Chapter 6 6

MELISSA

Slowly, my eyes opened, and an intense migraine greeted me, making out a blurry vision of my surroundings. I learned back, rubbing the back of my neck. I sat up and took a look at the unfamiliar location. My heart began stomping endlessly as the memories of the previous night flooded my thoughts.

Unknown gunmen invaded the event, scaring everyone. I could clearly remember the light going off, and people screaming at the terrifying gunshots being fired randomly. According to Damien, when the lights came on, Victor and a few others were shot, throwing everyone into chaos and fear.

I didn't know Victor would attend the event, Damien said he wasn't going to attend. Fortunately, the bullet didn't penetrate any vital area of his body but only hit a small fraction of his hand. I remember passing out at the sight. Certain voices came out of a particular part of the building so I got up and walked towards it.

Following the voices, I ended up In front of a study, presumably Victor's or Damien's. I accidentally collided with Seedorf who smiled at me, leading me by my arm. The office's door was left ajar, and I spotted Damien who rushed towards me. He quickly pulled me away from Seedorf, He sighed when he saw my expression.

"You should thank me for saving your fiancee. She looked lost and confused." Seedorf replied with a smirk as he sat down.

"Melissa, my dear, are you okay?" Damien asked, and I smiled shyly at him.

"Yeah, I think so," I replied looking a little confused as to what I just said.

Nervously, I traced my fingers over my skin, still trying to comprehend what was happening. Looking up, I saw my mother and brother and my anxiety heightened.

My mom immediately approached me with a short hug before ushering me to take a seat beside Damien.

"Is..is everything okay? Is your father alright?" I asked Damien, racing my fingers on my skin nervously.

"It seems the hit at the dinner yesterday was solely targeted at my father." Damien calmly said to everyone's hearing.

"What!?" my mother exclaimed.

"Yeah, so we had to get him and anyone who's in connection to him to our safe house. That's why we're all here.

Why did you pass out yesterday, are you alright?" He inquired, turning to me.

I leaned my head against the back of the chair and stared at the wall as I consciously thought about everything that happened earlier.

"Melissa?"

"Ohh," sorry, what were you saying again, I asked absent-mindedly.

"Are you good?" Why did you pass out yesterday? He inquired once more.

"Yea-"

"Melissa can't stand the sight of excessive blood, it's silly... but who would want you dead?" My mother asked, cutting me short.

"A lot of people can't stand the sight of blood, Bianca." He winced, adjusting his now bandaged arm. "I have more enemies and opponents than I can count," Victor explained.

"All the influential figures have started pulling their support and protection, even Governor Sey," Victor announced bitterly.

"Sey pulled his support?" My mum asked, alarmed, studying his expression.

"Apparently, as an old friend of your late husband, he insists that until Melissa is proven safe and happy, he's pulling his support. Victor explained."

"Of course, he also believes this engagement is a sham and a publicity stunt, he has and will always be a shallow man." My mother concluded.

"As of now, the hitmen haven't been apprehended, they fled the scene immediately after the attack. I don't know how they got through security but you'd all be safe here." Victor assured us.

"A word, Damien," Victor requested, and walked out with Damien following behind him. Despite his occasional winces and the visible bandage, Victor looked nothing like someone who had just been shot. I guessed he was used to it.

"Here's a cup of tea to help you calm your nerves. It's a bit cold out here." Seedorf said, offering me a cup with a warm smile.

"Thank you." I sipped it and sighed, relaxing into the seat. I turned to my brother, who hadn't spoken a word since I got here.

"Does this happen often?" I said to Seedorf, drawing his attention from his phone.

"What? The hits?" He inquired, and I nodded.

"On a scale of one to ten, it's probably a four " He replied simply.

"A four?"

"That's terrible."

"Are you scared? I mean, to be marrying into such a family, knowing your life can sometimes be at risk."

"No, I'm not scared at all, I'll happily get shot in my head," I replied sarcastically and frowned at the thought of it.

Seedorf smiled mischievously.

"Honestly, a four is scary. But I suppose I will learn to be there for him." I replied, and he nodded in understanding.

Tremendous answer Mellisa! My mom's voice echoed in my head.

"Here's a little advice for the future, Melissa. Don't cross Victor. Maintain your loyalty as his son's wife. Act oblivious. That's how you'll survive."

"O..kayyy, that's not scary at all," I replied sarcastically, looking at Seedorf with confused eyes.

"It's nothing major, just go with the flow." He smiled and returned to his phone.

"Was that supposed to be reassuring?"

The door swung open, and Damien walked towards me.

