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. Fru
"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.
Melissa slowly regained consciousness, realizing she was still in the same room where she had awoken earlier. The throbbing headache had eased slightly, but her memory remained blank, unable to recall anything from the previous night. She cautiously examined her body and discovered she was no longer wearing the bathrobe but instead adorned in a modest red dress. "Don't worry, the maid changed your clothes," a familiar voice reassured her. Melissa looked up and saw Jeremy seated on a white sofa across the room. His striking eyes held a mix of intensity and curiosity as they focused on her. "How did I end up here?" she inquired, her voice tinged with confusion. "You seriously don't remember anything?" Jeremy asked, amusement dancing in his eyes. "If I did, I wouldn't be asking you, would I?" Melissa responded, her irritation apparent. Jeremy cleared his throat, taken aback by her boldness. It was a rare occurrence for someone to speak to him in such a manner. Normally, such insole
Jeremy stormed into his study, his face etched with fury. The audacity! After subjecting him to such turmoil last night, she had the nerve to speak to him however she pleased. What had he expected, though? He pondered, massaging his temples. "Whoa, you look like a thunderstorm. Are we in danger?" Steve remarked as he and Tony entered the study. Jeremy turned towards them, his anger palpable. "What are you guys doing here?" he demanded. "We came to discuss business. We asked Thomas to inform you of our arrival, but he said you were preoccupied upstairs. Is everything alright?" Tony inquired, extending a glass of Scotch to Jeremy. Jeremy accepted the glass, swiftly downing its contents in a single gulp. "Slow down, buddy. I'm sure you can handle whatever is bothering you," Steve advised, concerned. "Quiet, Steve. Tony, go on," Jeremy commanded. "Well, we find ourselves in quite a predicament," Tony began. "What's wrong?" Jeremy interjected, his interest piqued. "One of our esteem
Chapter 24: The Apology Melissa stood peacefully on the terrace, reveling in the breathtaking view that unfolded before her. As she took a deep breath, fragments of the previous night's events replayed in her mind, causing her cheeks to flush with embarrassment. She couldn't believe she had acted so recklessly and impulsively. It was truly unbelievable. Suddenly, Jeremy's voice interrupted her thoughts. Startled, Melissa turned around and found him standing a short distance away. She hadn't even noticed his arrival, her mind consumed by her own self-reflection. Her face grew hotter, and she averted her gaze, unable to meet his eyes. "It seems you've remembered everything," he remarked, his voice calm and composed. Melissa nodded, her nervousness evident. "Mmm... Yes, I did. And you're right. I sincerely apologize. I deeply regret thinking that way this morning," Melissa admitted nervously. Avoiding direct eye contact, she focused her gaze on everything else but his face. feeling a
The car ride home seemed to stretch on forever, but it was far from dull. Thanks to Steve, Melissa found herself laughing uncontrollably at his witty jokes and humorous anecdotes. His charming personality and quick wit were truly captivating, and it seemed like he had already shared every detail of his life with her. Now, it was Melissa's turn to open up. "So, Melissa, are you originally from New York?" Steve inquired. "No, actually, I'm from Brooklyn," Melissa replied with a smile. "Ah, Brooklyn, that's fantastic!" "What's so fantastic about it?" Melissa asked curiously. "I believe Jeremy grew up in Brooklyn too," Steve revealed. "He did?" Melissa's interest was piqued. "Yes, he mentioned it once, though he rarely talks about his past. It seems like a topic he prefers to keep to himself," Steve explained. "Is there a reason for that? Does he have some unpleasant memories associated with Brooklyn?" Melissa wondered aloud. "I'm not entirely sure. Jeremy tends to be quite closed
Steve finally arrived at Melissa's apartment building. He parked the car, and as they said their goodbyes, he handed Melissa a small piece of paper. "What's this?" she asked, curiously. "It's my house address. I'm hosting a party this Friday, and I would love it if you came," Steve explained, a warm smile on his face. Melissa hesitated for a moment before responding, "I would love to, but I'm not really a party person." Steve chuckled and reassured her, "Just give it a try. You can bring whoever you want with you." "Okay, I'll think about it," Melissa replied, appreciating his understanding. "Great. See you later, my new friend," Steve said with a wink before driving off. "New friend," Melissa repeated to herself, feeling a sense of excitement as she entered the apartment building. Lost in her thoughts, she failed to notice the police car parked outside. She took the elevator up to the fifth floor and rummaged through her bag to find her keys. As she approached her apartment, s
After dropping Melissa off at her place, Steve headed straight to the Woods villa. He knew he had to deliver the message Jeremy had sent him. As he arrived outside the grand entrance, he was promptly stopped by a security guard. The guard approached his car to inquire about his visit. Steve rolled down the car window, revealing his face. "I'm here to see your boss. Will you let me in or...?" Steve's words trailed off as the security guard recognized him, immediately opening the gates to the villa without hesitation. Steve drove inside and stopped at the entrance, where a professional valet awaited him. He stepped out of the car, handing his keys to the valet with a cautious reminder, "Please take good care of my car. She's my baby, understand?" Receiving a nod of assurance from the valet, Steve made his way into the villa. Upon entering, he found himself in a lavishly decorated space adorned with a golden theme. Though impressive, he had seen grander interiors before. As he glanced