Yes I do
Not hearing any of the accusations and curses uttered by Mr. Clark’s niece, Melissa stood in the driveway watching the brown range rover disappear, leaving behind a cloud of dust. “I’m sorry.” Melissa apologized, getting back to the house to carry on with her work.
“Why don’t you ask your uncle what happened before accusing her?” Her husband questioned her irritated by her insistence on terminating the renovation contract just to teach Melissa a lesson.
After calling her uncle, she apologized profusely to Melissa for all the insults and for misjudging her. She even promised to talk her uncle into helping her with the information she needed. As they concluded the house tour and discussed all the materials needed to complete the work, a white Porsche driving into the compound caught their attention.
“Honey, are you expecting any guests?” He asked his wife, looking out of the window.
“No, few people know about this place. I’ll go see who it is.” She spoke, walking out through the back door followed by her husband.
Mark had tracked Melissa’s whereabouts when he got the information that she was not at work and none of her bodyguards had seen her leave. On the way to the location, he tried calling her again, but her phone was off making him anxious. Stepping out of his car, he felt peace in his heart when he saw her standing in the doorway. As he drove over, he hoped to find her safe and there she was standing proudly with a surprised look on her face.
“Mark!” Rooted to the spot, Melissa stared at him wide eyed as he walked towards them.
She had left the office without informing anyone of her location. She didn’t even take the company vehicle, but he somehow found her.
“Mr. Johnson, you here? Welcome sir, welcome.” It surprised the couple to see him in their home. They had seen him in business magazines but never in person. The husband kept bowing his head as he shook hands with Mark. Eyebrows slightly pushed together, Mark kept his eye on Melissa as he told them the reason for his visit.
Mark walked over to Melissa. “Are you okay?” Looking her up from head to toe, he pulled her in his arms for an embrace, leaving everyone dumbfounded.
Overwhelmed by emotions, Melissa shook her head hiding her face in his chest. Wrapping her hands around his waist, she sniffed back the tears trying to keep them from falling.
Melissa had been holding herself together all that while, but seeing him so concerned about her made her a teary mess. Her parents and aunt were the only people who cared about her this much. She didn’t want him to see her so vulnerable, yet she couldn’t help it.
Seeing how intimate they were, the couple excused themselves getting back into the house.
“What are you doing here?” She inquired, breaking from his embrace.
“I came to get you.” He wiped her cheeks with his thumbs gazing into her eyes. “Let go.” He said holding her hand.
“I can’t, my work hardly commenced.” She refused and pulled back.
“Let your team handle the work here. You need to rest.” He commanded gesturing for one of the workers to join them. “Melissa is leaving, coordinate the rest of the work you need to do for the day.” He told him authoritatively holding her close.
“Why did you do that, it’s my job to supervise and direct the work here.” She clenched her teeth.
“I like taking care of you.” He kissed her cheek lightly. “I know you enjoy being pampered.” Mark said whispering into her ear.
“Stop, stop Okay, I’ll go get my bag then we can leave.” She responded shyly stepping away from him. After instructing her team on the day’s work plan and apologizing to the couple she got in the car.
His security people packed outside the gate and followed as he drove off to the city. Feeling exhausted Melissa closed her eyes to take a rest. He smiled seeing how at peace she looked sleeping.
“What are we doing here?” She asked waking up as they stopped at the courthouse.
Turning off the engine, he gazed into her eyes for a moment. opened his mouth to answer but thought against it.
“It’s a surprise, come.” He said opening the passenger door, then took her hand guiding her up the stairs.
“Everything is set.” Rushing to meet them at the stairs, James told Mark after greeting Melissa as he directed them to a room.
Walking into the room Melissa found Robert and two gentlemen on one side busy charting. Lisa and her two workmates Nancy and Jenifer on the other side. Who ran to her and joyfully hugged her when she walked over.
“I saw the news. How are you doing?” Lisa asked holding her hand.
“I’m fine, what is going on here? Did something happen?” Melissa asked looking around the room.
A man in a black suit carrying a bunch of books like a librarian walked in interrupting the conversation. “I’m here to preside over the marriage of Melissa Isabel White and Mark Johnson.” He said reading from his documents.
For a moment Melissa stood transfixed lost for words, nothing went through her mind. It was like her brain had momentarily shut.
As Mark held her hand, she walked blindly stopping at the table before the suited man. Handing a bouquet to her, Lisa stood beside her as Robert went to Mark’s side as their witness.
“Do you Melissa Isabel white, willingly take Mark Johnson as your lawfully wedded husband?” The judge asked a second time.
“Ahem!” In the silence, Nancy cleared her throat getting her from the limbo.
“Yes, I do.” She responded gazing into Mark’s smiling eye as he swore to love and protect her always.
He kissed her hand after putting the ring on her finger as his friends cheered.
She didn’t understand how the rest of the ceremony went until the cold air from the rain hit her face, waking her up from her limbo. She looked at the ring and her friends congratulating them, then at the man who was now her husband in disbelief.
He had planned everything out without informing her. She felt confused, unable to discern whether she should be happy or cry. There was no doubt she really loved Mark to the moon and back and would do everything it took to be a good wife but she had not planned for marriage, not in a long shot. At least not until she sorted out her quest.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
He introduced Jason and Andrew to her when they got to the hotel for the small reception. They congratulated them, Andrew spraying the bottle of champagne on them when it popped open cracking up everyone in the room.
“I’m so happy for you.” Lisa whispered in her ear.
“We need to toast.” Nancy got up raising her glass. “To the beautiful bride, though you didn’t wear a white gown that flora dress looks perfect.” She winked at Melissa. “Thank you my friend for marrying this handsome gentleman, enabling me to dine in this high end restaurant. Congratulations and I love you so much, cheers to a happy marriage.” They clinked their glasses laughing.
…..
“What did you say?” Sasha slapped her assistant on the face.
“Sorry, ma’am.” The assistant bowed her head wiping tears from her eyes. “That’s the information I got from Mr. Johnson’s head of security.” She explained stepping back.
“Mark is getting married?” Sasha asked placing her hands on the table for support.
“They got married ten minutes now.” The assistant said massaging her red cheek.
“How dare you come to my office to give me such news?” She asked closing her eyes.
“Sorry, ma’am I… I thought you should know.” The assistant said holding the door handle ready to bolt out.
Her body shaking with range Sasha turned and looked at the assistant with red piercing eyes. “Do I pay you to think? Get out of my office before I disfigure your ugly face.” She roared throwing a pen holder at her and hit the closing door.
“Calm down Sasha, calm down. You can’t lose, not to that twat.” She breathed in and out passing around the office fanning her face.
Slapping both her cheeks she walked to her desk to make a call. “Now they are married. Your stupid plan ruined everything for me.” She shouted at the person on the other side of the call wiping the hot silent tears cascading down her cheeks like blood.
“Mind your tongue, don’t you dare insult me again.” The person warned. “We are not done yet. Follow all my instructions to the letter.” The call ended.
“What will I do? How do I face my mother? Grandfather, oh he will hate me for this.” Sasha mumbled to herself biting her well manicured nails. She leaned on the table thinking of what to do. Taking her bag and car keys, she left the office. And as soon as she got in her car, she drove off to Johnson’s mansion.