Too Much to Bear My Love

Oscar suddenly stood up. Apprehensively, Amelia asked, “Mr. Clinton, are you leaving?”

Oscar walked over. He leaned over Amelia, almost pinning her onto the bed. The tips of their noses brushed against each other.

Enthralled, Amelia had no way of reining in her wildly beating heart. Her eyes darted from side to side, desperately avoiding Oscar’s intent gaze.

“What do you feel like eating? I’ll go and get it,” he said.

That was the last thing Amelia had expected to hear from Oscar at that moment.

“Now that you’re having a baby, you should eat a little more than usual. Tell me what you’re craving; I’ll buy it for you.” Oscar’s cool tone belied his apparent discomfort.

Amelia couldn’t believe her ears. This was Oscar’s first time showing concern for her baby.

“Mr. Clinton, are you actually concerned about me?” Amelia asked in disbelief.

“Enough of that. Tell me, quickly, what you want to eat,” Oscar insisted.

Amelia found the situation hilarious. Oscar seemed a lot more human now in comparison to the guarded, defensive man he usually was.

“Since you’ve offered, I can’t possibly say no. All right then. On account of Mr. Clinton’s generosity, I’d like to order a pasta arrabbiata, stewed beef, and mango sorbet to top it all off… I’m spoilt for choice! How can I decide?” Amelia asked in exaggerated despair.

Seeing that Oscar had let her off the hook for the matter with the photographs, the sudden feeling of liberation dared Amelia to joke with Oscar, something she seldom did.

Oscar only glared at her. “Amelia, don’t go overboard.”

“Don’t be so petty, Mr. Clinton. Can’t you even bear to buy these for me?” Amelia wheedled, pouting.

Oscar realized that he rather liked seeing this feminine side of Amelia.

“Wait and see; I’ll buy it all for you. Anything else?” he queried.

“I want you. Can I have that?” Amelia asked playfully.

Oscar’s face once again assumed a sober look. “You’re only allowed to say such things to me in the future. I forbid you from flirting with any other man like that.”

Flirting?

Amelia thought she had merely been casually teasing Oscar. She was rather distressed that it had been seen as flirtatious. It seemed that everyone perceived things rather differently indeed.

“Since you object, Mr. Clinton, I won’t say things like that anymore,” Amelia said, sulking.

teeth

her eyes wide, beseeching Oscar in

on. I’ll go and buy it for you now,” Oscar replied

Amelia’s cry stopped Oscar in his

he asked, “What is

me to the hospital. Can

a moment, then handed his phone to Amelia. “The

She refused to believe that that was his

games inside. You can take a look if you’re bored. I’ll be off, then.” He turned quickly on his heels and left the

didn’t care for me, then why did you use my birthdate as your password? Don’t you know what kind of hope that raises in

On the other, Amelia was afraid that they eventually would, and Oscar would

I’ve really fallen for you. If I could, I would want to depend on you for the rest of my life. I want

at Oscar’s phone, then opened his photo album. As she scrolled through it, she realized to her surprise that it contained many photos of her, most of them taken when she was sleeping. In a few, a single blanket covered her bare body; in others, she had fallen asleep fully clothed. The photos of Amelia numbered

some from behind her as she walked ahead. Amelia could barely even recall when

that Oscar liked her solely for her body. If he had absolutely no other feelings for her, however, then what

no affection whatsoever for her would not possess so many photos of her. It was like a carefully curated gallery

a few snapshots of scenery scattered here and

you have are of me. Doesn’t that mean that you don’t hate me too much? Why can’t we spend the rest of our lives together,

jolted

across the screen. Upon seeing it,

baby’s very healthy.” A note of betrayal crept into her voice. “You promised that you’d come with me, but you’re always so occupied with work! I said that I’d be a model wife so I won’t blame you this time. Oz, the baby and I both miss you so much! Will you be

her lip with such fury that it almost drew blood. With what strength she could muster, Amelia said evenly, “Sorry, Ms. Yard, it’s Amelia. Oz, as you call him, has gone out to buy food for me. I’m afraid he just missed

for a moment. Then she retorted, “Why are you answering

food for

even documented in a few photographs, how can you be so shameless as to stay with Oz?”

she asked, “How did you

I got to know about it? Of course, Oz was the one who told me. Oz said you are, by far, the most filthy and disgusting woman he’s met. It’s not for me to judge a gold-digger, but going for two men at the same time?

Yard, I don’t think it’s your place to comment on the kind of woman I am. Even if I’m cheating on Oscar, it’s

wife soon.

I’m still Oscar’s wife now. You’re the mistress he’s ashamed of. When word gets out, I don’t think the Yards will be too proud

too pleased with yourself either, Amelia. Do you know what Oscar told me this morning? He said that you were filthy and made him sick, and he hasn’t divorced you only because you’re pregnant. He didn’t think you’d be bold enough to have an affair in your condition.

you have nothing else to say to

for a reply, Amelia immediately

food, Amelia was facing away from the door with the

face. Taken aback, Oscar hurriedly set down his bags and pulled

intimacy. She then asked, “Mr. Clinton,