Amelia nodded her head, her broken heart also longing for maternal warmth.
"Come, here." Maria pulled Amelia into her arms and patted her back gently as Amelia cried a little more on her shoulders.
"Are you feeling a bit okay?" Maria asked, pulling away from Amelia and using her own handkerchief to wipe Amelia's reddened eyes.
"Yes." Amelia sniffled. "Thank you so much, Maria. You are a good woman and I bet an amazing mother."
Maria was moved by that statement and was eager to know more about this pretty young lady.
"I don't know if you're very busy but can I invite you to join me for a light breakfast? I just have to see the doctor briefly, take a few injections and restock my medication.
"I don't know. I wouldn't want to inconvenience you." Amelia said politely.
"Not at all." Maria waved her hand dismissively. "It would be an honour for you to join this old boring lady for breakfast."
"I disagree on that old part," Amelia said, chuckling lightly. "You look so young and beautiful. I'm even guessing you are twenty-six years old."
"Twenty-six years old?" Maria laughed out loud. "If you must know I have a son who is twenty-seven years old?"
"Really!"
"Yes."
"Wow! You have a great body shape! I hope to look like you when I become a mother in future."
"Sure. You will look even better than me. So, is it a yes? Will you be joining me for breakfast, Miss...?"
"Amelia."
"Amelia. Such a beautiful name for a beautiful girl." Maria's compliments made Amelia blush. Her eyes darted to Amelia's finger and the sight of the pink diamond ring made her feel disappointed.
"That is one beautiful diamond ring. I feel so jealous of the lucky man who has been able to win himself a gorgeous lady like you."
Amelia lowered her gaze, her cheeks flushed at Maria's compliments. "Thank you."
"There, you're are smiling." Maria pointed out. "That means it's a yes."
Amelia sighs in resignation. "Okay."
"Thank you." Maria clasped her hands joyfully, before hugging her again. "I'll leave you to clean up your face and powder it a little while I go for my injection. Please wait for me at the reception. I won't be long."
"Okay, Maria. I'll wait for you."
"Thank you. See you in a jiffy." Maria hurried out of the convenience, leaving a caustic smile on Amelia's face.
Amelia tilted her head back to the mirror, a warm smile tugging on her lips as she brought out her handy makeup kit and retouched her face.
When she rejoined, Pascal and Clay in the reception waiting room, they were both perplexed to see her sitting down.
"Ma'am, are we waiting for someone?" Pascal asked.
"Yes?" Amelia said curtly bringing out her phone. "I'm waiting for a friend."
"Oh...okay." Pascal returned back to his seat wondering who this friend was.
Twenty minutes later, a slightly mature woman walked into the reception waiting room, a hypnotic smile on her face.
"What is the boss's mother doing here?" Pascal watched in dismay as she strolled over to the boss's wife.
"Amelia," Maria called softly, pulling Amelia's attention away from her phone screen.
"Oh... Maria, you're done."
"Yes. Thanks for waiting."
"You're welcome." Amelia stood up, picking up your handbag.
"My car is parked outside. Would you care to join me?" Maria offered.
"How about I tag along behind your car?" Amelia suggested, knowing Blaze would be mad at her if she entered a total stranger's car.
"Fine by me. Let's go." Maria gestured towards the door.
"Shit!" Pascal cursed under his breath as he discreetly took a picture of them and forwarded it to Blaze.
While Maria and Amelia were leaving the hospital together chatting and smiling at each other, someone employed by Tina to monitor Mrs Anderson captured her and Amelia from afar.
Thirty minutes later, Maria and Amelia were seated in a secluded section of a fancy restaurant in the heart of town. They were both eating and laughing heartily at Maria's funny joke. They spoke about life in general, some old practices compared to new ones and trending topics in fashion and cosmetics.
"So you own a cosmetic company."
"Yes, LiLa Savvy," Amelia said proudly. "Is a unique cosmetic brand like no order that focuses on how to bring out the inner glow in women."
"Wow!" Maria was impressed. "I think I'll come to check out your products one of those days."
"I would love that."
Maria's phone started ringing interrupting their conversation.
"Excuse me while I take this call," Maria said, picking up her phone.
"Sure."
Maria received the call and said,
"Hello Henry, sorry I didn't wait for you,"
"It's okay, mom. Sorry, I couldn't accompany you to the hospital. Can I come to the house now?"
"There's no one at home, dear. I am currently at a restaurant and I plan to go shopping after I'm done eating." Maria said, dusting off an invisible spec from the table napkins.
"How about I meet you up at the restaurant and accompany you for your shopping? You know I promised Blaze that I will keep you company for these two days while he is away."
"You boys seem to think this old lady can't take care of herself. But it's fine. Suit yourself. I'm at the Merry Bloom restaurant. See you."
Maria ended the call, returning her attention to Amelia. "I'm so sorry about that."
"It's okay." Amelia smiled. "And thanks again for bringing me out here. Their food is really delicious."
"I'm glad you like it." Maria put her phone aside and resumed eating.
"So tell me Amelia, what's your story and who is that lucky young man that placed a ring on your finger," Maria asked, wishing Amelia was single so that she could recommend her for her son.
"Lucky!" Amelia scoffed, feeling free with her newfound friend. "I wouldn't call him lucky. It's just..." She paused. "...a means to an end."
"Oh my god! You're not in love with him?" Maria asked, eyes widened in excitement.
"Love is so overrated, Maria. When you think you found someone that you are willing to share your life with, you end up getting heartbroken because the jerk prefers your stepsister over you." Amelia said stabbing the nicely chopped vegetables on her plate with her fork.