Chapter 4: Meeting Melody's Parents and Leaving the City

Jeremy's POV

We soon arrived at Melody's parents' apartment, Melody parked the car under a shed after driving into the compound. She was indeed well-to-do. They have a beautiful compound and a beautiful house. We got out of the car and headed for the front door. 

We walked into a living room, and I saw an elderly man and woman sitting on the sofa together. They were watching TV. I realised Melody looked so much like her mum, and she had her father's eyes.

Melody hooked my hand and rested her chin on my shoulder like we were a real couple. I felt betrayed by Ariana, but my decision to marry Melody was not because Ariana was pregnant with another man's child; No, I saw an opportunity and I took it. I know about the Thompsons and their business connections. Melody brought that up, and hence my decision to marry her in place of Ariana. Again, as much as I love Ariana very much and I will continue to love her, I couldn't forgive her betrayal. 

I stood there in silence with four eyes staring at me. Melody gave a playful giggle while holding my hand like she could never part from me.

"Dad, Mum, meet Jeremy Wilson, my husband," Melody announced with a smile, and the room's temperature suddenly dropped to a freezing point as we all just stared at each other, waiting for who would react first.

"Yeah!" Mrs Thompson reacted first with a forced giggle, breaking the tension in the room and leaving a smile on her face that looked like it was painted on her face.

Mr Thompson, on the other hand, just stared at Melody with his eyes wide.

"Welcome, Mr Wilson," Mrs Thompson said and stood up to her feet, still carrying the frozen smile on her face.

"Melody, darling, come with me," Mr Thompson finally managed to say, and I already knew Melody's parents were shocked and probably wouldn't like the idea of the marriage, but I still stood there in silence, waiting to see what would happen. 

I had no plan of staying married to Melody. I was giving myself six months in this marriage, and I will end it. By then, I will be done with my probation period in my new company and will probably have some partnerships established. This was the plan I had in mind. 

"You are welcome to our humble home," Mrs Thompson said, interrupting my thoughts and drawing my attention to her. "Please have a seat," she said, offering me a seat after her husband had left with Melody.

I sat down on the seat offered to me and tried to give off a welcoming smile, even though I was not happy about anything.

"Can I offer you anything?" Mrs Thompson asked politely, but her eyes were wide open like something had just scared her, and she had that painted smile still plastered on her face.

Before I could reply to her question, she spoke again, and what she said made me register the hostility within her. She doesn't want me there or anywhere around her daughter.

"Water, tea, aspirin, rat poison, a shovel, or anything to knock you out?" she asked, and I just stared at her with an eyebrow raised, trying to conceal my thoughts of her.

I knew she just snapped and was just acting polite because I was a guest. Rat poison, shovel, something to knock me out? I just married their daughter, and she is already planning my murder.

"I am fine," I said, almost stammering. "I think I should wait outside," I added and stood up, heading for the door.

The environment was very suffocating, and with Mrs Thompson's behaviour, I believe she will hit me with a shovel if I stay in the same space with her. 

"Yes, that would be a good idea," I heard Mrs Thompson say as I walked to the front door.

I could feel her eyes piercing my back with that weird stare and painted smile on her face.

I went out the front door and walked towards the parked car. I walked over to the back and leaned against the back of the car. I pulled my phone out and made a call to change my flight arrangements. I wanted to spend a night with Ariana after our wedding. Make love to her before leaving for Royal City tomorrow, but now that wouldn't happen. I didn't see the need to spend one more day in Pearl City.

"Hello, I would like to change my flight for tomorrow," I said on the call. "Please change it to tonight," I said, and he lady informed me of the penalty cost. "No problem. I will make the payment right away," I said and ended the call. 

I went online and pulled the card out of my breast pocket. I stared at the card and recalled another memory.

Memory lane

Ariana and Jeremy, standing in front of the restaurant where Ariana works.

"Here, my love. I got paid today from the restaurant, and also from the janitor work I do at the school. There is $2000 on this card. You keep it and use it for your daily expenses," Ariana said, and I accepted the card from her hand.

"Thank you, my love. You are an angel from heaven, sent to me from God," I appreciated and hugged her. "I promise you, once I get the job, I will give you the life you deserve," I said while still hugging her.

