MEREDITH:
Stepping on the gas, I drove as carefully as I could, trying to beat the time.
After a few red lights, a traffic jam, and listening to “Don’t Let Me Down” by The Chainsmokers ft Daya, I approached my destination. Still couldn’t believe that I was a terrific driver. I guess one's hidden talents come to light in times of distress.
As I approached the driveway, my mouth fell open. The place looked like a fortress. What kind of office needed such a location, and what work did they do?
I stepped out of the vehicle and buzzed the bell on the gate.
“Hello,” a male voice answered.
“My name is Meredith Tate, and I’m here for the interview.” To my surprise, the gate opened.
I went back into my car and drove in. When I least expected it, I hit the second gate. This time, armed men were lurking around the perimeter, all alert like they were expecting a third world-war. To say that I was terrified was an understatement. The last time I saw this was in a movie. I wonder if the President worked here. How could a vicinity need this many gates and guards?
While I tried to gain the courage to meet any of the men and ask for directions to the office I was meant to go to or, better still, find out if I was in the right place, one of them approached me. I must say that the selective process of these men had amazing standards on the list. Because they were astonishingly hot and tall, maintaining almost the same height.
“You must be Miss Tate,” his baritone voice said, ringing a sweet melody into my eyes. How could a man’s voice sound so heavenly? “You have two more gates to get cleared. When you get to the main gate, show a valid ID card and ask for Miss Devi Michael. She will instruct you further on what to do.”
The way he spoke was so beautifully distracting that I barely understood his words. If I had seen him elsewhere without him wearing this full military gear, I could’ve sworn that he was an athlete. Those---
“Did you hear me, ma’am?” his voice boomed, shaking me away from my analytic thoughts back to reality.
“Yes, sorry. Heard you loud and clear,” I said with a nervous chuckle. “Just out of curiosity, can I ask why there are so many gates? What or who is being guarded?”
Smiling, “I’m in no position to provide such information, Miss Tate.” His smile disappeared as fast as it came, and his face was emotionless. “But, I can tell you one thing, though.”
Leaning close to his mouth so that I could grab as many details of what he was about to tell, I mentally prepared myself for whatever heavy news he was about to drop.
“I would advise you to not stick your nose in unnecessary matters. It will save you from a lot of stress.” With powerful strides, he walked away and signaled with a wave of his hand, and the gate was opened.
I rolled my eyes so hard that it felt like I was about to lose them. So much for prepping myself for information. “Asshole,” I mumbled as quietly as possible. It would be a thing of shame to get thrown out because of what I said. However, I was definitely going to give him a piece of mine if I got this job. Little did I know that hell was waiting for me and I had just driven myself to it.
Successfully, I was able to get to the last gate following the hottie’s instruction. “I’m supposed to meet with Miss Michael,” I told another guard, who looked as ripped as the first one. “My name is Meredith Tate. I’m here for an interview.”
“Drive to the main building, ma’am.” This guard was not a bit friendly.
Finally, they opened the last gate. The outside did no justice to give an insight into what my eyes saw. The exterior looked like Heaven; adorned with beautiful flowers and trees of all kinds in two neat rolls, with one opposite the other. It was peaceful, soothing, and nourishing for the mind. There was a big mansion sitting in the middle. I didn't find it surprising to have found more guards in every corner too.
Getting out of the car, I was directed by a security guard to whom to meet. Going along the pathway I was instructed to follow, I saw a patio that overlooked the crystal-like pool. Continuing on the path, I saw a marble door that led straight ahead.
I kept looking around, trying to absorb the positive energy of the place as I approached a doorway that looked like an invitation to a new adventure, a new challenge, and a new chance to earn myself once more.
Lost in admiring the beautiful place, I missed a step and tripped, landing on an orchard of roses. I fell so hard that my body crashed into the orchard, entirely ruining it. The vase supporting the orchard of lilies lost balance and broke.
“Who the fuck let this wild human into my place?” an unfriendly male voice thundered.
With embarrassment, I managed to get myself up, dusting the dirt off my knees. “Excuse---“ The rest of what I wanted to say got stuck in my mouth as I rose to meet the eyes of the most handsome person on Earth. Literary, he was a walking demigod.
