The Wedding Night

“Remember all the time we spent together.”

Melody POV

I blinked at Giovanni’s question and didn’t know how to answer him. He was close to the truth and sooner or later, he will realize the truth but, the outcome of the truth was all I tried to avoid.

“Who are you?” he asked again, his eyes fixed on mine. I tried to avoid his glaring eyes but he grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him. There was no space between us, our bodies were clung together and I felt his hand on my waist. He caressed my face and held my chin; he lowered his head and whispered into my ears.

“I’m not going to ask again Melody. My patience doesn’t last long.” His breath sent shivers to my body. I like the feeling but I know he was taunting me.

“I don’t understand what you meant by that.”  My reply came like a whisper because I was feeling tensed under his touch.

“Answer me!” he yelled and shook me vigorously. Before I knew it, he had dragged me to the couch. He pushed me to the couch and sat opposite me. “I need to know what your mission is really about. Who are you and what are you doing in my company?”

“I-I” I stuttered not knowing what to say. “I don’t have a mission.”

“Do I know you?” he asked the question I dreaded the most.

How was I going to explain to him that he was my husband? How was I going to make him understand that we were still married and we have a child? I didn’t know what to do because he was never going to believe whatever I said so I gave him the reply he never expected. “Some secrets are left as secret.”

“So you know me right?” he asked and I nodded. “I don’t know what you and my family are hiding but once I found out and you are a part of their tricks, I’ll make sure you regret not telling me now.” he threatened.

“It not what you think, “I tried to explain but he cut me off by pointing to the door.

“I’ll need you to leave before I lose my cool.”

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. I didn’t know why I was apologizing but it was something I needed to do. He was hurting and he probably thinks nobody loves him but I do, he just can’t see it.  I stood and head towards the door but what he said next stopped me.

“Present your proposal tomorrow. If I’m impressed, you’ll stay until the project ends but if not, I’ll send you away.”

“But sir,” I tried to argue but he didn’t listen instead he pointed to the door.

“Get out.” He commanded.

I heaved a sigh of frustration and went out of the office. When I got outside, I tried not to cry because I was becoming too tired of it. I walked to my desk and sat on my chair and couldn’t help but stare at the lunch I got for Giovanni. I pondered on what to do with the lunch and at the end of my thinking, I threw the lunch away.

He was probably not going to eat it.

When the day finally came to end, I informed Giovanni I was leaving but I didn’t get a reply from him. I knew lying to him was wrong but what was I supposed to do. Even if I told him the truth, he was never going to believe me if he doesn’t remember what happened five years ago. When I got home, I met Lorena and Hope in a good mood. They were both dancings like they won a gold medal or something.

“Guess I’m the only one having a bad day.” I thought

Hope was the first to saw me entering the room. She ran to me and hugged me. “Hey mummy!” she squealed.

“Hello, Hope,” I answered back.

Lorena stopped the music and smiled at me. They were both acting weird and I couldn’t help but feel suspicious and also jealous that my friend was making my daughter happy. I knew I shouldn’t be jealous but I couldn’t help it.

“Is something going on?” I asked and when they didn’t reply, I proceeded to ask another question. “Can someone please explain what going on?”

“Have a seat Melody. You’ve had a long day so relax while I tell you about what makes us happy. First, Hope” she called and carried her in her arms. “Tell mummy what I told you earlier before she came here.”

Hope scratched her head as if she wanted to recover memory and when she did, she grinned at me.

That’s was something.

“Mummy we are moving out of here!” she announced. “Hurray!”

“Moving out?” I questioned because I didn’t understand what Hope just told me.

Lorena put Hope down and walked up to me. She took my hand and dragged me gently to the window side. “We are leaving the motel!” she announced. “I met the agent and paid for the apartment.” She threw her hands in the air happily.

I didn’t react but just stared at her. “You said you wanted a better environment for Hope so I did that just for her.” The way she said it made me jerked my hand free from hers. “What wrong?” she asked when she saw my reaction.

“Everything is wrong!” I shouted.

