People might think Melissa is heartless. When her father died, she didn’t even shed a single tear. Well, what do they expect? It’s not as if she’s close to her old man.
Since her mother died, her father was never home. She could count with her fingers the number of times they met in the last few years. He wasn’t affectionate and aside from the excessive financial support, there’s nothing else she received from him. She did try to get close but he’s the one who isn’t willing. He said it was enough that he’s providing for her material needs. She shouldn’t expect more. So she did.
Right now, all she’s feeling is annoyance. Melissa is irritated because her source of funds has gone. And no, she’s not receiving anything as her inheritance. Legally, it should be hers. That is, if he hadn’t written that freaking Last Will and Testament naming his best friend as the recipient and holder of it until she turns thirty years old.
Like… really? Thirty? She’s only twenty-three! There’s what? Seven more years before she could spend it? It’s unbelievable.
The man was also named as her legal guardian until she satisfies the condition to receive her inheritance. It makes her speechless. Her? Someone of legal age is being given a legal guardian? Is that a joke?
The lawyer explained that she could think of him as a trustee. The man, Klyde Henderson, would be managing the funds and disbursing her just enough to live a simple life. He’s not allowed to use it for his own.
As if he needs it, Melissa snorted. He’s wealthier than her father. Why would her dad even think if giving everything to him? Even the house was sold! Now, she has nowhere to go!
She always receives her monthly allowance on time. Savings isn’t in her vocabulary. So, right now, she really has nothing. Her old man just have to die near the month-end, catching her unawares.
She did attend his funeral, though. But frankly, it was unnecessary. There’s nothing she’s supposed to do. She was just there to be gossiped about. The absentee daughter! Huh, if they only knew how much of an absentee father William is…! But he’s already dead and you don’t bad-mouth the dead. So, it was her who was deemed cold and heartless.
Now, her biggest problem in her mind is getting money from the mountain of gold. Getting an appointment with Klyde is much harder than getting one from William. Just what exactly is wrong with those people? Why can’t they be normal? Are they that busy? She can’t wait any longer. She only has a couple of hundred dollars in her wallet! That can’t last her a day.
You have to think, though. Melissa is used to an extravagant life, established by her father. She had no qualms spending his money because she knows it’s hers by right. The man has the obligation to support her and half of it is supposedly from her mother anyway. She couldn’t remember now how her lovely and wonderful mother ended up marrying such a cold man, devoid of all emotions.
She’s so close to causing a scene at Henderson’s company lobby. If she has to wait for another hour, she swears she’s going to trash all their decorative jars. She eyed a dozen of them, looking very expensive in their containers.
Thankfully, she was told to go up to the CEO’s floor. But upon arriving there, she was asked to wait as the man is still attending a meeting. Melissa huffed and asked the secretary for snacks. She spent nearly an hour reading magazines and eating unfamiliar food. Oddly, she’s not actually picky. It’s just that the people around her have certain expectations and she lives up to them. Of what she buys, what she eats, where she shops, what car she drives… those things. But when there’s no pressure, no voice speaking in her ear, she does whatever. Right now, there’s no one to ask her why she’s eating ordinary meat buns so she munched on them quite satisfactorily. She’s hungry, that’s why.
When the man walked into the office, she quickly stood up. She’ll be damned if he tells her to meet him some other time. She needs her money today.
She raised an eyebrow when he looked at her with a frown.
Klyde looked at the young woman waiting for him at his floor. His secretary introduced her as Melissa Franklin. Hearing her name, he seemed to recognize it. Ah, William’s brat. She saw the moment recognition was shown in his face. It was only for a moment, then his expression returned to one of coldness. It felt as if he’s looking down on her. It made her frown and glare at him.She didn’t greet him, so he merely gestured for her to follow him inside his office. Inside, he threw a question at her.“To what do I owe this visit?” His tone was filled with sarcasm.Melissa rolled her eyes at him. Is he really forty-six?“You still have to ask? I’m sure you know.”Klyde turned around and sat on his chair, raising an eyebrow at her.“Do I? I don’t recall anything. I have another meeting in thirty minutes and you’re eating up my break time. Get to the point.”Ugh. She’s starting to feel exasperated.“My allowance for this month? Send it to my bank account.”“Allowance? What are you, thirteen
Klyde’s assumption was wrong. The young woman showed up the next day.Melissa is fuming in anger. He didn’t send her money! She waited the whole time yesterday and nothing came in. She thought she made that clear to him. She needed the money yesterday. Immediately!“The lawyer will be in later this morning. You came earlier than I thought.” Klyde explained after listening to her irritating rant. He has half a mind to call security and throw her out the building.“If you don’t behave yourself, I swear I’ll have you dragged out of my office. I didn’t think you would be scandalous.”“Me? Scandalous? We’re in private. It’s only scandalous when uninvolved people see.” Melissa rolled her eyes at him.“Why don’t you wait outside? You’re bothering me. Ask my secretary when the lawyer will be in, if you want to speak with her yourself.”“Is it really difficult to just send me money? You’re a billionaire, aren’t you? I’m sure you can spare a few grand.”“Aren’t you twenty-three? Who already ear
