Cinder Harbors Welcomed Wandering Fleets by Blake Norse 1

Chapter 1 

AMELIA GARCIA 

“This way, Ma’am.” The tall black–suited man said to me as I stepped out of the limo. It’s drizzling and the man has an umbrella over my head, keeping me from getting drenched. 

The building in front of me was the gigantic building of the Montgomery corporation where I’ve worked as a janitor for a year now. I had no reason to feel so scared of stepping inside. 

Except, I wasn’t here just to clean. I was here to end my little fairytale and it was shattering my heart to pieces. 

I had a handkerchief between my grip, because I knew I’d be needing it dearly. Knowing what’s awaiting me in there, I’d definitely drench the handkerchief before it’s over. 

“Ma’am?” The man called back my attention. “You’re late.” He reminded me primly. 

“Uh, sure. Let’s go in.” I took a deep, firm breath as I headed inside. Getting past the revolving door, we were joined by more 

men. 

We took the elevator to the sixth floor. They stepped out first but I found it hard to follow them. I was almost tearing up 

now. 

The elevator door was almost closing when one of the men stopped it. 

“Ma’am.” He chided swiftly. “You should step 

out.” 

Should I really? Can’t I just pretend to be sick and leave? I really don’t wanna go in there. 

“Ma’am?” He called again, clearly on the verge of losing his patience. I glanced at their faces, desperately hoping one of them would be warm with me and understand my plight. 

But they looked so grim and gruff. From their expression to their suit, you could tell they meant business, and things like emotions didn’t matter to them the least. 

I could swear they didn’t know the least about emotions. Then again, I said the same thing about Mr. Edmund Montgomery but these past few months proved me terribly wrong. 

“Sure.” I resigned to my miserable fate, stepping out of the elevator. There was no turning back from hereon. 

All I did was desperately fight back my tears as we kept walking, taking turns until they came to a halt in front of a door that had “Do not disturb” firmly written on it. 

They stopped and gestured at me to go inside. I took another firm breath before my shaky hand touched and turned the doorknob. 

The door opened and I stepped in. I struggled to catch my breath at the stiff air in the hall. 

It was a large hall with a long table and chairs set around it. The buff and slightly buff–suited men seemed strange until I took a second to study each of their faces. And then I recognized a few to be part of the company’s main shareholders. 

Three were the company’s lawyers. One was Mr. Montgomery’s personal lawyer. The odd one, dressed in a brown Henley and torn denim pants, with an earphone around his neck, was his best friend, Lewis. 

And then there he was beside Lewis, looking all haughty and cold. Like he did, six months earlier. Until I got to know him 

for real. 

1/5 

40 pm P P 1 M. 

Chapter 1 

Him Mr Edmund Montgomery. 

“Pear have a seat. Miss Amelia” One of the company lawyers said to me 

1 glanced si Mr. Montgomery again, poked by the fact that he wasn’t acknowledging my presence. Not even in the slightest 

**y 

He was just staring in a direction, hands intertwined and face, steel and void of emotions. 

1 gulped my tears and went to sit down, next to one of the lawyers 

I’m sure you know why you’re here” He began and didn’t hesitate, Instead, he brought out a file and placed it in front of me. “You signed this six months ago, am I correct?” 

I didn’t need to glance at the file to know what it was. Because I still recall it like it was just yesterday. When I signed off my freedom and my life, here in this hall, in exchange for the 20 million for my mother’s surgery. 

It was the most despicable and desperate thing I have ever done. I was sure I was gonna spend all my life regretting it. I thought I’d be happy when it finally ended. But why do I feel so sad and broken? 

More because he wasn’t even looking at me. Not even a glance; which was cold and unfair, judging from the fact that we spent last night in each other’s arms. 

“Yes, I did.” I replied, looking away from him. Why should I keep staring at him? He wasn’t even acknowledging my presence. 

“And today marks the end of the contract, am I right?” 

My heart stretched in agony. “Yes..yes it does.” I didn’t mean to stutter but I had to take a nanosecond to hold back my tears. 

“Good.” He took out another file, stretching it out to me. I took it and silently studied it. A divorce paper. Right. 

“Sign it. And that’ll be the official end of this contract, Ms. Amelia,” 

He handed me a pen and my shaky hand took it. A tear slid down my cheek but I quickly swiped my handkerchief on it. 

Don’t cry, Amelia. Don’t you dare. You knew this was coming. You were prepared. You were. 

I struggled to get my signature right but I signed it anyway. I handed it back to him and he went through it and smiled. 

He passed it to the other lawyers and they all went through it. Again, he took out another file. 

“This sign this too.” 

My brows arched as I slowly took the file. I read the headings and was kinda mortified. An NDA? Why? 

Were they so insecure? Did they think I’d break my end of the deal by telling everyone that I was just a substitute for six months, because Mr. Montgomery needed the marital status to secure one hell of a deal and now, I was so kindly getting rid 

of? 

Did he did he..not trust me enough to keep this a secret? Were the last few months a joke? I thought we got to know each other better. I thought we knew each other better now. How could he not trust me? 

I was almost spilling tears, and my jaw was clenching. Reading the contents was making it harder for me to stay 

“Is this necessary?” I asked, glancing at the lawyer. 

2/5 

calm. 

349 pin p PMM 

Chapter 1 

He shrugged. “We’re just following protocols, Ms. Amelia. I hope you’re not offended by it? 

