“No.” I answered. “Take me home.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Melanie
I had gotten rather invested in the soap opera. Hugging a pillow to my chest, I hung on every word the male protagonist said. He was imploring his lover to forgive him. There was such a look of anguish on his face that I could barely stand it.
“Oh, forgive him already!” I berated the TV.
But the actress shook her head. “I can’t!” she responded dramatically.
He grabbed her wrist and reeled her in. Their bodies locked, hips pressed together. This time, however, she pulled away from the kiss. When the camera focused on her face, she was crying.
Just then, my mother walked through the door. “Hey kiddo,” she said in a casual and upbeat tone of voice.
I looked up at her to find that Miranda looked much healthier. Her skin was radiant and her hair was lustrous. She was finally taking care of herself.
“How was the meeting?” I asked while scooting over to make room for her on the couch.
She plopped down next to me, a great big smile on her face. “Well, since you ask…” She held out her keys where a shiny new keychain sparkled in the light.
I grabbed it so that I could read the inscription. To my surprise it marked her six months of sobriety.
“Whoa, Mom. I’m so proud of you!” Without thinking, I lunged forward and gave my mom a great big hug.
Miranda hugged back, tears in her eyes. “Honestly, I didn’t think I’d make it this far. There were plenty of times when I just wanted to give up but then I thought of you and everything you went through for my sake and I knew I couldn’t let you down.”
“Oh, Mom.”
She hugged me even tighter. “I just wanted to make you proud, kiddo.”
“And you have.” I pulled away and gave her a tissue. “Now stop crying or you’re going to make me cry too.”
She laughed. “All right, all right.” She blew her nose and offered a smile.
“You know what we should do?”
“What?”
“Celebrate! This is a huge accomplishment.”
Miranda shook her head. “Thanks sweetheart, but we should save the money. After all, don’t you start school in a couple of weeks? I want you to have enough money to buy all of your books.” She placed a hand on my shoulder. “You can stop worrying about me, Melly. I’m okay. Worry about yourself for once.”
“It’ll only be small celebration. No big deal,” I insisted.
“No, Melly,” Mom said with a gentle smile. “I’m too old for celebrations anyway.” She got up and disappeared into the kitchen. I heard the faucet running. A second later, she returned with a glass of water. It was so good to see her drinking something over than alcohol. “Besides, you never know when you’ll have a rainy day.”
I frowned. Rainy day? Suddenly, I remembered something. I sat up and narrowed my eyes in her direction. “Hey Mom, whatever happened to that million dollars? You never told me.”
My mom sat down on the coffee table. She began shaking her head.
“Oh, come on, just tell me,” I insisted. For the past six months, I hadn’t broached the subject. I’d figured that she didn’t want to talk about it for one reason or another. But it was about time that I found out the truth. “It was supposed to be for your rehab treatment,” I reminded her. “So what did you do with it?”
She just looked at me, wide-eyed and innocent. “What million dollars?”
I paused for a moment.
“You know, the million dollars that Aaron gave you,” I said slowly, finding it physically painful to say his name aloud. “He bought me for three months, remember?”
Suddenly, a look of shame flashed across her face. “Shit,” she mumbled underneath her breath. “I was trying to forget about that.”
“Why? What’s going on?” I edged forward, grabbing her hands.
She looked up at me before taking a deep breath and shooting me a shame-faced smile. “I’m sorry, honey, but I never received a million dollars.”
“What?” I gawked, pulling away in my surprise. “What do you mean you never received a million dollars?”
Miranda shrugged miserably, her bony shoulders moving up and down.
“The million dollars was just a ploy to get you to go on a date, honey. You were always working so hard, and you were so worried about me all the time, and I just wanted you to be happy.”
I couldn’t even answer at first.
“A date?” I repeated. “Three months is considerably longer than one date, Mom.”
She shrugged. “Well, it worked, didn’t it?”
I crossed my arms across my chest, anger building in my chest. “I don’t know, you tell me. He hasn’t spoken to me in the past six months. I think that just screams ‘healthy relationship,’ don’t you?” I asked sarcastically.
She screwed her eyebrows together. “That doesn’t seem right.”
“Well, it’s true. On the last day of our arrangement, Aaron Black just disappeared. He didn’t even bother to say goodbye.” There was a bitter taste in my mouth as I said these words. Sadness laced with fury raced through my form.
“That doesn’t seem right,” she repeated. “When I first met him, he was really depressed.”
“Yeah, so? That doesn’t stop him from being an asshole.”
“True, but you know, I met him at the Surly Wench.”
I sighed.
“Yeah, I know. What’s the point, Mom?” I was starting to get annoyed with this conversation. Not only had that man broken my heart but that my own mother had made such a fool of me. I’d done all that, and now she was telling me there was no million dollars, period? No chance even of a million dollars? I guess, somehow I’d suspected that, but I’d been hiding my head in the sand. I’d figured maybe Miranda had the money tied up in a trust fund somewhere so that she couldn’t spend it on booze willy-nilly.
She shook my hand and squeezed it gently. “Look, just hear me out.”