Nine months later… MILES:Given another chance, I'd choose Meredith. It's just unfair no one shared the pregnancy manuscript or advised waiting. Our incredible honeymoon across seven countries resulted in Meredith unexpectedly getting pregnant. I'd planned to enjoy ourselves a bit longer before diving into parenthood, but life had other plans. The journey became a whirlwind and a battleground. I actively participated in our pregnancy, cherishing the moments. Yet, Meredith's emotions were a rollercoaster. She craved only the company of Brandon, Zara, and Sarah. Unless she sought intimacy, I was on the sidelines. Sex became frequent, anywhere she desired. She ate and cried excessively. I urged her to rest, avoiding work to focus on herself. Bored, she picked up new hobbies like painting and knitting. Habits changed; she turned into a neat freak and often scolded me, but I didn't mind. Overall, she blossomed, with fuller breasts and curvier hips. Mrs. Pierce became my constant fantasy.
MEREDITH: Miles, true to his word, made sure I didn't do anything at all at the wedding. My greatest contributions were "yes" or "no." He had everything and everyone over. He also "fired" me, saying that he wanted me to glow at my wedding and that working would stress me. Zara, Grenada, Sarah, Lucinda, and even Brandon were actively involved. I received so much love and gifts that I had to convert one of the vacant rooms into a gift room. Miles began renovating the house to suit my taste, even though I protested that I was okay with the old layout of the house. He disagreed, changing colors, bringing new furniture, and adding feminine touches to certain parts of the house. The long-awaited day finally came. In all honesty, the days went by quickly. We decided on a private wedding close to a beach in Fiji. It was our best decision. We had the day decorated in gold and black. There were chairs for just a hundred guests, arranged in rows of fifty on each side, overlooking the altar, wh
MILES: "Come." I took her hand through the back door to our balcony. As soon as we were outside, I was on my knee again. "Marry me. Again. Meredith Tate, soon to be Meredith Pierce." This time, I had the ring with me. "Yes. Yes. Yes!" I slipped it on her finger, and we kissed. "Oh, my. It is beautiful. Everything is." I had roses all over the balcony, a bottle of champagne and two glasses in an ice bucket waiting, and a gigantic picture of Christian. "Sorry, I sent you to the kitchen. I was asking him for permission," I pointed at Christian's picture. "He said he wouldn't have allowed you to be with anyone else but me," I boasted. I wish he were here. I would have loved to have had a younger brother too. Meredith was already sobbing. I could tell she was grateful for my thoughtfulness. She hugged and kissed the picture of her brother. I held her close to me as we stared out from the balcony, sipping our champagne. Once more, she glanced at her ring. "Thank you, Miles. Thank you. I
MEREDITH: After disappearing from Miles's life months ago, I felt empty. To occupy myself, I worked as a volunteer on various projects in the place I relocated to, with the most prominent and peaceful one being animal rescue. During that time, I regained myself and rediscovered that he was my happiness, and I wanted to be with him for as long as we lasted. Two days ago, at the last minute, my lovely boss gathered me and the team to inform us that we had received a VIP invitation to a children's charity program in California. After hearing all the details, I couldn't resist attending. Believe me, the idea was to slip in and out without encountering him. I wasn't ready for that interaction, or truthfully, I feared facing him. I should have known something was up when my boss handed over clothes, shoes, and jewelry, claiming that every member of the team got the same package. I should have known a hot billionaire had a hand in it. Upon our arrival, as I listened to his speech and heard
Four months later... MILES: Despite my efforts to locate her, Meredith managed to elude me. She did an excellent job of hiding, but I was even more determined. My sources eventually tracked her down to a remote island in Africa where she had flown to. I had no intention of disrespecting her wishes, nor did I want to leave her alone. From a distance, I kept a close watch on her, deploying my men strategically and occasionally flying down myself to observe her activities. She volunteered at a local zoo, dedicated to wildlife conservation. It was evident she hadn't forgotten about me, as she often drunkenly confessed how much she missed me and our intimacy. On such nights, I would escort her back to her apartment. I admit, I even observed her in private moments, finding myself mirroring her actions. However, despite the satisfaction, I grew weary of this distant observation. I longed to be close to her, to have her by my side. Meanwhile, Steele sold the stadium to me, with the conditi
MILES: Her words melted my heart. I leaned in and kissed her passionately, savoring every moment as our tongues danced together. Going back to my seat, I told her everything that had happened in her absence and how Neymar and Britney were involved. "We can never truly know anyone, I guess." She also told me everything that had happened when Alan took her and how she was able to escape. We spent an hour talking, interspersed by moments of light laughter and occasional sobs from her. I was surprised that we both had the energy to converse after our lovemaking. Though I had her, though she had forgiven me, though everything was over, I still felt guilt. I felt a heavy burden of guilt because I believed I could have saved Christian. "Meredith, I have something to tell you." She moved onto her side to face me. "Go ahead," she said, beaming with a smile. "I think I might be responsible for Christian's death," I confessed. She shot upright. "How so?" I sat up too and narrated the whol