Chapter 3

Melvin Baker was their neighbor and his sister, Shelly was her classmate so he often visited them. Their families were not exactly friends but neither were they, enemies.

“Hey, Darcy! Done with your work?” He looked around curiously and then asked. “Have the new buyers left?”

Darcy was surprised as to how he came to know about it and then said. “Yes, he just left. How come you know about it?”

“Was that black Bentley his that left a while ago?” Melvin asked with a hint of jealousy underlying his tone. “I was at the nearby café and saw it leaving.” He explained when he the suspicious looks on Darcy’s face.

“Yes, it was his,” Darcy confirmed.

“Well, today I was crossing the manor and saw that it has been repainted and looks like people are ready to move in,” Melvin explained.

Darcy just stared at him for some time thinking about what he had just said.

“I am sorry Darcy! Melvin apologized immediately after he saw Darcy’s gloomy expression. “I shouldn’t have mentioned it, knowing how to hurt you were when you sold it to that Harris fellow. “But sooner or later they will move in.

“It's okay you don’t have to as I have moved on. I had beautiful memories of that place and that’s what matters. I am just happy that he did not demolish it altogether.” Darcy said in one breath.

Only she knew how she felt, it was very hurtful to think her grandfather’s manor had been sold out to a complete stranger. It was usually used as a guest house by the government and they got the revenues but now it was sold out because of their financial debt. At least Darcy could remember the beautiful memories of her childhood days there. She knew that her dad was happy at his own villa which he had made on his own and where he could work freely without any interference from his parents when they were alive but she had a very happy time with her grandparents in the manor so she was very reluctant to sell it. But now it was gone.

“I have heard a lot of gossip about Gale Harris he is termed as the most eligible bachelor in Ireland but he never showed any interest in marrying anyone. I wonder if he is gay.” Melvin said looking very amused and happy. He had heard from his father that his grandfather was a very shrewd businessman but after his father’s death Gale’s dad had left Michigan for good because of his lady love. But what intrigued him more was Gale returning to Michigan and re-establishing his grandfather’s old broken factory. Was there some hidden conspiracy?

Darcy turned towards him and asked. “Why are you bothered? You will be anyways leaving Michigan soon, right?”

He shook his shoulder and looked at her with warmth in his eyes. “ Well, the condition of the factory is just like yours, although we are not in debt like you, comically we are not that stable and if I take the job in New York I will get paid really well. In that way, I could work there for a few years and then return. I can’t help it, Darcy.” He added resentfully.

Darcy felt uncomfortable, whenever she spoke anything about Baker’s company. She somehow felt that Melvin could make a turnover and save his company from closing down but he had already received a job offer from a prestigious company in New York and they were paying him well. So he decided to leave after all the economy of Michigan was deteriorating day by day.

Although they were business rivals they had grown up together and attended the same school. Melvin was senior to her and his sister Shelly Baker. Shelly was her only friend in Michigan.  Melvin’s father was a very ruthless businessman, who would do anything to get what he wants so Darcy rarely went to their house but Melvin was closer to her brother Louis when he was around so he came to their house very often.

“But surely your father wants you to stay back,” Darcy asked curiously.

“Well, yes he does, but you know you know our ideas don’t match and we both have a different way of thinking, so I don’t think it would matter.”

“But isn’t it your duty as a son to stand by your father?” Darcy said.

“I know I do  but apart from my responsibility as a son I have another reason to stay back in Michigan.” He said softly, standing very close to her.

And Darcy looked at him nervously and asked. “And what’s that?”

“I am willing to stay back if you agree to marry me.” He said and drew her closer to him but Darcy pulled away from him instantly.

“Melvin, you know I can’t think of marriage right now there are so many things going on in my family so please don’t ask me to do something which I can’t promise. I don’t have time for it.”

Melvin was shocked at her rebellious behaviour and then said. “I can't see any reason for you refusing me after all we have known each other for many years. Marry me Darcy and we will get through this together.” He moved closer to her and pulled her tightly in his embrace. He simply could not understand why she was refusing him when he was ready to give her a bright future. “Everything will be alright darling, trust me.” He whispered in her ears huskily.

“No Melvin.” She turned towards him her eyes flashing with anger. “How can you say such a thing when there is much going on and your best friend Louis is missing? How can I think about getting married?”

“Well, there are a lot of things we can’t control Darcy but we need to move on and as for Louis he is feeling guilty right now he will come back once he gets over his depression. So don’t worry about him. And who knows, maybe if we get married he will come back happily.” He said happily holding her more tightly.

Darcy pushed him away and said. “You know what Melvin, I don’t accept you to understand how I feel but for me, there is nothing more important other than my family and till everything is not resolved in my family I cannot think of getting married.”

“Darcy what if my dad buys your company? Will you marry me then?” Melvin questioned her differently because he knew his father was thinking about it. But he wanted to let her try other buyers as well so that in the end when she had no option he would buy it at a very less price. His father was very shrewd and Melvin had known about his plan all the way long but he has been in love with Darcy for a long time and wanted to make her his. Every time he met her he felt like making love to her and today he had lost all his control.

Darcy looked at him for a long time and thought about what he had asked and she knew it really well that Victor baker had always had an evil eye for her father’s company but did actually want to buy it.

“I am not sure but I will be happy if anyone from Michigan took over the company that way I will know that it has gone into good hands and it won’t be exploited.”

He walked towards her again and pulled her in his arms again suppressing Darcy’s urges to pull away. He whispered. “You see if we marry the company will still belong to you and me. So think about it.”

Darcy knew where the conversation was headed and said. “It doesn’t matter now, I am ready to sell it to a good buyer who will promise to keep the jobs of my employees, it’s the least I can do for them.”

Melvin’s phone started buzzing and he saw that it was from his sister Shelly so he received it immediately.

After speaking for a while he hung up then turned towards Darcy and said. “Shelly had called and she told me to take you home with me as it’s been a long time since you two had met.” Darcy opened her mouth to object but Melvin added. “Just for some time, please.”

Darcy noticed that Melvin had forgotten about his proposal so she nodded her head and agreed to go along with him. She was happy that she had successfully evaded the topic again. She knew she had to get married one day but right now her priority was her family besides she had not found the right one yet and she did not feel anything for Melvin.