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Melissa had always wanted one thing, for her husband to fall in love with her.
Melissa sat down to enjoy the cool evening breeze, the clouds were in different shades of orange and purple, nature had always fascinated her. She went inside her room and brought her camera out to capture the beautiful sight before her, it would be a waste if she didn't. After taking different shots from different angles she smiled to herself, being a photographer was kind of the only thing that made her genuinely happy. She might not be a good daughter or a good wife but she was definitely a damn great photographer and that made her so proud of herself.
After a while she heard a soft knock on her door, she picked up her phone to look at the time. By now she was expected to be at a dinner party hosted by one of her husband's close friends and she had completely lost track of time from watching the sunset. She opened the door and she was greeted with the smiling face of the butler.
"Good evening madam." He greeted.
"How are you, Lester? She asked.
"Mr. Jonathan said I should get you, but you're not yet dressed. Are you perhaps feeling ill?"
"Oh not at all, I just lost track of time. I'll go to him now and explain; and ask him for a little more time so I can get dressed. "She said.
"Alright, I'll be in the kitchen if you need me".
In her two years of marriage, Jonathan and she never really had any misunderstanding; he was cool, patient, calm and organized. It was those reasons that made her think getting married to him wouldn't be too much of a task to handle. She walked down the stairs and found Jonathan in the living room.
"Melissa we're late..... He started.
"I'm sorry Jonathan, I lost track of time. Could you be a bit patient while I get ready, it wasn't really my intention to keep you waiting. She explained. He let out a sigh and he straightened his face."
"If you aren't ready in twenty minutes, I'll go ahead, and then tell our hosts that you couldn't make it." He replied.
"Twenty minutes is okay." She replied.
Who was she kidding, twenty minutes was too small and it was a formal dinner she was attending. But she didn't want to disappoint Jonathan so she did as fast as she could to not keep him waiting.
Melissa gently walked down the stairs in her chocolate brown linen dress and black heels and her brown hair in soft waves that fell down to her back, there was no doubt that Melissa was a very beautiful woman who got stares when she walked into a room. Jonathan held his hand out for her, while they walked towards the door. He had always been a gentleman and she liked that about him, well she liked everything about him but this was just an added bonus. Even if he didn't feel anything towards her at least he respected her and it was nearly satisfying.
"You look beautiful". Jonathan said as they entered the car and he meant it. He always did mean it every time he said it but something made him feel like she didn't really believe he found her pretty.
"Thank you". She confidently replied she knew it wasn't meant as a compliment but just mere courtesy, but still he deserved a polite answer.
The night dragged on, with different activities. The only way Melissa coped with these outings was by thinking of all the wonderful relaxing things she could do at home in her comfy bed. Their house was her favorite place; it was a wedding gift from her parents two years ago when she and Jonathan had gotten married. She'd chosen the house because of the magnificent view it held, which was as expected since she was a photographer and her discipline was focused on views mainly.
An arranged marriage for five years; where no one owed the other anything. She had her life and he had his, since their marriage they had led completely different lives. It was only compulsory to stay in the same house, show up at social events together, and show up for the press, papers and magazines. Apart from that they had no business with each other.
Jonathan even had a girlfriend; well he had lots of them. Melissa didn't mind, but the current one was so annoying that at times all she thought of was rubbing the fact that she was actually married to Jonathan in her face, but then who was she to interfere with his dating life. Its not as if she was anything special to him and a married man having a mistress was a huge blow to the wife if theyre marriage was a conventional one that is.
After her third glass of champagne, she was ready to call for the driver. Jonathan caught a glance of his wife from a distance, she looked bored. Well he knew she never enjoyed all these parties but then she signed up for it. He decided to walk up to her and chat with her a bit, over the years they hadn't done much talking or much anything. They were both busy people and even though Melissa was good company he just never felt the need to indulge in long conversations with her. But today he felt like she could use a friend or maybe not a friend but a somewhat familiar person to speak to.
"Hey". Jonathan said when he reached her table.
"Do you need to go now?" Melissa asked in confusion, Jonathan didn't usually walk up to her with a "hey".
"In a few minutes, but you look like you need to get the hell out of here".