Offended? Of course not. I’m fucking thrilled. Threatening me into silence was such a ‘Montgomery way to end my contract. I didn’t expect less. 

“It’s not…necessary.” That warm baritone melted the tension in the room. He still hadn’t looked at me, but I felt a mad chill, and my heart was racing hard. Like it’s been doing for him for the last few months. 

“Sir?” 

“It’s not necessary. Take it back.” He was laconic as usual. But those few words always made anyone melt and instantly do his bidding. 

The lawyer took the file back and next, I was handed a check. The amount made me gasp so loud that I felt hugely embarrassed the next second. 

But what the fuck? It was twice the original amount I was supposed to be given at the end of the contract. Was this an oversight or…. 

“It’s for a job well done.” The lawyer answered my unasked question. I nodded, smiling tearfully. 

“Thank you so much.” 

He nodded and gestured at the others. They all stood and slowly began filing out of the hall. Until it was just him, me, and his best friend, Lewis. 

“Good luck, Amelia.” Lewis smiled at me as he stood. He was so warm and cheeky, the very opposite of Mr. Montgomery. But yet, they vibe so well. 

“Thank you,” I said with a trace of melancholy. He patted Mr. Montgomery’s shoulder before leaving the hall. Now it was just the two of us. 

I wanna leave too. But I’d die of the pain if I leave this hall, this city today, his life, without as much as a goodbye. 

Yet, I was terrified and unsure how to start the conversation. His cold expression wasn’t really encouraging. But the fact that he wasn’t standing gave me a teeny bit of hope. 

“Don’t you….have anything to say to me?” He spoke, breaking the icy silence and increasing the thumping of my heart. 

I took a second to take in his appearance. Italian suits, as usual. Hair neatly trimmed and slicked back. Broad physique. Well- trimmed stubs. He was a hell of a hunk. Except he was a grumpy one. Grumpy yet warm. That face that barely smiled would haunt my dreams forever, I knew that for a fact. 

“Thank you. For everything.” I said, forcing a smile. But God, it was a sad one. He didn’t even bother with a smile. His expression was still just as cold. And almost…mournful. 

“I didn’t do much. All I did was use you for my benefit. I’m a rich, selfish, inconsiderate asshole.” 

I laughed a bit. “Yes, I guess you are.” But deep down, I wanted to tell him that he did everything. 

He saved me from the miserable fate of losing my mother, who remains my only family. He gave me security, something I’ve never felt in my life. He defended me from those loan sharks who came for us over my father’s piled–up debt before his death. He gave me shelter and made my lonely life less lonely. 

He didn’t get me roses and chocolates like my fictional characters in my favourite books would. He didn’t write me poems. He wasn’t that kinda guy. 

3/5 

3.49 pm PPM M 

Chapter! 

65 vouchers 

But he shielded me from my misery. He let me use his influence to do whatever I wanted. To go wherever I wanted. I’d have gone so many places if I weren’t too addicted to wanting to stay by his side every time he came home. 

He was the first guy who didn’t hit me or abuse me, like every other man in my life did. Which was insane because he looked so cold and I thought he’d be my hell. But on the contrary, he gave my life meaning and I’d never forget that. Ever. 

It might have been just a chivalrous act on his end, or he did them out of pity. But to me, they meant so much more. They made me fall head over heels in love with him. They made me love being his wife. They made leaving him feel so fucking painful. 

And he’s so lonely, My God…I’d give anything to be by his side forever. 

“Where are you gonna go?” He asked, looking at me, for the first time since I walked in here. 

“Why? Do you plan to visit?” 

He snorted out a chuckle. “No. I just wanna be sure you’ll be okay. And safe.” 

“I will be.” 

“So you won’t tell me where you’ll be going?” 

I shook my head. “No, I shouldn’t say that.” 

“Why not?” His voice faltered. Knowing him as much as I did, he seemed to be having a hard time. Maybe not as hard as I. But something about this was hurting him. And I would go over to him and hug him so tight if I didn’t just lose the right to do that a few minutes ago. 

“We’ll be breaking the deal. You stated that we’re not gonna tell each other anything about our lives when the deal ends, right?” 

His green eyes faltered and he nodded. “Sure. You’re right. I’m sorry I asked.” 

“It’s fine.” Another long silence. Yet none of us was exiting the hall. 

“If you need anything…” 

“No.” I stopped him before he could finish that sentence. “This cash will be more than enough. Thank you.” 

“Still, let me know if you ever need anything. Ever.” He pinned his gaze on me. 

I nodded. I never liked arguing with him. His bossy side was intimidating. I’d never win an argument with him. 

“I will.” But that was a lie. I don’t plan on contacting him again after today. It would hurt like hell. 

“And don’t get involved with assholes. The kinda bastards that leave marks on your body and face. Try to find someone better.” 

“Someone less of an asshole than you?” I teased. 

“And richer, please.” He added and I laughed a bit. He only chortled. But it faded too quickly. 

I couldn’t take it anymore so I took the courage to be the first to stand. I walked over to him, lowered and kissed his cheek. 

The scent of his rich cologne clung to me one last time. I’d never forget it. 

4/5 

3:49 pm P P MM. 

Chaptert 

“Please stay healthy. And don’t forget, you’re not an asshole. At least not to me? 

I didn’t wait for his reply before walking out of the hall, consoling myself at every step. 

I got into the elevator and my tears spilled unabatedly. 

“Goodbye, Mr. Montgomery.” The words shattered my heart even more. “See you never.”