Marrying my high school bully

Melissa

Why would he be asking me such a question?

Was already feeling that I was his estranged wife?

I had to give him a wrong answer if I was to sail through this, after all, there’d be no way for him to detect that I was lying to him.

“Four years back. It was done by a friend that I didn’t know envied my success. That’s the reason I withdrew from having friends. These days you can’t tell the person who’s real with you or not.” I said softly, hoping that he’d buy my explanation.

“I’m so sorry for reminding you of the past, it’s just that your story reminds me of Lorraine. And each time I look into your eyes, I can see the uncanny resemblance between the both of you. It’s crazy.” He admitted and I scoffed, feigning anger, even though I was happy that he could feel the familiarity.

It was good to know that he hadn’t completely forgotten about me, my new face confused.

“Do you have to talk about her all the time? I thought you liked me? Or are you around me because I’m your safe option?”

His lips parted, his eyes flitting around the room in confusion, then he sighed and kissed my forehead. “You remind me of her a lot, but I think you are your own person.” He replied fluidly and I rolled my eyes at how quickly he was able to save himself from my interrogation.

Since he believed that I was capable of committing murder, then he’d have a hard time finding Lorraine.

“I want to go home. Can you call the doctor to come and complete her check-up so that I can be discharged? I hate hospitals.” I whined and he burst into laughter.

I hissed and turned to the side so that I could lie properly. The doctor came in almost immediately and began the necessary check-ups.

“Do you have a gynecologist?” She asked and I nodded.

“I do. Can we go now? I’m starving and I feel so tired.” I admitted.

“You look strong enough, but if you collapse again then your husband would have to admit you here. Do take care of yourself.” She patted me on the shoulder while I slanted Dexter a quizzical look.

I waited for her to leave, then I sprang to my feet and glared at him. “Husband? Are you for real?”

He shrugged and a triumphant smirk displayed on his lips. “I had to tell her that so that she would attend to me immediately.” He said and the reality of his words dawned on me.

That was why I was attended to without much stress. Though Dexter could be a jerk when it came to love, he was a ruthless businessman who barely took no for an answer. He might have employed that side of him to get her to attend to us and it did yield results.

A lot of people rumored that he had no feelings and I was almost tempted to tell them that they had no idea of what they were saying.

“I’m not your wife, Dexter and you’re still married so take me out of here, please,” I said for the umpteenth time and this time he listened.

Since we came in my car and he wasn’t returning to work today, he had to get his car back to the house. I wanted to return to my condo, but it felt like he was bent on making me do everything he wanted, so we headed to his penthouse.

As our car rolled into the driveway, Lilly who was playing around the little garden ran to her father. Their father-daughter time was admirable, and I wondered how Lilly would feel when she found out that she’d have another sibling who wasn’t from her mother.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Lilly’s affection wasn’t only directed to her father as she struggled to get down on her feet. Dexter stared at her with hesitation, but when she spread her hands for me to get her, we immediately understood what she wanted.

The act had my heart melting into a puddle as I didn’t know that she was beginning to bond with me.

“Oh, Lilly, I can carry you as long as you want.” I giggled like a child as I tried to straighten her disheveled hair with my fingers. “Should we go in?” I asked.

“Yass!” Her lips stretched into a smile.

She was so adorable. I could stay with her for hours without getting tired. Her nanny collected my bag and greeted the both of us.

Then Dexter announced that he wanted to prepare lunch for us, and left Lilly and me together.

My phone simultaneously rang that moment and a knot furled in my stomach when I saw who the caller was. Leonardo had never called me before, then I remembered that I was absent from today’s meeting.

“Hi,” I tried to talk to him with the calmest tone even though anger slammed through me each time I talked to him or even saw him.

My dream moment was throwing him in jail and having him realize that he didn’t succeed in taking away my life.

“How are you, Melissa? Are you alright?” He asked almost sweetly and if we didn’t have a past, I’d be charmed.

That could be how he charmed my mother and killed her when she didn’t want to do as he wished.

I dragged in a deep breath and let Lilly play with her toys. I couldn’t be having the conversation where Dexter could easily hear us so I veered towards the garden and leaned on the wall.

“I’m fine, Leonardo. I know that you are disappointed by my disappearance, well I fell ill and I couldn’t make it. I’m sorry for bailing out.” I explained the rest of the situation and left out some.

“That’s fine, your health is more important.” I held back a scoff. “Are you feeling any better now?”

“Yes, I am. Thank you.”

We talked about the project and when he began to talk about the research he had made concerning what would be our profit, I quickly turned on the recorder. I liked that he was comfortable with me all because he thought I’d help him to launder the company’s money.

I wondered how he’d feel when he discovered that the real heir had come to take back her inheritance.

“I’ll see you soon so we can talk about it in detail, but I hope the other board members weren’t angry?” I hoped they were.

The call went silent then he sighed audibly. “They were mad at me. They see me as incompetent and right now I’m really scared of losing my position. All of them are out for me and I wonder who’s doing this to me.” He lamented.

I held back the urge to laugh and pressed my lips hard. Every bad thing that happened to him was orchestrated by me, and not too long from now, he’d be losing every valuable property he had.

“Don’t be scared of them, alright? I’ll make sure that you retain your position.” I assured him.

“Thank you so much, Melissa. I feel so relieved to have you as my friend and the next time you come, I’d like to introduce you formally to my daughter. I want her to know that you are a very good person.”

“That won’t be a bad idea, Leonardo. We’ll talk later.” I said and ended the call, taking a deep breath.

I spun around and found Dexter gazing at me with an unreadable expression. His arms were folded behind him and his stance didn’t look friendly.

Did he listen to our conversation?

I advanced towards him with a charming smile, hoping to disarm him. “I thought you were preparing lunch,” I said but his expression didn’t crack, instead, the lines on his face hardened.

“Madeline told me that she had already prepared lunch so I asked her to serve it while I get you, but you were busy speaking with one Leonardo. There’s only one Leonardo I know and I want to ask if he’s that you were talking about.” His voice was cold, leaving no room for any argument.

He was baiting me and I had to keep up with my cover.

“What Leonardo are you talking about?” I threw back and he took another step closer.

Fortunately, we were distracted by the clicking of heels that approached us. We faced the source of the distraction and I frowned.

What on earth did she want?