Melissa went home defeated. Maybe she should go back to their mansion. She can live there rent-free.She would have gone crazy from everything’s that’s happening to her right now. Thankfully, she at least has one friend she can confide to, without being judged. Lily listened to everything she has to say. Her good friend actually offered to lend her money but she couldn’t accept it. She’d never borrowed money before and she’s not starting now.“I don’t get you. You don’t want to earn money. You don’t want to borrow as well. Do you really think you would be getting free money the rest of your life? Mel, you’re not living a reality. These problems you’re having, this is what reality is like.”“Yeah, I noticed.” Still, Melissa just couldn’t… she can’t just change everything so suddenly. She’s used to that lifestyle for years. For her to suddenly work a job… ugh. She couldn’t even… what is she supposed to do in an office? She couldn’t work for a boss. She doesn’t like being told what to do
When Melissa checked her father’s mansion the next day, to say she was shocked was an understatement. She didn’t know he already sold it years ago. It’s a good thing she didn’t bring her luggage. She would’ve been so embarrassed to force her entry.Still, she felt a little nostalgic. She still had some good memories of her mother in that place. Her father hasn’t been home since his wife died. Did it haunt him? The happy memories, knowing he would not see her anymore? Oh, wait. They’re supposed to be together now, wherever people go when they die. Melissa sighed. It’s only starting to sink in that both her parents are gone now.She shook the sad feelings away and returned to her apartment. She needed an intricate plan to trap Mr. Klyde Henderson. Would he be concerned about his reputation? Would a scandal affect his business dealings? Would the market price of his company plummet? Wait, how about her father’s company? It’s also a public corporation which is currently under his manageme
“Are you going to let me touch them?” Klyde already reached out a hand and touched the top of her breast with the tip of his fingers.Melissa gasped and pulled back. She stared at him with wide eyes and a gaping mouth. He’s not following the script! Damn it. Why is he flirting back? He’s supposed to tell her off for trying. He’s supposed to scold her or something, and maybe give in. Give up being her legal guardian and give her money. That was the scenario in her head.She closed her mouth and swallowed. Adapt. Be flexible.Composing herself, she smiled at him again.“You’re not supposed to touch the goods this early, honey.” She touched them herself and adjusted her dress in front of him.He raised an eyebrow again. “Not this early? If you’re not going to let me touch them, what’s the point of displaying them right in front of my eyes?”Klyde isn’t one to be distracted at work, but please… give him a break. He’d been working nonstop in the last few weeks. He hasn’t bedded a woman and
She stared back at him without a word. His expression darkened further as his hand inched closer to her healthy chest. Melissa inhaled sharply when he finally cupped her and squeezed. She bit her lip to prevent herself from moaning.He did taste her, reaching inside the bodice of her dress and freeing one breast to lick and suckle. Her moan escaped her lips as she grasped his coat. His tongue swirled around her soft flesh, evoking pleasure from within her. When he nipped and sucked, she let go and cried out, tightly holding onto his sleeve.But that was it. He simply tasted her. He straightened and stepped backward.Melissa was flushed from both embarrassment and desire. How could he…? He actually did that to her?“You taste good enough. Did you say reward? We’ll see about that. How about you move in to my house today and we’ll discuss further?” He raised an eyebrow at her, but his gaze travelled downwards to her still exposed breast.She took in a deep breath before composing herself
She’s not exactly impressed by the scale of his mansion. It’s about the same as the one her father owned, the place she grew up in. Do people their age have similar taste?She shivered and shook herself off. She really doesn’t want to think of Klyde in relation to her father. It was an uncomfortable feeling. It’s weird if they actually end up in bed together and she suddenly sees her father in him. The heck?“Brrr…” She paced around the room that was given to her and shook her limbs. She’s finally done putting her items around the room and keeping the boxes in an unused cabinet. It looks like her old room. It’s good enough and wider than her apartment bedroom.Melissa grinned. It’s not such a bad decision and it was settled quite quickly. Things are getting better, it seems.When she moved to the bed and savored its comfort, her thoughts started veering towards his words.Would Klyde really do what he said he would? With her?Her face heated up and her breathing deepened. She’s gettin
Melissa isn’t innocent. She knew he might taste her again so she excused herself for a few minutes before meeting him at his study. She made herself presentable again. Tried to make herself irresistible, but that may be over the top. They’re both living in this house! It doesn’t make any sense for her to wear her sexy clothing. Those are normally for her bar-hopping.A maid showed her the way to his study and he was sitting behind his desk. Much like in his office earlier in the day. Her throat went dry when she recalled what happened between them.Mentally, she shook her head. You need to get the upper hand in this discussion, she reminded herself.“Take a seat.” His tone was more relaxed than when he was in the office.Alright, she’s liking it so far. There’s no chair in front of his desk so she occupied the couch. She waited for him to speak again.Klyde picked up the document his assistant prepared and he handed it to her.She raised an eyebrow as she accepted it.Melissa frowned