Melinda was going through the last file of the day when she was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Yes, come in.” She said absentmindedly.

“I guess someone is still very busy,” Alex said as he entered her office.

Upon hearing his voice, Mel face lit up as a smile appeared on her face. ” She removed her reading glasses, dropped them on the table and approach Alex who had already taken a seat on the couch.

Mel sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck as she kissed him passionately.

“I missed you,” Mel said in between kisses.

“I miss you too my love,” Alexander replied.

“So how was work today?” He asked.

“It was okay but I was kinda distracted because your face kept on popping in my head,” Mel said and they both chuckled.

“I got something for you,”

“Really?” Mel said as her eyes lit up immediately.

Alex nodded and brought out a small box from his pocket and handed it to Mel. “Go on, open it.” He encouraged.

Mel opened the box and the only thing she could say was “Wow.”

“Do you like it?” Alex asked.

“I love it Alex. Thank you,” She gave him a quick kiss.

“You are welcome, my love. I’m glad you liked it.” Alex said in between kisses.

Alex took the bracelet from the box and wore it for Mel on her right wrist.

“It looks more beautiful on you.” He said.

“It is. I promise to always cherish it.” Mel said as she kept on admiring the bracelet on her wrist and Alex kissed her forehead.

“So are you ready to go home?” He asked.

“Sure. Just give me two minutes to pack my things.” Mel said as she stood up from his lap and proceeded to her desk to pack her stuff.

“Okay, let me help with that,” Alex said as he collected Mel’s laptop bag, leaving her with only her handbag.

“So, should we order Chinese for dinner or you want homemade food?” Mel asked as the stepped into the elevator.

“Homemade food?” Alex asked with his eyebrow raised.

“Yeah, homemade food by me,” Mel said proudly.

To be honest, Alex thought Mel could not cook. But he dare not say it out loud.

“Ohhhhh, Mel said as she nodded her head in realization. “I get it, you think I can’t cook,” Mel said pretending to be angry.

“I didn’t say anything. You just made up those assumptions.” Alex justified.

“I understand; everyone thinks the same thing.” Mel said with a deep sigh.

“Everyone?” Alex said.

“Yup. Though I may be an only child, my mom brought me up well, she made sure I learnt how to keep a home which includes cooking. Even Dee and Nate did not believe I could cook until the day I decided to surprise them.” Mel said as they came out of the elevator.

“I can’t wait to eat dinner then.” Alex smiled.

“Cooking is not just my hobby. I do it when I’m in the mood so count yourself lucky tonight.” Mel said as Alex smirked.

****************************“”*****************

“If I knew that you would love that bracelet more than me, I would have not bought it,” Alex said with a pout on his face as he joined Mel on the bed.

Alex was starting to get jealous of the bracelet because Mel could not keep herself from looking at it and touching it with a smile plastered on her face.

“Don’t be silly Alex. I love you. It’s just that I still can’t get over it.” Mel said as she snuggled close to him.

“Thanks for dinner. I enjoyed your home-cooked meal.” Alex said

“You are welcome, my love. Anything for you.” Mel giggled after which she placed her head on Alex’s chest.

He stroked her hair and made some conversations with her until they fell asleep.

***********************************

The following morning.

Mel are you sure you are okay? Will you be alright driving yourself?” Alex asked worriedly.

Alex has some errands to run for Mel’s parents today which is out of town and he won’t be back until the next day. He had planned to wake up early and then go drop Mel at work before he head over to her parents’ mansion. They actually woke up early but Melinda was feeling a bit under the weather today.

“You worry too much Alex. I’m fine. I just felt a bit dizzy.” Mel said as she looked straight into his eyes.

Alex took her hands in hers and looked straight into her eyes. “Promise me you will be okay and will take good care of yourself,” Alex said with worry evident on his face.

“I promise Alex. I will be fine. I will miss you but it’s only for a day. I can manage.” She assured.

“Okay dear. I have to go now. Will call you from time to time. I love you.” Alex said as he engulfed her in a tight hug.

“I love you too,” Melinda hugged and kissed him.

“Now go before you get late and dad gets angry at you.” Mel shooed him away and he chuckled as he took his exit but not before stealing a kiss from her.