"Thank you, my love. What matters most to me is that you achieve your dream. I will do everything I can to help you achieve your dream," Ariana said to me after parting from the hug. 

"Thank you, my love," I appreciated staring lovingly at her.

"Okay, hurry back now. I have to go back before my boss notices my absence," Ariana said, pecked my cheek before running back into the restaurant.

End of Memory. 

What was left of the money was still on the card. I frowned and went ahead to make the payment for the change of flight details with the card. She did a lot for me, I appreciate that, but I can never be with a cheating woman. What else would she do in the name of she is helping me? I thought and completed the transaction, and confirmed my change of flight. 

"Mr Wilson," I heard Melody's voice call out to me. 

I shoved my phone back into my pocket and turned in the direction of her voice. She walked up to me and stopped just a couple of feet away from me. She stared at me lovingly, to my shock. The Melody I know does not see eye to eye with me. I am shocked she is giving me the loving gaze. 

I guess it's true about what they say. When you have money, you have the respect, the power and suddenly everyone wants to please you.

"Mr Wilson, I am sorry about my mum. I left the house yesterday, and they are shocked I returned today with a husband they didn't know anything about. Pardon their reaction," Melody said. "Please come with me, they want to welcome you properly," she added, smiling, and I stared at her briefly. "Look, we are leaving for Royal City. We will not be around to face their criticising eyes," she added, and that resonated with me, so I nodded and allowed her to pull me towards the house.

I know she doesn't like me. She was only with me because of what she hoped to get from me. Well, the feeling is mutual.

"Sorry for the earlier misunderstanding. You are welcome to our family, and as Melody's father, you have my blessing," Melody's father said as soon as we were before them again inside the living room.

"Later, we will host a small gathering to introduce you to the family," Melody's mother chipped in.

It all looked rehearsed to me. It didn't feel genuine. A couple of minutes ago, they didn't like me, and now they are all welcoming. I just played along. I didn't care about their daughter anyway, it was just a decision made out of anger and also a personal benefit deal. 

"Thank you," I said, playing along, and Melody smiled, still holding my arms like a teenager in love.

"Thanks, Mum and Dad," Melody added her voice of appreciation. "I came to get my things so we can leave. We are going to the Royal City. Jeremy needs to settle in his new apartment so he can start work on Monday," she said, smiling.

Huh! I thought. She wants to leave with me today? I thought. I guess I will have to buy another ticket. I thought and recalled her question about my move to the Royal City. I was angry, so I didn't pay much attention to what she said.

"Okay, my dear, I will miss you, but you need to be with your husband. That is what married people do," I heard Melody's mother say, interrupting my thought, and she moved in to hug Melody.

"She is my precious daughter. Take care of her," Melody's mother said to me, smiling, after freeing her daughter from the hug, but her statement sounded like a warning.

I just stared at her expressionless, without saying anything. Melody left the living room, leaving me with her parents, who looked all smiling and welcoming.  We stood there, not saying a word to each other. Melody returned to the living room a few minutes later carrying a small travelling bag.

"Take care of yourself, my dear," Melody's father said to Melody, and she nodded while hugging him.

She hugged her mum one more time before we left for the door, with Melody's parents seeing us off.

"What did you tell them? They didn't like me earlier," I asked curiously, once I was inside the car, and Melody got behind the wheel to drive out of the compound while her parents stood at the door, waving at us.

"I told them I love you and I will die the second they send you away?" Melody replied with a smile, and I just stared at her.

"Interesting," I commented, knowing she was just lying to me, but at this moment, I don't care what her plans are, I only care about my plans. "You love me, huh!" I added and stared ahead, not waiting for an answer from her.

Our marriage was just business, and a punishment for Ariana. There is no love between us, and we both knew it.

"So we need to buy an extra ticket?" I asked, seeing she was coming with me.

"Who said anything about flying?" I heard Melody say. "I have this car fueled up. We are going on a long drive. We need to look like a perfect couple when we arrive. We will use the time we spend on this drive to get our stories straight," she added, and I stared at her with a frown.

Melody put the car into motion and drove out of the compound. It was going to be a long drive. We will probably arrive at Royal City by morning the next day.