Melissa POV
''Cat got your tongue, Mr. Ramirez?'' I asked him with the brightest smile I could muster. Anthony had his beady ocean blues stuck on me as the look of surprise and bewilderment on his face.
At that exact moment, I wished I could take a picture to capture that flabbergasted expression that I had rarely see him have.
He let out a throaty chuckle at my question and stroked his stubble thoughtfully. I knew he'd have a lot of questions for me once we left the Endeavor Motors building but I hadn't yet come up with a solid lie on how I obtained enough information to get the Chase McBridge wagging his tail behind us.
I mentally praised myself and my lips formed a slight smile. Things were finally going my way for once, from getting Anthony the deal, to getting accepted at my workplace, to being acknowledged by Anthony for all those years I worked my ass off--my sweat, blood and tears--to earning such a priceless reaction from Chase after using his own foul play against him.
I couldn't feel more accomplished, and I was just getting started.
But then I hadn't thought of what to actually tell this man who couldn't take his eyes of me with a tinge of pride in his eyes.
He sure knew how to make a girl feel confident.
I mean the wisest thing was to tell him about that strange person that texted me and provided me with enough dirt to take that scoundrel down but I wanted to be cautious in dealing with this Lune person whoever he or she was.
''What exactly do I tell him? That it was delivered to me in my sleep by the fairy of blackmail and exploitation?'' I thought and bit the insides of my mouth.
Maybe if I was lucky enough he would just overlook the whole documents thing.
''Where did you actually get evidence of that sort to threaten him?"
Blast!
'' I understand that my actions were quite suspicious and you have every right to know where I got the documents from but just not now, alright? I'll tell you when the time's right but....but not today'' I had to say with my fingers crossed hoping he'd buy such an excuse.
Anthony is a strategist, one of the wisest I knew, my request probably made me seem even more suspicious than he had already perceived me to be and I was quite sure he was still going to press on for an answer.
''Yes ma'am, whatever you wish'' He suddenly gave in and I almost spun my head off as I turned to face him to confirm if I heard him right. My mouth formed an 'O' in surprise and I resisted the urge to pump my fist in the air and scream "sublime!".
''Thank you'' I rather softly whispered.
He smiled back at me and reached into his pocket for his car keys.I sighed in relief and laid my head back on the headrest quite glad that I was able to dodge an interrogation--at least for now.
He started the car and we drove out of the Endeavour Motors parking lot. A wave of calmness washed over me once that dark building was out of sight and I kicked my heels off my feet and let out an exhausted yawn.
''Do you mind if I turn on the radio?" I enquired and he shook his head giving me the go-ahead.
The soothing sounds of good old 2000s RnB filled the car and I hummed along to Brandy's classic Right Here as I tapped my fingers on the dashboard, absorbed in the melodious rhythm.
Looking out the window, I turned my focus towards the buildings we were speeding past and realized I hadn't really taken notice of how picturesque this part of the town was. Thinking of it, I never really had time explore places and food outside my dad's radar.
''That's all about to change.'' I mentally noted and promised myself I was going to take some time off to do what makes me happy. There was no reason to be scared anymore, I was safe. I was safe all by myself.
I stole a glimpse of the elated man beside me, his full focus on the street only breaking focus when he grumbled about another driver on his right trying to overtake his car. ''I'm safe with him'' I thought and looked away to avoid smiling sheepishly and drawing his attention.
I snuck another glance at Anthony after a few minutes of scrolling through social media in boredom to see him bobbing his head and tapping his fingers on the steering wheel before taking a hard right at the sight of the red light gone green.
''Did you see the look on his face? He looked so furious it was entertaining. I could have sworn steam poured out of ears.'' Anthony suddenly burst out at the end of 'Foolish' by Ashanti.
I couldn't help but chuckle at how excited he was, he somewhat reminded me of a kid. I suddenly felt like rubbing my hands through his hair and squishing his cheeks.
I laughed at his comment and added,'' You should've taken a quick photograph to relish the moment. It's not everyday a scoundrel gets a taste of their own medicine.''
Anthony's contagious laugh filled the car and I couldn't help but chuckle along.
Thankfully, to save the car from an incoming wave of discomfiture Dilemma by Kelly Rowland and Nelly began to play and I secretly did a happy dance. I was having that indescribable feeling when one of your favorite songs play on the radio or on shuffle mode.
''He's going to be sore about that for weeks to come'' He told me and grinned widely at me, his dimple unapologetically attractive on his cheek.
