Chapter 4

MELISSA QUIZON

"Aunt Linda, you look more appealing than the last time we met." An elderly woman turned around, and a wide smile flashed on her face when she saw Wright, who greeted her warmly as we entered the expensive boutique.

After my last final, he immediately brought me here to find a dress that fit an unknown event.

"My goodness, sweetheart! You know how to run that mouth of yours. Just like my brother," she said as he hugged him.

He laughed and kissed her forehead. "I learned from the best."

“Happy birthday, my dearest nephew.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

Today is Wright's birthday. He was twenty-one, and it was also our 5th monthaversary today. There would be a fancy celebration at La Mansion De Agoncillo. All of Wright's rich businessmen contacts and their relatives were invited. I couldn't help but feel nervous and anxious because he would finally introduce me to his parents. I hoped they were kind to people like me. I hoped they didn't think that I was after Wright's money. I did love him. So much so that it hurt.

I also knew that he would receive many expensive gifts, so I thought of a gift that he would appreciate: myself. Yes, I decided to stay for the night, and I hoped everything went well. I also informed Granny that I wouldn't go home tonight and lied to her about doing overnight schoolwork.

I trusted Wright, and I knew he loved me. He would never take advantage of something so important to me. I loved Wright so much; I would give him everything I could provide.

A hand caressed my shoulder, and that brought me back to reality. I hadn't noticed that I lost myself in deep thought.

"By the way, Auntie, this is Melissa, my girlfriend."

I smiled sweetly. "Good afternoon."

Her aunt's eyes widened. "G-girlfriend?! B-bu—does your mother know about this?"

"I’ll introduce her tonight, Auntie.” He held my hand and kissed the back of my palm while his eyes were focused on me. "That's why we're here. I want her to wear the best dress. I want her to stand out and for every guest to look at her. I want to see men feel envious that this woman belongs to me."

Why did Aunt Linda look nervous at what Wright said?

"I don't know what's in your mind, Wright. But I see how happy you are now, so who am I to be a hindrance?" Aunt Linda took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she looked up, there was a smile on her face. "Oh, well. Let's see what I can do for you, young lady."

Aunt Linda took me to the fitting room while Wright stayed in the waiting area. I entered and turned to Aunt Linda, who was looking at me intently. I smiled hesitantly. I guess people who belonged to high society didn't want to have any connection with people who belonged in the lower class.

Two of her staff members came inside the dressing room and proceeded to measure my body.

"Uh...c-can I get a dress that’s a little cheap? If my savings are not enough, maybe I could pay in monthly installments. Would that be alright, ma’am?" I said nervously.

I didn't want people to call me a gold digger or a social climber. I loved Wright because he brought out the best of me. He took me to places I'd never been before.

Her laugh surprised me. Here I was, standing before her, nervous and anxious. And she laughed at me?!

"You're funny, young lady. All the clothes you see in my boutique are expensive and of good quality. Some of them are hand-made in other countries. How dare you look for anything cheap in this place? You've got some nerve, don't you think?"

"I'm…I'm sorry. I have no intention of offending you. Believe me, ma'am. I just want to pay for the dress, and I want you to understand that people like me don't often go to an expensive place like this."

“People like you?” She stared at me, puzzled. “Let me guess. You think that I hate you or brand you as a gold digger.”

I nodded. "I can't help but think that way, ma'am. I have nothing, and Wright has everything. Naturally, people will think that I'm after his money."

“That’s true,” she agreed. "Both of his parents are business tycoons. Millionaires. And Wright is their only child."

“I…I understand, ma’am. That’s why I have to prove that I’m not after his—”

"Sweetheart, my dearest—save the explanations for tonight. I am nothing but his aunt." She stood up in front of me and smiled gently. “I understand you, young lady. Just for the record, we do not look down on anyone. My husband is from a family with no wealth—only a good education. And do you want to know where it led him?"

“Y-yes.”

“Success. The man who owned a small eatery now owns five Michelin restaurants, two big grocery store chains, and a good heart.” My heart melted because of her voice. I was wrong. This woman did not judge my social status. “Happiness is in here, Melissa.” She placed her hand on top of my chest. “Everything in this world will depreciate and can be replaced. The only thing I can say to you is be yourself, and all the best will follow.”