She laughed softly; well could she be more obvious. What if her hosts noticed her look, that would be very rude of her.
"I don't really enjoy these things ". She replied honestly.
"It's all for appearances..." Jonathan started but a song came up and people started dancing. Maybe dancing would help her cheer up, he thought.
"Dance with me?" He asked and Melissa raised her eyebrows in confusion, the last time she danced with her husband was two years ago at their wedding.
"Are you sure?" She asked still surprised at his request.
"Of course". He offered her his hand and he led them to the dance floor.
Jonathan pulled her close, his hands on her waist and her hands on his shoulders. They swayed to the music; Melissa didn't know how to act. They did quick hugs occasionally for photos but never this up close; he could sense the discomfort she was feeling. Did she find him disturbing? Even Melissa didn't have the answer to that.
"Do you find me disturbing?" Jonathan asked breaking the silence as they swayed to the music.
"No not at all". She replied with a small smile, why would he even ask her that when all she did was swoon every time she saw him.
"So what were you up to this evening that made you late, it's unlike you to be late". Jonathan asked just to make small talk and keep Melissa comfortable.
"I was watching the sunset and taking pictures of it". She answered truthfully and to her surprise again he gave a small smile.
"I'd love to see you in your element one day, taking pictures and all that you do. But with your features, I think you would have been better off as a model instead".Jonathan said and they both laughed.
"Yeah, sure. Behind the camera is where I belong though". She replied.
"Whatever rows your boat darling." They looked into each other's eyes for a bit, each not knowing what they were searching for. Melissa cleared her throat which seemed to bring them back to reality.
"Can we go home now, I'm a bit tired". Melissa said. Was it the champagne because suddenly she felt so warm in his arms, and this weird fuzzy feeling that tonight was maybe sort of special?
"Yeah, we can". He replied. He gave her a small nod before going to signal the driver and get their things.
Jonathan watched as she walked up the stairs, she turned back and looked at him.
"Thank you for the company tonight". Melissa said with a warm smile.
"It's alright, I enjoyed myself too. Goodnight Melissa".
"Goodnight Jonathan".
This evening was the most eventful they've ever had, it almost felt magical. The next morning, Melissa decided it was the champagne, because everything had gone back to normal. So much for dreams and wishful thinking, was it so much to ask that he had a little bit of feeling towards her. Well what could she expect from a marriage like hers, they certainly weren't a love match made in heaven, well when this marriage was done she decided that she would find the person who loved her and that gave her a bit of comfort and deep down she hoped that Jonathan was still the one.
Eliana was framed by her best friend and her fiance into sleeping with a boy toy in the club and getting impregnated by him. Five years after she had given birth to twins, she returned home and worked under the Moran Group, where she met the CEO-- Maurice. Maurice was a brilliant businessman who did his job well. But in order to stay under the radar, he lived a double life. One as Maurice, and one as Preston. Fate brought the two together again, roping them in on an exciting love story. It all became more complicated when Eliana faced Preston, the man she had slept with before, once again. Now that she was being pursued by two men, how could she ever choose? When would Eliana uncover the secret of Maurice's identity? When was Maurice going to know that he already had two children of his own? How would Eliana face this man when the truth came to light one day? Come and find out.
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
On their wedding night, Rogelio wrapped his fingers around Marian's neck and spat at her, "Congratulations! From now on, you live in hell!" The reason for his wrath was that he believed she was responsible for the death of his elder brother. So, he married her but refused to touch her, determined to make her suffer for the rest of her pitiful life! However, due to an unforeseen accident, Marian was forced to sleep with Rogelio in order to save him, and she ended up getting pregnant. Concealing her pregnancy, Marian lived cautiously under Rogelio's watchful eyes. He hated her and relentlessly humiliated her, yet he would never allow anyone else to lay a finger on her— "Mr. Bailey, your wife got into a fight with someone!" Rogelio secretly took action, eliminating that person completely. "Sir, your wife claimed that all of your family's wealth belongs to her!" Rogelio quietly transferred all the shares to her. Unaware of all this, Marian only wanted to escape, but Rogelio pulled her into his warm embrace, whispering, "Mrs. Bailey, where do you intend to go with our unborn child?"