I looked into her eyes and I could tell that she was being genuine. “Okay, fine.”
“I could tell, from the moment I met Aaron Black that he was a good guy. There was something about his eyes. Now, whenever I’m out and about, I’m always looking for someone that would be a good match for my daughter. That’s just what mothers do.”
I groaned. “I honestly don’t need dating help from my mom. And you’re not just any mom, Mom. You don’t do mom-like things!”
But Miranda ignored me.
“Wasn’t Aaron your first boyfriend?”
I sighed again.
“I would hardly call him by boyfriend. I was under the impression that I was a paid escort. Emotions weren’t involved,” I lied.
She clicked her tongue. “You can’t fool me, Mel. I know you love him. It’s written all over your face. When you came home, you were heartbroken, and I’m sorry that you had to go through that.”
I looked at her askance, pulling away.
“Why didn’t you just tell me the truth from the beginning?”
“Because you’re just as stubborn as your father and I knew that if I did, you wouldn’t go through with it.”
I was silent. She had a point. I could be difficult sometimes. “All right, so what’s this great big story that you want me to listen to?”
Miranda took another deep breath.
“Right. So I met Aaron at the Surly Wench. He was trying to get away from his rich lifestyle. He said something about it being toxic. Evidently, a lot of rich people are very fake, and he didn’t like that. So he was trying to find something genuine.”
“And he decided the best place to do that would be a bar?” I asked skeptically
“Drowning your sorrows in alcohol is something a lot of people do,” Mom replied in a soft tone.
“Right.” I suddenly felt a little guilty for my comment.
But she continued, glazing over the fact. “We had a really good conversation and I thought that if he wan
ted to meet someone genuine then who better than you?”
I blushed slightly. “So why’d he leave me if I’m so amazing?”
“I think that’s up to you to find out, dear.” She placed a hand on my knee and smiled. “It’s hard to forgive but sometimes, that’s the only thing you can do.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Where’d you hear that?”
“My AA meeting.”
I chuckled. “Are you going to start spewing words of wisdom now?”
“Maybe.”
Suddenly, I got up.
“Where are you going?”
“To go and find Aaron. Because you’re right, Mom. I can’t keep living like this. Look at me,” I said, gesturing to the soap opera that was now playing silently on screen. “I’m talking to the TV set like some lunatic cat lady. I’ve got to figure out what’s going on.”
Miranda grabbed my hand, squeezing it while looking up with clear blue eyes.
“That’s my girl,” she said softly. “Go find your future, sweetheart. I’m here for you no matter what.” And for the first time in a long time, I squared my shoulders and took a deep breath. The truth had finally come out … but what would Aaron say?
Chapter Twenty-Two
Aaron
It was around midnight when I walked into my house. The mansion was dark and silent. None of the employees were here because no one had expected me to come back so soon. Only the chauffeur had been notified.
As I strolled through the corridors, the floorboards moaned underneath my feet. The air smelled musty and stale. I walked up to the set of glass doors looking out at the pool and opened them. A soft breeze rolled in, blowing back the curtains. I stood there for a while, looking at the view and filling my lungs with fresh air.
The view brought back memories. I couldn’t stand them, so I closed my eyes. That only brought them into a sharper focus. Closing the doors, I headed upstairs. I marched toward my room but as soon as I passed what had been Melanie’s room, I stopped.
I stood there, heart beating a little faster. Cautiously, I wrapped my fingers around the knob. I knew she wasn’t inside but I almost expected to find her sleeping soundly in the bed.
Fuck. How I wanted to see her again. But deep down, I knew that was just a fool’s dream. I had ruined my chances with her and now there was no going back.
Still, I opened the door and walked inside.
The room was empty save for a bunch of packed suitcases. I opened one to find it stuffed with the designer clothes that I had bought for her. I frowned as I sorted through the articles of clothing.
I opened another. This time I found a bright red bikini. I took it out, holding it against the moonlight that filtered through the window. She had worn this exact same bikini on the day where she sat beside the pool, angry with me.
Suddenly I realized that she hadn’t taken any of the things that I’d bought for her. Why not? There were thousands of dollars’ worth of clothes and accessories packed into these suitcases. Even if she didn’t want to wear them, she could have sold them for a profit. That’s what most people would have done.
Then again Melanie wasn’t most people.
I put the bikini back. She must really hate me if she wanted absolutely nothing to remember me by. That thought alone was a dagger plunging straight through the heart. I should have stayed. I should have said goodbye.
But I didn’t and that’ll probably end up being the biggest mistake of my life. Why the fuck had I been such a fool?
Ding!
I furrowed my eyebrows together. What? Who would be ringing the doorbell at this time of night? I ignored it. Whoever it was, they’d go away of their own accord.
But a few minutes later, there came another ding. Once again, I let it go. There was no one I wanted to see. Especially now. All I wanted was to be left alone because that’s all I deserved.
Well, maybe there was one person I’d like to see.
Melanie. But of course, that would be impossible. She’d never want to see me again.
With a sigh, I sat down on the edge of the bed
Ding! Ding! Ding! The bell started to ring insistently.
