Autophobia

Unveil

Amelia didn't know what to feel, but when they met up with Zane again she felt confused. Her whole body felt lighter than a feather. She tried to hide it but Zane was already catching on. Giving her raised brows whenever Grace wasn't looking. She was now standing in Zane's office while he and Grace tried to get their last few things finished.

She wasn't able to talk to Zane until almost midnight. It was a longer day than she expected. Grace didn't look bothered in the slightest by the long day. She wondered if Grace was ever overworked or burnt out. She never seemed to have the chance to actually stop and catch her breath. To be fair, Zane was just the same. Amelia had to pay close attention to keep up with either of them. Whenever they'd pass Zane or his office there was always a tense feeling in the air with low voice and unkindly faces coming and going from his office.

As Grace finished with sending a few emails, Zane leaned over her on her desk whispering about something. Amelia was only able to catch something about the Ravens. She nodded and made a call, seeming to change a meeting and moving it to a restaurant.

"You should take a seat." She turned to Zane who was busy with his fingers typing something up. "I didn't realize how long we'd be."

She shook her head. "I'm fine." She was fine, but if she took a seat she would pass out and never wake up again. She was tired. Her legs were warm and tingling from walking all day. She was usually in bed about three and a half ours ago. She could feel her eyes drifting. She blinked, trying to keep them open while watching Zane focus on his work.

His body was relaxed but his face was looming and serious. She couldn't tell if he actually loved his job or not.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded again, moving her hands together to play with her fingers. She definitely was not going to work with him tomorrow, not without a good night's sleep.

She instead thought of what Grace had just told her today. A business, something of her own. It was enticing. The idea of walking into an establishment that she could call her own. She wasn't excited specifically about the money, but she thought about all the independence that it could give her.

As much as it was exciting it also brought a bitterness to her thoughts. It wasn't something she earned. If they were serious she would be given something that she had never handled before. She knew a lot about the ins and outs of business thanks to... Carter. But she didn't know if she had what it took to run a business.

She chewed her cheeks, trying to not tighten her fist or show the frustration on her face. She wondered how she could do anything if she couldn't even stand in a room alone. The medication she was on helped her. But it only helped when she didn't see anyone. If she knew no one was there. Just the thought had her throat tightening up on her.

She felt the dream of a business crumbling. Chewing her cheek she looked to Zane who was collecting his things in a suitcase. When he looked up his worn expression turned focused. She looked away and mumbled about heading out.

She wondered if Zane even considered her phobia when giving her such a gift. 

*******

She was quiet. Grace spilled the beans that she had told Amelia about his idea. He loved Grace, but that was the worst thing she could have done. She doesn't know about Amelia's phobia. There was no way she could have known so she was not to blame. But Zane wanted to give her something. He didn't know what but he wanted Amelia to feel as if she had some power in her life. And that what had him thinking about a small business.

But he was far away from giving her one. With the money he had, he could likely throw one together with a location, merchandise, employees, the whole deal in maybe a month. But none of it would matter if she couldn't go out on her own and do it. And that was where he was stuck.