Chapter 126: Chapter 126

Amelia's POV

"Hey! It's okay. He'll wrap up his work and come home as soon as he can. Don't be so upset, it's all a part of their business," comforted Claire.

"I know but I have no idea how I overslept and couldn't see him before he left. I'm such a terrible girlfriend. He must be hating me," I wailed with grief.

Claire shook her head. "You're wrong, Amy. He really loves you." She said as she wiped my tears and gave me some coffee to calm me down. I took a sip but it didn't work. I felt like my heart would break. This was the second time that he gave up on me. Last night, he didn't understand my point of view at all. I wanted our first night to be special, in our own home without having to restrain ourselves and scaling down our enjoyment. I wanted him to understand and wait till he returned but instead, he just took offense and left. Fresh tears welled up in my eyes and cascaded down my cheeks.

"No, he doesn't. He gave up on me when I was forced to go away. Now also he left without informing me. He doesn't love me at all. I'm the only one who loves him like a crazy woman," I sobbed quietly. I had no one to open up to and suddenly Claire's kind words made me want to tell her what I went through. Claire looked surprised at my outburst but she soon controlled herself.

"Who told you he gave up on you?" She asked gently.

"He did give up since he never tried to contact me. I waited for years but I received no phone call from him whatsoever. Dad confiscated the phone where I had his number saved and I had no way to contact him but he could have contacted me at least," I said, sipping my coffee. Claire shook her head.

"He hasn't told you anything of what he went through in your absence?" asked Claire with disbelief. I slowly shook my head.

"You're wrong, Amy. I know it's not my position to tell you but since you're misunderstanding him unnecessarily, I think I need to clear this up. When you left, Trist tried your mobile numerous times. He went crazy when the number was unreachable. He approached dad and asked for help, they both spoke to your father, but he didn't listen. He sent you away. Tris was so heartbroken that he ran away from home for two long weeks. We all went crazy with worry. Mom stopped eating. We involved the police and finally, we found him on our cruise ship, where he was hiding. Dad brought him home and introduced him to Bruce Spears, our trusted private investigator. Since then Bruce had been assigned to track you and update Tris every day. Bruce even managed to sneak pictures of you and gave them to Tris. Brittany helped a lot," Claire said as she looked into my eyes. I was stunned beyond words. I had no idea of all this. Why hadn't Brittany ever told me about it? I felt let down.

"Why didn't anyone tell me? Why didn't Tristan contact me? Why did he have to secretly have me tracked?" I asked. I was very confused by all of this. The most simple way would have been for him to contact me, to talk to me instead of having a Private Investigator track me down like some criminal.

"We couldn't inform you. Your dad had you covered by two bodyguards, who discreetly followed you everywhere. You didn't keep in touch with your dad, so he received all the information about your whereabouts from them. It wasn't safe for Tristan to meet you under the circumstances, " Claire said and then looked at me with concern. My jaws dropped to the floor and I stared at her, too dumbfounded to react. I had no idea that my dad had bodyguards to stalk me around. I felt disappointed and let down. How was it that my mom also never told me about it? Anger boiled inside me. I felt betrayed by my own family.

I had no idea why my life was such a mess. Why couldn't I have a normal family? If my family regularly visited me and showed their concern towards me I would have forgiven them long back, but tracking me behind my back was unforgivable. I could never forgive my own family. I didn't feel bad about Tristan, he would have visited me if my bodyguards weren't there as he had already confided in Brittany.

"Thanks for confiding in me Claire, I really had no idea about all this. It's really disappointing to know all this," I told her sincerely, holding her hand.

"I'm sure Tris will tell you someday. He's just scared that he would lose you the moment he confesses his feelings, just like that day at high school. It's like a phobia for him," said Claire deep in thought.

"How do you know so much, Claire? Has he told you everything?" I asked curiously.

"Yeah, since he was a baby, he always told me everything and he still does," she said, smiling indulgently. I was touched by their bonding. I too had brothers but I could never bond with them this way. It was as if I was an orphan despite having a family.

"That's so sweet," I said, smiling too.

"I would never have told you but I could leave you heartbroken for two weeks in Tristan's absence. I'm sure Tris will tell you all his feelings himself. I just didn't want you to misunderstand him. He truly loves you," she said, getting up. "I have to get Alexander and myself ready. Jason will return from the airport and we will leave for New York right away. We will stay at Jason's parent's house and then leave for California the day after tomorrow," she said with a warm smile on her face."See you at your wedding then," she said as I blushed. I was sure now that when Tristan returned, I would talk to him and confess my feelings for him as well.

"Take care, keep in touch," I said, kissing her cheek.

All the guests have left, so I went to speak to mom and dad if I could leave too. No point staying any longer when Tristan has left and so have Anna and Stefan. I packed up and drove away with my and Tristan's luggage. He had forgotten all about it and left in a haste. Now my only concern was how I'd stay all alone in his apartment in his absence.