by Lym Cruz
“I hope we didn’t put on a show for Robert.” Melissa laughed. “How long do you plan on staying here?”
“Not long. Things are going well. We’ve got a potential buyer for the app.”
“I know. I read online that some rich person wants to buy it.”
“Nothing’s confirmed yet, Mel.”
“I knew you could do this.”
Her words sunk into me. She did always know. From the start, even when I doubted, Melissa believed in me. She saw me in a way that I couldn’t see myself and brought it out of me.
“How pregnant are you?”
“About eight weeks.” She paused, hesitating before asking the next question. “Are you, um, happy about the baby?”
I pulled her even closer to me and wrapped my arms around her chest, cupping her tits. The timing wasn’t perfect but it was our baby. Not being content with the news was impossible. A child would link Melissa and I forever.
“Yes, it’s all I think about since I found out and I think it’s going to be a girl. Beautiful like her father.”
“No way, it’s a boy,” she teased, “handsome like his mother.”
“We’ll see about that. Your breasts are bigger.”
“Oh. My. God,” she pronounced every word dramatically. “First you say that my hair is flat and now you’re calling me fat. This isn’t going very well, Mr. Malcolm you’re supposed to convince me to stay.”
I laughed lightly and kissed the top of her head. “Will your hair go back to normal?”
“Yes, nothing a little water can’t fix.”
Quietly, we held onto each other. Everything was fine. Life began making sense all over again.
“Andrew,” she said after a long while. “I never wanted to leave. I thought I did but I really didn’t. I guess I was just looking for an excuse to stay, so when you threatened to have me arrested, which I didn’t believe, I used it as an excuse to cancel my trip. Thank you for giving me a reason to stay.”
“I love you, Mel.”
Chapter 22
Melissa
Andrew and I were back on the same page. We talked it out and things were good again. He moved in with me and we were starting a family. The feeling was surreal and little overwhelming. Neither one of us had a clue about what it took to be a parent, luckily, we had time to prepare. Twenty-nine weeks to be exact. It seemed like a long stretch, but time’s a tricky thing and in a blink of an eye it’s gone.
I was facing the mirror attempting to perfect my poor makeup skills, well aware that we were extremely late for Erica’s and Dave’s engagement party. Andrew didn’t bother to say a thing because he understood by now that it wouldn’t make me move any faster. In my defense, I did try to be on time but the problem was that time was never enough to choose an outfit no matter how early I started preparing.
“Andrew,” I said, trying to get the fake eyelashes to stick. “Could you zip up my dress please?” He didn’t answer but a second later I felt his hands on my back.
“Stand straight.”
I gave up on the eyelashes, ripped them off and stood up straight.
“It’s not closing.” I could feel him struggling to pull up the zipper. Sucking in air, I tucked in my stomach. “I—um, think you should put on something else. This won’t do. The zipper won’t go up.”
“Is it broken or stuck?”
“No… I think it’s too small.”
No way!
I turned my back to the mirror and peeked over my shoulder. The zipper was two thirds up and didn’t seem as though it would go any higher. It took me hours to pick the dress and now it didn’t fit.
“You better get used to it,” Andrew mocked and kissed the exposed flesh on my back. “Soon nothing in that closet of yours will fit.”
“Not funny.” I grimaced.
“You’re right, it’s not funny,” he said, his voice holding a hint of glee. Andrew slapped my butt and I yelped. “Make it quick.”
∞∞∞
Erica and David met us at the entrance. I wasn’t David’s favorite person and he wasn’t mine but he was marrying my best friend. Therefore, I had to suck it up. Inevitably he was becoming a permanent part of my life.
“I thought you two weren’t coming anymore,” Erica said, pulling me in for a quick hug.
Andrew said nothing, but the way he peeped down at me from the corner of his eyes with an arched brow, spoke volumes. Erica understood the circumstances of our late coming.
“What?” I shrugged. I managed to find a simple black, lace cocktail dress that both fit and I was content with. Black wouldn’t be my first pick for an engagement party, nonetheless, it was what I had available and about the only thing that fitted me without cutting off my circulation. “I had a wardrobe malfunction.”
“Let’s just go in,” David said, gesturing the way to the hall. He was dressed exactly like Andrew—a black suit and a white shirt—except he had on a satiny, silver tie. I bet Rob was wearing the same combination.
Andrew placed his hand on my lower back, coaxing me forward. We could hear a beautiful waltz strumming as we passed through two wide doors and entered into a dazzling room.
“This is beautiful, Erica,” I said, gazing up at the silver chandeliers.
White drapes fell beautifully from the high ceilings to the ground and there were tiny light bulbs embedded into them. The rest of the room followed the same color scheme—white and silver. The centerpieces on each table were the wow-factor. Every single one was different but they all matched.
“My mother-in-law helped. She’s amazing.”
The party was in full swing. The dance floor was packed with couples, everyone seemed comfortable, either chatting, eating or simply spectating.
The hosts guided us to our table and, on our way, I saw Ezra. He was with Lala and a few others I recognized from the bar. I waved to him and he simply raised his glass. Ezra had withdrawn since our last encounter. He barely spoke to me and although I hated losing a friend it was for the best.
