Template placeholder with Chapter 129
Chapter 129:
At Hillside Villa.
As soon as Amelia and Wyatt stepped from the car, a flurry of greetings met their ears. “Welcome home, Mrs. Stewart! Congratulations p>
That unified cheer made Amelia suspect everyone had practiced their lines in advance. Looking around, she spotted two tidy rows of household staff lined up like a welcoming committee. Kurt led the group, beaming with pride, and for a second, she wondered if every staff member had been summoned for this grand greeting.
The elaborate welcome caught her completely off guard. She turned to Wyatt, astonishment in her eyes. Wyatt looked just as surprised, right up until he saw Kurt’s self-satisfied grin.
With a resigned shrug, Wyatt watched Kurt signal for everyone to return to their duties. Then, Kurt approached Amelia with a bright smile. “Mrs. Stewart, your things have already arrived. Should I have them brought up to your room p>
𝖩𝘰𝗂n 𝗍𝘩e 𝘤𝗈𝗆𝗆𝘂𝗇𝘪𝘁𝘺 𝘢𝗍
“No need for all this formality, Kurt. Just call me Amelia p>
“That wouldn’t be right,” Kurt replied.
Amelia realized that such formalities ran deep in families like the Stewarts. Seeing Kurt’s unwavering stance, she dropped the subject.
Since it was Wyatt’s home, she glanced his way when the subject of luggage came up, letting him make the decision. Noticing her glance, Wyatt gave a clear instruction. “Bring everything to the master bedroom on the second floor p>
Kurt wasted no time, passing the order along to the staff.
As soon as Kurt walked away, Wyatt gently took Amelia’s hand. “Let’s go. I want to show you around p>
At first, his touch made her nervous, but after a few moments, she found herself settling into the comfort of holding his hand. Though Wyatt’s stride was naturally long, he made a point of slowing down so Amelia could keep up. That small gesture drew a smile to her lips.
As they walked past every building and along each pathway, Wyatt described them, sharing each one’s name and purpose.
On her last visit, Amelia had been too drunk to notice any details, and the following morning had slipped away before she could explore. This time, the beauty of Hillside Villa truly sank in.
If she had to sum it up, Amelia would have called Hillside Villa a sanctuary set among serene mountains. Unlike the Stewart Mansion’s imposing grandeur, this place felt simple and close to nature.
The style felt oddly familiar to her. When they made their way back inside, she asked with curiosity, “Did Jordy design this place p>
Amelia’s question surprised Wyatt, who chuckled. “You really picked up on Jordy’s touch p>
After a pause, he added, “His style has really evolved these days p>
“Indeed,” Amelia agreed. “It reminds me of Jordy’s work, though it’s not at all like the house he designed for you in Prevda p>
“That’s because Jordy first designed Hillside Villa when he was still a college student,” Wyatt said.
The revelation took Amelia by surprise. After a moment’s thought, she realized it fit perfectly. Back then, Jordy’s spirit had been as restless as the breeze, always chasing after freedom. That wildness was woven into every detail of Hillside Villa. These days, time had mellowed him. His buildings now reflected a measured calm, like those dignified homes in Prevda.
Thinking of Jordy, Wyatt shared something else. “He’s planning a trip to Kretol soon. He wants to see you p>
“He wants to see me p>
For a second, Amelia’s mind went blank. When it dawned on her that this was probably about the Prevda Resort, laughter bubbled up before she could stop it. Her grin didn’t go unnoticed. Wyatt’s hand shot out, playfully pinching her cheek. She met his teasing with a sideways glare.
The amusement in his eyes deepened, and he gently ruffled her hair. Amelia quickly dodged his hand, tidying her hair as she said, “Don’t mess with my hair p>
She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but whenever Wyatt touched her hair, she always felt like he was treating her the way Carlee treated her beloved pet.
Moments later, Kurt appeared to let them know Amelia’s things had been arranged. Wyatt led her upstairs to the master suite.
The doors to the walk-in closet opened to reveal a space nearly as big as an apartment. Rows of perfectly arranged clothing lined the walls. On the left, Wyatt’s tailored suits hung in order. On the right, Amelia found rows of dresses and outfits in the styles she loved most.
One dress stood out right away—a vibrant red one Wyatt had given her as a gift. While she took in the organized shelves, Wyatt approached her. Even with so much room, his nearness made the space feel suddenly smaller. He stopped just in front of her, and her pulse skipped as she realized how close he was.
He gazed at her with a softness that made her breath catch. “Amelia, there’s something I’ve been wanting to do p>
He leaned forward, one hand braced against the cabinet behind her. Her cheeks turned pink as she stammered, “W-what is it p>
Wyatt didn’t say a word. Instead, he moved even closer, making her squeeze her eyes shut instinctively—until she heard the cabinet click open.
A flurry of wild thoughts tumbled through her mind in those few heartbeats. Now she wished she could vanish on the spot, mortified by her assumption. She had thought he was going to kiss her.
While her nerves were still scrambled, Wyatt reached for a small box tucked inside the cabinet. It looked familiar to her. Before she could ask, he said softly, “Amelia, please. Don’t turn me away this time p>