I couldn’t help but hug her tightly. “Thank you, ma’am.”

She patted my back, and I heard her chuckle. “My goodness. I wish I had a daughter.”

After the fitting, I got out of the room, and Aunt Linda told me to wait until the dress was fixed to my size. I went to see Wright, and he immediately stood up to welcome me back.

"What's the color?"

“It’s a secret.”

“But I have to match my tie with your dress.” He circled his arms around my waist.

"I already chose the tie for you." I put my index finger on the tip of his pointy nose and smiled sweetly.

He laughed. “Damn, don’t smile at me like that.”

“Why?”

“Just because.”

“But I always smile at you this way.”

“Not on my birthday!” I laughed, and he pulled me closer to him. “I can’t wait to receive your gift to me.”

I swallowed. “You have to wait until midnight.”

One hour before the sun set, Aunt Linda called me to try on the dress. I let Wright go and walked inside the fitting room. The two staff members helped me dress up while the others started putting makeup on me and decorating my hair.

I was not used to this kind of extravagant clothing. Wearing pants and a shirt was enough for me, but when I met Wright, I started wearing skirts and blouses. That was because I didn't want to hear people say that his girlfriend looked older than him.

I took a deep breath and came out wearing a royal blue mermaid-style dress. It hugged my body shape. Its mermaid style started at mid-thigh. The fabric glittered with Swarovski's crystals. The staff members only put light makeup on me and straightened out my hair.

Wright stood up straight when he saw me, and then a sweet smile curved on his lips. Aunt Linda raised a thumb. Wright was well-dressed in an expensive black suit. His dark eyes slid down my trim figure, then back up again to my face.

“Baby…”

“Hi. Do I look okay?”

“Okay?” He walked up to me and stared at my face. “Baby, you take my breath away.”

“I don’t look old, do I?”

“Old?” He chuckled and turned to his Auntie. “Aunt Linda?”

She raised one of her brows. “Young lady, are you looking for flaws in my creation?”

“N-no, ma’am. It’s beautiful. I can’t recognize myself in the mirror!”

“Of course! I am currently fighting the urge to burn the clothes you were wearing.”

“Auntie…” Wright warned.

“It’s just a joke. Melissa and I shared a genuine conversation a while ago.”

“About what?”

“It’s a secret between us.”

Wright turned to me. I beamed. “I won’t tell you.”

“Alright. Based on my observations, Aunt Linda didn’t threaten you.”

“Why would I?! I don’t give threats to anyone. My dearest nephew, you hurt my feelings.”

Wright pulled away from me and put his hands on his Auntie’s shoulders. “Auntie, what you have is a gift of God. Look at my girl. She’s beautiful, but I can’t believe you made her a goddess. I am so blessed to have you.”

"My dearest nephew, you know the words I wanted to hear."

Aunt Linda excused herself when a customer came in. Wright came back to me. He was a handsome man—all dark sensuality and wicked spirit. He towered over me and made me feel small and feminine. I liked the way his suit hugged the powerful lines of his body, emphasizing his fierce masculinity.

A woman walked towards us while holding a black box. She stopped beside me and opened it. I reached for the necktie and put it on Wright’s collar. He kissed my cheek when I was done tying it.

"Thank you for being with me on my special day."

“I will always be with you, even if it isn’t a special day.”

He smiled sweetly. “Thank you.”

“But my feet are killing me.”

He laughed and turned to the staff member beside me. “Could you please get us some comfortable shoes? My girl isn’t used to stilettos.”

The staff nodded before leaving.

“Is there a problem?” Aunt Linda popped up behind Wright.

“Auntie, Melissa isn’t used to high heels.”

“But the shoes are the perfect match to her outfit.”

“She isn’t used—”

“Nonsense.” Auntie held both my hands. “Come here, sweetheart. I’ll teach you how to walk and stand so that your feet won’t hurt.”

“O-okay, ma’am.”

I tried to walk a few times, but I always stumbled or fell to my knees. Thank goodness Wright always helps me.

"Maybe we need something to motivate her."

Aunt Linda pushed Wright away from me and sent a nice-looking employee of hers to him. I frowned when Wright smiled as the women clung to him. That freaking jerk!

“Wright!”

“Help me, baby.” His plea sounded so fake.

