“Yeah. I guess. But my father has dedicated his whole life to building that company. And some years back, he got into some trouble and turned to Elias for help,” I said.

Amy did an admirable job of keeping her expression clear, but I didn’t have to wonder what she was thinking.

I’d probably have thought the same myself, but I didn’t ask her to explain.

“Anyway, I met Elias when he was…negotiating some terms with my father,” I said.

Amy let out a snort laugh. “Elias? Negotiate? I think I can fill in those blanks,” she said.

I smiled and then continued. “I came up with a solution that would work for everyone.”

“And what solution was that?”

“I would exchange my labor to Elias to forgive my father’s debt.”

“And he agreed?” She furrowed her brow then shook her head. ”Of course he agreed. That’s why you’re here,” she said.

“Yeah. So that’s what I’ve been doing since then.”

“Okay. Putting aside the many, many questions I have, that doesn’t explain why you’re engaged.”

I clammed up but looked at Amy, saw her patient, expectant face, and knew that I could trust her.

“Umm… Armen found me a little bit less than trustworthy, so Elias thought an engagement might calm some of those fears,” I said.

“I should have known he had something to do with it,” Amy muttered.

“Has he been giving you trouble?” I asked.

Amy shook her head. “When he’s not completely ignoring me, he’s polite enough. And he spoils Crystal even more than Davit’s brother, which is saying something,” she said.

“It is,” I said, “but I sense a but there.”

She shrugged. “I can’t get a feel for him. He’s far too competitive with his sons, has an obsessive need to assert his dominance, and thinks that getting rid of a problem is the easiest way to solve it,” she said.

“Yeah. I know,” I said.

Her eyes wide with alarm. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

I didn’t answer immediately, and I saw Amy lean forward. “Did he?”

“We had a…tense conversation,” I said, deciding to keep the details to myself.

“Have you told Elias?” she asked. her concern clear.

“He knows. And like I said, this engagement was his way of protecting me, but it’s not real,” I said.

“Did he tell you that?” Amy asked.

I scoffed. “No. He’s been insisting that it’s real,” I said.

“So why are you saying it’s not?” Amy asked.

“Because…I…”

“It’s okay, Kayla. You don’t have to talk about this if you don’t want to.”

“I do want to talk about it. I’m just not sure how to say it. And it sounds a little bit pathetic,” I said.

“Spit it out.”