Chapter 248 His Godfather
Amelia let herself sink into the passenger seat. Perhaps she had prepared herself mentally for what was to come, and thus, her placidness.
“Tiff, I’m fine. I won’t do anything stupid since I’m looking forward to seeing Tony growing up, you know, seeing him having a girlfriend, building a family, and so on. Despite how people think my life is worth nothing, I’m not gonna give up my life so easily.”
Tiffany’s heart wrung with every word Amelia uttered. The former wasn’t sure whether the latter had come to terms with this wretched fate.
Seeing the knitted brows on her face, Amelia tried to cheer her up. “Hey, relax those tight brows of yours. Whatever is mine is mine, and whatever’s not will never be. If losing my eyesight was God’s will, I could only say God was so jealous of what I’m blessed with that It is trying to humble me by reserving some of his grace, but it’s okay. At least I still have Tony and you.”
She didn’t want to mention Oscar as she felt that the bond between them was as fragile as a house of cards. It couldn’t withstand even the slightest puff of wind.
Or maybe her love for him was so deep that she kept clinging to the fear of losing this beautiful relationship.
Due to that persistent uncertainty, the moment it dawned upon her that she’d be met with blindness, her self-esteem shrunk, foreboding that she’d lose her worth when she was no more perfect.
Although she was holding back from depicting Oscar in a bad light, she couldn’t help it. She used to be a scintillating beauty, and the fact that she was about to plunge into eternal darkness was definitely a blow to her confidence. It wasn’t a reality anyone would readily take on.
It was a contrasting lifestyle that might take a lifetime to get used to.
Tiffany held Amelia’s hands in hers. “Amelia, I think it’d be better if you told Oscar. You ought to let him know how you feel. I know that I’m always mocking him, but I’m sure that he’s not that shallow, and he’ll understand.”
The other woman slumped into the seat, looking as woeful as ever, and shook her head. “Let me think about it, Tiff.”
Tiffany wasn’t trying to get her friend to do anything. She was just slightly taken aback by the latter’s disheartened attitude. Among all the people Amelia knew, Tiffany would always be the one who truly wished for her happiness.
“Babe, listen to me. At the end of the day, you and Oscar are still husband and wife. You should tell him what’s happening and how you’re feeling. Keeping it away from him will only ruin your relationship further. What I’m trying to say is, tell him.” Tiffany gave her friend her two cents.
Amelia responded with silence.
She then closed her eyes and let out a sigh.
Tiffany softly knead Amelia’s hands and asked, “What is it that you fear?”
Amelia pulled her hand back and refused to continue the conversation on the topic. “Just drive, Tiff.”
Tiffany started the engine, and both had their mouths sealed throughout the journey to the Clinton residence.
When they were a few miles away from their destination, Tiffany stopped the car and reinforced her thoughts on Amelia. “Hey, I highly reckon that you tell Oscar about your situation.”
Amelia shot her a quizzical look, trying to wrap her head around Tiffany’s persistence.
“I don’t want anything standing between you and Oscar. You love him,” was Tiffany’s answer.
Amelia put on a bitter smile and responded, “Tiff, I’ll tell him when I’m ready.”
Upon hearing the resolution in her voice, Tiffany could only nod.
After they got to Clinton residence, and as Amelia unbuckled her seatbelt, Tiffany showed her concern again. “Amelia, don’t overthink it. Find a time and tell Oscar about it. It’s not as bad as you think it’s gonna be, really!”
Amelia nodded and uttered, “Drive safe, Tiff.”
Tiffany flashed an “OK” hand gesture and left.
Once her friend was out of sight, Amelia went upstairs and into the baby room, only to see Kurt patiently talking to Tony, who was babbling rapaciously. Tony’s dramatic gestures and jabbers were reciprocated with well-thought serious replies. It was an amusing scene to watch.
Amelia let out a chuckle, and that was when Kurt noticed her.
She walked towards starry-eyed Tony and patted him on the head gently. “Kurt, it must’ve been tough taking care of Tony the whole day.”
“No, not at all. He’s quite a joker. I didn’t like children, but they aren’t actually that hard to deal with. Tony’s a really good boy.”
“Haha! From the way you two mingle, it sometimes feels like you’re his Daddy,” Amelia tittered.
Kurt immediately got onto his feet and took a step back. “I dare not cause this confusion,” he spoke solemnly.
“Take it easy. What I meant was you and Tony get along well. Actually, I have an idea. It’s up to you, though, whether to accept it or not.”
Kurt nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Go ahead and share your thoughts.”
Amelia threw a glance at Tony and turned back to Kurt.
“I was wondering if you’d like to be Tony’s godfather. No matter what’s going to happen between Oscar and I, I hope you’ll protect Tony by all means. Can you do that?” Amelia looked straight into Kurt’s eyes as she spoke.
“But, why?” Kurt was taken aback for a second, but he managed to compose himself.
Amelia bent forward and took her son’s tiny little hand. “Kurt, I hope you don’t misread my intentions. All I wanted was for Tony to have kin in the Clintons, whom he could depend on, regardless of how Oscar and I would end up.”
She wasn’t trying to be funny. She had gone through all the worst-case scenarios in her head. It was a fact that she was going blind, and the Clintons would never allow a visually impaired woman to tarnish their eminence.
On top of that, she’d forbid herself from exposing her frailty in public and becoming the joke of the high society.
If their marriage were to come to an end, she might not be granted Tony’s custody due to her disability. That explained why keeping her son safe was her utmost priority.
Instead of agreeing to the offer right away, Kurt asked, “Ma’am, is there something troubling you?”
At that, Amelia forced a smile.
“Something’s troubling you, isn’t it?” Kurt went on.
Amelia quickly collected her wavering emotions and denied, “I live a bountiful life. What troubles could I possibly have?
“Alright. I’ll be Tony’s godfather.” Kurt acceded to her wishes after some considerations.
“Since you’re Tony’s godfather now, we don’t just have an employer-employee relationship anymore, right? I guess it only makes sense for you to start addressing me by my name.”
Kurt smacked his lips before he sheepishly called out, “Amelia.”
As for Amelia, she was nothing but forthright. “Kurt, it’s a pleasure to get to know you again. Tony’s wellbeing is all in your hands from now on.”
A spurt of emotion stirred the man for a bit, and he muttered his sincerest “Yes.”
What Amelia didn’t realize was that her decision would enable her to be under Oscar’s radar after their divorce. Kurt kept his promise, protecting Tony however he could and caring for the boy like his own flesh and blood—an act of love that triggered Oscar’s jealousy. How the man wished he could turn back time so that he wouldn’t have hired Kurt in the first place.