Once we settled, the happy couple excused themselves. Christina was at the table with Rob. I thought she was moving on. She cocked her head to look at me and gloated. We’d met a few times since our phone conversation, and I couldn’t be mad at her anymore now that Andrew and I were together. Every time we met, she had that gloat of triumph.
She was right about everything. I expected Andrew to always be there as he always had. I was pushing him away yet I never truly believed he’d give up on us.
Right after, Christina’s focus was right back on Rob, who was disengaged from whatever she was telling him. It was his way of creating space between them.
“Did you tell Rob about Christina?” I murmured to Andrew.
“I mentioned it to him, and he has made clear to her that he’s not interested,” Andrew said with a chin motion towards a desperately, flirtatious Christina. “But it seems as though it hasn’t sunk in.”
I watched Christina batter her lashes, attempting to get the attention of a man who refused to give it to her. Christina was beautiful and was never one to cling to a man. I couldn’t understand why she chose to stick to one who didn’t want her.
“There is someone I want you to meet,” Andrew said, already on his feet, and pulling my hand to follow him. I didn’t get the time to ask who because he moved fast.
We approached a table with an elderly woman and three other middle-aged women, chattering between each other.
“Grandma, this is Melissa. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on,” Andrew gushed. A woman with dazzling blue eyes stood with a wide, warm smile drawn across her lips.
I wanted to return the grin on his grandma’s face yet, I couldn’t. All I could think about was how much she knew about me. Andrew sensed my apprehension, caught my elbow and jerked me forward.
Her smile broadened. She was a lovely lady and her long emerald-green dress fit like a glove. Her hair was almost all gray with a few fading strands of blonde.
�
��So, she does exist,” she said in a playful tone. “And I have to agree with you Andrew, she is charming.”
I managed to curve my lips to what was supposed to be a smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Malcolm. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nonsense.” She waved a hand as if shooing me away. “Call me Alice, Mrs. Malcolm makes me feel old. I still have a few years left in me.”
I chuckled rather awkwardly. She stared at me for a long while and I started to feel uncomfortable. My eyes scurried all around without a spot to rest on as I shifted on my heels. My bladder tightened with a sudden urge to pee.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Alice finally spoke, “And I do know about your past.” She reached for my hand and squeezed. Her hands were warm and her touch comforting. “Andrew told me about the pregnancy, congratulations. You have a baby on the way and a man who loves you dearly. Focus on that and always remember that the most important thing is the truth that you know.”
“Thank you,” I sighed, lowering my heavy shoulders. I truly appreciated her comment.
We spoke for a few more minutes before Andrew paraded me around the room, introducing me to a lot of people whose named I’d forgotten right after. His parents were there and it troubled me, Andrew on the other hand, seemed completely at ease, as if their presence didn’t affect him at all. If it did, he hid it well.
Andrew snatched a champagne flute from a passing server and brought it to his mouth. I couldn’t have any but I wanted it. I stared at him with a bit of envy, watching him toss back the flute and then he handed me the empty glass with a smirk.
“I need to go to the bathroom,” I whispered. Andrew nodded and let go of my hand. I wandered to the nearest ladies’ room—dropping the champagne glass on the first table I came across. I locked myself in a stall and went about my business and then walked out humming.
For some reason, I wasn’t surprised to find Jennifer Malcolm leaning against the vanity with her ankles crossed. She was clearly there for me. Not acknowledging her presence, I made my way to the sink to wash my hands.
She turned to the mirror, surveying my reflection through it. I avoided eye contact. All I wanted to do was get away from her. I glanced around looking for towels to dry my hands but didn’t see any, or possibly, I was too on edge to have noticed them.
The presence of that woman made my skin crawl. I had nothing pleasant to say to her and I doubted she was here to praise me. I gave up and waved the water off my hands, heading towards the door when she stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped back and met her eyes. Caramel brown like Andrew’s. Except hers were cold and lacked the gentleness Andrew’s had. There was no denying her beauty. Slender, with a cascade of wavy dark brown hair. Her dress was modestly fit, perfect for her age, showcasing her figure through a flowing sheath of dark blue satin.
She arched her brow and slowly looked at me from head to toe then back up. Her condescending superiority stare scraped over the nerves that I was already fighting to control.
“What do you want? I can’t stand here all night,” I said with calmness while boiling on the inside.
“Melissa. Melissa,” she laughed wryly. “You see, I have nothing against you. On the contrary, you seem to be smart, beautiful, you come from a very wealthy family. Even so, you’re just not quite right for my son. It’s nothing personal.”
“Well, that’s his choice to make, not yours.”
“Andrew’s young, he doesn’t know what he wants. And you’re damaging everything we worked very hard to build. He quit the family business and ruined his relationship with his father to pursue some hobby that will probably lead him nowhere. And I’m sure you’re the one who convinced him of doing so.” She ran an index finger over her eyebrows shaking her head. “If only you didn’t have such an ugly past and weren’t so… how can I put this? Different. Then things would have been better.”
I hadn’t the faintest of ideas how she expected me to respond to that, so, I stood there hushed, waiting for her to continue.
