Since She Met Lucian

Amelia gently patted Courtney's hand. Smiling, she said, "It's hard to say."

Courtney looked at Amelia and with all seriousness said, "I'll take you to the hospital tomorrow for your blood test. We'll have a doctor confirm the result. We also need to know about the precautions you have to take. Oh, look at you. You're so thin! If you don't take care of your health, I worry you might miscarry."

Amelia appreciated Courtney's thoughtfulness and nodded in agreement. But just then, she remembered the message Jonny sent her. With a frown on her face, Amelia said, "I have to go to the An's tonight. Johnny's parents want to see me. I don't know what to expect."

Hearing Jonny's name, a thought occurred to Courtney. "Are you planning on telling Jonny about it?"

"If I'm to keep a relationship with him, he's bound to notice." Things were beginning to look even more complicated for Amelia.

"I can't say I know Jonny well, but he's been helping you all this time. It would be nice if he could act as the father of your baby." Courtney looked hopeful. Smiling, she held a hand to touch Amelia's cheek. "If Jonny doesn't mind that Lucian is the father, you can be a happy family. Your lives will be secured."

"Courtney, Jonny will definitely want to raise his own son. And he's been so good to me, I don't want to cheat him on anything." Amelia didn't want to take things lightly, especially considering that there were reputations on the line. She also didn't wish to get too involved with the An family as Lucian was going to be their son-in-law soon enough. They didn't meet often, but there would be no avoiding of them on special days. She would have to attend as Jonny's girlfriend.

"How could that be cheating? Look. I think Jonny likes you. Surely, there can't be a truly platonic relationship between men and women. You're the only who thinks that he's being kind out of mere friendship," Courtney pointed out.

Amelia had never told Courtney about what happened when she and Jonny were in middle school. Courtney had no idea that Amelia had known him for years. Amelia couldn't blame Courtney for thinking that Jonny had an ulterior motive.

Jonny made Amelia promise not to tell anyone about their past, so she kept her silence on the matter.

It was dusk when Amelia received a call from Jonny. He was driving to pick her up so she told him her address.

"Jonny, I'm Amelia's best friend and I'm warning you. If you or any of your family hurts her, I will look for you and beat you up!" Courtney said as she saw Amelia to the car. She glared at Jonny and shook her fist in jest.

Amelia's face went red with embarrassment. She quickly turned to Courtney and said, "You left the door open. Go ahead and clean up so you can go home."

Courtney waved goodbye as their car drove off. Amelia felt warmed by Courtney's protective gesture and smiled to herself. She turned to look at Jonny and apologized, "Please ignore Courtney. She's always joking around."

"It's nothing. It's great to have such a good friend who looks after you," Jonny replied with a soft smile. "My father is away for the night so it's just going to be us and my mother at dinner. She said she invited you because she wanted to cook for you."

Amelia looked at Jonny blankly. She was spacing out because her thoughts kept returning to Lucian. Amelia always felt nervous visiting the Zhan family, but Lucian would always calm and reassure her like Jonny did. But... As much as she wanted to feel at ease, Jonny's words didn't have an effect on her. She only felt guilty for missing Lucian more.

abdomen. Thinking of giving birth to Lucian's child offered her some

in her thoughts that she missed

The estate looked like a palace. A huge fountain gushing in the middle of the garden caught her attention as they pulled up the

colored lamps. Amelia's heart thumped loudly; she felt out of place in the

time, she felt nervous for fear of losing Lucian if she gave

the luxuriously furnished hall, they were welcomed by Emma. She was wearing an elegant dress that shimmered under the chandelier. Seeing them, she smiled gracefully and greeted, "I hope you

allowed Emma to take her

gentle and kind despite

the food lavishly spread on the table, Amelia forgot her feelings of nervousness and realized

them. Please try some," Emma said. She

went scarlet. Before she could make a polite

Amelia reached for the cutlery

delicious. You cook so well!" Amelia had no intention of flattering. She sincerely

was a bit dejected when she saw that the dishes didn't have pepper. She thought she

replied happily. She gave Jonny a wink, suggesting that he should offer Amelia

gave her

was helping with the dishes when

why didn't you tell me we were having a guest?" It was Shelly who came unannounced and carelessly tossed her bag onto the sofa. Her face contorted into loathing and

here? Have you had dinner?" Emma walked up to her daughter and asked out

more. She curtly replied, "Lucian has been staying at SJ Garden. I don't like there so I

hint of sorrow in her

to drop a small bowl. It broke into

do it. Please have a seat in the living room and make yourself comfortable." Amelia obeyed and went straight into the living room, trying to

made Amelia remember how Lucian once broke a bowl when he

Garden where she and Lucian used to live together may have caused

Enraged, Shelly followed Amelia.

you still have feelings for him?" Shelly glowered at Amelia as if the