"You can't drink anymore Ms Sasha." She held the bottle tight slapping her bodyguard's hand away when he tried to take it.
"I can drink as much as I want, get out of my face or I'll have you fired." She waved her phone, gulping down the bear not caring how it left a burning sensation down her throat. She was not used to taking bear but at the moment she needed something to numb her feelings. Seating in a casino bar with her bodyguard standing beside her, she drank herself to oblivion just to forget the events of the day. For the first time, she had offered herself to a man only to be rejected and humiliated publicly. He had chosen a beggar's daughter over her.
Her family had put so much trust in their union, but now she was not able to secure it which was disheartening. Since the day her grandfather told her about the planned marriage, she has been trying to catch Mark's attention never succeeding but after a few weeks with the low-life Melissa, he starts setting up romantic dinners for her in his office building.
Growing up together, they were best of friends and her mother always told her she was the only one Mark was to marry for the two families to merge. In their last high school year he took her to prom as his date. At the end of the night while drunk he said he liked her. Though he dated others over the years, she knew no one would take her place as.
Her friend who owned a catering company was contracted to plan the dinner. On the phone, she congratulated Sasha for making the mighty Mark Johnson smitten to prepare something so romantic thinking that the dinner was set up for her.
She went to the office to try changing his mind about their engagement offering to let him have her however he wanted but he turned her down. When she finally got close to him insisting on having her way, the secretary stormed in, and just like that she was pushed away almost breaking her leg. She thought Melissa would leave after seeing them but she stood tall not batting an eyelid.
"That's enough, you're disgracing yourself. When your father gets word of this, I'll surely lose my job." Her bodyguard who was working for her father for years, took the fifth bottle from her grasp warning the waiter not to serve her anymore.
"Stop ruining my fun, one phone call and you will be out of your job." She ranted scratching his hand with her long manicured nails trying to take the bear back.
"He is right, drinking your sense's off won't change the situation." The lady beside her said placing a cup of coffee before her. "Drink this to sober up." She insisted.
"Do I know you?" Sasha stared at the person beside her trying to discern where she had seen her before.
"You don't, but I know you well enough to tell you drinking is not a solution." The bodyguard stood protectively before her as the casino guards surrounded them discretely. She waved at her bodyguard not to cause trouble.
"No need for alarm as you can see I own this place. Let's talk business" She walked her to a private room. "Work with me, together we get rid of her so you can have Mark all to yourself." Sitting on the sofa she took out a cigarette from the table indicating for one of the waiters to light it.
"Why would you want to help, what in it for you?" Sobering up she inquired.
"I don't like women who meddle in other people's relationships." She puffed out smoke from her mouth.
"I don't buy it, how do you know Melissa?" She leaned closer trying to understand her words.
"Let's say she is, no she was my very close friend, now this is what you have to do." She whispered in her ear as the waiter and bodyguards left them to talk privately
.....
Mark held Melissa close caressing her hair as they drove off. "I've made reservations, hope it's okay if we don't go home tonight."
"What of Tommy? Wouldn't they get worried if we don't get back?" She asked looking up at his face.
"I informed Mary, she and aunt will take care of him tonight." Staring deep into her eyes, he pulled her close as he joined his cold lips with her warm plump lips. Running his fingers in her hair he sucked her lower lip enjoying the low moan's occasionally escaping from her lips. Kissing down her neck with her arms around his neck lost in ecstasy they forgot they were riding in a car until Adam knocked on the window indicating their arrival at the airstrip.
Melissa stepped out of the car feeling embarrassed to look at Adam. They were boarding Mark's helicopter which was to fly them to their destination that he refused to disclose terming it as another surprise for the night. There was no security, just them both and the pilot flying out of the city.
He asked the pilot to fly them around showing Melissa the aerial view of the city. The splendid night beauty and eventually landing on a private island.
"You own an island?" She asked looking around as the helicopter ascended leaving behind a cloud of dust.
"Yes, how do you like your surprise?" He intertwined their fingers as they walked down the beach.
"I'm speechless." She took off her shoes.
placing them aside, she stepped into the water. Feeling the cool water around her feet. This night was not expected, since she walked into the office she didn't have time to stop and think until now. She looked at her ring, feeling they were moving too fast she was afraid she couldn't keep up.
Putting his arm's around her from behind, Mark placed his head on her shoulder. "What's on your mind?" He asked turning her around to face him.
"My life has changed a lot since you come." He touched her face, running his thumb along her lips.
"Are you happy?" He inquired watching her intently.
She shook her head. "Yes, very happy and scared at some times. I'm scared this is not real. I want to marry you but I'm afraid."
"Don't be afraid." He hugged her so tight she could hear his strong heartbeat. "I'll always be here to take care of you." He whispered in her ear. His heartbeat the waves and the cold sea water around her feet were like music on the secluded island assuring her it was okay whatever she decides to do tonight.
He tickled her playfully to lighten the mood making her laugh so hard she had to lean forward to catch her breath. Coming down, he held her hand's in his facing her.
"I'm grand your here with me. Seeing you so happy make's my wish I can freeze this moment to never end forever." He kissed both her hands.
"Or never wake up, I love this place. Thank you for bringing me here it's so beautiful." They played around for a while then walked to the house hand in hand.
There was no one in the house other than them both but the house was clean. A fully stocked kitchen with freshly baked bread. He took two bottles of sparkling water from the fridge handing her one then walked her upstairs to the bedroom.
Stopping at the door, he kissed her goodnight on the forehead. "I will be in the next room, have a goodnight I will see you in the morning."
Melissa leaned on the closed door after walking into the massive bedroom. Watching him walk away hurt her a little. After the night they had she thought they could take things further but he just walked off.
She sat on the bed looking at her reflection in the dressing mirror, drying her hair after showering wondering if he would change his mind and knock at her door. The night was magical, touching the ring on her finger confirmed it was real and not a figment of her imagination. Walking to the closet she found new women's lingeries some dresses and some of Mark's clothes. She changed into a night dress and got under the cover hugging the pillow that smelled like Mark she fell asleep instantly.
That night she had a dream, walking into a church in a princess white dress with a vale over her face. Tommy walking in front of her with the wedding bands on a white cushion. As she walked down the aisle she saw Mark waiting patiently. Her mother and father were beside her smiling congratulating them both.
Mark sat on the bed in the guest room working on his laptop. Waiting, he hope Melissa would come to him. He had prepared a romantic night for them but he didn't want to force her into anything she was not ready for. Unable to sleep he went through the financial report for hours. Feeling exhausted he lay down briefly closing his eyes.