A painful knot formed in his chest as he grappled with the idea that Naira might actually heed her mother's advice and consider ending their marriage. The uncertainty of his future gnawed at him. Where would he find himself if he were no longer beside her? The questions swirled in his mind, mirroring the tearful chaos of his eyes.
And then, in a moment that seemed almost symbolic, a sharp, searing pain cut through the noise of his thoughts. "Ahhh…" he groaned involuntarily, the sting of pain jolting him back to reality as the blade slipped and he accidentally nicked his finger.
The vibrant red of blood mingled with the pale slices of onion, a stark reminder of his vulnerability. The physical pain, though sharp, paled in comparison to the emotional wounds inflicted by Naira's words.
Melvin's swift footsteps took him to the wash basin, urgency in his every movement. He twisted the tap, unleashing a stream of water that cascaded over his injured finger, washing away the crimson evidence.
The deep cut on his finger was exposed, and a pulse of searing pain coursed through his hand. His eyes squeezed shut, but try as he might, he couldn't shake the lingering echo of Naira's words in his mind.
Amidst the pain, he drew a deep breath, a momentary respite to collect himself. Weakness wasn't an option; he needed to reclaim his pride and reputation.
As the pain subsided, his determination grew stronger. The realization dawned on him: there was a path to follow, a clear course of action that lay ahead.
With a decisive exhale, he turned off the tap and left the wash basin behind, retreating to the sanctuary of his room. There, he retrieved his phone, his fingers deftly dialing the unfamiliar number that had called him earlier.
"Grandpa, I've made up my mind," he announced as the call connected, his voice carrying newfound resolution.
His grandfather's joyous response carried through the line, a surge of happiness evident in his tone. "My dear boy, I can't express how thrilled I am to hear this. We can't wait to welcome you back with open arms."
Though the decision to return wasn't devoid of its own challenges, a small measure of satisfaction accompanied his conversation with his grandfather.
The realization that Naira's intentions weren't aligned with his own future solidified his choice. No longer willing to endure potential humiliation, he recognized that his ego deserved preservation.
As the call ended, a mixture of emotions swirled within him. He was choosing to relinquish the life he'd built, all in the name of self-respect. It was a bittersweet step, but one that offered the promise of a different beginning.
Next morning.
Naira's morning routine was interrupted by a furrowed brow and a perplexed expression as she turned towards Melvin. Her words held a tinge of suspicion as she inquired, "Are you watching me?"
On the edge of the bed, Melvin was seated, his gaze unswervingly fixed upon her. It was as if he was meticulously observing her every action, every gesture, as she went about preparing herself for another day at the office.
"Not stalking, but savoring the beauty of my wife," he responded in a soft, influenced tone. He watched as her lips curved into a subtle smile, her swift movement turning her attention towards the mirror. His gaze lingered, tracing down her back, silently appreciating every contour. There was the gentle curve at the small of her back, gracefully molding her figure into an elegant hourglass shape. His eyes then wandered to her alluring round hips, a temptation he found hard to resist. An urge to reach out and delicately caress them surged within him.
Despite the treatment he received from her, there was no doubt that Melvin was deeply in love with her. He recognized the distance between them, understanding that she was beyond his grasp. Even though they shared the same room, he found himself unable to bridge the gap and touch her in the intimate way he yearned for.
As Naira leaned over her vanity, her focus intent on outlining her lips with a lip pencil, Melvin's gaze involuntarily fixated on the indentation that formed along her hips. He felt a stirring sensation, a bump of longing rising beneath his jeans. In a bid to rein in his desires, he pressed his teeth into his lower lip, struggling to keep his impulses in check.
On the contrary Naira was aware of his gaze on him. It was his response which made him even more suspicious of him. What happened to him this particular morning? Why was he sounding so cheesy out of nowhere?
Blinded by his intense desires, Melvin rose from the disheveled bed, his heart pounding in his chest like a tribal drum. The room seemed hazy, as if cloaked in the residue of his longing. His steps were almost involuntary, driven by an irresistible force compelling him toward her.
Naira, lost in her own world, was oblivious to his approach. Her attention was ensnared by something beyond the mundane reality of the room.
Her thoughts, like gossamer threads, wove intricate patterns in her mind, until an unexpected touch jolted her back to the present. She felt his fingers curl around her hip, an intimate intrusion into her personal space that sent shivers down her spine.
