Husband Snatcher

9 years later

"Let's welcome on stage, the ex wife of Antonio Rodriguez and also the current lead CEO of Antonio's Enterprise." The MC said. "Make some noise for Melissa Luca"

Just exactly how I wanted my introduction to be

"What??? Elisa is now rich. It can't be" 

"Elisa is now the one handling Antonio's business? What was he thinking?" 

"She's been gone for 9 years. I almost thought she's dead"

"She's so grown and beautiful" 

"I am so happy she came back stronger. I heard that family dealt with her." 

Those were the not so silent comments I heard when I made my way to the stage. 

"Thank you so much" I said into the microphone. "Thank you for this day, Mr Rodriguez?" I was looking at his shocked face with a bright smile on my face. Seated beside him were his beloved mother and wife - Two gigantic bitches. 

"I'm sure he's wondering if you're real" The MC joked. 

"It's fine. I'm 100% alive and I don't bite okay?" I chuckled, earning a little laughter from the audience. I could see the reporters getting ready to bombard me with so many questions but that was not why I was here. 

I promised to come back for a reason. I was here to start my mission.

"I want to thank Mr Antonio Rodriguez for entrusting me with his company. I may have been absent for 6 months and had initially left everything to my second but I'm back and ready to work with you until you're strong enough to stand back on your own" I smiled, looking at him pointedly.

If I would let that happen.

"Give a round of applause for the damsel as she steps down please" The MC said dramatically.

"Thank you. Have a lovely night" I dropped the microphone and strolled back to the congregation. I was drawing more attention than I intended, now that I had introduced myself.

"Melissa " He said softly when I approached him. His eyes raked my body; he opened his arms wide for a hug

"Antonio Rodriguez" I said coldly, memories of what happened 9 years ago shuffled through my memory. I stretched my hand for a shake because he doesn't deserve to hug me or ever try to be emotional with me.

"It's good to see you're alive after cheating on your husband and running away shamelessly" Doris mocked, holding her husband possessively.

"Ah, the one time secretary. So eager for me to notice you, I see" I chuckled.

"Why did you offer to help our company!" My ex mother-in-law asked, frowning

"I see your cancer hasn't killed you yet, dear mother in-law" I laughed. I don't know how her son couldn't see that she was lying. Well, he only saw what she showed him.

"What do you mean?" She yelled, acting insulted.

"Let's not cause a scene here." Antonio ordered

"Oh wow. He commands authority now" I laughed, shaking my head. "It's nice to meet you. It was long due already."

"Did you sleep with all the rich men to get to this fucking position? Is this your revenge plan?" Doris sneered

"Maybe we could talk about all these one on one at Antonio's - oh sorry, it's my office now" I slipped my business card into her hand. "I'll see you guys around." I winked at them.

I could feel their burning stares as I walked to my seat, rubbing my hands on my thigh nervously.

"There you are!" A familiar voice said, making me turn sideways. When I saw him, I hurriedly took his hand and led him to the bar immediately. I needed to get away from these people.

"Hi, dear husband" I laughed, hugging the man they all accused me of having an affair with, when we got to the side of the bar. Gerald, my husband's stepbrother.

Oh I'm so going to be on the front page of every newspaper.

"Hi, capacity wife" He pecked my cheek. Gerald is the reason I'm in this position and I can't appreciate him enough.

"Stop that! You know I wouldn't be holding such a position without you" I held his waist. At the corner of my eyes, I felt a camera light flash on us.

What did I tell you?

"Want to get out of here? You look like you're dying?" He chuckled. One thing I admire about Gerald is the way he was very observant. Even my ex-husband of two years barely knew these things.

"I miss our girl." I laughed 

"She's coming in tomorrow. I talked to Andre and he'll be bringing her in tomorrow" He said, rubbing my shoulder soothingly.

"Can I have a moment with Elisa?" 

On hearing the nickname 'Elisa', my face contorted into a frown. Antonio had no right to use nicknames on me. No single right.

"Oh hey, brother" Gerald said, smirking at Antonio. 

"Gerald" He said coldly, looking between us.

"It's so nice to see you after these years. Right Mel?" Gerald said, turning to ask me

"I know right?" I forced a smile as I held Gerald closer, flashing my ring by placing my hand on his torso.

"Can we talk, Elisa?"

"It's Melissa to you. Is it business? Then sure, I can spare 5 minutes" I said, standing straight.

"I just want to talk. Please"

Begging so soon? 

You should wait to see what I have, planned out for you.

"What could we possibly talk about?" I asked, raising my eyebrow at him.

"Is it bad to want to catch up with an old lover?" 

The audacity this man had.

"To set things straight. I wouldn't want our past to interfere with anything between the present us, okay? We're strictly business partners and I would love for you to keep a good boundary" I straightened out the pros and cons of our relationship. 

If there were even pros.

"You don't decide that alone" He scoffed.

"I'm afraid you have no choice but to obey her" Gerald said, frowning at him.

"Shut up, Gerald. I wasn't talking to you." He fired at Gerald, glaring at him. 

"I will not allow you insult my husband" I stepped in front of Gerald.

"What did you just say?" He said, turning to face me. 

"You heard me" I said, folding my hands

"It's fine, wifey" Gerald said, holding my waist, pulling me aside as he stressed on the name 'wifey'

"I got this" I said to Gerald. "Since you just want to 'talk' and you just insulted my husband, then I'm sorry but I cannot grant your offer" I said pointedly.

"That's how it is?" He scoffed. "What nonsense are you even saying about you being married to this scum!" He yelled

"You're causing a scene" I gritted, shifting my eyes between the eager and elated guests. They were all looking at our direction.

"This is just the beginning. If this shit is true then you better meet your fucking lawyer and do the needful" Antonio sneered 

"And since when did you start talking without 'mummy's' permission" I said, emphasizing on the 'mummy'

"Elisa..."

"Melissa" I corrected.

Elisa brought back bad memories. Those memories haunt me in my sleep almost every night.

"I truly hope..."

"You husband snatcher!" A lady said, cutting Antonio off as her palm collided with my cheek, causing a sting. I blinked my eyes at her and then at Gerald who was looking shocked. Shocked to see her?

What the ...?