Chapter 23- Amy
Andrea's {POV}
I had everything I wanted, but marrying a rich man made me question my choice. Can money really bring happiness? I was ready to leave the luxurious life Philip Blake provided. However, I didn't want to ruin my sister Amy's chance at a Broadway career. Marrying Philip was the only way Amy could afford to attend Julliard and live in New York. So, I decided to let go of Shane Walsh, even though his eyes stayed with me. He left me with a parting gift - I was pregnant, and I believed Shane was the father. Yet, I now belonged to Philip Blake as his wife, Andrea Blake. I often touch my stomach, wondering if the baby is Philip's or Shane's. It's day five of my honeymoon, and Philip allows me to spend time with my sister and stepdaughter, Penny. We meet them on the beach outside the hotel, where Philip's brother, Brian, follows my sister like a lost puppy. Brian resembles Philip but appears more shy and manly, despite being younger.
Penny gave us a hug, calling us "Mommy and Daddy".
She's gorgeous, with big blue eyes, pale skin, and wavy brown hair. I held her in a hug for a few minutes. Then apply more sunscreen to her skin.
"Can we have pizza on the beach?" Penny asked me.
"I can go order some," Amy offers, seeing a restaurant close to the hotel. Brian notices quickly that my sister is leaving
"I'll go with you. I can pay for the pizzas and help you carry them back here," he says,following her.
I asked Penny if she wanted to build a sand castle while we waited for Aunt Amy and Uncle Brian. I was thrilled to see her because she needed a mother figure. Being her mom was the one thing that brought me joy in this marriage. Penny agreed, and we started digging with the plastic shovel I brought. Philip jumped in to lend a hand. Brian and Amy took like 25 minutes to get back with the pizzas and sodas. We spread out the towels and had a picnic on the beach.
"We should check out the lazy river. Brian and I took Penny earlier this week. She loved it," Amy said looking over at him.
I was confused when I saw them sitting close. I thought Amy was in love with her friend Kelly. Had she forgotten about her? Or was her relationship with Brian just a friendship?
"That sounds like fun," I said as we threw the pizza boxes in the trash. We all walk to the pool, where the lazy river is. We relaxed in the water for a while, talking about how beautiful the resort is.
"Hawaii is great, but I'm really looking forward to being in New York. I'm so excited to be Anita Carson's stand-in. Two months of being in a Broadway play will be exciting before starting Juilliard," Amy says as we float in the pool.
"Will you be getting an apartment?" I asked.
"Amy is going to be staying with me in my condo. I have four bedrooms and three bathrooms. So she will have plenty of room," Brian says, looking longingly at my sister.
"It's only until I can move into my dorm room in the fall, Andrea," Amy says, sensing my disapproval.
Brian whispered to my sister, "You can come spend a weekend with me anytime."
"You are eighteen, Amy. I can't tell you want to do.I only thought you'd be with Kelly all summer. You guys were planning that New Orleans road trip, right?"
"Kelly's not happy. We're really close, but she can't move to New York. That's the situation. Hopefully, I can see her at Christmas when I come home," Amy says,taking Brian's hand.
Amy hasn't forgotten Kelly completely, but she relies on Brian's friendship to combat her loneliness. It's unclear what Brian wants from this arrangement. Philip supports Amy's decision, suggesting she can visit Kelly and other high school friends during winter break. In my husband's eyes, if my sister ended up with Brian, it would be the ideal situation. I wanted her to be happy, but I couldn't see what she saw in this older, nerdy man. Brian, with a hungry look, offers to show Amy around. Amy, noticing Penny's tiredness, suggests taking her to the room for a nap. I agree that Penny looks tired.
"I'll walk you two back to the room. We can watch a movie in the room," Brian offers.
"Sure, I will just have to change clothes," Amy says looking at him.
Would it be alright if I gave Penny a bath?I questioned my husband. He looked at me, understanding my worry was for my sister.
"Yes," he says, reading my mind. "You can go with Amy. Brian can meet her later." He knew I didn't want Brian in the room as Amy undressed. Soon, she would be living with him in his apartment. I knew my sister didn't stand a chance against this powerful man.
I desperately long to move to New York to protect Amy from Brian, but the unfortunate reality is that I am in California while she resides in New York. Meanwhile, poor Kelly remains in Florida, possibly working as a waiter, or perhaps employed by Disney or Target. Despite the geographical distance, I reassure myself that I can prevent Brian from being alone with Amy today. As I slip into my bathing suit cover-up, I return to Amy's room and proceed to give Penny a bath, changing her into her cozy blue pajamas. While my sister takes a shower, I diligently brush Penny's hair. Finally, my sister emerges from the shower, fully dressed in a white tank top and black bike shorts. Her hair is still damp and naturally drying in the air.
Amy knew Brian was coming, so she decided to put on some lip gloss and perfume.
"Are you into Brian?" I asked Amy, looking at Penny, who was already asleep in the bed.
"We have a lot in common. He is rich and has many connections that can help me with my acting career. He even knows James Cameron. So being friendly with him won't hurt. And I know Kelly will understand," she explains, avoiding the question. There's a knock on the door. Amy opens it quickly. Brian is on the other side, smiling at me and then moving closer to my sister. "Hey Brian. Want to watch the new Beetlejuice movie?" "Anything you want," he replies, sitting on the sofa and patting it for her to join him.
"I'll leave you two alone," I said, hugging my sister. I see her sit on the sofa with him, his hands already on her legs. It hurts to see him touch my sister. I go upstairs to my hotel room with my husband. "There's my beautiful wife," he whispers. "Do you think Amy is okay?" I express my concern. "Don't worry, my brother is aware of what's going on with Kelly. He knows Amy hasn't had a boyfriend before. He's taking it slow with her. I promise he'll take care of Amy," he reassures me, placing his arm on my shoulder.
"That is what I am afraid of. He is nine years older than her," I said, as he pushed me onto the bed.
"Let's focus on us tonight. They can figure everything out on their own,"he says softly.
"You're right," I said, knowing I could do nothing.
I close my eyes as Philip makes love to me again. I knew Amy deserved better than what I had. Philip gave me everything, but my heart belonged to Shane. I had made my choice, but Amy could never really enjoy being with Brian. Yet there she was with him sitting on sofa watching tv. And soon she would be living with him. I felt personally responsible for her being trapped with Brian.
Maybe, Amy would prove to be stronger than I am.