The audacity of his action yanked her away from her thoughts, her mind abruptly shifting its focus. She halted, her body stiffening, and the shock that rippled through her manifested as a sharp jerk, wrenching him away from her.
Her voice, though tinged with anger, carried a note of incredulity as she admonished him with fervor. "Stop! Don't you forget your bloody limits," she spat, her words like barbs flung at him.
Her eyes bore into his with a fierce intensity, the fire of fury blazing within their depths as her brows knitted in a fierce scowl.
In a sudden rush, Melvin snapped back to reality, the haze of desire dissipating like a morning fog under the sun's gaze. He was hit with a profound realization of the mess he had created.
How could he have been so foolish, to let his impulses guide his actions? The gravity of his mistake bore down on him, and he was left grappling with the depth of his misjudgment.
Attempting to regain his footing, he stammered, his words an earnest attempt to cover up his ill-advised move. "Soo... sorry. I was just..." His voice trailed off, his throat constricting with the weight of his apology.
But Naira was having none of it, her rage unyielding. She cut through his words with a swift, cutting retort, her tone laced with a heavy skepticism.
"Mom is right, you seem to have plans to trap me," she declared, her voice a whip-crack of accusation. Her gaze bore into his, piercing through any excuses he might have concocted.
The reminder of the prenuptial agreement, an unspoken contract of their relationship, hung heavily in the air. "Don't forget the prenup you signed with me. Did you!?" she demanded, raising an eyebrow in a gesture that dripped with both challenge and a quiet kind of disappointment.
"I remember it," Melvin spoke slowly, his voice carrying a weight of remorse as he bowed his head, the memory of that binding agreement gnawing at him like an old wound.
"I'm leaving for the office," Naira's tone brooked no argument, her authority undeniable as she issued her directive.
Her words were crisp, carrying a sense of command that left little room for negotiation. "And for dinner, cook my favorite Italian foods. Some of my friends will be joining us too." Her expectation hung in the air, a clear indication of her standards. "So, don't embarrass me in front of them."
Melvin nodded with obedience, his movement mirroring the dip of his head. His eyes followed her as she walked away, his posture relaxing only when he was sure she had left the room.
With a sigh that carried a mix of frustration and resignation, he muttered to himself, the sound a private outlet for his emotions, his pride smarting from the recent humiliation he had endured.As his fingers deftly smoothed the sheets, making the bed with mechanical precision, he processed the conflicting feelings that churned within him. Amid the flurry of his thoughts, Melvin's phone buzzed with a reminder that cut through the haze. The text message illuminated his screen, a stark reminder of his obligation to be present at the office that day—his own office. "Oh, how can I forget that," he berated himself, his palm meeting his forehead in a light slap that resonated with a mixture of surprise. He hastened to get ready.Rushing through his preparations, Melvin arrived at his office with a sense of urgency coursing through his veins. He had taken the effort to dress smartly, a crisp white shirt neatly tucked into his black pants. A smile adorned his lips, a clear reflection of h
As Melvin walked through the corridors of the office, a whirlwind of emotions surged within him. It was as if an invisible force had lifted him from the mundane and elevated him to the heavens. Each step felt like a stride of triumph, resonating with a newfound sense of empowerment.His heart swelled with a mixture of pride and exhilaration. The weight of the recent humiliation he had faced at Naira's house seemed to dissipate with every echoing footfall. Here, within these walls, he felt a stark contrast to the role he was relegated to at home, an existence that felt more like that of a househelp than an equal partner.He relished the sensation of being in charge, feeling a sense of authority and respect that he often missed elsewhere. The weight of his responsibilities, the power he held, and the choices he could make all combined to give him a feeling of significance that he had long yearned for.As he continued to walk, his chest seemed to expand, his breaths deeper and more fulfi
The manager opened the door and stepped away, making room for him to enter. A feeling of old memories filled the air around him. When Melvin walked in, the elderly man sat up from the back leather seat, stood with energy, and walked over to Melvin, arms open wide. He was very happy to see his grandson and gave him a big, warm hug."Oh, my Melvin... It's so good to have you back," he said, hugging him tightly and showing how much he cared.The old man embraced Melvin warmly, showing how much he cared. Melvin's feelings were a bit mixed. He remembered how this very person had caused him a lot of trouble, making him angry. Those memories from the past made the hug feel uncomfortable, and he pulled back a little, the past flooding back in his mind."Thanks!" Melvin's voice held brevity as he acknowledged the warm hug. He kept his emotions guarded, a reserve he had mastered over time. However, his grandfather, perceptive as ever, noticed the distance in Melvin's response.The old man's ey
