Chapter 2
From Gerard's tone, it was obvious he was onto something.
I dug my nails into my palm, trying to steady myself.
I wanted to ask him, but the words just stuck in my throat.
It felt like a lump was blocking my voice.
In the end, Gerard, who was leaning by the window, spoke up first.
"I can tell you everything, but you have to promise me a few things first," he said.
"What do you want?" I asked.
Suddenly, he locked his hand around the back of my neck and pulled me even closer.
Our faces were so close, our noses nearly brushed.
He said quietly, "First, you have to divorce Alexis before the month is up.
"Second, keep this baby."
His gaze locked onto mine, intense and unyielding.
He continued, "Then, you'll marry me."
"Why? Doesn't it bother you..." I murmured, my question trailing off in the charged air.
Gerard's eyes glinted, caught somewhere between a teasing smirk and something deeper.
His breath was tantalizingly close, a warm rush that made my skin prickle as the space between us shrank.
A surge of déjà vu hit me, so intense it felt like I was drowning in the feeling.
'It's him!' I thought, my heart leaping in my chest.
On our wedding anniversary, Alexis booked us a luxurious presidential suite.
That night, he was unusually passionate with me, but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't make out his face.
When I woke up the next morning, my whole body ached like I'd been hit by a truck.
Seeing the note he'd left by the bed saying he'd gone to the office, I felt a strange sense of emptiness.
It turned out that the guy from that night wasn't Alexis.
Gerard leaned in, his voice dropping to a taunting whisper. "Remember now?"
I felt a shiver run through me at the mocking edge in his tone.
I raised my hand, ready to smack him across the face, but he caught my wrist and pinned it above my head.
Gerard said, eyes glinting, "You were pretty wild that night too. Need me to help you refresh your memory?"
"Shut up!" I yelled, cutting him off before he could go any further.
He barely blinked. "Even if it hadn't been me, Alexis would've set you up with someone else. At least with me, you know what you're getting into."
I shot Gerard a look. "So I'm supposed to be grateful now?"
Gerard pinned me tightly, refusing to let me go.
His fingers slid slowly over my stomach.
"This baby is mine." Gerard's voice was low and possessive. "You really need to consider my conditions."
Taking advantage of his distraction, I landed a fierce slap across Gerard's face.
"Keep dreaming, Gerard!" I shot back, venom dripping from my voice.
Just as I was about to storm out, Gerard's voice stopped me.
"I can help you kill Alexis," he said.
I barged straight into Alexis's office, not bothering to knock.
A blast of sickly-sweet perfume slammed into me as soon as I walked through the door.
Melody was sitting right on Alexis's lap, the two tangled up together.
They were practically all over each other.
As soon as the door opened, Alexis and Melody sprang apart like they'd been hit by a live wire.
Melody frantically tried to fix her rumpled clothes, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Meanwhile, something suspicious still glistened on Alexis's lips.
Before they could even react, I whipped out my phone and snapped a bunch of photos.
Alexis's face turned the color of thunderclouds. He marched right up to me, his voice low and dangerous.
"Melissa, what the hell are you doing? Delete those photos," he hissed under his breath.
I held up my phone, waving it right in front of his face.
"Honey, you and Melody were so invested in your work, I didn't have the heart to break up the moment. Thought I'd snap a keepsake for you two," I said, dripping sarcasm.
Alexis stammered, "We were just talking about the new product launch.
"Melody just twisted her ankle. I was only trying to help her up.
Melody instantly played the helpless damsel, eyes big and watery.
"That's right, Melissa, please don't misunderstand. Alexis treats me like his little sister," Melody piped up, her voice going soft and innocent.
I brushed right past Melody and stomped up to Alexis, slapping him so hard the sound practically echoed through the office.
Alexis just stood there, clutching his cheek, eyes wide—totally stunned, like he couldn't believe I'd actually hit him.
I flicked my hand in the air, sneering. "Just cleaning the trash off your face."
Melody hurried over, acting all worried and ready to defend Alexis, her voice sugary-sweet.
"Melissa, how could you slap him like that?" she protested, trying her best to sound hurt.
I casually stuck out my foot, tripping Melody just enough for her to stumble and hit the floor.
I said, putting on a look of mock surprise, "Oh wow, Melody, what's with the dramatic bow? Careful, the floor's cold. You should get up."
Alexis's face turned stormy and he was quick to rush over, scrambling to help Melody to her feet.
Melody's eyes shimmered with vulnerability, but she tried her hardest to sound brave. "It's really okay, Alexis, you don't have to blame Melissa at all. I know she didn't mean for any of this to happen. Please don't be angry with her."
I wasn't about to sit through her little performance.
Pulling out my phone again, I snapped a few more pictures, the shutter clicking away in the tense silence.
"Wow, Alexis, you're so hands-on with your staff. If I post these online, the company's reputation might just go viral," I said, heavy with sarcasm.
"Melissa, are you mad? It was all about work, I promise. What do I have to do so you'll actually believe me?" Alexis tried to sound sincere, but the desperation bled through.
I strolled right up to him, my tone ice-cold. "Of course I believe you."
Before he could even blink, I landed two sharp slaps across his face.
Then I flashed a satisfied smile.
"Looks like your face is spotless now," I said, sarcasm dripping from every word.
Alexis's face fell, embarrassment and panic twisting his features.
He took a deep breath, forcing a weak, uneasy smile.
"Melissa, I know Melody and I crossed the line. I promise it won't happen again. Let's not make a fuss, okay?" he said, trying his best to sound conciliatory.
With Alexis watching, I deleted the photos, turned on my heel, and strode out of the office.
*****