Chapter 4--- His Return
Mr. and Mrs. Janaya had just finished arguing over how someone who spend a whopping two million dollars on some design of a girl she barely knew when a maid entered.
"Sir, Madam… there's a gentleman outside. He says he's here to see Miss Amelia."
Both parents exchanged confused glances. They rarely received visitors asking for Amelia.
"Who?" Mr. Janaya asked sharply.
The maid hesitated. "He… he said his name is Ryan."
Just then the young man walked in, his presence carried a quiet authority, and though the guards hesitated to stop him, the way he carried himself made them step aside.
He bowed politely first. "Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Janaya. Forgive the intrusion" the man said, his voice deep but calm.
Mrs. Janaya frowned slightly. "And you are…?"
The man smiled faintly, his expression unreadable. "Ryan. I came to see my wife."
Both parents froze. Mr. Janaya leaned forward in his chair, narrowing his eyes. "Your wife? Young man, I think you are mistaken. No one in this house is married to you."
Ryan's eyes softened, but his tone remained steady. "I believe there's been a misunderstanding. Amelia is my wife, I've come back for her, just like I promised."
Mrs. Janaya exchanged a look with her husband. "Amelia? Impossible, you must be confusing her with someone else. She's never said anything about marriage."
Ryan gave a small smile, almost amused. "She wouldn't, she promised to wait until I returned. Perhaps she hasn't told you yet."
The tension in the room rose, Mr. Janaya's voice was sharp this time. "This is outrageous, If you don't mind, I'll have to ask you to leave."
But Ryan didn't flinch, Instead, he leaned back slightly, his hands calmly in his pockets. "I'm not here to cause trouble, I only want to see my wife. If you don't believe me, why don't you call her? Let her clear this up herself."
Mrs. Janaya hesitated, whispering to her husband, "What if… what if this has something to do with that ring we saw with her?"
Mr. Janaya waved his hand irritably but then turned to the maid. "Go upstairs. Tell Amelia to come down at once."
The maid hurried away. The room became quiet but Ryan still stood with quiet confidence, his eyes fixed on the staircase.
Moments later, footsteps could be heard as Amelia descended, her pale pink gown flowing behind her. She paused midway when she noticed the stranger waiting below, for a moment, she couldn't look away there was something magnetic about him, his height, the calm confidence in his posture and the way his dark eyes, There was something familiar about him, but nothing clear enough to grasp. She descended slowl, Ryan's eyes softened for the briefest second when he saw her
"Amelia," his voice dropped lower, almost intimately. "Finally."
Who is this man? She thought within herself.
"Amelia," Mrs. Janaya called softly, urging her forward as if reading her mind. "This man says he's your husband."
Amelia's eyes widened, clearly surprised. "What?"
Ryan's smile deepened as he stepped closer. "Baby, it's me, Ryan. I told you I'd be back after my trip. Did you miss me?"
"Excuse me? I think you're mistaken, I don't know you."
Ryan frowned for the first time, shaking his head slightly. "You don't remember me?" his voice was more quiet now "Amelia… you couldn't have forgotten."
"I....I don't understand," Amelia stammered, glancing at her parents. "Is this some kind of joke? Because it's not funny."
Mr. Janaya had had enough "You see? She doesn't know you. Stop this nonsense and leave at once."
But Ryan wasn't moved, he looked directly at Amelia he didn't understand why she was denying him. His eyes fell on her finger. "Where's the ring? The one I gave you, you were wearing it, weren't you? Tell me you still have it."
Amelia froze, she felt her knees weaken as her parents stared at her.
Mrs. Janaya turned sharply toward her daughter. "So this is what that ring meant? Amelia, what is going on?"
Amelia shook her head in disapproval. "No… no, I don't know what he's talking about. I never married him, I don't even know him."
Ryan's gaze never left Amelia's, searching her face desperately for recognition. His tone, however, remained steady. "She remembers, she must. Something's wrong if she doesn't."
Amelia shook her head again "I'm sorry, but… you're mistaken."
But the way his eyes lingered on her, the quiet certainty in his voice, and the weight of the ring on her finger made her feel far from certain.
Mrs. Janaya finally found her voice. "Young man, whatever delusion you're under, Amelia is not your wife. If this is some stunt...." Ryan didn't let her finish
"It's not a stunt," Ryan snapped, his composure slipping for a second before regaining control. His gaze returned to Amelia. "You can deny it all you want, but whether you remember or not… you are my wife."
"Young man, please I'd have to ask you to leave for the last time before I call security" Mr. Janaya said firmly.
Ryan took one last stare at Amelia before walking out.