''I'm just glad at the end the tides turned in our favor.'' I chirped in excitement and tapped the dashboard. Nelly's rap began to play and I hushed at this part knowing damn well if I was in my room, in front of my mirror to be precise and this song played, I would have belted each note with all my heart.
Growing up and being shut in for the most part of my life, my only source of entertainment was an old boombox that had been safely kept by my mom along with cassettes with old music from her teen years.
I used to ask her about it many times before the accident occurred and she would occasionally play tunes in the kitchen whilst Ro and I danced around her.
Before going to bed each night, I would go through her cassettes and play some of her songs, imagining myself as a teen with a free life, hitting the clubs and attending concerts with my best friends.
But more importantly, I could feel her presence through the lyrics of most of the songs she had marked as her favorite and each single beautiful word descried who she was...wonderful, breathtaking, underappreciated....my heart ached every time.
I wished I had danced with them a little more, told how incredibly gorgeous she was, undeserving of my father's unfair treatment towards her. I regretted getting so pissed every single time that crackhead of a brother stole my favorite banana flavored yoghurt.
I would go crying chase him around the house with a ladle.
''I would give up a thousand of yoghurts if I was told to just to hold you once again.'' I thought, not caring how corny that sounded.
Sighing I smiled softly at all those memories, I made a firm decision to dedicate the collaboration in Ro's name. In a way I'd be able to honor his name, I just got to tell Anthony about it.
''Now I just have to think of dinn_"
''No matter what I do, awwwww!!'' Suddenly a screech similar to that of a dying animal interrupted my thoughts and my heart almost tore out of my chest. After a moment of realization, I realized that horrifying bloodcurdling screech was from the most stern man I knew.
My hand slammed on my mouth to prevent myself from bursting out in a hyena-like cackle.
I couldn't decide on which was more memorable, Chase acting like a rabid dog or Anthony acting like a golden retriever.
''All I think about is yoooooou!!'' He screeched once more and my restraint failed as I clenched onto my sides and laughed out loud.
Swaying with his upper body to the beat and hitting wrong notes was Anthony, the look of seriousness nonexistent and replaced with the most relaxed I had seen him all week.
''Anthony what the_"
''You aren't going to let me finish this song by myself,, are you?" He suddenly asked, stopping at the zebra crossing for pedestrian to cross to the other side. I wiped a tear from my eye only to end up laughing again at the fresh memory of him trying to belt Dilemma.
''Wait what?" I murmured with a chuckle once what he said registered in my mind and he nodded enthusiastically.
''A little bird was caught impressively singing to my car windows, I'm sure my windows agree with me when I say it was quite impressive but not as impressive as my range though. There's only one way to prove my supremacy" A smirk on his face and I scoffed at him.
''You're joking....wait..no you aren't. Are you serious!'' I marveled and clapped my hands as I laughed my heart out.
''Show me what you got, querida'' He laughed out and took a right turn.
The next song was a personal favorite, Miss Independent by Ne-Yo and I hid my face in my hands in embarrassment, my ears bright red.
I wanted to crawl and hide at the back of the car but Anthony wasn't having it.
After failing to escape his taunts, we ended up replaying Miss Independent and with Anthony's lead we sang our lungs out, stopping to mock each other at each wrong note. Despite being coaxed to sing out, I had to admit I was unexpectedly having fun, swaying to the rhythm.
One thing I couldn't get out of my mind was the glimmer Anthony had in his eyes as he gazed at me, the car halting at a red light.
The song still played and he softly sang out the lyrics to me and my words were suddenly caught in my mouth.
It was almost as if...... he was referring me.
''Nope, nope, nope, nope, you're dreaming too far again, Melissa. This is your first warning'' I thought and withdrew. I tried to take my eyes away to disrupt that audacious thought that he was singing those words to me.
What was this? Some corny musical?
He was undoubtedly focused on me and is words were as clear as day.
Kind of woman that can do for herself
I look at her and it makes me proud
It's something about her
''Just sing along and stop trying to mess things up'' I thought and I opened my mouth to sing the rest out with him but for some reason, my heart was racing.
I could only hum and try not to look constipated with all my raging thoughts.
''Why on earth does he have this hold on me? It's just a song, I really need to be realistic.'' I thought and tapped my thighs nervously trying to calm myself down.
Thankfully the song was ending in a few seconds and I could finally let go of the tense feeling building up in my chest.
As the final chorus played, Anthony could still be heard hitting every almost every note , amazing me at how a man with such a demeanor had the right voice to put a baby to rest and probably me too.
I couldn't help but grin and turn to him admiringly, only for my face to drop as we momentarily made eye contact and he whispered softly,
''Miss independent
That's why I love her''
Oh fuck me.....
