Melinas Men

Chapter Fourteen.

Chapter Fourteen.

I showered again for the second time that day and made my way outside to the lawn where I could hear my family playing croquet. I was happy and felt like being around others for once. Even my family.

“Sorry guys, I’m here now. Invite was lost in the mail,” I called to them as I walked up.

“Melina what are you doing?” my mother called back, shading her eyes with her hand to block the sun.

“Sorry, do I need to call you in advance,” I came up next to her putting an arm around her.

“You should be getting ready for this evening,” she told me, like I knew what that meant.

I looked at her confused.

She rolled her eyes, “why do we even employ Georgia? She was meant to tell you this morning.”

“And she did,” I said proudly, “tell me what?”

“Are you going to play Melina?” Michael called out.

I went to scream yes, but mum interrupted, “no, she’s not! She has to get ready for dinner with Prince Eric.”

Michael rolled his eyes and went back to his game with dad and Jessa.

“Prince Eric!” I exclaimed.

“He got in this morning, and he’s taking you out to a fancy dinner in the city.”

My mums eyes were shining, “maybe he’s going to propose.”

“I surely hope not.”

“Go get ready Melina, and I’ll be in to check on you. No surprises,” she wasn’t happy with my remark.

I sulked and stormed back inside, “so I can’t just wear my potato sack?”

As always there was somehow a dress hanging on my door as I entered, if I wore anything other than what mum had picked out it would not suffice. I got dressed and put as little effort as possible without causing someone a tantrum. I was not looking forward to this.

I stepped out my room all ready to go and found Georgia waiting for me.

“You could have come in,” I told her, closing the door behind me.

“Sorry, I thought I’d wait,” she said, “Prince Eric is already on his way to where you will be meeting him so I’m going to accompany you in the car.”

“Well that’s good,” I was relieved I didn’t have to sit in a car awkwardly with Eric. Especially when I had someone else on my mind, and the events we shared.

And then my thoughts went straight to how Jack was feeling, did he even care? Maybe he got what he wanted now he would hope Eric would step in and take his place. I don’t know why my mind went straight to that but it did, and it made me angry.

“You okay, miss?” Georgia broke into my thoughts.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s just get this over with,” I sighed and started walking.

Georgia chuckled then fell into stride next to me as we headed for the front lawn and the car presumably waiting for us.

I got into the car, but instead of Georgia getting in behind me, someone else did, closing the door behind them.

“What are you doing?” I whispered loudly to Jack.

“I’m coming with you,” he told me. The car started driving before I could protest.

“You know where I’m going right?” I asked him.

He smirked, “of course I do.”

“And that’s fine?” I was kind of hurt that he didn’t seem to care.

“No, Melina, it’s not,” jack started, “after this morning I know I want to be with you.”

I wanted to tell him I wanted to be with him too but he didn’t let me.

“But this is the only way,” he stated.

I looked at him confused, “what is?”

“I would never be able to leave Eric and give you everything you deserve,” he started, “so say yes to him, and then we’ll always be together.”

I laughed sarcastically, “you’re f*****g insane.”

“Think about it, you may be married to Eric yes, but we’ll be under the same roof.”

“In secret. And you’ll have to watch me start a life with him,” I told him. His idea was ridiculous.

His face fell, “it’s better than to not have you at all.”

I felt sad for our situation, but this was stupid, “so you can’t leave Eric? But you can be with his wife behind his back?”

Jack said nothing, he barely looked at me after that.

After a long while he spoke again, “if you say no to Eric we’ll have to leave. And I can’t stay any longer with Carmichael.”

Tears stung my eyes but I made sure to hold them back, “I’m willing to risk it, but I guess you’re not.”

We spoke no other words to each other the whole ride.

The car stopped at a park not far from town, it was a field of green with a beautiful gazebo set right in the middle. It had green vines snaking up the pillars filled with pink and purple flowers. I could see Eric standing in the middle with a perfectly set table. This was really romantic, and that gave me a sick feeling inside.

“Melina,” Jack went to speak to me but I cut him off by opening the door and slamming it behind me.

I walked towards the gazebo with dread in my stomach. I didn’t know what for though. For having to sit and talk with Eric and eventually reject his proposal, or for having to say goodbye to Jack. I would much prefer to give up everything for a life of happiness than a life of lies with either of them. But I realised now that life of happiness wasn’t going to happen with Jack. I wasn’t the one holding onto this lifestyle now, he was.

“Hello, Eric,” I curtsied as I got to the gazebo out of habit.

“Melina, how are you?” He held a chair out for me and I sat down. The table was set with champagne and high tea filled with scones, mini sandwiches and small desserts. It was lovely, but I had no appetite.

“I’m good thank you, how are you?” I took a sip of my champagne letting them bubbles tickle my throat, I needed this.

“I’m good thank you, much better now that I’ve seen you,” he smiled at me.

I almost choked on my champagne, I hid it by stuffing my face with a sandwich, unladylike I’ll add.

The small talk went for hours, mainly talking about what Eric did and where he’s been. I was barely listening, just nodding when I felt it necessary.

Until it got to that time.

All the food was almost gone and I’d be surprised if there was any more champagne was left for us, I was well on my way to being tipsy and I kept wondering if that was his plan.

“Melina,” he began, “I know this is sudden but I hope the feelings mutual.”

I rolled my eyes in anticipation as he got up from his chair and walked beside me.

“I think we could have a great union,” he got down to one knee and fiddled in his pocket and pulled out a velvet box, “if you would do me the honours and marry me.”

There was no feeling, no butterflies, no birds singing. Nothing to tell me this was a good idea. And it wasn’t. I wasn’t even excited when I saw the ring, I wasn’t one for jewellery anyway.

“Prince Eric, I’m very sorry but I just can’t do that,” I said deadpan, I didn’t even feel sorry for the man.

His face turned glum.

“It’s not you, it’s me. I just don’t want to feel forced to love someone, I want it to come naturally,” I tried to console him.

“And when and how do you think that will happen,” he turned defensive, getting up and sitting back across from me.

“I don’t know, probably never, but that doesn’t mean I want to give up.”

“Never is right,” he slumped, taking his glass of champagne.

My eyebrows shot up at his remark, what a d**k.

“I’ll stay my week and give you one more chance,” he leant forward, almost threateningly, “if you pass me up again I don’t think you’ll have many suitors after you.”

I crossed my arms, “you do as you wish, but I think this date is over.”

I downed the last of my champagne and walked back towards my car.

I saw Jack standing there, leaning up against Eric’s car, not mine.

“I guess you didn’t go for that then,” he said as I finally walked up.

“No,” I stopped and glared at him, “I refuse to be in a loveless marriage, even for you, and especially not for Eric.”

Jack sighed, “Melina, I won’t give up on you.”

“Funny, that’s exactly what Eric said,” I got in my car and slammed the door. My driver didn’t waste any time in leaving Jack and Eric in the dust.