Her Nectar, His Peak

Melanie.

Meanwhile.

It's 9pm and I just finished arranging all my stuff in my matrimonial room. Our room. 

Am married! 

I sink onto the comfy, enormous bed. It's soft, crisp white sheets, soaking me in. But I can't relish in it, because am nervous.

My entire body exhausted. It's like the entire ordeal from hearing Mr Tenshaw- no. Malachi's devious deal, to this moment, has left me drained. He asked I call his Christian name from now on.

My eyes fall on my phone on the bed and I feel disappointed that Mitch hasn't even called me once, since I delivered the news of my impending marriage to Malachi. I recall everything and I feel odd at how he reacted. I feel odd about everything in fact. 

When Malachi raised the idea, I had been stupefied. Gawked at him, like he was this alien predator. But his face hadn't any trace of a joke on it, when I studied him. Rather there was determination. And I was desperate for revenge. 

When I thought about my family and how Regan and the other Heartstones lived on, I found myself nodding to Malachi's suggestion. I didn't even reconsider. He made quick calls and informed me that he would pick me up from my house. 

Still too dazed to understand what I signed up for, I called Mitch and asked us to meet. 

When he arrived, I delivered the news to him and he paled. It was like he saw a ghost. 

'M…Malachi Tenshaw?' He asked, his face blanched.

He didn't even argue, he just wished me a happy marriage and kept on apologizing and that was it. I called him back, phoned him. Nothing. It was like he was subdued by the mention of Malachi's name and I wondered why. 

By this morning, I showered and waited for Malachi, as he asked. When my phone rang with a strange number, which turned out to be him, I went to him. He didn't even inform me how he got my contact and I recall I didn't give him. Maybe from Violeta. 

At the chapel, no special preambles. After I dressed up in the wedding dress he got me, we said our hasty 'I do's' and Malachi offered me the agreement to sign. 

I was to get pregnant for him, immediately. That's what the agreement said. No sugar coating it. Nothing. Just blunt. As a matter of fact, no sugar coating anything about this arrangement. None of his family or friends was present for the union. And it was announced moments ago on Television, that we've been long time lovers. And yet not a family of his attended. 

It's like the entire arrangement is a business deal for him. Am a business deal for him. My womb is a business deal for him. And I don't want to be anyone's business deal. But I have no choice, because my hate for Regan, my hurt, supersedes my current emotion. Humiliation. 

In spite of this fact, I would need time to prepare myself for the inevitable. I'd do my end of the bargain. But I need to prepare myself, mentally. Everything's happened too fast and I need to come to terms with it. 

Malachi is currently somewhere in this big house. It's one of the top property of Tenshaw's Real Estates, worth mega millions. I once toured this house with clients, a year ago. Unfortunately, the clients weren't able to buy, because someone eventually paid for the house. I had no idea back then that the buyer had been none other than our boss. 

A knock startles me. 

"Come in." 

Malachi strolls in, most of his clothes gone. Only his black shirt and black slacks from this morning. He wedded me in black. I found that weirdly hot. He looks incredibly dark in that. With his black hair, shining in the light. His wedding ring flashes. A bold, gold band. 

"I hope dinner was to your liking?" He asks, quietly.

I swallow, nervously.

"Yes." 

He nods, standing in front of me.

"You look nervous. Are you okay?" He asks, quietly. My heart is beating fast in my chest. I'm not mentally and emotionally prepared for this. I need time. I'm surprised he noticed. He must be very perceptive. 

"My period just started. Can I have something for the pain." I shut my eyes.

I know am lying. I don't even know why I gave that childish lie. But it's the easiest I can come up with, to avoid him, and still get my way. He promised to deliver the first wave of destruction on the Heartstones, once we married and the agreement is signed. And I want that.

"Do you have everything you need? Tampons, stuff?" He looks genuinely concerned. I weaken.

Feeling guilty. I shake my head. Another lie. He tilts his head for a moment. 

"Come, let's head to the pharmacy nearby to pick some supplies for you." He quietly urges.

I swallow hard, relief drowning me. 

Soon, we're in the store buying tampons and pain killers. I feel terrible lying to him like that. But I had to do so, because I needed to gain my wish, even though he wouldn't be gaining his immediately. 

When we wedded today, we had reporters present, who Malachi explained were to make everything loud. I didn't even know why that was necessary. My friends and colleagues, haven't stopped calling me since this morning. Even the guy on the counter is looking at us, excitedly. 

After we purchase the items, we get into Malachi's sleek car, falling into silence. I want to speak, but am numb. 

"I know you aren't in your period, Melanie Tenshaw." Malachi's dark voice, fills the entire car.

Shrouding it in terror. I turn a sharp gaze to him. He isn't looking at me. His eyes are focused on the road, even though he isn't driving yet. 

"You lied to me. And I don't condone lies, Melanie. Don't ever lie to me, again."