âJessie?â
Melissaâs voice was tinged with concern, her body frozen, unsure how to approach her.
Jessie, however, seemed to have arrived at a serene acceptance.
âThank you for making that call, Melissa.
But thereâs no need to plead with that man on my behalf,â she said, her tone light but firm.
âSo, heâs chosen to marry on the same day, hasnât he?â
Melissa was at a loss, unsure of what to say.
With a dismissive flip of her hair and a carefree smile, Jessie declared, âDonât worry about me.
Iâve made up my mind.
Iâm going to live for myself from now on.
The engagement is off.
â
Jessieâs voice, shaky and raw, broke through the tense silence.
âIâm going to Heron.
â
âJessie,â Melissa began, her voice trailing off into uncertainty, unsure of how to articulate her swirling thoughts.
With a resigned yet defiant smile, Jessie assured her, âDonât worry.
I have no intentions of causing a scene at his wedding.
I just need to see it for myself-close this chapter, so to speak.
After that, even if Albert were to beg for my forgiveness someday, I wouldnât spare him a second glance.
â
Her voice softened, vulnerable.
âWould you⦠could you come with me, Melissa?â
It was clear, in that moment, that Melissa was Jessieâs anchor in the storm.
Torn, Melissa felt the weight of the decision.
Going could mean risking her job, not to mention the promise she made to Marcus about returning before midnight.
âs BunnyBookery
Yet, how could she refuse Jessie, her friend in need?
With no other option, Melissa called Marcus, her voice tight with concern.
His immediate understanding of the situation took her by surprise.
âYou want to go to Heron? To witness Albertâs wedding?â he asked, almost as if heâd expected the call.
âYou knew?â Melissa was stunned.
Marcusâ response was light, almost playful.
âSeems like youâre just catching up, Miss Brown.
Maybe it shows where you stand with Mr.
Waston.
â
In that moment, Melissa wasnât in the mood for jests or jabs at her professional standing.
Cutting straight to the chase, she asked, âAre you okay with it or not?â
âOf course I am,â Marcus replied, his tone unexpectedly supportive.
âWhat better way to put this behind you than to see it through to the end?â Marcus extended his support further by offering the necessary invitations to the ceremony.
âIâll do you one better and provide the invitations for the ceremony.
Without them, you wouldnât be able to access the hotel,â he said.
âThank you, Mr.
Fowler,â Melissa responded with an eye-roll.
âYouâre welcome,â Marcus replied, his tone laced with irony, marking the end of their conversation.