Damnit. With an exasperated sigh, I finally get up and walked to the door. I threw it open, prepared to growl at whoever it was. To my shock, I found Melanie standing there.
What?
This must be some kind of dream. I blinked, half expecting her to disappear, but she didn’t.
Our eyes locked and electricity sizzled between us, almost like we’d never been apart. I had the urge to take her into my arms right then and there, but I thought better of it. The last thing I wanted to do was scare her away.
“What are you doing here?” I asked. She didn’t bother to answer.
“What’s the story with the million dollars?” Melanie demanded with a fiery look in her eyes. “And I want the absolute truth. My mother has told me everything, but I want to hear it straight from the horse’s mouth.” Melanie planted her feet on the ground, her lips pressed together in a firm line.
A sense of understanding washed over me. Suddenly, I realized exactly how to make this right again. All she wanted was the truth. That was the least I could give her.
“Please come in, and I’ll tell you everything.”
She looked weary but nonetheless stepped over the threshold.
With my hand on the small of her back, I guided her into the kitchen. Even this light touch on her body filled me with a sense of euphoria. Here she was, once again within reach. All I had to do was be honest with her and maybe, I’d still have a chance.
“Do you want some tea?”
“Sure,” she said tersely.
I nodded, putting some water in the kettle to boil.
As we waited, we naturally gravitated toward the glass doors. “Why does the pool look green?” she asked, looking up at me with those beautiful eyes of hers.
“I gave my employees a vacation during my trip abroad,” I answered. “So no one has been taking care of it.”
Melanie frowned. “That’s a shame.”
“You always did love the pool.”
She didn’t answer, just staring out at the murky grey-green waters.
I wanted to kiss her, to trail my lips along the side of my neck like I used to do whenever she was sad, but I couldn’t. Not yet. She deserved the truth first and that’s exactly what I would give her.
The electric kettle had finished boiling the water. Carefully, I poured out two cups of water before steeping the tea. I almost smiled as I did so – this was the first time I’d ever made tea by myself.
“Thanks.” Melanie took her tea and sat down at the table. “So, what’s the story with the million dollars?” she asked, eyes sharp.
I took a deep breath. “You have a right to know.” To prove I was being honest with her, I met her gaze squarely. “I was never going to pay your mother the million dollars. It’s true that I wanted to date a beautiful, charming woman. I was a lonely man. I still am. Your mother showed me your picture at the bar and what can I say, I fell for you.”
Melanie rolled her eyes.
“It’s true. Well, sort of. I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight, but I definitely found you extremely attractive. I knew that I couldn’t pass up a chance to be with you.”
She shook her head. “I can’t believe this. This is so cheesy, like some B-rated movie!”
I shrugged.
“It is what it is, I guess. I don’t want to make your mom out to a villain but the whole million dollars was her idea. She wanted you to get out and be social, and was willing to concoct a story to make sure you met me.”
Melanie rolled her eyes then.
“Don’t blame it on a woman who was drunk.”
I shrugged.
“I’m not, but the whole rehab thing was her idea. It was the only way you’d buy her scheme.”
“Yeah, because sMirandahe was right. If I thought she’d use the money to go to rehab, then I was sure to g
o along with the three-month companion idea.” Melanie bit her lip and shook her head. She looked almost bitter.
“You have to hand it to your mom,” I said. “Even drunk she managed to come up with a pretty good scheme.”
The brunette was quiet for a moment. Her expression softened. “So there really wasn’t any money involved?” she asked curiously, turning bright eyes my way.
“No, but I would have paid for it, if she had wanted it,” I said seriously. “I would have paid more than a million, actually. But your mom was never interested in the money sweetheart. She was concerned about you.”
I realized that Melanie’s whole face had turned red. She was blushing from her cheeks to the tips of her ears, the wheels in her head churning away. “Why, Aaron?”
“Why, what?”
“Why would you have paid more than a million?”
The world rested on how I answered this question.
“Because I got an amazing deal,” I said slowly. “I met someone gorgeous, beautiful, and brilliant, who was willing to do anything to help her family. And along the way, I fell in love with that woman.”
Her eyes widened. The blush became even redder when she realized I was talking about her. Still, I could tell she was in a state of disbelief. “If you fell in love with me, then why did you disappear for six months?”
I took a deep breath. “I had to do something to occupy myself. I thought that you weren’t interested, sweetheart. I just assumed you would fulfill the three-month requirement and then rush back home. I couldn’t stand to see you walk away so I walked away first. Call it self-protection, call it selfishness. But I’ve learned a lesson, and it’s that I’ve been fucking miserable without you.”
She looked at me for a moment before a choked sound erupted from her lips.
“Sweetheart?” I immediately leaned forward, alarm in my eyes. “Are you all right?”
She began to laugh but at the same time, tears started rolling down her cheeks.
I reached over and cupped her face in my hands. “I’m so sorry that things ended up the way that they did.”
“I’m sorry, too.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.” I gently pushed my fingers through her hair. “Please, don’t cry.” I ran my thumb along her cheeks, wiping away the tears. “It kills me.”
Buying A Bride Page 19