As his grandfather's words reached his ears, a mix of anger, grief, and remorse flooded over Melvin. The weight of the past, the betrayal and murder he saw in that old man's actions, bore down on him. It was a struggle to reconcile the memories of the man he once revered with the reality of his sinister deeds. The room felt suffocating, emotions crashing against the walls of his heart, as he grappled with the tangled web of feelings that threatened to consume him.Tears welled up in the old man's eyes as he continued to speak, his voice quivering with emotion. "Melvin, please understand. I know I've made mistakes in the past, mistakes that have hurt you deeply. But I've regretted those decisions every day since. I can't change the past, but I can promise you that I've learned from it."His gaze was pleading, his expression a mix of remorse and desperation. "The company is not the same without you. We need your vision, your dedication. You're the rightful owner, and it's suffering with
Melvin remained seated in the plush leather chair, a mixture of astonishment and disbelief etched across his face as he observed his grandfather. The old man's countenance radiated with a rare and unbridled joy, a vibrant flush of happiness suffusing his features. The words that had left his grandfather's lips resonated in Melvin's ears like a melodic tune, "CEO of the company!"Melvin grappled with the question that swirled within his mind like an elusive wisp of smoke. Was this a dream, a fantastical reverie conjured by his imagination, or had reality taken an astonishing twist? Just that very morning, he had endured the sting of humiliation, bearing the weight of his perceived lowly status. Now, he found himself perched at the pinnacle of the corporate hierarchy, bearing the esteemed title of CEO. It was almost too much to fathom.Melvin's thoughts raced, racing like a whirlwind through the chasm of his mind. Could it truly be this simple? The abrupt transformation of his fate le
"Melvin…." Naira's voice reverberated through the house as she stormed out of her room, clutching her phone tightly to her ear. She had been repeatedly dialing Melvin's number, desperation creeping into her voice with each unanswered call."Melvin... where are you?" Standing near the first-floor railing, she peered down into the hall below, hoping to catch a glimpse of her elusive housemate. She assumed he might be in the kitchen, engrossed in his usual culinary escapades. It had been one of those rare mornings when she had overslept, and Melvin was nowhere to be seen.Under normal circumstances, Naira wouldn't have bothered searching for him; her mornings were typically solo affairs. But today was different; the situation demanded his immediate presence. Frustration bubbled within her as she continued calling his room with increasing volume, but there was no response, not even a hint of movement from his quarters."Oh, goodness. Where on earth could he have vanished to? That lazy, in
Melvin slowly slid off the car, his heart weighed down by the unsettling scene he had just witnessed. He wandered into the house, his mind in a whirlwind of questions. Why had Naira chosen to go with someone else? Where was her usual driver? Even if he wasn't available, couldn't she have waited for him? These thoughts gnawed at him, a feeling of betrayal closing in.As he entered the house, a cloud of thoughts enveloped him, and he was oblivious to everything else. He had just received the most significant news of his life today, regaining his lost wealth. But the jubilation that should have accompanied this momentous occasion had dimmed. It was as if nothing else mattered except the fact that Naira was not by his side.Suddenly, a sharp voice shattered the fragile cocoon of his thoughts. "Where have you been, lazyass?" The voice belonged to Mrs. Edward, who stood in the main doorway, fixing him with a peculiar gaze.Melvin's face already bore the weariness of witnessing Naira's depar
Naira shifted her gaze towards Melvin, who stood near the stable. A smile once gracing her lips vanished, swiftly replaced by a surge of anger that darkened her features."Melvin..." Her voice carried a stern edge. "Where on earth did you disappear this afternoon?" She fired the question before he had a chance to respond.Melvin met her accusatory tone with a knowing look, trying to anticipate the impending insult. His eyes then darted toward Jess, who stood beside Naira with a curious smile."I... I went to visit my father's grave," he replied slowly, his gaze conveying a subtle plea to Naira, urging her not to escalate the matter. He understood that discussing their private affairs in the presence of onlookers was inappropriate. But it seemed his silent plea fell on deaf ears. Melvin lacked the courage to voice his thoughts."Father's grave?" Jess interjected, revealing his surprise."So, paying respects at your late father's grave was more important to you than being with Naira?" J