"How about some fresh air?" He suggested, offering me a hand which I grabbed.

"That'll be just fine."

*********

"So..tell me something I don't know?" Damien asked.

"Hm, how about you find out for yourself?" I replied, repeating his words from our dinner conversation.

"Haha, that's a good one." He chuckled.

Damien wasn't so bad. He seemed different when he was with me. He smiled a lot, reassured me frequently, and made me feel at ease. Maybe this arrangement wasn't so bad.

"Has your mother always been like that with you?" He asked out of the blue.

"Hm?" I hummed, and he held my hand in his palm.

To divert his attention from the question, with curiosity in my eyes, I leaned forward and asked softly, "what about you? tell me more about your past. What was your mom like?"

Damien's expression was darkness, a shadow passing over his face as he hesitated.

He took a deep breath and replied in a firm tone, "I must warn you, if you are going to be my wife, it would be best not to pry into my past and for future conversations, never bring up my mother!"

Surprised by his sudden seriousness, I furrowed my brows in confusion.

"Why not? I only want to understand you better."

"Don't. Don't do that." He paused.

"I appreciate your curiosity but some things are better left unsaid," he added, his voice tinged with a hinge of sadness.

Undeterred, I reached out and placed my hand on his, offering a reassuring squeeze.

"It's fine, I said with the thought that I overstepped my boundaries."

"I'm sorry," I said trying not to show my emotions.

Just then, a guard walked in. "Your father has called for you, sir." the man said and excused himself.

".......and I just got a call from the Police. One of the men's faces was captured in the footage. They'll be coming over for me to identify him." I heard Victor announce as we entered the office.

"Mr. Siem called, and I took a message." A man, probably Victor's assistant, said, entering the office.

"What'd he say, Tagoe?" Victor asked, and the assistant whispered something into his ears, to which Victor nodded.

"Turn on the TV," Victor ordered.

"...while the votes of Joseph Mayers have increased dramatically. And though Victor Don-Russo has been the people's mayor for the past four years, the re-election campaign doesn't seem to be faring well as the people no longer show faith in him due to the crises that continue to surround the Mayor, not to mention the recent assassination attempt. The people feel that considering his son's shortcomings in certain areas, Mr Victor Don-Russo lacks stability and..." The newscaster was cut short as Victor turned off the TV, hurling the remote against the wall in anger.

"Guys, I think you need to see this," Nicho spoke up for the first time today while showing everyone the content of his phone.

"Isn't this your crazy ex-wife?" my mother asked Damien.

"Yeah, she's being interviewed, and she's saying your engagement with Mel is all for clout and a publicity stunt because apparently, your marriage to her isn't completely nullified yet... and that's not even the crazy part, she also claims she is carrying your child." My brother explained to Damien, who reached out to grab Nicho's phone.

"Fuck! " Damien cursed as he stared at the screen, running his hand through his hair.

"So... is it true?" Mom spoke up, glaring at Damien. "Is she carrying your child?"

Damien opened his mouth to speak but was cut short by Victor, "Don't be absurd Bianca, of course, it's not true... that Sanchez girl would do anything for recognition. Child my ass." Victor spat out.

I looked up at Damien, hoping to try to make out the truth from his face, but as usual... he had an emotionless look on his face, his eyes fixed on his father.

Victor turned to Tagoe. "Arrange a meeting with our PR team and reschedule my meeting with the police."

"Yes sir," Tagoe nodded and left the room.

"Seedorf, tighten and increase security. Upgrade their weapons too, no mistakes this time."

"Will do, Uncle V!" Seedorf got up and left.

"Bianca, a word, please," Damien's father signalled my mother, and they walked over to the bar, speaking in hushed conversations.

I wonder what that was about. The room fell into an awkward silence, and I kept hoping Damien would say something, but he just kept drawing at the band on his wrist. I wonder why he does that every time.

Victor walked back a minute later with my mum and a glass of whiskey in hand, he gulped it down in a frenzy, clearly agitated.

"Listen up. This past day has altered a lot of plans, and it appears the public needs proof of my stability before they give me their trust and votes. So that's exactly what we're gonna do–show them stability." Victor declared.

"Victor and I have agreed that this is for the best." My mother spoke up and Damien and I exchanged looks, confused and wondering what they were up to now.

"You both would be getting married earlier than planned." My mother announced and Damien frantically stood up.

"What?" I asked looking confused and uncertain. I wanted to protest but back my words.

"And by earlier, you mean?" Damien asked.

"You're getting married in a week," she replied with a huge grin on her face.

"That's not happening !" Damien exclaimed, looking livid.