Too Much to Bear My Love

“The lawyers are dealing with it now. We should be able to leave soon,” Carter assured her.

Oscar stood next to Amelia, hugged her by the waist, and confessed shamelessly, “Yes, Cassie did call

to say she and her baby missed me and wanted me to spend time with them. I did not have a chance to

go because your so-called friend bashed me up.”

Amelia was stumped for a moment. Then she chuckled and asked, “So that is how the fight started? I am

curious to know how the two of you met in the first place.”

Carter gave her a brief recount.

Amelia glanced towards Oscar and jested, “Mr. Clinton, aren’t you busy at work with some business

associates? How did you end up fighting instead?”

Oscar self-consciously touched his nose, embarrassed by her jibe.

Thankfully, the two lawyers walked in, saving Oscar from the awkward situation.

“Mr. Clinton, we can leave now.” Oscar’s lawyer said to him.

“Mr. Carter, you are free to leave,” Carter’s lawyer reported.

The five of them walked out of the police station. “Carter, remember to apply some medication on your

wounds. It won’t be good to show up at work tomorrow with such nasty bruises,” Amelia nagged with

concern.

“I will. Have a safe trip home. Call me when you get home.” Carter reassured her gently.

Oscar was irate. He arrogantly wrapped his arms around Amelia and said, “Mr. Scott, you don’t have to

worry a thing about my woman. Move along. It is getting late. Amelia and I will leave now.”

With that, he bundled Amelia into the car, and together with their lawyer, they drove away.

“Mr. Carter, let’s go. I will give you a ride home,” Mr. Denzel Yancey, Carter’s lawyer, offered. “I have

arranged for someone to drive your car back from the bar,” he added.

Carter nodded and the two got into the car.

Denzel was Carter’s peer. They both graduated from the same college, just different faculty. Denzel

studied Law while Carter studied Business, so they technically had a senior-junior relationship.

Since Carter started his own business, the two had worked closely together. They were partners at work

but buddies off-work.

“She’s the one you love, right?” Denzel asked.

“How did you figure that out?” Carter muttered as he loosened his tie and slouched into the passenger

seat.

“Your eyes never left her! Isn’t that obvious enough?” Denzel was observant.

Carter kept quiet. That was as good as an affirmation for Denzel.

“So you are really doomed. I have never seen you in this state,” Denzel uttered. “Ms. Winters is indeed a

beauty, a man’s dream girl. The problem is she is married! Do you have to get yourself into this

entanglement?”

Carter looked at him and just said, “She is very fine.”

Denzel gave up. “All right. I was nosy. My apologies. Still, I think the two of you ain’t a good match.”

Carter was ruffled. “I am aware,” he said.

“You are? And yet you let yourself get into this predicament? I don’t know you as being so irrational.”

Denzel was puzzled.

“I met her in college. It was love at first sight. I just can’t get her out of my mind, even after she got

married. What can I do?” Carter divulged.

Denzel was stunned! “Carter, I did not expect you to be so besotted! So you are love-struck, got busted,

fought with her husband, and ended up in the police station?”

“No!” Carter sulked.

“No?” His reply confused Denzel.

“I just picked on him cos I hated the way he looked. Why? Can’t I do that?” Carter retorted wilfully.

“Don’t get mad. I am not stopping you. I just never knew you could be so impulsive. Turning rebellious

and combative at a ripe old age of 30? You are indeed exceptional!” Denzel shrugged it off with a laugh.

Carter closed his eyes and ignored him. Denzel was not bothered and kept his peace.

On the other side, the atmosphere between Oscar and Amelia was awkward. Not long after his lawyer,

Mr. Zeller, drove them away from the police station, Oscar spoke, “Mr. Zeller, could you alight here and

grab a cab home? I will return you the car tomorrow.”

“Sure, Mr. Clinton. I’ll leave you from here. Call me if you need me,” Mr. Zeller obliged.

After Mr. Zeller left, Oscar moved into the driver’s seat and drove away in silence.

Amelia was puzzled. This man is temperamental. Just earlier, he was lovey-dovey at the police station.

Now, he is pulling a long face. Amelia could not figure out which was his true self.

“Mr. Clinton, are you mad?” she inquired.

A reticent Oscar continued to drive on.

“Looks like someone is really mad.” Amelia poked her head from the back seat, peeked at Oscar, and

teased.

Oscar glimpsed at her, stopped the car, and ordered, “Come sit up front.”

“Thank you, Mr. Clinton, but I think it is spacious and comfortable back here. I will stay put.” Amelia

spurned the idea.

“Move up to the front. Don’t make me repeat that,” warned Oscar.

Amelia compliantly moved to the passenger seat.

Oscar resumed the journey. Amelia could not hold her curiosity. “Mr. Clinton, why are you angry? Could

you enlighten me? It is not fair for me to have to bear with this silent treatment without a proper reason.”

“You know what you have done.”

“I definitely don’t. Why don’t Mr. Clinton tell me?”

“What is between Carter Scott and you? He has been constantly coming to your defense. Don’t tell me

you are just friends.”

