Chapter 234: Seeing him in a new light

Sitting in the car in front of Lucus Hotel, Amber and Channing planned out their fake relationship.

''Remember, we have to act normal''

''Amber, you are the one being nervous. Tell me, apart from just this alumnus get together, is there something else? You are acting as if you are going to be meeting an ex-boyfriend there''

''Well… there might be an ex-boyfriend among them….?'' she said and gave an awkward chuckle.

''Just how many ex-boyfriends do you have?'' Channing asked staring at her.

''Aye, don't look at me like that. I was just with them because I was bored. You left to study abroad, Jade and Jayden weren't also around. Ever was busy with her culinary school, there was no one to play with''

''I asked how many ex-boyfriends do you have?'' his voice was stern.

''Five ex-boyfriends but the one we will be meeting today is my first''

''Five? Amber, this has got to stop, okay? You don't pick boyfriends just because you are lonely. If you keep doing that, people will label you as a promiscuous woman which you are not, so stop acting like one''

''Fine, don't lecture me. I promise, you are going to be my last boyfriend. Since you are back, and everyone is also around. I won't be lonely''

''You will have to listen to me from now onwards and do as I say''

''I will. Let's go'' she brushed him off and got down from the car. Channing sighed and also got down. He handed the key over to the valet and held her hand walking in with her.

''This feels weird. I never imagined that you will end up acting as my fake boyfriend'' Amber said to him.

''I guess it just turned out that way''

''Oh, the hall is that way'' Amber pointed at the conference hall with a banner of their alumni year group on it.

Holding unto Channing's hand tightly, they pushed opened the door and saw almost half of the alumni inside. Amber did a quick scan of the room and her eyes landed on the first man she ever called her boyfriend. He was busy chatting with someone and didn't see her.

''Amber, you are here?'' a lady sitting in the middle of the seats saw her and stood up. The others turned and looked at her. Amber held unto Channing's hand tightly.

''Hi everyone. It's been a while. I hope you all are doing well?'' she asked walking along with Channing to take a seat.

''Amber, who is this handsome man with you? Your new boyfriend?'' the same lady asked.

''Not new, he is the one I've been with since we left law school. Everyone meet Channing, my fiancé'' Amber introduced Channing to them.

''Hi, everyone'' Channing pulled out a chair for her to sit before joining her.

''Channing, the name is familiar'' David, Amber's first boyfriend said and finally turned to look at them, ''hi, Amber''

''Hi, David''

''You are Channing Martins, right? The CEO of Martins and Liyah Agency''

''Do I know you?'' Channing asked suddenly turning the conversation awkward. Amber almost laughed but stifled it. She stared at Channing's face. This was the Channing she knew. He always had talent in making people feel ridiculous about themselves and she was especially happy that the person who was in for it was her ex-boyfriend.

''I am David, I work for Davis Entertainment, we reached out to your PR Group earlier last month to help us with our artistes' image''

''Oh, I see. I meet a lot of people daily, can't keep count of them and the faces, my apologies''

''No offense taken''

''Amber, I didn't know you had a fiancé? From what I heard, you were dating the son of some company, was it Andrew'' the one who spoke was the campus belle, aka the one who David cheated on Amber with, funny how enemies always met on a narrow line.

Amber tried to take her hand from Channing, a sign she was losing her cool and was about to act nasty but Channing held firmly unto her hand and turned to look at her.

''Chan, that girl is purposefully digging into my business'' she whispered to Channing while the table remained silent after Vee's statement.

''Leave it to me, that's why I am here; to help'' Channing assured her before looking up to meet the gaze of Vee.

''You are Vee, right?'' Channing asked and the lady's interest peeked up. she flashed a flirtatious smile at him.

''You still remember my name, Mr. Martins? I came to your company some time ago with my boss. I am the secretary to Carol Anning, the manager of Global Telecommunications Ltd'' Vee said proudly. She had once visited Channing's office with her boss, whom she knew took a fancy to Channing. Vee didn't know how far he and Amber were in their relationship, but she was already suspicious of them because at that time, he clearly said in an interview that he was single. That was just a month ago, so how could they be a couple?

''Yes, I do. I don't forget the faces of people that easily, especially the ones who dig into my affairs'' he said and the table turned silent. Vee's smile disappeared and her face turned ugly.

''Mr. Martins, forgive my girlfriend's manners'' David said and turned to scold Vee, ''what is wrong with you today, Vee?''

''Excuse me, I will go to the washroom first'' Amber said and took her purse. Channing looked at her as she went towards the ladies' washroom.

''This was supposed to be a get together to congratulate David for his new position, let's not get on each other's throat. Vee, I know you and Amber have a long standing feud but let's drop it and concentrate on why we are here'' a man sitting next to lady who welcomed Amber said to them.

''She is the one who started it. she tried to steal David from me. Mr. Martins, you might not know about this, but, your fiancée isn't so innocent. Even back at school, she was always trying to get together with David. I am the only he loves but she did a lot of shameless things to try to get his attention. This is clearly unacceptable; don't you think so?'' Vee looked at Channing whose face didn't show much emotion as he stared at her.

''Is that what you told her? That I was the one who pestered you, first?'' Amber walked over to the table and looked at David.

''Amber, I…''

''Let's get this over with right now. Vee, I never went after your man. he was the one who came to me first. I didn't even know he had a girlfriend. Tell her the truth, David''

''Is that true, Dave? Did she really never know that we were together?'' Vee turned to ask David who was quiet.

Channing stood up and held Amber's hand saying, ''it seems the truth of the situation is out, but as for the harassment and embarrassment that my fiancée had to go through because of you two, you will soon find out how you are going to pay for it. Let's go'' he walked out of the place with Amber.

….

''I'm sorry you had to see all that because of me'' Amber said as Channing drove away silently. After not hearing anything from him, she turned to look at him. He was focused on driving. ''Chan, are you angry?''

''What do you think, Amber?'' he asked, still driving.

''You look angry. You look scary when you are angry, Chan. Can you not be angry with me? I feel ashamed that you had to witness all that''

''Amber, you… forget it'' he was so angry that he didn't know what to say to her. he felt that she could never understand him no matter what he did. Just then, Channing's phone buzzed.

''Chan, your phone''

''Pick it for me''

Amber took the phone and saw the caller ID, ''Is from someone named Carol''

''Answer it and put it on loudspeaker'' he commanded.

''Oh'' Amber placed it on loudspeaker and turned it towards him.

''Hello, Channing Martins' speaking''

''Hi, Channing, this is Carol, Manager of Global TT'' a woman's voice spoke from the other side.

''Yes, Miss Carol. How may I help you?''

''I was calling to find out if you are free for lunch. I know of a place that just opened and they have pretty good food''

''Sorry, I'm on a date with my girlfriend. I can't make it''

''Your girlfriend?''

Amber looked at him as his face remained on the road focused on his driving.

''Yes, bye!!!'' he ended the call with one hand.

''You just told her you were on a date with your girlfriend?'' Amber asked him. He pulled over and turned to face her.

''Amber, you are smart and beautiful, but you have poor taste in men. Tell me, being friends with me all these years, do you really feel nothing for me?''

Amber blushed and turned her face away. Channing didn't also say anything again and drove away quietly.