Chapter 2 She Appears

Tell me it's real! Her heart was racing with anticipation. For what must've been the hundredth time, she paced the living room like a child waiting for Christmas morning. A wide, gleaming smile lit up her face. "My God, this is a dream come true! Honey, don't you think the timing is perfect? I'll fix a date immediately for them."

Her husband slowly furrows his brow with a quiet concern. His wife just never ceases to amaze him each day.

"That's fine," he replied gently. "But they're grown. Let them figure things out."

Melissa shakes her head, her optimism unwavering. "No, no, I've prayed too hard for this. It's finally happening-my hopes are sky-high, and yours should be too. Besides, what does Son know about love? If he did, he wouldn't have chosen that girl in the first place, probably made a better choice".

Buoyed by her conviction, Melissa practically floated toward Bill's room, ready to deliver her news. But the door was locked-again. Five days now, not a word from him. He had shut the world out, even his duties at the clinic. A twinge of unease crept through her excitement, but she shoved it aside.

Tasha's arrival will fix everything, lighting the sparkles, she smiled to herself.

She pressed the doorbell once, twice, seven times-before the door finally creaked open. The sight stopped her breath, sending chills down her spine. Greg was sprawled on the sofa, his eyes hollow, his face pale with grief.

"Oh, for God's sake," she gasped. "Don't tell me you've been sulking over that little girl to the point of skipping work? Really?"

But she barely gave him a moment to respond. Her voice softened, brightened with renewed excitement. "Anyway, I've got great news. She's here. Tasha. She just arrived!".

Greg didn't move. His mind was far from the present, stuck in a whirlwind of guilt and regret. Audrey's tear-streaked face haunted him. Max's words echoed louder than ever. What a misguided advice it turned out to be.

__________________________________

Max had been more than a friend-he was like a brother. They'd survived med school together, celebrated victories, and mourned failures. Greg had helped him secure a coveted position at Constellar, solidifying a lifelong bond.

"Hey man, are you good?" Max greeted him with concern.

"Good. You?" Bill replied absentmindedly.

"Great, I've noticed you've been wearing a gloomy face. What's going on? You know I'm here for you," Max probed gently with his eyes, scanning Greg's face

With a heavy sigh, Bill shares his ordeal,. Max listened intently, though familiar with the situation, he never anticipated the severity it had reached.

He leaned forward, with a low voice, "Man, you've got a lot going on, but you need to know that everything will be fine," Max assured him. Come on! This is the 21st century. Our parents can't keep us under their thumb forever. But you also need to be sure of Audrey's love for you. I'm not saying she doesn't care, but make sure she's willing to match your commitment. Seriously consider feigning a breakup with her; if she truly loves you, she'll prove it.

I've got to go-I have emergency surgery."

As Max raced off, Bill felt as if icy water had been poured over him under the hot sun. Why hadn't he thought of that?

He had laughed it off at first. But the seed had been planted. And like poison, it had spread.

Melissa's sharp voice yanked him back.

"Son! I've been here talking to you without a response. You're just sulking away. You make me feel like I'm ranting each time.

"Sorry, Ma'am," he murmured, blinking himself to reality.

We've set a date with Tasha. Your father will be out of state, so you'll stand in for him. That's final." Her hands flew to her hips in a dramatic flair, striking a pose like she was auditioning for a Broadway role.

"And please, look your high and best."

She turned and left, heels clicking down the hallway.

As she walked away, a strange flicker of guilt twisted inside her. Audrey... That name still carried warmth. The girl was sweet. But not good enough. Not for her son. Not for Constellar.. She couldn't help but feel sad for dragging her son into the family reputation tussle.

She stepped into her room, dialed a number, her voice laced with poison.

"Hello?" came a polite voice.

"Beatrice, it's Melissa, "she said, trying to conceal her irritation.

"Oh! Sorry-I didn't recognize-" pardon my manners, ma'am," the voice at the other end stammered.