“Hope, go downstairs and play with the kids.” She instructed my daughter and that got me pissed. “What is your problem?” she asked.

“Problem!” I yelled. “I don’t have a problem but you do!”

“Why are you mad at me?”She asked and believes when I said I could sense the sadness in her tone but I didn’t care.

“You are making me feel like I’m not doing anything. You make Hope happy when I don’t. “I confessed.

“What?” Lorena questioned in disbelief. “What are you saying?”

“How did you get the money to pay the agent and why didn’t you tell me about it?”

“Because I just paid a few hours ago!” she shouted. “I wanted to surprise you.” She admitted.

“What?” I shouted. “I don’t get you.”

“That because you didn’t let me explain before you jumped to conclusions. I met Marissa Aderemi earlier today,” she confessed and when I tried to interrupt her, she stopped me.

“Listen to me.” She walked to where the bed was and sat on it.

“I wanted to help you and Hope so I met with her today,” she explained and then told me about her encounter with Marissa.

“You went through all of that?” I asked in disbelief and she nodded. “you should have told me.”

“I’m starting work from Monday in the Aderemi’s mansion and I’m going to make sure that you and Hope are never threatened by the family.”  When she finished talking, I burst into tears.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized feeling guilty of accusing my friends over a fit of petty jealousy.

“I don’t know why you won’t believe me. Why you won’t trust me?”

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “I’m passing through a lot and seeing you and hope made felt that I don’t deserve all of this.”

“What are you saying, Mel? What do you mean you don’t deserve all of this?”

“I don’t deserve your love and hope,” I confessed. Lorena stood up from the bed and walked to me. She grabbed my hand and pulled me for a hug.

“Don’t say that. You deserve our love and much more.”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“But I just insulted you now. I made you feel like you ain’t doing anything whereas you are risking your life for this family.”

“That’s what family is about Mel. I love you and hope and I will do anything for you.”

“I’m sorry,” I apologized to her. Lorena nodded and pulled me towards the bed. We both sat on the bed and I explained everything that happened in the office to her. When I was done, there was total silence until Lorena decided to break the silence.

“What are you going to do about the presentation?” She asked.

“I have no idea,” I answered back.

“Maybe you should tell him who you are.” She suggested but I disagreed.

“No way. Listen, Lorena, whosoever hurt franklin and me on our wedding night is out there and if I reveal my daughter’s identity now, he might strike again.”

“What are you going to do?” She asked.

“I’ll just plan something.”

“I am going to make sure you find out the truth. We are going to be fine,” she promised.

I smiled at her and hugged her. “Thanks, Lorena for everything. I’m sorry about how I reacted earlier,” I apologized.

“It okay,” she smiled back at me. “We are going to figure this out.”

I nodded in response and grabbed her hand. “When are we moving?”

“Saturday.” She answered back.

“About Marissa Aderemi, I want you to be careful and when you sense that everything is not working the way you wanted, pull out,” I advised.

“Alright, I will do that.” Lorena agreed without arguing.

Marissa Aderemi is one cunning woman who can go to any extreme to get what she wants. I love my friend and sacrificing herself for our family needed to be done with care.

*********

That’s night, I didn’t catch a wink of sleep. At first, I stood at the window side and stare at the moonlight that brightens up the dark sky. I wished my life could be like the sky that is brightened by the moonlight in the night and the sun in the daytime.

When I was done staring at the sky, I sat on the ground and busied myself with work. I thought of what I could come up with to impress Giovanni. I didn’t want to leave his side and that’s is because he is the father of my child and I still love him. I wanted to stand by him and find the truth about what happened five years ago.

For like two hours, all I could do was stare at my laptop and scratched my head until it bled. I couldn’t come up with anything and I was on the verge of losing my mind. I needed something at that moment. I bite my nails to keep myself busy as I thought of what to write. When I finally got an idea of what to write, the only things that could be heard were my hands typing furiously on the laptop and the barking of the dogs in the neighborhood.

If this was the only chance to stay with Giovanni, I’ll take it and never let it go.