Page 21 of Amber's Fall

“You deserve this evening, Andrew. You’ve worked so hard, and I’ll do your proud. Now, who do I need to chat up?” I said, laughing.

His laugh was stilted, and I realised my mistake. “I mean, who do I need to tell how wonderful you are?”

“I’ll point him out when we get there.”

He puffed his chest out and lifted his chin. Arrogance was his cloak of armour.

Hand in hand, we strode into the reception to be greeted with champagne and cheers. I wasn’t allowed to leave his side, not even when one of the bosses’ wives beckoned to me. I had to be paraded around.

“Oh you bought the dress, then?” I heard a woman’s voice say.

I turned to see a woman standing alone. She was stunning. “I’m sorry?”

“The dress. Andrew said you wanted a nice dress, so I recommended that one.”

“It’s lovely, thank you.” So, this was the colleague he had mentioned. “Do you shop there often?”

“My friend owns it, designs a lot of the clothes herself.”

“She’s very talented.” I saw the quick glance she gave to Andrew and the sternness in his face. She then left.

My instincts were on high alert.

“I think I need the ladies,” I said.

“Now? We’ve only just got here. Can’t you hold it for five minutes at least?”

He turned then to talk to some guys. Why he wanted me to be at his side was beyond me. He never introduced me; I had nothing to add to their conversation. It was strange.

We moved around the room and only when we got to the Senior Partners did he introduce me. He would joke that I was still in training to be a Partner’s wife and generally act condescending. I would laugh and take it. Although one of the senior partners didn’t find him funny. He held out his hand to me.

“Hi, Daniel Morgan,” he said.

Considering Andrew worked for Morgan & Morgan Wealth Management, I assumed him to be one brother that owned the company.

“I think your wife is more thanqualified, Andy.”

I’d never heard anyone shorten Andrew’s name before. I felt the grip on my arm tighten.

“I’m still learning about your business, Mr. Morgan. Andrew teaches me a lot about wealth management. I find it fascinating. And, of course, he’s so good at what he does, he makes it easy for me.”

Mr. Morgan looked at me. “Well rehearsed,” he said. “Andy.” He nodded at us both and moved away.

Andrew’s jaw was ticking.

“He seemed nice,” I said, not because I believed it, I didn’t even know the man, but to have some words fill the void that surrounded me.

Andrew didn’t answer. Instead, we were called into dinner.

I wasn’t sure to be elated or dismayed to find myself seated next to Mr. Morgan. I genuinely thought him nice, but something was bothering Andrew. I would have switched the name plates around had we got to the table before anyone else, but Mr. Morgan was already seated.

“Amber, you appear to be next to me,” he said, patting the back of the chair.

I looked at Andrew, who had fixed a false smile on his face. That was until the female colleague came and took the chair on the other side of him.

“This is a wonderful venue, Mr. Morgan. And such a lovely thing for you to do for Andrew. He works so hard to progress within your company.”

These were words I had, as he’d suggested, rehearsed, and used frequently.

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