"I'll cut to the chase," Melissa interrupted, her tone steely. "Talk to your daughter. Make her understand this can't happen. Not under my watch."

" I believe Audrey truly-" swallowing her saliva, which has clustered like a heavy lump on her throat

"Hell no! Melissa snapped, Not this afternoon, I had better pretend that I don't know she's after his money.

Guess what, she said, adjusting her dress

" I'm willing to pay you-generously-to keep her away. Please don't test my patience."

The line went dead.

Beatrice stood frozen. Her hand trembled as she clutched the phone, Melissa's words ringing in her ears like thunder.

She turned slowly toward her daughter's room. Audrey had been a shadow of herself since that day, barely eating, speaking.

She had become deeply emaciated and was beginning to kill her mother with worry. Every inch of word she has spoken has fallen on deaf ears.

"Mama..." Audrey's voice cracked like dry leaves. "I'm pregnant."

Unsure of what to do, she let out a sarcastic laugh. Beatrice raised her eyebrow with her mouth open.

You know you shouldn't be joking at this very moment, right?

Mom, this is true, she whimpered, letting out the ocean of tears in her.

Then she saw it-the tears, the brokenness, the truth.

......

It would be little wonder if the Constellar family was meeting with the Queen of England, the preparation was top-notch. Melissa couldn't contain her Joy as she had announced to everyone who gave her ears that her daughter-in-law had arrived in the States. Yes! Tasha was the perfect match. Smart. Classy. Constellar-worthy.

It was already an old news that Tasha had gotten an honorary appointment to work in Constellar, it never came as a surprise to Greg, fully knowing that his parents would do anything under the sun to make sure their match-making works

As the evening wore on, the ambient chatter of the restaurant enveloped them like a warm embrace. Yes! Melissa played her game well; she opted for the best resort in the States. The clinking of glasses and faint laughter floated through the air, mingling with the rich aroma that filled the dining space. Throughout the date, he felt a strange disconnection from the lively atmosphere around him, his mind swirling with thoughts that tangled like the meat on his plate as the women chattered away.

Melissa had kept Tasha busy with feminist talks to cover up for her son, who went mute from the onset of the date, sitting like a ghost around the table.

Her laugh was like sunlight, her words carried a sharp intelligence, and her presence was magnetic. She carried herself effortlessly with such elegance. He hated how drawn he was to her asap. So composed, so sure of herself.

"It's getting late; I think I should call my driver to come pick me up," Tasha said, her fingers delicately reaching for her Mouawad 1001 Nights Diamond Purse. The purse shimmered under the soft lighting, a dazzling reflection of her elegance and wealth.

Don't worry about that. My son will take care of it," Melissa replied, her voice smooth yet authoritative, glancing at Bill.

Bill felt numb, yet beneath the surface, a flicker of admiration ignited in him as he observed her. The way her laughter danced like sunlight across the table, the sparkle in her eyes with a mix of intelligence and mischief, pulled him in despite his desire to remain aloof. It struck him that he wasn't just drawn to her beauty, but to the air of confidence she exuded-something he had longed to embrace in himself yet had always lacked.

As they entered the car heading to Tasha's house, silence stretched between them, the evening air was crisp, and he couldn't help but marvel at her presence. He recalled snippets of their previous interactions-her sharp wit and the little kindness she had offered on previous occasions. It was this multifaceted personality that both captivated and confused him. Was it just physical attraction, or an emotional depth of love?

The car glided smoothly through the city streets, and he found himself glancing at her reflection in the rearview mirror, pondering the significance of the luxury she surrounded herself with. He clenched his jaw, battling the urge to know more, to dive deeper into the layers that composed the intriguing woman beside him, but no, he couldn't give in.

As soon as Tasha alighted from the car, he swerved the car to a U-turn as if he was awoken into consciousness, making a beeline for Audrey's house.

It has been a long ride of Romeo and Juliet's love.