"Oh, what are you going to do? Don’t look down. Walk straight and get your man back!" Aunt Linda whispered.

I looked at my shoes. So this was my motivation. I looked at Wright again and slowly stood up. I only took two steps before I tripped again. The women helped me not fall to my knees. When I looked at Wright, his arm was wrapped around the woman’s waist.

I glared at him. He raised both of his hands as if to say that he wouldn’t do it anymore.

With a sigh, I stood up and began to walk. This time, I was desperate to grab him so I could strangle his neck. On my final step, I stumbled, but Wright managed to pull my waist, and the back of my head hit his chest.

"Excellent. The reason why I pushed the stilettos onto her, even though she isn’t used to them, is to make sure that you won’t leave her side, Wright.”

His hands caressed my exposed shoulder. I sighed at what he was doing.

“I won’t leave her, of course.” His face came close to my ear, and he whispered, "You are tempting me."

Both my cheeks warmed at what he said. “I’m not doing anything to you.”

When our ride parked in front of the boutique, we bid our farewells to Aunt Linda. She kissed my cheeks and whispered. “Just be yourself, my sweet child. Good luck, and I’ll see you at the party.”

I smiled at her. “Thank you, Aunt Linda.”

He opened the backseat door and let me in first. He joined me, and I immediately placed my hand on his leg. He looked at me, and I gave him a quick kiss. His eyes widened.

"Happy five months, baby," I said softly.

He touched his lips and stared at me, dumbfounded. After he recovered from that, his lips curved a seductive smile. "Damn. Was that your present? It’s not even midnight yet."

“No. I just had an urge to kiss you. You don’t like it?”

“I’m not complaining.”

I slowly slid my arms around his neck and pulled him in close. I smiled softly as I tilted my head upwards, wordlessly inviting him to kiss me. As Wright lowered his head and claimed my lips in a deep kiss, I melted against him, my hands tangling in his hair as my breath escaped me in a whispering sigh of pleasure.

Wright’s hands wrapped around me, his manly fingers digging into my skin with just enough pressure to tantalize without hurting me. His tongue danced with mine as our teeth nipped at each other's lips, and we gasped into each other’s mouths.

I was the one who pulled away first. We looked into each other's eyes, and then he smiled while biting his lower lip. “You said you’ll give your gift to me at midnight? What happened? Change of plans?”

My heartbeat quickened. I averted my eyes from him. "I think you turned me into a kissing monster."

He laughed and reached for a few strands of my hair and kissed them. “That’s quite an accusation. I didn’t turn you into that. I just awoke the monster you’ve been keeping in your closet for so long.”

“You wish!”

We arrived at his family's mansion. The big gate opened when the guards recognized his car. I was mesmerized by the house's design. It was made of concrete and big windows. I thought I could only see that in the Korean dramas I watched. We got out of the car and went to their garden because that was where the celebration would be held.

I couldn't help but be amazed at how luxurious Wright's lifestyle was. I felt like I didn't fit in here. Was I going to be alright? I felt like people would eat me alive.

Why did Wright choose me? I was nothing compared to the women around him. I was not pretty enough. I didn’t have the body of a supermodel.

Wright squeezed my hand, and he looked at me. He looked worried. "Don't be nervous. I'm here."

I sighed deeply and pushed my hair back. “Wright, what if—”

“We will not talk about ‘what if's' right now. Look at me, Melissa,” he said in a serious tone. “Don’t overthink. I am with you. I won’t go anywhere.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

Many raised an eyebrow at me, and they whispered to each other. I swallowed the lump in my throat and focused on Wright. If he was with me, others didn't matter. We stopped in front of a couple. The middle-aged woman looked at me up and down.

"Wright, I did not expect you to bring…” She eyed our entwined hands. “…a friend in your party.”

"Mom, Dad, this is Melissa Quizon. She isn’t my friend. She’s my girlfriend.”

"H-hi, ma’am."

I wanted to punch myself because I stuttered. I was nervous. What do you want me to do?!

One of her eyebrows rose, and her judgmental eyes scoured my whole being. "Girlfriend? Don’t make me laugh, Wright."

Wright put his arm around me, and he pulled me closer to him. "It’s not a joke, Mom. She’s my girlfriend. You asked me one time why I was smiling out of nowhere. Well, she’s the reason."

