Jeremy awakened from a restless night's sleep, his mind consumed by thoughts of Melissa, the captivating woman he had met the previous evening. Her presence lingered in his dreams, replacing his usual nightmares with a sense of warmth. He found himself wondering why she had made such an impression on him.Seeking solace and clarity, Jeremy made his way to the terrace, hoping the gentle morning breeze and sunlight would help clear his mind. The day appeared beautiful, but his inner world remained shrouded in darkness. It was too early for a drink to drown his emptiness, so he settled for a cup of coffee instead. To his surprise, his housemaid Corene had prepared a cup and placed it by his bedside. He took a sip and then fixed his gaze on the painting above his bed—a depiction of a young boy enveloped in darkness, with a glimmer of light shining from within his heart. Jeremy had purchased the painting the night before."Reminds me of my childhood," Jeremy thought, savoring his coffee.
Melissa's gaze was irresistibly drawn to the imposing figure standing next to her car. The perfectly tailored black suit accentuated his muscular physique, and her eyes trailed down his straight, powerful legs, leading to a pair of exquisite Italian black leather shoes. A glimpse of a GMT Master Ice Rolex caught her attention as it adorned his wrist. "Damn," she thought, momentarily captivated by his striking appearance. His chiseled face and alluring lips, coupled with his impeccable fashion sense, could easily enchant any woman. However, Melissa was determined not to let his good looks distract her. She wondered what he was doing in such an unlikely place. Taking a deep breath, she composed herself and walked purposefully toward her car.The distance between them seemed longer than it actually was, for his unwavering gaze made her feel unexpectedly nervous. Melissa's heart skipped a beat, causing her to stumble precariously. Just as she teetered on the verge of an embarrassing fall
Jeremy sat in his office, struggling to focus on his work as his mind continuously wandered back to the encounter with Melissa earlier. He couldn't understand why she had pretended not to recognize him, hastily departing with an air of sadness and hurt. Various questions swirled in his mind. Had someone said something offensive to her? Or had she experienced something traumatic? Although Melissa seemed strong and independent, he doubted any of these possibilities. Yet, inexplicably, he found himself caring about her well-being, despite knowing so little about her.Realizing his ignorance about Melissa nagged at him, Jeremy made a decision. He called Lucas into his office and requested him to gather information about Melissa. "Lucas, could you please find out more about Melissa? I'd like to know who she really is.""Of course, sir," Lucas replied, his efficient demeanor evident. He set to work, and a couple of hours later, a comprehensive file appeared on Jeremy's computer, containing
Melissa gripped the steering wheel tightly, feeling torn between heading home and facing Nicky and Sam's barrage of questions, or seeking solace elsewhere. The weight of her thoughts pushed her towards the latter, prompting her to consider stopping at a bar for a drink. She yearned for a moment of respite, a chance to clear her mind.Three years of incarceration should have made her strong and resilient, impervious to pain. Yet, the truth was that she still felt fragile, vulnerable, and easily wounded by life's challenges. She had toiled tirelessly to rebuild everything, only to see it crumble because of one person. Memories of her past, when her life had been shattered by a single individual, flooded her mind, and tears welled up, blurring her vision. Melissa had to pull over, her tears demanding attention.After taking a deep breath, she resolved to visit a nearby bar and indulge in a couple of drinks. Drinking wasn't her usual remedy, but today felt like an exception—a moment to te
"Please, I beg you. Don't do this," Melissa pleaded weakly as one of the men approached her, her voice trembling with fear."You'll be fine. We won't harm you," the man replied dismissively, his hand reaching out towards her.But then a sudden eruption of anger shattered the tense atmosphere as Jeremy's commanding voice cut through the darkness. His presence was formidable, his protective instincts ignited like a raging fire. The three men turned their attention to the new arrival, their bravado waning."Don't you dare touch her with those filthy hands," Jeremy's voice resonated with an unmistakable authority, piercing through the night.The assailants sneered in defiance, underestimating the resolve within Jeremy's gaze. One of them taunted, "Or what? People like you are all bark and no bite. You can't do shit."Jeremy merely tilted his head slightly, his eyes piercing through the darkness. "Don't make me repeat myself," he warned, his voice laced with lethal determination."Alright,
"I think I'm going to be sick," Melissa managed to utter, her hands clutching her mouth tightly in a desperate attempt to hold back the impending wave of nausea.Jeremy's face contorted with a mixture of dread and concern. "What? Can't you hold it?" he asked, fearing the worst."No, I can't..." Melissa's words trailed off as she succumbed to a fit of vomiting, the contents spilling onto both the car's interior and Jeremy's pants. He let out an exasperated sigh, his frustration mingled with sympathy for Melissa's discomfort."Oh God..." Jeremy muttered, his voice filled with resignation."Sir, should I stop the car?" Lucas inquired, his eyes reflecting a mix of concern and disgust."No, keep driving. Drive even faster," Jeremy commanded, urgency lacing his voice.Lucas accelerated the car, the engine roaring as they raced toward Jeremy's estate.As they arrived at Jeremy's grand estate, he swiftly exited the vehicle and extended a helping hand to Melissa, who struggled to maintain her
The lined curtains allowed a gentle stream of morning light to seep through, casting a soft glow in the room. Melissa's eyelids fluttered open, greeted by a throbbing ache in her head. With a faint groan, she instinctively reached for her forehead, massaging her temples to ease the discomfort. The events of the previous night flooded her mind, and she realized she had indulged in excessive drinking. How did she manage to get home? And when did she arrive? The details eluded her, lost in a hazy fog. Stretching her limbs and stifling a yawn, she couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected comfort of her bed. "Wait, what?" she thought, suddenly fully awake.As her eyes adjusted to the surroundings, she took in the opulent black fur rug and the sleek flat-screen TV adorning the black and white walls. The room exuded an air of luxury that puzzled her. Where was she? Was this all just a dream? Confusion mingled with her headache as she struggled to piece together fragmented memories. Frust
"Please don't leave. I don't want to stay alone," Melissa whispered that night, and Jeremy found himself unable to walk away. The thought of leaving her all by herself tugged at him, compelling him to stay. Something deep within urged him to hold her in his arms, offering solace and support that she desperately needed. However, Jeremy, true to his nature, initially dismissed the idea."I can't stay," he said softly, gently releasing his hand from her grasp."Why not?" Melissa questioned, her eyes filled with genuine concern.Jeremy struggled to find the right words. "It's complicated.""You look really sad," Melissa observed, her expression filled with kindness. "My mother always used to say that warm hugs take away sadness."Jeremy was taken aback, unsure of how to respond. "So?" he managed to utter."So come here, so I can give you a big hug," Melissa exclaimed, stretching her arms wide open with a bright smile on her face.Jeremy stood there, contemplating his next move."You're