Chapter 5 – Proof of Marriage
Amelia sat quietly in the car as it climbed up over the tall iron gates, the driver slowed down as the guards inspected the car before letting them through. She leaned against the window, her eyes widened a little at the sight of the mansion inside.
It wasn't just big, it was massive the Janayas' mansion was big and all, but Maya's home was on another level. White stone walls stretched wide, the lawns were perfectly trimmed, the fountains glittered under the sunlight and guards were stationed at every corners like soldiers, everything screamed wealth and power.
She pressed her lips together.
Did Maya live here? She wondered.
The car had slowed down in front of the doors leading into the lobby, and, before she could swing her door wide, a man in a uniform had gotten the door open and bowed slightly. Amelia muttered a little thanks, feeling out of place already.
Maya stood by the door, herself in a silk robe probably cost a fortune judging from the design and material. She smiled politely, a little too much.
"You're here," said Maya quietly. "Come in. My mother wants to welcome you before we begin."
It was worse inside, the chandeliers shone like glass suns up there, there were paintings on walls, and there was the aroma of money and roses in the room, Amelia walked behind Maya, and was already intimidated.
They entered the living room in which Mrs. Casterton was, she dressed very smartly, occupying a velvet sofa, having tea. She had her head up, chin up, eyes keen. She looked at Amelia once, from top to toe, and smiled slightly.
"So, you're the young woman who made that… dress." The way she used dress was as though it didn't even merit that name.
Amelia's face turned red, but she smiled politely. "Yes, ma'am."
"A wonderful house you have here," said Amelia sincerely, her voice gentle.
Maya smiled, wrapping her in arms as if she were a close friend. "It belongs to my parents, not to me. Come, let us go to the room I have set up for you, I am just so glad that you came, I love your design but i was hoping you could touch it up a bit. As you know I'm a celebrity and my dresses must be top notch."
"That's not a problem" Amelia replied.
They walked through long hallways lined with art and photographs, Amelia tried not to stare too much. Finally, Maya pushed open a door and led her into a wide fitting room. A full-length mirror stood at one end, bolts of fabric stacked neatly at the other, and a tailor already waiting with a small smile and tape measure in hand.
Amelia set her sketchbook down on the side table, rolling up her sleeves. This was where she was comfortable, in her element, she smiled a little. "So… what do we start with?"
"First, we take the measurements," said Maya cheerfully, removing her silk robe. She looked at the tailor. "You may start."
Throughout the session, Amelia made notes and sketched in quickly, occasionally glancing up to offer softly-spoken suggestions for alteration. The two women conversed informally, with occasional outbursts of laughter.
Just then the door opened creakily without a knock, Ryan took a peak before entering. He was dressed in a dark suit, Amelia swallowed hard as he approached them, his gaze zeroed in immediately on Amelia.
Her pencil dropped from her fingers, clattering against the sketchbook.
"Ryan," Maya said in surprise, stepping forward. "You're back early. I thought you had important things to do"
"Well, this is one of it." He said and smiled at Amelia "Hi my love"
The tailor froze, she didn't know the almighty Ryan Casterton was in a relationship.
"Excuse me?" she said, trying to compose herself. "Your what?"
"My love, common you still can't remember you're my wife"? Ryan repeated, his eyes locked on her. He didn't blink or look away.
Maya kept glancing between them, she wasn't expecting her to act like she didn't know Ryan, the tailor immediately excused herself, bowing out as quickly as possible.
Maya also excused herself.
Amelia's face burned with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. "You know you must be out of your mind. Stop showing up everywhere I go, spouting nonsense like this. I don't know what sick game you're playing but it ends now."
Ryan stepped closer, unfazed. "It's not a game."
"You're delusional," Amelia snapped, folding her arms. "Unless you have proof of this… ridiculous story, don't ever open your mouth about it again. Stop obsessing over someone who doesn't know you"
Without speaking, he searched within the jacket's inside pocket and produced a slim envelope. He flipped it onto the table beside her sketches.
"Is this proof enough?"
Amelia frowned, picking it up immediately, she opened it slowly, her gaze darting over the official paper.
It was a marriage certificate, it had her name and his. What was shocking was her signature at the bottom in an handwriting that looked exactly like hers, it didn't look forged at all.
Her knees felt weak. She looked up at him, eyes wide, voice barely above a whisper. "This… this isn't possible."
"Now who's lying."
Amelia shook her head furiously, clutching the paper as though tearing it could erase it from existence. "No. No, this can't be real."
Ryan's lips curved in a smile "And yet it is."
Her grip on the paper tightened, crumpling the edges. She shook her head furiously. "No… no, I would never… this is insane! You're insane!"
Ryan took a step closer, his voice rough but steady. "If I'm insane, then explain the ring."
"Explain your signature that's right there".
Amelia's hands trembled as she shoved the certificate back at him.
"You're sick," she spat, though her voice cracked halfway. "You show up out of nowhere, throwing lies in my face. I don't care what paper you wave around just leave me the hell alone."
Before he could say a word Amelia walked out of the room, Maya stood in the corridor, frowning as she looked back and forth from Ryan to Amelia. She didn't say not a word, though, she just stepped aside quietly, allowing Amelia to pass.
Ryan didn't follow. He just stood there, staring at the her as she left.
Ryan stood frozen in the middle of the fitting room, the crumpled marriage certificate was lying abandoned on the floor. His expression was unreadable, but the pain in his eyes gave him away.
The door creaked open slowly as Maya entered, closing it softly behind her. she just stared at him, her famously composed big brother, who looked as if he'd been punched in the chest.
"Ryan," she said softly, moving towards him, "what's the matter? Why does Amelia act like she doesn't know she's married to you?
"That's none of your business."
He tried to shove past her, but Maya moved quickly in front of him, using both arms to hold him back.
"You can't just walk away from me like that," she said softly but firmly. "she said softly but firmly. "She was terrified in there, Ryan, she really look like she can't remember. You can't win her by throwing papers at her."
His voice was low and almost in anguish. "I don't think she forgot...I won't. That night....." he paused, shaking his head. "She was with me...you should have seen us Maya, I'm not losing it.".
"I know," Maya said quietly, "I believe you. But she doesn't, Ryan or can't. And if you go on shoving her into corners like this, poking at her so doggedly, all you'll succeed in doing is make her hate you."
He closed his eyes briefly, dragging in a breath through his nose, and when he opened them again there was a flicker of something softer.
"You think I should… what? Act like none of this ever occurred? stand around like an idiot while my own wife tells me to my face that I'm crazy?"
No, Maya answered quickly, shaking her head. "I think you should back off, show her there's more to you than outside of this paper. Have her meet the man behind the name, give her reason to want to remember you -- not just proof that she should."
Ryan looked like he was trying to let the words sink. For the first time in years, Maya thought, her brother looked lost.
"You really believe she doesn't remember?" he asked.
Maya's tone softened. "I think she doesn't remember. And if you love her as much as you claim to, then you'll need to reawaken her love for you… bit by bit."
For a long, heavy silence, Ryan said nothing. Then he exhaled slowly, his shoulders dropping just a little. He glanced over at the door Amelia had fled through, his eyes black with something unsaid.
"I don't like losing," he said at last, voice like iron.
Maya smiled at him weakly, her hand remaining on his arm. "Then stop fighting her and start winning her."