The lady's eyes widened. "But…but how did this happen?”

“Sweetheart, calm down. Come on, let’s not make a scene.” Wright’s father put his hand on his wife’s back.

“But Claire is—"

"'Let's not talk about her," Wright said in an authoritative voice.

Their eyes fought a silent battle. Who were they talking about? Who was Claire?

Wright's jaw clenched—a sign that he was displeased. Mister Agoncillo broke the silence, and he offered his hand to me. "Nice to meet you, young lady. What's your name again?"

"Melissa, sir." I was nervous! Wright's dad had a different aura. I felt like I was talking to Aunt Linda. Maybe they were siblings.

Mister Agoncillo smiled at me.

"You can call me Tito Sean. And welcome to our family, Melissa." Then, he turned to his wife and son. "Wilma, quit it. Our son is grown up. He knows what he's doing. We can't push our decisions onto him."

"But, Sean—"

"Shh. Chill out, my love. Everything's under control." He held his wife’s shoulder, and they walked away from us.

Wright's hands rested on my waist. "I told you it would be alright. Dad likes you."

I looked up at him. "Wright...are you hiding something from me?"

Shocked, but he recovered immediately.

"Oh, baby. I'm not keeping anything from you." I was not convinced. "Babe, don't spoil our night. Please?"

"I'm sorry."

He pulled me closer and caressed my exposed back. "I'm excited about your gift. Can’t wait for midnight.”

I averted my gaze. "Why don’t we greet your guests first? They came here for you."

The party had already begun. I almost lost all the feeling in my face because of my non-stop smiling whenever Wright introduced me. Some women were throwing shade at me, while some were treating me like I wasn’t there at all. It was tiring, but I didn’t want Wright to be worried.

Right now, Wright and I were dancing to slow music. My left hand was on his shoulder while one of his hands covered my right hand. My head was also leaning against his chest. I heard his heartbeat, and it calmed me. He felt like home.

"Are you tired? Do your feet hurt?" he said softly into my ear.

"To be honest? I feel like I’m standing on my knees."

"Do you want to sit down for a while?"

"No. Let’s stay like this for a while.” I slowly placed both my hands on his neck. Then, he encircled his arms around my waist.

"I saw a lot of my old friends throwing a second look at you. This is the last time that I'll let you dress up like this." He chuckled and buried his face into my neck. "Where's your gift? It’s past midnight.”

I was swallowed. “I put it in your condo.”

“In my condo? I was with you all day. How did it—”

I put my index finger on his lips. “I have my ways.”

He pulled me away from the dance floor. I could no longer bear the pain in my feet. He also ignored the people who greeted him. We got to the parking lot. We immediately got into his car, and half an hour later, we reached his condo unit.

“Why are you so excited?” I tried to hide my nervousness.

“Because I can’t think straight.” He opened his unit, and I closed the door behind us. He started to look around. He was acting like a child! “Where is it? Is it under the couch? Is it behind the curtain? Did you hide it in the kitchen cabinet to make sure that I wouldn’t see it because I don’t cook?”

While he was busy looking around, I reached for a red ribbon and put it on top of my head. I cleared my throat, and I got his attention.

“Stop looking around. It’s right here. I’m right here, baby.”

He stood up slowly while his lips were slightly open. I avoided his gaze while walking closer to him. When he closed the distance between us, he put his finger on my chin and raised it. Our eyes met.

“I’m not pushing you to do this.”

“I know. I did this of my own will,” I whispered.

"Are you sure, baby?"

Yes, I was sure. I wanted him more than anything. “Yes.”

“Okay."

My hands were still shaking as I reached behind my back. I unzipped my gown and unsnapped my bra, letting it fall and leaving my breasts bare to his eyes. I took comfort in his sharp intake of breath, knowing that he liked what he saw in front of him.

My panties were next. The wispy lace thong quickly joined the pool of clothes on the floor. And then, I stood in all my naked glory in front of him, waiting for him to make the next move or to tell me what I should do. I didn’t have to wait too long.

Wright took another deep breath and then slowly walked towards me, stopping just inches from me as I stood there, trembling. “Such a beautiful, brave girl.”

His praise sent shivers of awareness coursing through me, and I felt my nipples harden into peaks as his gaze swept over me again. He picked me up, took me to his room, and put me down on the bed.