*
''So this is what you had planned all along?" I asked him as he held my hand and led me inside the aquarium. It was still early afternoon and after grabbing a burger, he told me we'd be dropping by at the office but ended up driving me here.
''Well not exactly, I just thought that a celebration was well deserved'' He answered me as he helped me with my bag as I went down the stairs into a semi bright room where we were to book and pay to see the sea creatures.
''And an aquarium was the first thing that came to mind?" I chirped and he shrugged.
''Thought you'd like the idea, do you?"
''Are you kidding, I love it. Come on, I'm having too much pent up emotion right now!" I giggled and pulled him to the reception.
I could hear his throaty chuckle behind me and my tummy along with my chest did that annoying swirl thing.
''Must be the hormones, yeah....I'm ovulating...yeah must be that.'' I tried to assure myself
After paying for the experience, we went through a huge doorway that led us into the showroom.
Dark with only a few lights, the room got it's glow from the water in the huge fish tanks at the sides of the room, intersecting hallways so you would get the entire experience.
My mouth flung open at the beauty of the room and I was beaming with joy grabbing Anthony's hand once more and pulled him towards the first tank I laid my eyes on.
He was helplessly hooked to my arm but he didn't complain anytime I pulled him to admire the creatures.
I had to clamp my hand on my mouth to prevent myself from exclaiming as a huge shark swam past us and I pointed excitedly as it's teeth. Pulling him closer, I drew his attention to the design of the bottom of the tank and we discussed how homely it must be for the shark.
Before he could complete his talk about how he almost got his arm chopped off once when surfing , I dragged him towards another tank with clownfishes and blue tangs. "Look Marvin and Dory" I shrieked and pointed at the two different fishes swimming together.
"Then that must be Nemo" Anthony added pointing to the a smaller looking clown fish at the bottom of a cliff like rock.
I studies the little guy with a look of admiration. And wished fishes were pettable.
"Anthony look!!" I shrieked at the sight of a beluga and once again pulled him by the arm towards it's tank. We then moved to admire the turtles and Anthony decided to give me an interesting zoology lecture on how turtles belong to a group called Testudines made up of turtles, tortoises and terrapins.
At the end of our excursion I was very sure his arms would fall off but as exhausted as he was in keeping up with me, he got me a bunch of souvenirs like a plushie dolphin just as we saw the real ones perform tricks in the pool and a plushie Beluga after telling me I looked like a baby beluga.
I didn't know whether to find that insulting or to take that as a compliment.
When we finally walked out of the aquarium, Anthony's arms were filled with plushies and mine had a gift bag with this cute brief set I bought for Anthony as a joke with baby sharks on it. I also got a T-shirt that made a contribution to save the aquatic wildlife.
It was getting late and the hunger that I had felt before we entered the aquarium resurfaced. Just when I thought things wouldn't get more embarrassing, my tummy decided to sell me out. A loud grumble erupted through the car and I groaned inaudibly.
''I doubt my cooking would be enough to satisfy that hunger.'' He remarked and I glared at him knowing pretty well he still had that one encounter in the kitchen fresh in his memory.
''What? Chicken fried rice anyone, eyyyy?" He added and poked me on the shoulder expecting a smile from me. I gave him a look that screamed 'just stop' and he sheepishly had to fake a laugh to ease the tension.
''I'll take care of dinner today.....alone'' The 'alone' rolled out of my mouth in a dead serious tone and he laughed it off.
Starting the car, he asked me if I wanted anything else from the aquarium and I thankfully declined, my mind travelling to the fact that I didn't have a dress for Chase's ceremony.
I noticed that Anthony had been wiring amounts of money into my account at the end of every week and when I questioned him about it, he called it my weekly allowance. I honestly didn't know how to react to that.
I needed the money but I figured my salary at the end of the month would be sufficient enough. That was when he told me that I wouldn't receive salary cause well...all the money now belonged to both of us as co-CEOs.
''Anthony'' I called.
''Yes querida,'' he answered taking me aback, resulting in an involuntary response of embarrassment.
''So, Chase's program is coming up and I just realized I don't really have a dress suitable for such a high event''
''No problem, I'll just get you one then'' He replied taking a left, the street lights illuminating his sculpted face.
''Wait no, you don't have to do that. I just wanted to tell you that I was going to drop by at a shop and get one. There's this cool shop a few blocks down from the house I could go to and _"
''Brand?" He suddenly interrupted and I looked up at him puzzled by his intrusion.
''Excuse me?"
''Which brands does the shop sell?"
