Too Much to Bear, My Love - Season 1 Episode 71

Carter’s face darkened at what he had just heard. “Listen, Jennifer. Firstly, what we have is nothing more than an employer-employee relationship. Secondly, there’s nothing romantic between us. Please don’t say things that might let others have the wrong idea.”

As he said that, Carter stole a glance at Amelia, worried that she might have misunderstood the situation.

“You’re distancing yourself from me for a woman like her?” Jennifer spat as she shot Amelia a dirty look.

Amelia continued to look straight ahead, not wanting to respond. Even when I’m silent, I still manage to stir up drama. So much for saying silence is golden.

“If you’re going to be like this for the rest of the ride, then please get out of my car right now,” Carter replied coldly.

Jennifer said nothing more, but the fury in her eyes was evident.

Amelia cleared her throat in a bid to defuse the tension. “I think it’d be better if I sat this one out, Mr. Scott. Why don’t you attend the lunch appointment with Ms. Larson? I can just go somewhere else for lunch.”

“No, we’re almost there. And besides, I’ve already gotten the hotel staff to prepare a nutritious pregnancy meal for you. It’d be good for the baby,” Carter replied, his voice tender.

“You didn’t have to go to so much trouble, Mr. Scott. I’m not suffering much from morning sickness, and I’m not picky with food. I’m fine with eating anything.”

Jennifer interjected, her voice dripping with sarcasm, “Hey Carter, looks like someone doesn’t appreciate your kindness. Why do you keep throwing yourself at a married woman anyway? Do you really want to be seen as a homewrecker and tear up the happy couple?”

Carter tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He was furious, but he decided against arguing back since they were almost at their destination.

The private dining room that had been reserved was already occupied by five other people by the time they arrived. The two women were both about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. Judging by their good looks and acute fashion sense, it was very likely that they were in charge of their company’s public relations. As for the three men, one of them looked to be in his thirties, while the other two were in their forties.

As the trio walked in, the five of them immediately stood up to greet them. The older-looking middle-aged man spoke up, “Finally, Mr. Scott! It’s good to see you.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting. We were stuck in traffic.”

“Don’t worry about it, we only just got here too.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Carter, Amelia, and Jennifer took their seats.

The man who had just greeted them briefly introduced his team before focusing his attention on Jennifer and Amelia. He was taken aback by their sheer beauty.

best-looking ones in his company. And yet, they paled in

and rubies, respectively. When viewed on their own, everyone would be enamored by them. But if you placed them

you going to introduce the two lovely ladies, Mr.

design. And Amelia Winters is

a bevy of beauties working for him. Here I was, thinking about how pretty our Ms. Taylor and Ms. Lane are.

and Ms. Lane are both incredibly beautiful. There’s no need for such comparison

tell me you are

flatter me,

guests must be hungry.

the waiter and ordered his share of food. Carter ordered three other dishes before asking the waiter, “Is the pregnancy meal

Scott. Should I serve it now, or

not a decision for him to make, so Carter turned to Amelia. “Are

serve it together with the other food. Eating with everyone

“Later it is then.”

the waiter nodded and left the

his surprise. “Ms. Winters, you’re

five months

of good karma to be blessed with someone as beautiful as you,” Mr. Reed exclaimed. “Hold on, is Mr. Scott your husband? Is that why he’s so

been good friends since college. And now I’m glad to call Amelia my friend too.” After a slight pause, she quipped, “Word of advice, Mr. Reed? Her husband

sincerest apologies. I do say the darndest things at times.

wider now. “Thank you for your compliment, Mr. Reed. We will most definitely invite you to our wedding. When we

Reed beamed. “I’ll be looking forward to that wedding invite. And you

glass in agreement.

all, he had both their families to think of, and it wouldn’t be right to humiliate her in front of so

the conversation going. It was a table full of the hotel’s most delectable dishes, everything from the quality of the ingredients

Amelia. Let me know if it’s to your liking,” Carter said, his voice filled with

reply, Jennifer interrupted, “Mr. Clinton has repeatedly reminded us to take good care of you, Amelia, especially now that you’re pregnant. That’s why Carter took the trouble of getting you this meal. His company is no

go too far, Jennifer,” Carter warned in a low whisper. “If you do, don’t blame me for getting

you feel bad for

rage as he retorted, “Don’t you dare test my patience, Jennifer.

