Location Chastain Park Memorial Hospital, Pearl, Pearl Coast.As Ryan’s designated driver drives into the hospital’s parking lot, Ryan’s mind races with thoughts of Melanie. He hadn't seen her since Caleb blocked his visit three days ago, and even though he watched her sleep for less than 30 minutes the previous night, he didn’t count that as seeing her because he hadn't seen her since Sunday evening and now it is Thursday evening.Ryan missed his best friend so much and he couldn’t wait to see her, but frustration still simmered within him, which is eventually taken over by his concern for Melanie's well-being. He scents the jasmine that he got for her because there was a day that she mentioned that she loved Jasmine flowers so much but no man that she has ever been with had ever gotten her flowers and he smiles because he is here to make all the difference in Melanie’s life and he is also there to stay.As he enters the hospital, He quickens his pace, eager to finally see Melanie. H
Location: Inside the private jet, in transit to Blackwood, Orion Caleb receives a phone call from his mom because she is part of his favorite contacts, which in turn means that she can bypass his DND, so he picks up the honey wondering why his mom is calling him because he always does the calling and she never calls him because she knows that he is always busy. "Caleb, it's Aunt Rachel," his aunt's voice trembles on the other end, and that makes him step away from Melanie, excusing himself to take the call. "Benjamin's in trouble. He's been kidnapped." His expression changes from calm to concerned as he listens and his grip on the phone tightens. His younger brother, Benjamin, is in his early twenties and he is about to graduate from university. "What do you mean by he’s been kidnapped?" Caleb demands. "We received a ransom demand an hour ago. They're asking for $5 million in exchange for Benjamin's safe return." Rachel’s voice cracks. "Does the police know?" Caleb's eyes n
Despite getting to the plane late because he couldn’t start his on-boarding -procedures late, he is able to get settled into his seat on the flight to Orion, his excitement growing with every passing minute because he can't wait to see Melanie and his mind is filled with thoughts of Melanie’s bright smile and sparkling eyes. As the plane takes off, Ryan can feel a sense of anticipation building within him so he has to force himself to sleep so that the six-hour torture all in the name of the flight to Orion. Finally, the fight lands and Ryan quickly grabs his belongings and makes his way through the airport, books his Uber, and gives the driver the address to Kalinin's house, where he is sure that Melanie will be waiting.As the Uber driver pulls up to the house, Ryan's heart skips a beat. He leaps out of the car and rushes to the door, ringing the bell eagerly. But when the door opens, it isn't Melanie's face that greets him, it is Kalinin and on brushing past Kalinin to check the h
Ryan finishes setting up the food tray and returns to the lounge to find Mel. But she is big there, so he enters his bedroom, carrying a snack tray laden with an assortment of treats: crunchy chips, juicy grapes, creamy cheese, crackers, rich chocolate-dipped strawberries, a wide variety of mini drinks like soda and yogurt, and even ice cream.When Ryan enters, he finds Melanie lying on his bed, her eyes fixed on her phone screen. The soft glow illuminates her face, and Ryan's heart swells."Hey, what's got you entertained?" Ryan asks, setting the snack tray beside her.Melanie looks up, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Just watching TikTok…I needed a distraction.""TikTok, huh? What's the most interesting thing you've seen so far?" Ryan chuckles, sitting beside her."Oh, just some funny cat videos and dance challenges... You know, the usual." Melanie giggles, scrolling through her feed."Sounds like my kind of entertainment." Ryan grins, picking up a grape and popping it into his mout
Ryan's eyes widen, his mind racing as he excused himself to the bathroom. He locks the door, taking deep breaths to calm his racing thoughts. "One night stand on my way to Pearl Coast." Melanie's words echo in his mind and it feels like he's been punched in the gut.Ryan's feelings for Melanie swirl, mixed with a dash of betrayal and confusion. Why didn't she tell him sooner? Did she still have feelings for Caleb? He thought they were growing closer, but now he felt like he is stuck in limbo.As Ryan splashes water on his face, he struggles to reconcile his emotions. He cares deeply for Melanie, but this revelation changes everything. Was their friendship tainted by her secret? Could he ever look at her the same way?In Melanie’s defense, her phone got broken on the night of the one-night stand and the day after she got shot, so it wasn’t exactly like she kept the secret away from him intentionally, the situation and circumstances surrounding it weren’t the best and he knows that and
“I gave Kalinin my word that I would get back to her once I heard anything from you and I should have reached out to her immediately Caleb told me that you were in my house waiting for me, but I guess my abandonment issues that stemmed from my daddy issues is a thing just like Brenda said“Who is Brenda?” Melanie questions“You have never mentioned her before,” she states raising an eyebrow at him.“That is because she is not in my life anymore and she is not important so there was no reason to mention her” he mentions“What exactly happened between you two?” Melanie questions, giving him a pointed look“I see what you are doing there Mel…you are trying to make me give you all the gist that you have missed since Sunday and way before you came into my life and I promise you, I will tell you everything that you need to know but I have something else in mind for us both, just let me get my car key from my mom’s room and also say hello to her fast…okay?” he tells Melanie and she nods.Rya
“Oh, my goodness, this has to be the best Suprise ever” Kalinin gushes. “Nobody told me that you were coming,” she says to Melanie, still trying to her sister and examining her because Caleb sent her a picture of what she looks like after she got out of surgery, connected to all those machines, and even do she is a doctor that daily, seeing her sister like that just broke her, and she turns Melanie around to get a good look at her sister while being careful with her right hand, “Babes…” allow them to come inside instead of making them wait outside for long” Martins calls out to Kalinin and she becomes self-aware. “My apologies, please come in” she apologizes. “I will get Mel's stuff down from the car and I will be on my way…I have things to prepare in advance” he tries to escape having to go inside so that he won’t be tempted. “That can wait...Melanie’s celebratory dinner can't wait” Martins says as he joins them outside. “Celebratory dinner?” Kalinin asks “Are we celebr
“Everybody, meet Olivia… the social media manager that the photographer recommended for me” Kali introduces Olivia to everybody officially and she curtsies, making Kiki laugh.“I am the blide” She uses a TikTok sound to introduce herself and the people who got the joke like Mel and Kali laugh out loud while Ryan and Martins are left wondering what is funny.“Let's get down to business,” Olivia says as she starts dragging the content creation tools that she brought with her, so Ryan and Matins swoop in to help.“Take everything to Melanie’s room, and I will go pick up Kiki’s outfit,” she tells him as she starts to walk towards their room. “The boss has spoken,” Martins says as he urges Ryan to get up and he does. They pick up the box that contains the softbox, tripod, different sizes/types of light, with makeup folders and they start making their way to Melanie’s room.“Martin, I have a question for you,” Ryan asks once the ladies are out of earshot.“Shoot,” Martin says as he struggl