Chapter 87: Chapter 87
Tristan's POV
I was happy to see her after so many years. Not that I had lost contact with her during these past few years that she was separated from me. I hadn't since I had pursued her without her knowledge. The day my whole life turned upside down when Amelia was snatched away from me and sent far away, I was shattered. To escape from reality, I ran away from home and spent time on our cruise ship, far away from my family in the middle of the Mediterranean sea. I wanted to end my wretched life. After spending a week there, I had to return when dad found me and brought me back. Thankfully no one from Amelia's family approached or threatened me. I lost all contact with Caleb and changed my school as well. I ensured that our ways never crossed. I didn't want anything to do with him and had no one but my brothers to fall back on. It was so much better than having a best friend who betrayed you.
My dad introduced me to Bruce Spears, our trusted private investigator, who helped me keep track of Amelia, with the help of her best friend, Brittany Summers. Amelia's father had her stalked by 2 bodyguards without her knowledge and my hands were tied. I was helpless and couldn't approach her in any way. It seemed as if she wasn't even aware of what was going on around her. But my frustration increased as I couldn't talk to her and had no other way out than to wait for her to complete her studies. In the meantime, I focused on my studies and surged ahead to complete my Master's degree in Civil Engineering from New York's premier Columbia University.
Inheriting my dad's multinational chain of hotels and resorts, my brothers and I worked very hard to make Springwell Club and Resorts a billion-dollar success story. Although we three brothers shared the responsibilities amongst us, I dealt with the construction aspect of our business, whether it was the mega construction projects or the construction and design of our own chain of hotels and resorts. My older half-brother, Stefan, guided us well. He looked into the financial aspect of our business with an MBA from Harvard.
My younger brothers, Adrian and Julian were twins. Adrian completed his graduation in hotel management from the Cornell University of Hospitality Management with an MBA in marketing from Columbia Business School, Columbia University. He looked after the marketing aspect of our business as well as overall administration. Julian also pursued an MBA from Columbia Business School specializing in Operations Management after completing a Bachelor's degree from the Culinary Institute of America, New York. He looked after overall administration as well as coordinated with the Culinary Research and Development team of all our hotels to bring about innovative, high-quality gourmet food for our chain of hotels and resorts. Our dad, Nathaniel Henderson, overlooked everything and we all reported everything to him. He helped us out whenever we were in a fix. Stefan's twin, Claire who was our only beloved sister did not share this interest in the family business. She was happily married and lived in California with her husband, Jason Crawford.
So, I was well-settled in my career and financially independent as well and just waited for Amelia to complete her studies. Once she settled down into her career, I would approach her and ask for her hand in marriage but she returned to New York before that when her mom passed away.
I gave her time to get a grip over herself. I also managed to negotiate a good deal for her shop. She only had to pay half the price as I paid the other half without her knowledge. I arranged for a good studio apartment and paid half the rent for her. I kept track of her shop's success. I wasn't at all shocked to see Amelia as I knew I would meet her there. That was the only reason I had referred her boutique to my mom, Audrey Henderson for Anna's wedding, convincing them that Amelia would be the best wedding seamstress around. I wanted my second chance with her.
After going through hell, I was excited at the prospect of meeting Amelia. I knew that she had no idea what I had to go through in the last eight years of life without her. But that would change soon. I would ensure that it changed. This time I was determined not to let her get away like she did the last two times. This time I had sworn to make her mine, completely mine. Whatever it took, by hook or by crook, I wouldn't give up on her.
It irked me that she refused to look at me and hardly acknowledged my presence. I hated the professional manner in which she dealt with us as if we were just her clients. Did she not remember me at all? Eight years was a long time but I was certain that she didn't date anyone and didn't even have a boyfriend, then why did she not speak to me? I would know if she had since I stalked her like a madman. Her behavior had me at my wit's end. So when she disappeared inside with Anna, leaving me alone, I lost my cool. I wanted an answer to her aloofness, I needed to see her all the time. The way she had grown up into such a beautiful woman had me pining for her. I had high hopes that she would jump into my arms and tell me how much she missed me but she didn't. I had expected anything else but not this! I waited impatiently for them to emerge. I knew that I couldn't go home without talking to her even once. I needed answers and she had to respond to me. I could take in anything but not her aloofness. So I waited for the opportunity to speak to her and maybe more...