I wasn't going to update so soon (I'm trying to update every three days) but aghhh I can't wait to get to the end of this book because something CRAZY happens! So enjoy this chapter! Tell me if you want me to slow down with updates because I don't want to overwhelm y'all.
"Wait, what?!
Amelie nervously put down her phone and smiled. "I just got a call from Senator Orwell personally. She said she knew my grandfather and was very impressed with my work. So she offered me a job. Not just an internship but an actual job."
Spencer slowly made his way to her before gleefully wrapping his arms around her. "Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!"
"Really?"
He kissed her before twisting her around. "Of course!"
"Oh thank God! I was nervous because obviously I have to move to Washington and I didn't know how you would react..."
Oh. Spencer had failed to fully comprehend the implications. Amelie moving to Washington. Washington DC. A four hour drive, a one hour flight. It wasn't that far but the thought of not being physically close to Amelie made him uneasy.
His smile faltered and he paused to gather his thoughts.
"Spencer?"
"Uh... yeah. Yeah sorry I just remembered something. Anyway, how about some champagne?!"
Amelie smiled as he quickly ran into the kitchen, returning with a bottle of 'Ace of Spades' champagne and two glass flutes. Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Nevertheless, she took a giddy swig from the bottle as soon as it reached her hands.
"So, uh, when does it start?" Spencer asked, trying to be as casual as he could.
"Oh, I....I don't know yet." Amelie averted her gaze to the floor, focusing on the bland tiling of Spencer's apartment.
"That's a pretty big detail, Amelie," He laughed.
Amelie sighed and gestured for Spencer to sit down.
"I'm thinking of turning it down..."
Spencer bugged his eyes. "What?! Why?! It's such a good opportunity for you!"
"I told Senator Orwell that I'd let her know my decision tomorrow."
"But... I don't understand. You were so excited for this job."
Amelie reached out to hold his hand. She leaned closer to him and planted a long and slow kiss on his lips. "It was either that or ask you to move to Washington with me. But your job is here. Washington's film crowd isn't like New York's."
"Me? Wait, you're staying because of me?"
Amelie stroked his cheek and gazed into his very confused eyes. "I can't bring myself to leave you."
"But... no. No. You have to take the job. Don't blow it off for me. We can video call and I'll fly down every weekend."
A few minutes ago Spencer never would have thought he would be the one trying to convince Amelie to take the job.
"I'm happy here. I'm happy with you. I love you Kingsley." Amelie smiled at him and squeezed his sweaty hands.
"I...can't let you do that for me, Amelie."
Amelie's face fell as she slowly slipped her hand out of Spencer's. A flash of sad realisation crossed her face. "Kingsley, do you love me?"
Oh. Spencer's throat went dry.
"Those three words mean nothing, Amelie. Anyway, that's not what we were talking ab-"
"Are you kidding me?"
Amelie scoffed and stood up, angrily pacing up and down the room. "When I said it the other day and you didn't reply I thought maybe you just didn't hear me. But... god, I can't believe it. You don't love me?"
"No! I never said that. It's just... I like to take things slow-"
"We're fucking living together! And you were the one who asked me to move in with you so that is complete bullshit!"
Spencer paused to take a deep breath in and out and collect his thoughts. He really cared about Amelie. She meant a lot to him. So why couldn't he just say those eight stupid letters.
He could lie to her. Force the three words out like battery acid. She would stay with him and forget all about Washington. Wasn't that what he truly wanted?
"Those eight letters mean nothing."
"You and I both know that's not true. So spit it out, Kingsley. Do you love me?"
"I care about you so much." He tried to hold her hand but she whipped it away. "You make me better. I love being with you-"
"That's not the same-"
"I think you're amazing. And I'm begging you to let that be enough for the time-being. Because, right now, I can't tell you what you want to hear. Trust me I want to. But I can't. Not today."
Amelie clenched her eyes shut tightly as a stray tear rolled down her cheek. Spencer stood up to wipe it away for her but she pushed him away.
"Tell me... Tell me I should stay here. Tell me our relationship is worth sacrificing this amazing job in Washington. I wanted to stay because I thought you loved me!" Her voice cracked as more and more tears began to fall from her eyes.
Spencer had never seen such sadness in her eyes.
"Give me a reason to stay! Tell me I shouldn't move away. Tell me...tell me you see a future with us."
Spencer shut his eyes tightly, not knowing what to say. Oh God. How did everything go so wrong in the span of a few minutes?
As Amelie's sullen eyes fixated on Spencer, he knew what he had to do. It was the right thing to do. He had to be honest. He had to tell her the truth. He had gone behind her back so many times, lied to her face and betrayed her.
Selfish. Spencer was the most selfish man in Manhattan. He wanted Amelie to stay with him to distract him from the heartbreak of unrequited love. A simple life with Amelie appealed to him because he knew she loved him. But it was wrong to string her along like that. She was going to hate him but it was the only way.
"I...I can't."
"Oh, God," Amelie cried, burying her face in her hands. "It's because of her isn't it! It's always been her, hasn't it?!"
"Yes," Spencer choked.
"You asshole! I wasted all this time with you! I forgave you for so much because I loved you! Damn it, I fell in love with you and you didn't have the decency to tell me you didn't see a future with me sooner?!"
Spencer felt his eyes watering. He never felt so shit in his life. What had he done?
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Amelie. I really thought if I waited maybe the love would come later. I'm so sorry."
Amelie tried to catch her breath as she continued to sob into the back of her sleeve. He wanted to hug her more than anything but that would probably do even more damage. So he watched her from a distance, slowly suffocating in regret and remorse.
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By the end of the week, Amelie had moved out. Spencer stayed with his mom to avoid seeing her again because he didn't want to cause her anymore pain. However, when he returned home, he found Amelie taking the last of her boxes with a stoic look on her face. She remained silent until she reached the door.
"I remember that scandal in high school when Oliver Scott cheated on Nora Lawrence with Madeline Lockhart. I don't know what's so irresistible about her. What I do know is that birds of a feather flock together. So I hope she makes you happy because you two cheating assholes deserve each other."
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I lowkey love this chapter lmao.