Chapter 3.

Melanie.

Monday.

One week later, I walk into Malachi Tenshaw's office, clutching the gold locket in my hands. Am really frightened. Uncertainty weighing on me. Yet, my legs keep moving.

 I don't know what is inside the locket. I only know dad said there were codes to vaults inside it. He told me it could destroy the Heartstones. And now that I was aware that they were in enmity with the Tenshaws, I had to use it. I had to bring the Heartstones down at all costs.

It took me this long to get an appointment with the man, because he's never around. Always going on trips. Handling businesses on behalf of the family. He's the CEO and President of the board in Tenshaw's Corps. His father, remains the overall President and his younger brother a member of the board and head of operations. 

He's a smooth business man, Malachi Tenshaw. His business dealings renowned in the entire world. I wonder if that's the reason he decided to see me, despite being a no body. 

I recall how I pressed his secretary at Tenshaw's Corps and my very good friend, Violeta, to help me slip a mail on his desk on my behalf. She owed me a solid, so she had to deliver, even though it's against her job policies.

Dear Mr Tenshaw,

I work with you. I have something which would be of great importance to you and your family.

Melanie Berry.

By the next day, I received a note from Mr Tenshaw confirming the date and time of a scheduled meeting. And now am here.

My heart is in my mouth as I stand in front of his table. He's back is to me, as he watches the city line through a window. His back presence is intimidating, even from here. I swallow hard. My first time of meeting him and I now see the reason he's feared. He's got a fierce warrior gait.

"I'm told you have something important for me." He slowly turns around and our eyes lock. His gaze unwavering. Mine dancing with intrigue.

God, he's handsome! 

 He has this hard, seamless features that are captivating. His hair is jet black and his intense gold eyes are mesmerizing. He's as tall as Regan, and has the same imposing appearance. I bet he's a whopping 6'2. He's expression shifts, waking me from my musings. 

"Ye…Yes, Sir. I do," I say, shakily. How can Regan insinuate that this man is of the same reputation as his family? Malachi doesn't look anything as such. If anything, he has this calm persona that exudes tranquility and compassion. Though the hard plains of his face might be intimidating, yet he has softness embedded deep in his expression. A enigmatic complexity in him, perhaps.

He urges me to sit and I do. 

"So, what do you have for me?" He asks, quietly. I bring out the locket and hand it over. He takes it and opens it. He pulls out a sheet of paper and his expression turns to horror as he looks at the paper. 

"Where did you get this?" He looks at me horrified. I stutter, wondering if I have made a mistake coming here. But from the look on his face, I see I didn't make any mistake. I gather my thoughts and tell him my story. 

After listening to me, tears blurring my vision. He rises to his feet and comes to hand me a box of tissues. I cry into it, tears I haven't shed in years, washing over me. When Malachi sees that I'm calm, he speaks.

"Am sorry about your family." He apologizes, solemnly. I nod, quietly. Barely recognizing my own body in this crash of emotions. 

"You've had this for six years, why didn't you bring it forward?" 

I raise my eyes to him. "I don't know. I had no idea both your families hated each other. And back then I had no motive." 

He tilts his head. "What motive prompted this now?" He asks, quietly. I don't know if I should confess my truth to him or if I should just be silent.

"Regan." 

A frown crosses Malachi's handsome face, marring it. I can see displeasure cross his features. 

"He's getting married. He's moved on with his life, after what his family did to me. After what he did to me." I falter, but I maintain my gaze on him. 

"What did he do to you?" 

I don't want to tell him. I don't want to bring back the past. I ignore the question and rise to my feet. 

"I don't know what you intend to do with all the information I've given you. But I want one thing; I want Regan and the entire Heartstones to hurt the way I've hurt for six years," I say quietly. 

Malachi watches me. He doesn't say anything. And I think he's heard me, but only chooses to be silent. So I proceed to cross the room, heading for the door. Am impatient. I want to give him room to muse over my suggestion.

"Wait!" His voice booms. I turn around and he comes to me. 

 "The Heartstones and Tenshaws have hated each other since I can remember." He dips his hands in his pocket. "But my hatred for Regan is more, because he took something that belonged to me, years ago." 

He doesn't elaborate, so I don't ask. 

"You want revenge on the Heartstones. I want something as well, while the Heartstones fall before your eyes."

I frown, meditatively. A sick excitement courses through me.

"What do you want?" I ask, unable to suppress my enthusiasm. The thought of Regan and his family destroyed, thrilling. 

"I need a wife and pregnancy, so that my father can hand over the entire business to me." 

I frown, wondering what that has to do with me. 

"Marry me tomorrow and sign an agreement to get pregnant for me. Then watch the first wave of The Heartstones' devastation."