A MARRIAGE OF FATE

CHAPTER ONE CONSOLATION PRIZE

“I clearly stated that I wanted a quarter shot of milk in my coffee!” Melody stared at the indignant woman before her and felt a strong urge to give her a piece of her mind, but she could not afford to lose this job.

“Yes, you did, and I prepared exactly what you ordered.” She calmly explained.

“No, you didn't!” The woman yelled again, getting the attention of the other customers and workers.

Melody silently wondered how the woman had come to that conclusion.

“I have been getting the same order for the past three years, it does not taste the same!”

“Three yea-”

At this point Melody thought the woman was just throwing a tantrum.

“Ma'am it could be the new coffee maker, let me make you another cup?” She suggested with a patronizing smile and gritted teeth.

Melody planned to attend an event after her shift, but with the woman's display, she was sure to be late.

“No! I want my cup of coffee with one and a quarter of milk!” She exclaimed loudly with a red face.

Melody stared at the woman, at a loss of words, she did not know what the woman expected from her.

“Ma'am I'm not sure what you want me to do-”

“I'm going to come back tomorrow and you better make me my cup of coffee with one and a quarter shot of milk, or I will ensure that you lose your job!” The woman threatened with a scowl.

She tossed the hot cup of coffee that Melody narrowly missed by an inch. Giving her one last threatening glare, she stormed out of the shop.

The room was filled with silence for a few more seconds until the customers gradually returned to their conversations.

Melody sagged against the counter with an exhale. She was so done with the job and the several rude customers, but she really did not have a choice.

“That was rough.” The worker that was supposed to fill in for her, muttered with a crease in his eyebrow.

“Tell me about it.” She let out a huff before taking off her apron and passing it to him.

“Goodluck man.” She gave him a small pat on the back as she always did after her shift before getting her things and making her way out of the small coffee shop.

As soon as she got out of the coffee shop, Melody swiftly trekked the five minutes’ walk to her small and empty apartment.

She did not stay for long as she hurriedly changed out of her work clothes and grabbed a pre packed bag before leaving again, boarding a taxi this time.

This routine was a regular thing and she usually made her way to her night shift afterwards. Today was different, she had a plan that would change her life if it worked out.

“We're here.” She was pulled out of her thoughts by the taxi driver.

She immediately got out of the cab, muttering a quick “thank you” as she went.

Without sparing a glance at her surroundings, she made her way into the building, getting in through the back.

“State your purpose.” She was stopped by a huge bodyguard at the door.

“I'm here for the gala, to contest.” She answered, peering up at him.

The man stared at her for a few seconds before opening the door to let her in.

“Be careful.” His words followed her as she made her way through the building.

“Are you one of the girls?” A short woman rushed to her with an apparent frown.

Melody replied with a short nod, “Yes”.

“Your name?” She asked again.

“Melody Éclairs.”

“You're late.” Was all the woman said before turning on her heel.

Melody watched the back of the woman, unsure of whether to follow her or not.

“Come quickly.” The woman called across the room after realizing that Melody had not followed her like she expected.

The woman led her to a room where she quickly changed into her dress that she had brought along. When she was all dressed up, she took her to another room that was filled with ladies, dressed similarly as her.

There were a lot of them, some were getting their makeup done and getting ready, some were chattering and doing introductions while some just stayed by themselves, away from the rest. Melody fell into the last category.

She remained by herself, even when the event began and the ladies began to trickle out, one by one.

“I can do this, for Emma.”

Melody sat by herself, giving herself a pep talk as she waited. Until it was her turn.

“Now for the next contestant, we have Melody Éclairs…”

Melody stepped forward on the raised platform, eyes drifting over the crowd of affluent men that scrutinized her form with curious gazes.

She had worn a green form-fitting dress that easily showed all of her curves and even a little cleavage. Her mother had told her long ago; “dress the way you want to be addressed.” and she had kept this at the back of her mind since then.

Although, she had not expected to see any other men except Alfred since it was his bride selection event, she had heard some of the other ladies saying that the event had been open to other rich bachelors searching for brides.

“I don't care about all that anyway, I'm only here for the money.” Her inward voice reassured her.

Melody had heard her co-workers gossiping about the bride selection gala a few days ago. She had dismissed most of the conversation until she heard the consolation prize that would be given to all the losing contestants, just for participating - $1 million, a sum that would save her sister's life.

“Would you like to say anything to the waiting bachelor?” The host asked with a charming smile.

That was another thing Melody had heard, this time from the other ladies; apparently you could impress the men by sharing your skills or talents.

“No.” Melody replied loud and clear for everyone to hear.

The men stared at her strangely and she could hear some hushed whispers from the girl behind her.

They already thought I was weird when I refused a stylist and makeup anyway.” She thought with a barely visible shrug.

The man gave her a head tilt. His facial expression showed that he did not find her impressive in the least, and frankly, she did not care.

“And what makes you think that you are the perfect bride for our bachelor?” He asked again.

“I am not the perfect bride. I'm just here for the consolation prize” She replied nonchalantly.

That was her brilliant plan; she came to the event with hopes of losing. She would collect the consolation prize that had been mentioned, and she would be on her way.

“What a perfect plan!” She thought to herself.

However, nobody else seemed to share her views. The room was filled with murmurs and the ladies behind her were not making any effort to hide their snickers.

“At least somebody finds this funny.” She thought with a small smirk.

The announcer cleared his throat awkwardly.

““Okay… Do we have any suitors interested in Miss Éclairs?”

The room was enveloped with silence.

“Oops!” Melody thought with a hint of displeasure but mostly felt relief and satisfaction.

Suddenly, a deep voice resonated from the back of the room, sending chills down her spine and turning heads.

“I'm interested.”