'm not half of what he wants in a woman."

The curious look on Elena's face washed off immediately she heard Amelia's words. She leaned back and clenched her jaws.

Amelia looked up when she noticed Elena turned awkwardly silent all of a sudden.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Amelia asked, and Elena shook her head and smiled.

"It's nothing. I'm just pretty surprised. Don't you want to get married?" She asked, brushing her hair backward with her palm.

"I never said I didn't want to get married. But getting married to my boss? The CEO? To Mr. James Parker? I can't!" Amelia raised her voice a little higher than usual.

"Hey, Calm down, okay? It's quite simple. Tell Mr. Charles that you don't want to marry him. Is it that hard?"

"I can't... Wait..." Amelia stopped talking and creased her brows.

"Mr. Charles? How did you know his name? I didn't mention his name."

'F**k! Elena!' Elena thought in anxiety.

"Ermm... it's..."

"Hold on. You are the Elena that worked for Mr.

James Parker before, right? You were his secretary."

Elena nodded and smiled.

"Yes, I am. I just realized you work there too. You know we haven't gotten the time to talk properly. I never even knew that you were working there."

Amelia heaved a sigh and sat on the couch again. "Why did he fire you?" She asked with a sincere worried look.

"I never expected you to ask me that question. I'm very sure you know how James is. He can fire you for the slightest mistake. I'm surprised you are still working there."

"Well, I don't know, Elena. What can I do? I can't lose my job, and I can't say no to Mr. Charles. I'm scared he will hate no for an answer. My uncle would hate me if I do anything stupid."

"It's simple, Amelia. Tell your uncle that you don't want him. He is arrogant and hateful. You don't deserve someone like him," Elena uttered.

Amelia nodded and looked at Elena's face. "Thank you, Elena."

"You don't have to thank me. I'll do anything for my friend. I know you'll do the same thing for me. Come here."

Elena opened her arms, and Amelia comfortably leaned into her arms and closed her eyes. Elena exhaled softly and rolled her eyes.

'Stupid b**ch.'