Jennifer only replied with a cold, haughty chuckle.

On the other side of the table, the blissfully unaware Mr. Reed continued his conversation with Amelia. “Ms. Winters, the Clinton Corporations that Ms. Larson mentioned, that’s the one managed by Oscar Clinton, isn’t it? No wonder I found you familiar! Your wedding may have been four or five years ago, but it was still an event of the century. You have no idea how many women wished they were you,” Mr. Reed chuckled. “I can’t believe I got to meet you. Please send my regards to Mr. Clinton.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Reed. I’m just an employee in the company, and I never interfere with my husband’s affairs,” Amelia replied politely with a smile.

“Not at all, Ms. Winters. Or should I say, Mrs. Clinton? You’re too modest. Everyone knows Mr. Clinton dotes on his wife, so much so that he gives you everything you want. We’ve been wondering all these years who the woman who had caught Mr. Clinton’s eye was, and now I have the good fortune to finally meet you in person.”

Amelia twitched upon hearing “Mrs. Clinton”. She had grown tired of being called that.

“Please call me Amelia, Mr. Reed. Calling me Mrs. Clinton sounds way too formal,” Amelia said, raising her glass towards him. “I’m representing my company today to discuss our contract, and what’s a business meeting without wine, right? So, I’d like to toast you, Mr. Reed. Cheers!”

Mr. Reed was so flattered by her gesture that he immediately stood up with his glass of wine. “Mrs. Clin… no, Amelia. I love your frankness, and I accept your toast. Cheers!”

Amelia was about to drink her wine when Carter stopped her and took her glass. “Mr. Reed, we wouldn’t want to let a pregnant lady drink, would we? Allow me to have this toast on her behalf. Cheers!”

There was a slight hesitation on Mr. Reed’s part, but he drained his glass of wine anyway.

He then silently observed the trio sat in front of him. Carter was taking the utmost care of Amelia in every way he could, while Jennifer was obviously fuming away. It wasn’t difficult to see that this was a very complicated relationship. This story of how a woman loved a man who loved another married woman would make for such a good drama.

Alcohol had a funny way of making people bolder and friendlier. As if to prove that point, Mr. Reed asked, “How long have you known Amelia, Mr. Scott?”

“We met when she was in university. Which would make it almost eight or nine years,” Carter answered.

“Wow, that’s a long time. I admire you, Mr. Scott. You seem to have it all. You’re from a prominent family, and you’ve got both the looks and the brains. You’re also blessed with a good friend and such an amazing girlfriend. You’ve really won in life, haven’t you?”

Carter replied with a chuckle, “Getting to know Amelia was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m almost thirty and have many friends, but no one is as close to me as Amelia is. If she wasn’t already married, I’d want to marry her myself.”

As soon as he said that, everyone at the table fell into silence. Jennifer especially was seething and white with rage. Her hand that was under the table was clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palm.

With her other hand, she tried to scoop some food onto Carter’s plate. However, she was shaking so much from anger that it took her a few tries before she managed to do it. “We know you’re good friends with Amelia, but you can’t go round saying things like that, Carter,” Jennifer said, trying to mask the animosity in her voice. “What if Mr. Clinton got wind of this? It may not affect you as much, but others may get the wrong idea about Amelia.”

Carter pinned her with a steely gaze.

Mr. Reed felt the tension rising and stepped in like a hero to save the day. “Hear, hear. I would like to give a toast to Mr. Scott, Ms. Larson, and Amelia. Let’s drink and eat our fill so that we can go on to discuss the contract.”

As the three of them rose to accept the toast, so did Mr. Reed’s team. Everyone clinked their glasses of wine, except for Amelia, who had soda in hers.