''Umm... I don't know and I don't care as long as the dress is nice and decent.''
''But you deserve the best'' He cut in as son as I ended my sentence.
''It's just a dress, Anthony. Like I said as long as its nice and decent, I don't care about anything else.'' I told him firmly and turned my attention to the lights around the stores we were driving pass.
''Do you have any idea how these social events are like?" He asked me and I gave him a dirty look.
''Of course I do, I had the privilege of attending a few social events with my dad. I know how these things work. You go in there with a blasted fake smile on your face and pretend as if those fake people you are networking aren't judging your mere existence and gossiping about you whilst drinking from their sippy cups!" I cried out in annoyance and folded my arms.
''Yes, you're right but now things are different. You're married to me now and they are expecting a lot from the wife of one of the richest CEOs.''
''Who's this 'they'?! I'm not living for them! I don't care what they say about me, they already think I'm some damn gold digger, why would I dress in a way that only elevates their stupid assumptions?''
''So they actually do get to you. You aren't made out of steel as I thought. Where did all that strength go?' He suddenly uttered and I felt something in me snap. I zoned out in silence a bit, wondering how I should proceed to address the words he just uttered.
''Park the car'' I snapped at him and he looked back at me as though I had just lost my head. He scoffed and continued driving, his eyes fixed on the road and his face as rigid as ever.
I snickered with raging thoughts filling up my head.....''who was he to question my strength?"
''Maybe you didn't hear me quite well. Park. The. Damn. Car!" I yelled and he suddenly hit on the brakes in the middle of the street and I jerked forward almost hitting the dashboard.
Before I could call him crazy, I noticed we were under a red light and he hadn't violated any law but he stopping the car that violently was uncalled for.
''The fuck is wrong with you?!" I yelled at him and he stared at me with rage seeping. He was furious, his fists were balled up in rage and I could see that it was taking every ounce of self control to not pounce on me.
''You told me to pull over. So I did and as I'm a law abiding citizen, I pulled over at the red light. I do not see anything wrong I've done here''
''Why did you make that statement?!" I snapped and he stared at me blankly.
''You talk of strength?'' I scoffed,'' What would you know about that?''
''You want to have such a conversation now?" He glared at me questionably.
''You never had to spend years of your life locked in a house and trained every single day to take over a company because apparently being a woman already makes me a failure in the field of business and I got to be perfect to prove each and every single one of those allegations wrong. Did you ever go through shit like that, huh Anthony?!"
''You don't know what I've been through Melissa. But to cut all this act short, I apologize if I misspoke and ended up hurting you. Now, we've had a very great day and I don't think it should be ruined by a common misconception.''
''Are you being serious right now, Anthony?!"
''We'll finish this at home. I'd appreciate it if you held in your words till we get home, thank you'' He interjected as the lights went green and proceeded to drive off.
I scoffed, stared at him with disbelief and then decided to keep silent till we got home and I shut myself away from him. He had no idea what I had gone through and he had absolutely no right to mock my strength.
''I know you are angry right now but just bear with me so we get home and we can civilly talk things through over a cup of tea,'' He added but I ignored him, turning my focus back to the cars that sped past us.
''You are shit'' I murmured without sparing him a glance and closed my eyes hoping sleep would take over and would drown all my anger and pain,
Rachel POV
''You look ridiculous'' I mocked and snickered at how angry he looked, sitting on his fur couch with a glass of whiskey in his hand, sipping it with every passing minute.
''Did you get the drug?" He asked me monotonously.
I plainly ignored and plopped beside him on the couch, taking his glass out of his veiny hand. I took a sip of my own and then reached into my pocket to pull out what he had asked me to get.
I threw it on his lap and took a sip of his liquor as he inspected the product.
''I'm glad you've finally given up in that so called redemption arc you were in. Trying to save that twerp from that family was nothing but a waste of time. See how quick she was to try to bring you down?'' I murmured, running my fingers on his exposed chest.
''No one fucks with me and gets away with it.'' He sneered angrily and I could feel myself get turned on at how hot he sounded.
''Then why don't we give her what she deserves'' I whispered in his ear and left a lick as my hands slowly trailed to his briefs.
''Poor defenseless, pathetic Melissa...you can't mess around in my lair and get away with it that easily. What a McBridge wants, a McBridge gets. And you just fucked with the wrong one'' He jeered and took another sip.
I smiled in joy with assurance that that bitch was finally going to learn her lesson after all these years.
The sweet taste of mischief.
Hello everyone, thank you all for being patient. I apologize for the late chapter upload. Please enjoy, vote and continue to support.
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