Melinda's heart was numb and emotionless. Her limp body suddenly became tense. The kiss ignited a
spark of passion within her. Her pale skin turned pink.
A wave of shame washed over Melinda.
However, that one kiss wasn't enough to simmer the desire that was bubbling ferociously in Jonas's
heart. He put his finger under Melinda's chin and forced her to look at him. When their eyes met,
Melinda saw that his watery eyes were burning with lust that scared her witless. Jonas's heart ached
when he saw Melinda's cold face. She had been like this for a long time and he wondered how to make
things better.
"Mellie," Jonas whispered, and his voice was thick with lust. He bent his head and inched forward
towards her ruddy lips.
But before his lips touched hers, Melinda turned her head. Jonas grew irritable and pressed her harder,
almost squeezing her.
His brain was muddled as he was under the influence of alcohol. The happenings of the past few days
weighed heavily on his chest. He couldn't carry the weight anymore.
He wanted everything to be over so that he could embark on a beautiful beginning with Melinda. He
wanted to prove that he had always been honest with her.
Jonas wanted to change Melinda's mind so that she would never think about the divorce ever again.
He didn't want to lose her.
But it was only wishful thinking.
"Jonas, don't forget the agreement!"
Melinda said. She looked terrified as Jonas began to lose control.
The weight of Jonas's body was pinning her down but he was too drunk and swaying aimlessly.
Melinda pushed him away and he fell to the ground with a loud thud, his head colliding against the wall.
Melinda yelped in shock as she couldn't see him hurt.
Jonas was back to his senses. He rubbed his head and frowned at Melinda. The passion coursing
through his veins froze in an instant when he heard Melinda's words.
He broke into a cold sweat. His body trembled even though the room was relatively warm.
The mention of the agreement was like a sharp dagger, piercing through Jonas's heart. He couldn't
take it anymore.
Melinda had slept with Jonas even though they were living together for the sake of the agreement. But
she was too depressed today. She was disappointed in him and didn't want him anywhere close to her.
She knew that she would feel cheap and used if she slept with him again.
Melinda felt that she and Jonas were two cheap people who used each other for their needs. Although
Melinda was attracted to him, she had built a strong wall in her heart where no feelings could
penetrate. It was perhaps the best for both of them to stay away from each other. She didn't have the
strength to experience the tumultuous emotions again.
"Wow! That's good. You're a cruel woman, Melinda,"
Jonas muttered. He was devastated and couldn't muster the strength to be with Melinda.
He quickly splashed cold water on his face and left for the company. The atmosphere in the Gu's
mansion was growing tense again but Melinda was calm.
However, behind the calm exterior was a violent storm of emotions simmering, waiting to explode.
Yulia immediately informed about Jonas and Melinda's argument to Emily. She also told that their
arguments were only paving way for a divorce.
Emily was happy. She felt that it was time for her to return. There were only a few scenes for her to
shoot, so she finished acting her part and left for A City.
"Jonas, I'm back," Emily said on the phone as she walked into her apartment. Newspapers and
magazines were sprawled on her tea table but there was no news about a possible divorce between
Jonas and Melinda.
Jonas had been working hard lately and the financial column was filled with his accomplishment.
When Jonas saw Emily's call, he hesitantly answered the call.
Emily's voice rang happily as if she had forgotten everything. She wasn't embarrassed anymore.
"I'm sorry for what happened the other day. I can explain to Melinda that we are just friends," she said
when Jonas didn't answer.
Emily felt that Jonas would be impressed by her thoughtfulness.
She was a great actor and Jonas couldn't see through her lies. He paused for a moment and cleared
his throat.
"Are you sure?"
Jonas asked. He was helpless and hoping for a chance to prove himself. His relationship was getting
worse and he was afraid that the damage would be irreparable if he didn't do something about it.
"Of course, I'm also involved in this problem. I know that things are complicated and I should have
explained it to Melinda earlier. But I got busy with shooting. I'll make this right."
Jonas calmed down a little. There was a little spark of hope in his heart. He felt that Melinda would
understand him.
"Okay. Shall we meet at Left Bank Cafe at three o'clock tomorrow?"
Jonas asked, twirling a golden pen with his fingers that cast a dazzling, yellow light on the table.
Jonas's eyes followed the light as his mind was occupied with the thoughts about Melinda.
"Okay," Emily agreed before hanging up.
She wanted Jonas to believe that she had called him only to solve the problem between him and
Melinda.
Jonas dropped the pen, ran his fingers through his hair, and breathed a sigh of relief. His whole body
seemed to visibly relax.