“So what kind of relationship does Mr. Clinton think Carter and I have?” Amelia tilted her head and waited

to hear from Oscar.

“Amelia Winters, don’t try to be cheeky.” Oscar gave her a dirty look.

Although Amelia maintained a smile on her face, she was feeling a little melancholic. “Mr. Clinton, what

do you want to hear from me? Would you believe me if I insist there is nothing between Carter and me?”

she asked softly.

“For real?”

Amelia nodded and said, “Mr. Clinton, believe it or not, Carter and I are only friends. We do not have a

complex relationship like Ms. Yard and yourself.”

She paused a little and continued, “You are interrogating me just because you saw Carter and me being

friendly with one another. Am I supposed to make a big fuss when you flirt with Ms. Yard?”

“Amelia Winters, stop this nonsense.”

Amelia was dejected. One question from her and that was deemed unreasonable. Oscar flirted openly

with Cassie, and they even had a baby together. As a wife, she could only swallow the insult. She felt like

a loser.

It was a known fact that marrying into money was never easy. One could enjoy a good life materially, but

a disposable plaything could never ask for a sense of security.

“Mr. Clinton, now that Ms. Yard is pregnant, when can we sign our divorce papers?” Amelia stoically

asked.

“Why the hurry to divorce? You want to throw yourself into Carter Scott’s arms?”

“That was an awakening call, Mr. Clinton. After leaving a rich sugar daddy like you, I would need another

financial backer. Carter Scott would be a good choice. I am working for him, so it would be easy for me to

try and scheme more off him, right?”

Oscar’s face fell, and he sullenly drove on. Amelia leaned back on her seat, pouting away.

The heavy silence continued all the way till they reached their apartment.

Back in their apartment, Oscar pinned Amelia to the wall, looked her in the eye, and grilled her. “What is

between Carter Scott and you?”

Amelia pulled him closer by his tie and challenged, “Don’t you think it is ridiculous that you are still

harping on this, Mr. Clinton?”

Oscar clenched her chin and barked, “Don’t patronize me. You are my woman. I have the right to know

who you hang out with.”

Amelia laughed heartily, wrapped her arms around him, and chortled, “Mr. Clinton, you are the most

handsome man I have ever met!”

“Don’t you try to change the subject.” Oscar was perplexed.

“Mr. Clinton, you are the most attractive man I have ever seen. I don’t think any woman can resist your

charm,” she flirted with him.

Oscar got confused. “What are you getting at?”

“The point is, Mr. Clinton, how could I possibly let go of an outstanding man like you? If you don’t divorce

me, you can rest assured I will never go for another financial backer.”

“Even if I divorce you, you are not allowed to have another man.”

“Don’t you think you are being unreasonable, Mr. Clinton?” Amelia chuckled.

“You belong to me. Even after divorce, you are still mine.”

That tickled Amelia. “Mr. Clinton, you just told me the funniest joke.”

Oscar quietly stared at her.

Amelia laughed so hard she was tearing up. “Mr. Clinton, you are the top man at Clinton Corps. You

know the law better than I do. Divorce frees both of us from all mutual legal obligations. You can go your

way, and I will go mine, ok?”

Oscar held her chin and leaned in to whisper in her ear. “Who said we have nothing to do with one

another after divorce? Don’t forget, you are carrying my baby. I have the right to look into my son’s

mommy’s business so that he can grow up in a healthy environment. I can’t sit back and let you lead him

astray, can I?”

Amelia was dumbstruck. When she finally found her voice, she lashed out at him, “How despicable can

you get, Oscar Clinton?”

Oscar patted her on her cheek and gloated, “Amelia, you are no match for me. You have a long way to

go.”

“Mr. Clinton, you sure are a ruthless, scheming businessman. You had it all planned out,” grunted

Amelia.

“Of course. I would never go into a deal that doesn’t benefit me.” Oscar was delighted at gaining the

upper hand.

Amelia gazed at his face, and her mind wandered. She loved him deeply, more than anything else in this

world. Alas, he will never know how much she adored him.

Oscar noticed her intent gaze. “What is with you?”

Amelia could not help herself and pleaded, “Darling, can we forget the divorce? The arrangement we

have now is not too bad. Can you… don’t throw me out?”

Oscar saw the distress in her eyes and felt remorseful. “Stop spouting nonsense again. When did I say I

wish to throw you out?”

Amelia felt frail. Maybe it was due to the long and eventful day. She slumped in Oscar’s arms and

muttered, “Mr. Clinton, can we forget the divorce?”

“Stop imagining things. It’s late. You are expecting, so you need your beauty sleep. If you want to stay in

tomorrow, I will call in sick for you.” Oscar comforted her as he helped her up to the room.

“You are worried I will pester and give you a hard time, aren’t you?” Amelia quipped.

Oscar fixed his gaze on her and said, “No. I believe you are an intelligent woman. You know what the

best way forward is. Now, be good and go to bed. We will continue our discussion tomorrow. I am not

done on the matter regarding Carter Scott and you.”