Chapter Twelve - Meet Again

HAILEY'S POV

It's been two weeks since I agreed to marry the son of my mom's best friend.

It's been two weeks of regrets. Regret that I walked away from Adian. Even though I spent about an hour with him, it was time well spent. I hope he enjoyed the cake from my birthday, that I left him hoping he would remember me after I am gone.

The ringing of his phone was either a curse or God sent, because I have not forgotten that morning, and I don't think I ever will. Smiling, Adian really made an impression on a naive girl like me.

Today I'll be meeting my future husband and then my life changes forever. I'm not ready for this and I must find a way to say no. I hope they would understand, because if my mom wants the best for me then I need to work and build the woman that I am into the great woman she wanted me to be and marrying at this time on my life is not the answer.

Maybe they could postpone the wedding until I deal the nightmares and my hidden demons. My one desire is to get to the truths. Not what I've been told but what I've been starting to remember through my nightmares.

Mr. Knox hasn't answered his phone and maybe the best thing is to meet my mom's friend in person and move on from there. With my mind made up, I went into the shower to start my day.

Making a heavy breakfast, filling myself to brim, I went back upstairs to select a suitable dress to wear. I want to impress my mom's friend. I hope she likes me for me and not because I'm her late bestfriend s daughter.

Unable to decide what to wear, I threw myself on my bed, closing my eyes, whispering to my mom.

The constant ringing of my house phone woke me up. Bolting upright, disoriented, the phone stopped ringing, so I threw myself back down on the bed.

The phone started ringing again and I leaned over to answer it.

"Hello" I answered sheepishly.

"You are going to be late if you don't leave in fifteen minutes" Kathryn said.

Without answering, I hung up the phone hustling to refreshen myself. Choosing a white dress, clinging to my upper body and flowing from my waist down, reaching four inches above my knee.

Silently thanking the girls in my dorm for teaching me e everything I need to know, about dressing from foundation to finish. Using minimal makeup, emphasizing my eyes and my lips. Satisified, I'm done.

Quickly pulling on white heels, I called Amos, "hello" Amos answered.

"Amos, it's Hailey. I'm soooo very late for a lunch appointment, can you get me a cab please? I'll be down in ten." I requested.

"Sure thing, young Hailey. he agreed.

Sure enough, by the time I got down to the lobby a taxi was already waiting for me. Thanking Amos, I place a tip into the palm of his hand as I rushed out.

Entering the cab, I greeted the driver giving him my destination before leaning back into the seat. "breathe Hailey, just breathe" I whispered silently to myself.

Arriving at the Crown Plaza, ten minutes late was not the impression I wanted to make.

Already starting to feel despondent about the lunch, wishing I had something to eat before coming, so I won't feel intimidated. Now I have to hope that my heavy breakfast hold me up or I go hungry until I get back home. On the plus side, I can always drink bubbly because I can, I smiled.

As the hostess led me to the table, I searched for Mr. Knox, but the eyes that met mines stopped me in my tracks. The blue eyes that had me drowning in its depths two weeks ago, is the same blues that stared back at me with recognition.

With a small smile, I acknowledge him looking around his lunch party, shocked to see Mr. Knox sitting among them. With my mouth slightly ajar, my eyes return to his, then down at my feet willing them to run in another direction.

"Miss" the hostess called me.

Looking up to her, "this way please" she requests.

I followed as she led me to Mr. Knox's table and Adian!

Clutching my chest with the palm of my hands, willing my heart to stop pounding so loud.

Smiling, Mr. Knox stood up to greet me.

"Hailey" he greets me, pulling my stiff body in for a hug.

"Hey" I responded quietly.

I need to run, but where. I should get a drink to help me relax. Plastering a fake smile, as my eyes travel around the table, realizing the only empty seat is the one next to Adian's, whose eyes were icy blue, with tighten fist, all tensed up ready to explore.

He pushed his chair back abruptly, "I need a drink" he says to no one in particular, moving away from the table.

"Can you bring me back a glass of bubbly, please?" I requested timidly from Adian, who looked even more pissed off at my request. F**k, I gave him most of my red velvet, so what is a glass of bubbly.

Nodding, he strode away angrily as I'm left wondering if I should follow him to make sure I get my drink.

Pulling out the chair next to Adian's now empty chair, Mr Knox ushered me in.

"Sit Hailey, sit. Let me introduce you around" Mr.. Knox says excitedly.

My most famous fake smile on, I'm good..

Still standing, Mr. Knox started introducing me.

"Hailey, meet Amelia Knights, your mother's best friend" he smilies, turning around, meeting the smiling hazel eyes of Amelia Knights.

My fake smile vanishes instantly! Amelia Knights stood up walking around the table to where I was sitting.

The lower part of my body was frozen. I couldn't stand, I couldn't run!