Just as he placed his phone on the desk, his office door burst open revealing a dishevelled Amy and Ashton closely behind panting. Daniel gets startled seeing her state, puffy red eyes and nose, her hairs were a mess but still she was trying to keep herself composed. Daniel dismissed Ashton and went to hug her, engulfing her in his warmth, she remained still for a moment before hugging him back slightly. No tears came out of her swollen eyes she just looked ahead with a straight face.
"Tesoro I promise I will find him soon you don't need to worry he is just acting irrational," Daniel cooed rubbing her back. He could tell how much hurt she would be at the moment because he had been through the same. He knows how it feels to be in one-sided love. He never wanted Amy to suffer through this because its intensity can break your heart in a moment. Amy jerked away from his embrace with a stern face.
"I don't want him now!" She retorted sternly making him look at her worried.
"Tesoro.."
"You remember that you promised me every time that you will always be here for me and will do anything for me if it costs a fortune," Amy muttered voice still hoarse but grim. Daniel locked his eyes with her trying to make out where this was leading to before nodding slowly.
"Yes I remember" he replied
"Marry me " Amy blurts out in an instant in a monotone. All the colour drain from Daniel's face as he looks at her gobsmacked. His mind flashing with thousand thoughts, heart started to beat at an abnormal rate.
'No, this couldn't be true' he thought. Scanning her face trying to find a trace that she must be feeling unwell or her mind isn't in the right state because of shock or something but there was none. All he could see was a girl staring straight into his eyes without any emotion like a robot. The only difference was that she was breathing. Daniel looked away for a moment exhaling before placing his hands on her shoulders gently.
"Tesoro let me drive you home, you are not feeling well," he says softly but Amy yanks his hands away from her shoulder before crossing her arms. Her face set into a grim line.
"So you are saying I am not in my mind," she sneers. Daniel adversely shakes his head.
"No, what I am trying to say is that this is not the right thing to do," Daniel reasons stepping closer to her.
"You promised to help me in every situation then why don't you understand that I need your help right now." She asserts the anger still evident in her voice. Daniel stares at her confused.
"I know I promised but..."
"Daniel the person I was supposed to marry ran away, my mother woke up from a coma a few days ago and I don't want her to have a second stroke because of all the disrespect that will be thrown our way when people will learn that the groom dumped me at the alter." She practically yelled at this point letting all her pent up hurt and frustration out, her chest heaved from the shouting, tears begging for release. Daniels heart break seeing her in this state.
"We will find him, tesoro," He said more like assured himself at this point.
"I don't need him now Daniel, he made it very clear that what he wants," she uttered despite her sore throat, sudden desperation taking over her voice. Daniel just stood there dumbfounded. Was it not what he wanted since realising he loved Amy, to marry her. But not in these circumstances, heck he buried that thought in his heart when she announced to marry Silas. Not getting any reaction from him. Amy continued
"Daniel we will just get married for namesake only, we will not be obligated to one another. "
He didn't want to admit but it hit him that she wanted him as a substitute, an unwanted groom. But what else did he expect, he looked away towards the window trying to ease the burning in his chest.
"Marriage is a matter of life for me, not some deal. All I know is you never looked at me that way so it's completely insane. " He said stating the truth feeling a slight twinge in his chest. But everything seems to fly past Amy as she had only one thing in mind.
"I think I made a wrong decision coming to you for help but it's okay I will not force you to save my reputation." She spat before turning around and making her way out, at that moment Daniels mind begin to explode with innumerable things.
'Will this end our friendship too' he thought in worry.
'No, I can't lose her like that.
"Wait!" He hastily responded grabbing her arm and spinning her around, their faces close to each other showing different emotions. Her showing frustration with a tint of desperation while his face showed concern and turmoil. The glimmer in her eyes was lost. He so badly wanted that glimmer and laugh back that would light up his lonely world. Everyone around them know that Daniel would succumb to her every wish but this time it was a rash decision and he never made such ones. At that moment all he could feel was underlying desperation in her voice. The love Vahide mom showered on him not caring that he was an orphan. All the pons and cons vanished before him, all he could see was a broken and hurt Amy, his tesoro who needed him more than ever before.
"I will marry you if that's what you want." He spoke with a resigned tone looking directly into her tired hazel orbs. Amy's heart nagged her for not stating the sole reason of this marriage to the
person she never lied to. It was guilt that was entering her mind seeing his best friend's face, but she blocked it away quickly.
"Thanks, D-daniel." She said lowly, averting her eyes. Daniel rested his hand on her face, gently rubbing it with his thumb.
"Anything for you tesoro," he smiled though his mind was still in turmoil. But all Amy could do was sigh, she wanted to cry so badly. Slowly she backed away from his touch feeling strange.
"I should go home, Mom must be worried,"
"Sure, let me drive you," Daniel said quickly grabbing his keys.
"No, I will be okay." She responded firmly rubbing her arms. He wanted to argue but decided to let go for the moment. Stepping closer Daniel hugged her tightly breathing in her sweet smell but this time she didn't hug back.
"Take care tesoro and let me know if you need anything." He mumbled.
She sadly smiles" You already gave me what I needed." Turning away she opens the door stepping outside his office.
Sliding in her car she dialled the first number on her phone.
"I am getting married in three days, do what's necessary for the case." She says quickly and before getting a reply she switches off her phone. At this moment, she knew one thing that she would never be the same Amy Moretti she once was.