Melinda smiled to herself as she closed the door behind her. She quickly put on her shoes after which she decided to have some coffee before she leaves for work. When the coffee was ready, Mel tasted it and realised the coffee tasted weird. She took another sip and couldn’t bring herself to continue drinking again. She negatively shook her head and poured the remaining cup of coffee into the zinc. After which she carried her bags and headed out of her apartment.

**

**

**

Later that afternoon, Mel was typing her ass off when her intercom rang. She picked it and Tracy’s voice, her assistant came through.

“Mel, Sorry for disturbing you. Frank is here to see you.” Tracy said and Mel exhaled a sigh of frustration.

“Let him in,” Mel said reluctantly.

“Mel, are you sure about this. I don’t want him to cause you any more trouble. I can tell him to fuck out.” Tracy said, worry evident in her voice.

“Don’t worry Tracy. If he misbehaves here I will get a restraining order against him.” Mel said.

“Okay then, Just call me if he tries anything stupid and I won’t hesitate to come over and kick his ass,” Tracy said and Mel chuckled before cutting off the intercom.

It was not even up to a minute and Mel heard a knock on her door. “Come in.” She said and Frank walked in. He took a seat opposite her.

“So how’s the lover girl doing today?” Frank asked in a mocking tone.

“Why are you here frank?” Mel asked with a serious face.

“Can’t I just come to see my ex-wife,” Frank said with a smug on his face. No doubt he’s up to something.

“Frank, I have work to do so if you don’t have anything sensible to say, Can you please leave,” Mel said angrily.

“I will go, but not yet,” Frank said.

“How is your lover, that ass hole of a driver. I’m sure he had found his way into your pants already. Hasn’t he?’” Frank mocked as Mel gave him irritating glare.

“Not everyone is like you, Frank. Alexander loves me and I love him too.” Melinda defended.

“I need to congratulate Alex for being so smart. Way smarter than I am. He tricked you, Mel. He deceived you and you fell for it.” Frank said after which he threw a medium size brown envelope on the table.

Mel gave him a questioning look and he said: “see for yourself.”

Melinda nervously opened the envelope as her heart started beating twice than normal. After emptying all the contents on the table, She glanced through them and froze at the sight of what was in front of her. Her heart broke into a million pieces as tears blurred her vision.

“No. No. This can’t be true.” Mel said with a teary voice as she began shaking her head, not wanting to believe what was in front of her.

“Of course it is. you believed he was different. Now you can see for yourself. He fooled you, Melinda Davis. This guy played the game pretty well. His real name is not even Alexander Ducan. Look at his fake passports in front of you.” Alex said pointing at the documents on Mel’s table. “He is a gold digger, Mel,” Frank said and Mel could not help with the tears that rolled down her cheek.

Uncontrollable tears kept on falling as Mel kept on looking at the documents in front of her. The first three documents were three different passports. One in the name of Eric Black and the other in the name of Alfred Gibbins and the third one in the name of Alexander Ducan with Alex picture on three of them. The third document was an old newspaper from last two years with the picture of Alexander at the top which the headline states that a certain man named Oliver Knight murdered his wife and unborn child in other to inherit the wife’s property. Then there was another newspaper which states that the murderer, Oliver Knight was missing as he escaped from prison with few others.

Mel felt the pain that she had never felt before, she felt betrayed. She thought she knew Alex all these while but she was wrong. The man she claimed to love was a murderer. A man who was found wanting by the law.

“How could I be so stupid to let history repeat itself,” Mel muttered as more tears fell from her eyes.

“Finally you admit you are stupid. I always told you but you wouldn’t believe me.” Frank mocked.

For a moment, Mel forgot Frank was in her office. But after hearing his voice, She stood up and shouted at him. “GET OUT!”

“Your wish is to see me miserable and now it is granted. Get out and don’t ever come anywhere 10 kilometres towards me. If you do, Franklin Ty Milian, I will make sure you rot in jail. You idiotic bastard of a thousand fathers. Get the hell out of my office.” Mel shouted at the top of her voice as tears kept on rolling down from her cheeks.

Never had Frank seen that side of Melinda. Immediately Mel finished her statement, he walked out as fast as he could without looking back.