Page 19 of Amber's Fall

I wanted to convince everyone that I was doing the right thing, that he had changed. He was becoming the Andrew that I first met, the charming old-fashioned gentleman in a young man’s body.

I brushed off all concerns.

Maybe Andrew had been right when he’d said that there were a lot of people jealous of our relationship. We had it all, a beautiful apartment overlooking the Thames. We both worked, even though Andrew had said that I didn’t need to if I wanted to take time out. He earned more than enough for both of us. The only downside to that was the hours he worked.

He was tired during the week; it was late nights and early starts. But he kept telling me it was all for our future. We’d be able to buy our own house soon. He wanted a nice car and holidays. I wanted all that as well. I worked, and I cared for him as well. I made sure the flat was neat and tidy, that his shirts were ironed, and his suits dry cleaned. He had a hot meal prepared every evening, and a bath ran when he wanted it.

We even got married. It was a surprise to me, of course. Andrew had booked the registry office and I only knew when I had to sign the paperwork with him. But I went along with it. He had changed. I was sure. It was all going to be fine. With two witnesses off the street, I became Amber Stowley.

For a while, nearly a year, it was bliss.

CHAPTERTEN

Andrew was movingup the ladder fast. He was about to be promoted to Associate, the youngest in his firm to achieve the title. It would mean a lavish dinner in celebration.

“I need a new dress,” I said, looking through my wardrobe.

Andrew sidled up behind me. “Now you’ve lost that bit of weight, you certainly do. You deserve a new dress for all you’ve done for me lately,” he said.

Although he had changed, he hadn’t lost the snide comments. He had a knack of building me up and knocking me down in the same sentence. I had learned to let it go over my head, but it had eroded my confidence.

I didn’t like to shop on my own. I preferred that Andrew chose my clothes. I couldn’t get it wrong that way. Many a time I’d have to return a dress because he’d convince me it wasn’t right. I trusted his judgement. I was often complimented on how I looked, so he must have been right.

I didn’t have to shop for that dress after all. Andrew returned home one evening with a lavish paper bag tied with red ribbon.

“I bought you something,” he said, presenting it to me.

“Wow, a gift?”

“Sort of. Open it.”

I pulled the ribbon, and the bag came open. Inside was tissue paper, which I removed. Nestled further down was a dress. I pulled it out. It was a stunning peach coloured silk dress. It had thin spaghetti straps and a cowl neck. It was backless though and I worried how I’d pull it off.

“Try it on,” he said, pushing me gently towards the bedroom.

I laughed. It was probably the most extravagant dress he’d bought me. I had no idea of the label; I didn’t do designer, even though Andrew always wanted me to wear expensive things around his colleagues.

I slipped out of my work clothes and pulled the dress over my head. It slid down my body, one that was thin with exposed ribs and hips. Andrew like to see my bones, he’d say. I mostly starved myself to keep that androgenous shape.

The dress was stunning. Whether I could carry it off was something else though. I grabbed a pair of nude-coloured shoes and placed them on my feet.

“Are you ready?” I called out.

“Yep, bring that body of yours out here, Amber,” he said.

I strutted into the living room as if I was walking a runway.

He whistled slowly. “I think I might be in trouble at that dinner. No one is going to keep their eyes off you.”

I stilled; my breath caught in my throat. “It’s a joke,” he said, as if hoping to quell the fear that rolled in my stomach.

“You look divine. Do you like it? I think it’s perfect for you.”

“I love it. Where did you get it?” I asked, twirling in front of him.

“There’s a woman in my office. She always dresses so stylishly; I asked her to show me where she bought her clothes.”

It was the first time he’d mentioned any female colleagues before, and I wasn’t sure I liked it. “So, another woman recommended this dress?”

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