Sweet Betrayal

Chapter 3

“I am sorry to disturb you but I really wanted to congratulate Miss Stewart.” The man said and stood beside them.

Andre finished wiping her mouth and smiled at him. “Not at all, we are done.”

“Thank you, sir,” Amber said softly and smiled at the man who looked very familiar but she couldn’t recollect meeting him before.

“Sir? Hey, I am not that old.” He looked offended and said. “Let me introduce myself, my name is Jeremy Marquis, and I am from Sicily.”

Amber was feeling a little embarrassed and wanted to apologize but when she heard him introduce himself, it caught her interest.

“Sicily! Huh…..” She exclaimed softly.

“Nice to meet you Mr. Marquis but please don’t feel offended by Amber’s words, she was just showing you her respect.” Andre shook hands with him and tried to ease the temperature.

“Yes, Mr. Marquis, Andre is right,” Amber said and smiled at him.

“So, you are from Sicily huh………it’s a beautiful city, full of magnificent monuments and beautiful beaches. Are you an architect as well?” Andre asked curiously.

Jeremy shook his head in panic and said. “No, no, I am not I am just a small businessman and I happen to be in New York for some business meeting but I came here for some purpose, so I attended the event. And yes Sicily is a beautiful country and it has the earliest archaeological evidence of human activity on the island which dates from early as 12,000 B.C. I am from a Palermo and my family has many hotels and we also owe many vineyards around the country.”

“Wow, that’s impressive.” Andre praised him.

“Thank you; you are invited to visit our country as my guest. I will be happy to serve you and take you around. And I just heard Miss Stewart mention in her speech that she wanted to go on a long vacation.” Jeremy said eagerly.

Amber who was quietly listening to their conversation smiled and said. “Mr. Marquis what a coincidence, I was born in Palermo, so you need not invite me, I was planning to go there anyway, it has been a long time I visited my home country.”

Jeremy laughed with surprise and said. “Really? No wonder you look so familiar. Have we ever met?”

“I don’t think so; I have been away from the country for many years.”

“Oh, that’s sad!” Jeremy exclaimed softly. "Don't you miss your country?"

“There’s nothing there to miss,” Amber said with displeasure but she quickly hid it and said. “But I want to go back  once and visit it again, as I have fond memories of that place.

“Oh, that’s great, would you like to go back with me? I will be leaving in a day our two” He asked expectantly.

Amber heaved a sigh of relief when she noticed that Jeremy had noticed her tone.

“Well, Mr. Marquis, I would have loved to but I need to return to London as my mother is waiting for me eagerly. I might plan the trip after I get back home. But thank you for your offer.” Andre said politely.

“Please call me Jeremy, Miss Stewart but I would have loved if you would visit my country with me.” Then he turned towards Andre and spoke to him. “ Mr. Putin, I have a business proposition for you, if you are interested?”

“Proposition huh……………….. Alright, Mr. Marquis but can we talk about it tomorrow as I need to take Amber to meet someone if you will excuse us.”

“Of course not, shall we exchange our numbers and meet tomorrow?” Jeremy asked eagerly.

“Sure.” Andre said with enthusiasm as  he was a very shrewd businessman and had a keen interest in investing with the foreign companies. 

After they exchanged their numbers Andre was about to leave when Steve rushed towards them.

“Dakota. ” He said with excitement.

And Amber held her breath.