Loving With A Heavy Heart 177 A New Role To Play

'Indeed, this project really will be the best way to secure him.' Amelia thought to herself proudly.

She looked up to steal a glance of his face and discovered that Adam's attention had strayed elsewhere. His focus was no longer on her or their conversation. Amelia followed his gaze to where she saw Elle standing by the entranceway across the room. A shocked expression replaced the smile on Amelia's face as she felt a bitterness rise up inside of her.

'He invited her here?' She wondered to herself. 'But their relationship is still private. Surely he wouldn't have brought her here.' But there was no mistaking the fact that Elle was standing across the room from them and that Adam was happy to see her.

"Is that Elle?" Amelia asked, faking enthused surprise. "I didn't think she'd be coming tonight."

But Adam gave no response. He simply began crossing the room to go join Elle where she stood. Amelia gritted her teeth and then followed a few steps behind.

Meanwhile, Elle glanced around the room full of unfamiliar faces. Her fingers twitched nervously as she tried to gather her courage. Suddenly, in the crowd of strangers, she spotted the one man she'd been waiting three days to meet.

"Adam." She called out as she eagerly stepped forward to meet him. She would have run into his arms if she could have, but they still had to be mindful of where they were.

"Elle" His warm voice responded. It had been three days since she last heard him call her name.

'Even if I go blind I should never go deaf.' Elle determined.

"You're early." She noted.

"I was in a hurry to see you again." Adam admitted in a hushed voice, one for only Elle to hear. "Why don't you go around and greet the staff before dinner starts."

"Sure." Elle said. She knew Adam would not accompany her to do that and she didn't want him to. In this room she was a writer and not Adam Hayes' girlfriend. As nervous as she was, she was determined to play this role just as well as all her others.

Just then Adam and Elle both noticed Amelia approach them.

"Elle," She said in her usual friendly voice, "What a surprise to see you here."

Adam's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Why don't you start here?" He asked Elle. "Amelia let me introduce you. This is Elle Shaw, the writer of the novel you've been waiting to meet."

Elle wish she had recorded that moment. The pale expression that overtook Amelia's face would be funny for at least another 5 years.

"I look forward to working with you too Amelia." Elle said with a smirk.

"You're the writer?" Amelia asked, stunned.

"It's like you said. I have many faces. A model, marketing director, girlfriend, and now writer. It keeps things exciting, doesn't it?" She asked Adam who nodded. "Oh, I see the director over there. I'll take my leave first and go greet him."

Elle left to go find the director and to introduce herself to the other important members of staff amongst the crowd. Adam left a moment after her, presumably to go mingle some more, leaving Amelia standing frozen amongst the crowd.

She had overcome the initial shock of the situation. She had managed to resume a calm, pa.s.sive but cold expression on her face. The only evidence of her lingering anger was in the way her fingers slowly curled inwards, creating a tight fist. Her nails dug deep into her palm.

"How annoying." She muttered.