He felt that all the problems would be solved if Emily explained everything to Melinda.
Jonas instinctively grabbed his phone to call Melinda but decided against it. He felt that he could use
this as an excuse to go home and see her.
He missed her terribly and couldn't wait to see her.
Jonas was a workaholic. He had increased his workload to distract his troubled mind. He finished all his
work and returned to the Gu's mansion.
The servants were busy doing their work and the villa was silent. Nothing had changed during his
absence.
Nelson had gone to meet his old friend like he always did. He had informed Melinda that he wouldn't be
home for dinner. Since Melinda was at home, Yulia stayed back to see what she was doing.
Queena was accompanying Melinda, trying to cheer her up. It was dinner time when Jonas walked in.
Everyone was surprised to see him.
Melinda glanced at Jonas. She put down the bowl and chopsticks and stood up. "Mom, I'm full. I have
an important thing to discuss with the editor, so if you'll excuse me, I go back to my room."
Queena smiled awkwardly. The atmosphere was strained but Jonas seemed oblivious to it. He smiled
at his mother and followed Melinda to her room.
Melinda was about to slam the door on Jonas's face but he quickly stepped forward and stopped her.
"Emily is back," he said, breaking the silence.
Melinda's stomach dropped when she saw the happiness and expectation in his eyes.
Jonas was happy that they were getting a step closer to solving their problems but Melinda
misunderstood him. "All right, I'm ready to come with you to finish the divorce formalities."
Melinda shrugged casually. Emily and Jonas were getting closer and her return meant that she had to
leave.
"What? What are you saying? Emily promised that she would meet you and explain what actually
happened the other day. There's nothing between us. We are just friends,"
Jonas snapped. He tried hard to control his anger. Melinda was mad at him and he had to somehow
prove that he had always been loyal to her.
"Is it necessary for me to meet her?"
Melinda rolled her eyes. Her arms were involuntarily fisted into a ball. She didn't like the idea of
meeting Emily. Melinda wasn't expecting anything. She was tired of everything and didn't care what
Emily had to say.
"You cannot judge my actions without having a clear picture of what happened. Please give me a
chance to prove myself," Jonas pleaded.
He was afraid that Melinda wouldn't listen to Emily. If she didn't, then the truth would never come to
light. But he didn't know that Melinda was hurting inside. She neither had the patience to listen to
Emily's explanation nor the strength to end her relationship with Jonas.
Every day was torture. After a lot of thinking, Emily finally decided to meet Emily.
"Fine. I'll meet her."
"All right. Left Bank Cafe at three o'clock tomorrow, okay?" Jonas's body seemed to visibly relax.
He had picked the time because he knew that Melinda would be free in the afternoon.
Melinda nodded and continued to ignore Jonas. He would have been usually anxious by Melinda's
reaction, but today, he had faith that things would get better soon.
Jonas was free the next day and stayed back home. He told Nelson that he had been busy for the past
few days and that he wanted to take the day off.
Melinda had the habit of taking noon breaks even during winters. The coffee shop that Jonas had
suggested was close to the Gu's mansion, so she wouldn't miss her afternoon nap.
The coffee shop was quiet with only a few people having their afternoon brunch. The shop was situated
on the lake with a serene view.
Only stars and celebrities came to the coffee shop to protect their privacy from the paparazzi.
Melinda and Jonas arrived on time. They chose a table next to the window and ordered a cup of coffee.
The lake was beautiful under the winter sky. The coffee shop was heated and the view through the
window, glazed with dewdrops, was spectacular.
Time passed by, but there were no signs of Emily. The atmosphere became colder and Melinda's face
turned pale.
She looked at Jonas and shook her head.
She felt stupid for falling for his lies again.
"I don't think Emily will come. I'm going home." Melinda grabbed her bag and stood up. Jonas stood up
and looked at her anxiously.
He wanted to say something but the words didn't come out of his mouth. Jonas ran out of the coffee
shop to follow Melinda but the waiter stopped him to pay the bill.
By the time he paid for the coffee, and walked out, Melinda already got into a taxi and left. Jonas was
frustrated. He didn't think that Emily would cancel the plan at the last minute.
Emily called him to apologize but his mind was clouded with rage.
She came up with a silly excuse but Jonas didn't care about what she had said.
Jonas was annoyed and blamed her for ruining things for him.
But that was Emily's plan, so she didn't care about Jonas's anger. She had anticipated that he would be
angry and knew how to pacify him. She apologized and asked him if they could catch up another day
but Jonas hung up the call.
He knew that Melinda wouldn't give him another chance.
He knew that Melinda wouldn't give him another chance.
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