Her Nectar, His Peak

Melanie.

Wednesday.

It's been a whole 24 hours since I married Malachi and I haven't rested from all the questions by my colleagues.

Everyone is treating me like this golden goose. They're asking where I met him. When I met him. I can't give answers that don't exist. 

Am on my desk, trying to concentrate on work. But I can't. I've got some property applications I need to work on, so the clients can proceed with having their new homes. 

My door springs open.

"Melanie." 

I pause, raising my eyes to Jael, one of my colleagues and friend. 

"Mr Heartstone is here to see you. Says he's got an appointment." 

I frown, knowing I have no such appointments with any Mr Heartstone. 

"Is he tall, handsome and blonde?" I ask, slyly.

Jael laughs, nodding. I smile, trying to ease the nervousness I feel, realizing that my suspicion is right.

It's Regan. 

He's the only blonde amongst his brothers; favoring his mum's hair. The others have their dad's Italian, jet black locks. 

"I'll let him in." Jael informs me, as she leaves.

I lift my eyes and see her talking with him. Soon, Regan is walking to my office. I pretend seeing him doesn't affect me. He enters and shuts the door. I ignore his gesture.

"Good morning Mr Heartstone." I start, artfully, extending a handshake to him.

He looks at the hand, ignoring it, as he stands before me. 

"What can I do for you, today, Mr Heartstone. From my recollection, we have no prior appointments." I slyly smile.

He raises a brow to me. 

"Cut the nonsense, Rita." His tone is clipped.

His expression, tight. I unnerved him already. 

"Am no longer Rita?" 

"Do you think am here to play your sweet games." He bites. "I inform you that we are arch nemesis with the Tenshaws and you go marry one of them. What the…" He palms his face, frustrated. 

He turns away, his posture stiff, even in his suit. I smirk at his frustration. It makes me elated. 

The next time he turns to me, he's got this soft look. 

"You just spat on what we shared, Rita and it isn't cool. It's cruel and unfair. You go marry my enemy and you smoldered our memory."

I don't respond. I only watch this man. The hypocrisy in him. He never even valued what we shared. That was the reason he could move on so quickly, while I held onto the embers of a never existing flame.

All those six years I waited, hoped somehow I'd see Regan in this big world. But I didn't. I heard news about him in the media. But I couldn't reach him, because we weren't in the same ilk. 

And somehow, I still had hope he'd go over to his pal, Defranchez and ask for me. Ask for my details. But he never did.

"You dissed us, first. I only followed in your wake." My tone is smooth, my heart bitter. 

Am crumbling with anxiety here. I didn't expect his confrontation. I didn't even know he'd find out this soon about our marriage. I guess I underestimated the stunts Malachi pulled with the reporters. Yet, I'm happy Regan feels this way. 

He's fuming but he's trying to compose himself.

"Was this because of Lucinda? You were jealous?" He asks, suspiciously.

I burn at his declaration. I would be caught dead, before I admit him being with another woman affected me, even after all this time.

A triumphant look crosses Regan's face, his gait more relaxed now. 

"You still feel something for me. You're just angry." He comes closer. Every word he just delivered, a punch to my injured ego. Yet they're true. I hate myself for being so vulnerable to him. 

"Your silence confirms this…"

"It confirms nothing, Regan." I retort, my eyes burning with humiliation. 

"My silence only shows that am over whatever you think we shared. I've moved on, just like you did." I clench my fists. My manicured nails, digging into my skin. Even my body reacts to the lie. Am not over Regan yet. 

He inches closer, he's eyes searching mine.

"You're a terrible liar. You always were." He smirks. 

"Don't come here acting like you know me, Regan." I fume. My voice is low, despite my clipped tone. "You don't know me. You only filled my head with your fake promises of love and hope for those days. You don't know me." 

My eyes are stinging with unshed tears and I really don't want him seeing my tears. He isn't worth all that trouble. 

A knock comes on the door, interrupting us. It's Rolle, my superior officer. 

"Oh Mr Heartstone. I heard you were around." Rolle walks in, he sweeps a puzzled gaze between us. I turn away, pretending am arranging some files.

"Yes. I came to see R…"

"He came to ask about the property for him and his Fiancée." I hastily cover up his slip with my name; bringing forward a file with Lucinda's name. 

"Oh Mr Heartstone. Mrs Tenshaw here is very efficient with her job. Am sure she'd help you with whatever inquiries you have." Rolle beams. 

He's been excited about my wedding since I arrived work this morning.

Regan looks condescendingly at the file; at me and walks away.

"Oh Mr Heartstone…" Rolle follows him, after giving me a confused look. 

I shrug at him. 

I watch them, as Rolle tries to grab Regan's attention. Then Regan pauses abruptly, pulling out his phone from his pocket. 

"What is it?" I hear him say curtly, just at the same time everyone else's phone rings. My phone rings as well and I pick it. 

A text.

Malachi: Congratulations. Delivered as promised. Wave one, complete. 

I frown, confused.

 I raise my eyes just in time to hear everyone snickering and staring at Regan. 

He's looking at his phone now. I can't see his expression, but he's posture is stiff.

 Wordlessly, he storms out of the premises.