“You were a prostitute, Melissa,” she said with repugnance, “my son doesn’t need a prostitute, he needs a real woman. A woman who can walk in anywhere with her head held high. Knowing she has nothing to be ashamed of. You can’t be that woman for Andrew. You’re all … wrong.”
I secured a deadpan expression while I listened to her slander speech. Every word she uttered was a perfect strike, hitting the correct spot. She was getting to me but I refused to let it show.
“Look at you Melissa, you don’t fit with my son. Ashlyn is right for him. If you loved Andrew then you’d let him be happy with a woman he deserves. How will that—that child growing inside of you even be? Don’t you think about the discrimination it will go through? You need someone like you.” She sighed intensely followed by a long pause, I waited for her to continue but it seemed as though she’d run out of words and the lecture was over.
“I assume you’re done,” I said steadily, even though I was even more repelled by her after that pathetic speech. “So please excuse me.”
She took a step to the side, making way for me to walk past her. There were countless things going through my mind. I wanted to make her take back every word she said. There was a list of crude names—appropriate for her—that I could spit at her but I refrained from using any of them. I wasn’t going to stoop to her level.
I placed my hand on the door handle and heard her say, “You may think you’re better than me but you’re not. You’re a worthless whore.”
Ouch! That hurt.
My silence was getting to her. She was pushing my buttons further to get a reaction from me. No matter how much she tried I wasn’t going to indulge her.
“I don’t think I’m better than you. I know I am,” I said softly over my shoulder and left.
Walking brusquely, I searched for the exit. I needed to breathe and shore up my composure. The cool night breeze kissed my cheek and I welcomed the freshness, inhaling slowly and letting go of long tense breaths. Once I felt calmer, I spun to see Ashlyn a few feet away.
I rolled my eyes. Oh damn, another one!
“What do you want?” I hissed, expressing how unwelcoming her presence was.
“I saw Jennifer following you to the bathroom.” She grinned. “Just wanted to see your face. She can be tough. I—”
There was no way I would stand for yet another lecture. I cut off her words. “You know what Ashlyn? Go fuck yourself or better yet, find someone to fuck you. Andrew doesn’t want you. Get a life.”
I shoved past her catching her dry laughter. “He’ll be back to me. He always comes back.”
Like I did with Jennifer, I moved on without looking back. Ashlyn wasn’t even a threat, although she believed she was.
Andrew found me before I got back to the main hall. He was restless and rubbing his nape.
“Where the hell were you?” he grumbled when he set eyes on me and moved to close the distance between us. “I went inside the ladies’ to look for you.”
I didn’t answer. One look at my face and he realized I was upset. I shook my head, not wanting to get into it now. “Please hold me.”
He wrapped his hands around me crushing me to him and pressing kisses to the top of my head. “Mel, what happened?”
I offered nothing. All I needed was the comfort of his touch, his reassurance that everything would be all right no matter what. Andrew didn’t insist, instead, he pulled back from our embrace, held my face in his hand and kissed me softly. The stroke of his tongue into my mouth soothed my ragged emotion. Andrew broke the kiss and ran his knuckles down my cheeks, gazing into my eyes.
“What’s wrong, beautiful?”
“You’re not ashamed of me?”
Andrew growled, annoyed. “This again? I told you that I couldn’t care less about that. I love and accept you the way you are, and that includes everything that happened before I met you, so please stop with this. Stop doubting yourself. You’re it for me.
You, Melissa, make me happy.”
My lips twitched. That’s exactly what I needed to hear and deep down he knew it. “You’re it for me too.”
“Good. Want to embarrass me on the dance floor? They’re playing your music.”
“As long as you don’t step on my toes.”
“I can’t promise that but I’ll do my best.”
Andrew led us back into the party and straight to the dance floor. Erica and Christina were already doing their thing. I was impressed with Erica. She was getting better. Ezra was showing off how good he was with Lala—they looked good together.
The band, which I was almost certain had been swapped for an entirely different crew, played a mid-tempo salsa. Andrew wasn’t a skilled dancer at all, but it took him longer this time before stepping on my toes. I didn’t mind, I was content with him exactly the way he was. My rage was fading as Andrew and I mostly goofed around rather than dance. I pushed all concerns to the back of my mind and decided that I’d deal with them later.
When the song ended, Ezra asked for the next one. Andrew tightened his jaw and his stance tensed. But surprisingly he let go of me allowing Ezra to chip in and left the dance floor. Another salsa came on, same tempo and we commenced the dance. There was a noticeable shift from dancing with Andrew. Ezra was agile and confident in his lead. He actually knew what he was doing with his feet and the rest of his body.
“How are you?” Ezra asked.
“Great. How about you?” He pushed me back at arm’s length, spun me and then brought me close to his chest. Over Ezra’s shoulder, I smiled at Andrew who didn’t take his eyes off us. I don’t think he was even blinking.
“I’ve been better.”
His answer wasn’t satisfactory but I didn’t press, not wanting to bring anything unpleasant up. In silence we did what we knew how to do best—dance. And dance we did. It’d been a while and it was a bliss. An explosion of joy.