Chapter Three: Melanie Company

—Michael

The next morning, as I arrived at the office, my mind was consumed by thoughts of the kiss I shared with Gina. It was an entirely new experience for me, as my life had revolved around studying and books. I had never ventured into matters of the heart before. At the age of 22, my father had enrolled me at Harvard University to study Engineering, despite my initial reluctance. Over the years, I had pursued my education abroad, obtaining a Bachelor's degree from Harvard and a Master's degree from Eastern Mediterranean University in Turkey. Though my academic life took me to foreign lands, I made sure to return home during holidays and every two months.

"Good day, sir!" a voice greeted me as I entered Melanie Company. Lost in my thoughts about the kiss, I hadn't even registered the greeting. Gina's face seemed to be everywhere in the building, and I couldn't shake the desire I felt for her. However, I couldn't help but question how I had developed these feelings for her. Maybe it was just an obsession, a voice whispered in my mind, but I refused to believe I was merely obsessed.

I headed straight to my office and summoned Olivia, my secretary, to see me immediately. She entered the room, standing before me with a hint of skepticism about what I might ask of her.

"Sit down, Olivia. I want to talk to you," I instructed, observing her unease as she took a seat. I contemplated whether I could trust her with something personal, leaving her curious about my intentions. "Yesterday... I kissed a lady," I confessed abruptly, causing Olivia's jaw to drop in astonishment. She knew of my prestigious education at Harvard, but she wasn't expecting such a revelation. I had always been the charming and handsome guy who could capture any woman's attention. Olivia had secretly harbored feelings for me, but she couldn't express them due to my position as her boss and my wealth. "How could the CEO of Melanie Company kiss and love someone like that?" Olivia questioned herself.

Olivia adjusted her chair and inquired about the details of the kiss and how I ended up kissing someone I had just met at the beach. Though skeptical and uncomfortable with the topic, she maintained a sad smile on her face and suggested that what I felt was more of an obsession than love for Gina.

I explained to Olivia that the kiss was not a deliberate act on my part but rather an unexpected coincidence at the beach. Gina had nearly fallen, and in my attempt to save her, our lips met. It wasn't my fault, but the fact that I had kissed her made it impossible for me to take my eyes off her. I admitted to feeling a growing affection for her. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Gina, and her image lingered in my mind even as I walked or drove.

"You have to understand that you've become obsessed with this lady. It's not normal to meet someone and fall in love with them instantly. That's not how love works. It takes time to develop those feelings you're talking about, and it's truly surprising to hear this from you," Olivia said, adjusting herself in the chair.

Satisfied with the discussion, I concluded our conversation and asked Olivia to return to her office. Rising from my seat, I requested that my driver take me to the beach. I needed to search for Gina once again, as I had no information about her or where to find her. Our brief encounter at the beach hadn't allowed us much time to talk or exchange contact details.

As Gina returned to her room, her twin sister Givia greeted her, curious about her beach trip. Gina paid the taxi driver and thanked Givia as she helped carry the items they had brought. After a brief rest, Gina decided to take a bath, but as the water cascaded down, she found herself reminiscing about the moment I held her waist and our unexpected kiss. She had never anticipated kissing me so soon, even though she had fantasized about having me in her bed, undressing me, and making love. Despite these thoughts, she questioned how she could be growing fond of me. After what her father had done to her mother, she believed that all men were the same, untrustworthy creatures who would steal her heart only to break it later.

Gina pushed aside these thoughts, reminding herself of her battle with sickle cell anemia and the limited time she had left to live. What was the point of falling in love when her time was running out? She resolved to stop dwelling on these matters. After all, the kiss had been an accident, unplanned by either of us.

"Gina, why are you taking so long in the bathroom?" Givia called out, bringing Gina back to reality. She realized that she had spent nearly 30 minutes lost in her thoughts. Gina hurriedly finished her bath and emerged from the bathroom. Though her face appeared composed with her twin sister by her side, she still deeply missed her mother. Gina had endured so much in life.