Undefiled Queen

Merlyn’s pov

As soon as the flight landed in New York, cold air hit me. It has been so long I get to feel this sort of weather. I missed New York, the place I grew up since I was nine.

I had hardly stepped out of the aerodrome when a man in white uniform, probably a driver, was hurriedly walking towards me. “Mrs Collomen?”

The very familiar epithet brought goosebumps on my skin. It had been quite a while since someone addressed me with that name.

“Yes, but how do you know I am Mrs Collomen?” The driver gave me a genuine smile.

“Ma’am I am Benjamin, the employee of Mr Bernard. I came here to pick you.” He extended his hand to me for a shake before he handed me an envelope in which my name, telephone number and my other details were there along with my picture.

I do not remember filling my application as Mrs Collomen. I have not sent them my photo and the other details which the envelope holds. How did they get to find out so many things about me?

Thinking for a few minutes, I could connect the dots. Being a billionaire has its perks. I have an idea about that life though I’m not the one living in those riches because for a few years I got to enjoy that kind of life.

So the billionaire’s name is Bernard. Why does the name sound familiar to me?

A sleek black Limo was waiting for us at the parking lot. Before I stepped into it I took a step back and enjoyed its beauty. It has been a long time since I enjoyed these kinds of facilities. Benjamin effortlessly towed my luggage to the car’s trunk and then placed it inside it. I admired the leather seats and a bucket of champagne waiting for me in the car. “Ma’am shall we start?”

I nodded and leaned back enjoying the softness of the seat, closing my eyes. My daughter’s smiling face came before my orbs. I miss her. Once I tell everything about me to this billionaire, I will bring her to me. It does not anyways sound like this man is going to have me as his wife for the rest of his life. He just needs a baby for whatever reason it may be and neither am I interested in spending a lifetime with him. I am doing all this only for the sake of my uncle who is like a father to me.

I picked up my phone and called my aunt to speak to my daughter. Abigail is just learning to speak small words now and I’m sure within the next six months she will start speaking sentences and become a chatterbox just like me. My aunt picked up the phone in the second ring and I had a hearty talk with my daughter, rest of the family. I already miss them very much, especially my daughter. I do not know if she would be able to stay without me for so many days.

What I felt weird was the driver of the car was continuously observing me from the rear view mirror. And his expressions were constantly changing from surprise to alarm. I couldn’t bear his mood swings anymore. “Is there a problem Benjamin?” I asked once I finished my call grilling my teeth.

“No…no madam.” He shuddered and after a few minutes of driving stopped before a five star hotel. The executive suite was already booked for me which sounded as sweet as a punch.

As Benjamin helped my luggage inside the suite I looked around the opulent place and couldn’t stop but admire the interiors. It had comfy leather couches, sea facing windows with fresh breeze, exquisite oak wood furniture and a huge plasma tv attached to the wall.

Since I had nothing to do for the present and feeling hungry, I checked the fridge situated on the side of the sitting hall and my eyes popped out of their sockets for the amount of food it contained. The items inside would surely serve ten people like me.

I took out a sandwich with peanut butter which is my favorite and started eating it while watching some comedy show running on the television. My laughter was broken by the sound of music. A light lit up the inside of my handbag.

Fumbling inside, I pulled out the iPhone that had been supplied to me with my new job. The music was indicating an incoming text message. It was my favorite track, Welcome to New York by Taylor Swift. I instinctively started humming along the beat while reading the text.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Welcome Merlyn!

I thought the text tone was appropriate and I hope your journey was pleasant in the flight. You will by now have met Benjamin. He is one of my most trusted drivers and is at your disposal from now and all the time you are here with us in New York. Although it would please me greatly and we can move you immediately if you change your mind and stay with me in my mansion. I wish you an enjoyable weekend before we start with our formalities on Monday.

Keep safe

Yours Bernard

Back in California I was working as an accountant in a small firm and being a part time physiotherapist to look after my brother’s education bills.

I have taken a look at Bernard’s health reports and came to know with my experience that active combined with passive physiotherapy gives him a bright chance to heal and completely stand on his legs.

I have no idea who he is really, apart from the medical records I received last week explaining his accident and subsequent injuries. But somehow the name ‘Bernard’ sounds very familiar.

Instincts like this never worked positively for me. Nevertheless, did I have a choice? I am here to save my uncle from the clutches of death. Once I meet Bernard on Monday, I will tell him everything including my broken marriage and my daughter. Maybe if he understands me, our lives will be less complicated in this contract marriage.

The next morning I woke up with someone tapping on my head. I slowly opened my eyes and looked around. Oh yeah, I remember I am in an executive suite sponsored by my new employer who appears to be very kind.

The tapping sound repeated. Since I am fully awake now, I understood, it was not my head but the door. I went to the entrance and opened it. Benjamin was standing at the door. “Ms Collomen, the boss asked me to show you the accommodation, in case you might want to use it.” He tipped his hat in a greet and waited for me at the entrance to freshen up.

Slowly we were moving to one of the most expensive localities of New York. The place brought familiar vibes within me which brought good as well as bad memories.

Benjamin talked to the security at the entrance and we were welcomed into the 100 acre estate followed by a grand foyer. The creamy marbled floor surrounding the greenery led to a large oak wood door. Plush seats, dark wooden floor with big chandeliers hung from the ceiling everywhere greeted us inside. I was awestruck at the interiors.

Benjamin directed me to one of the huge doors and told me it was my bedroom. There was no further pondering. I liked my room and the place very much.

Benjamin got my suitcase within the next half an hour. After I unpacked and showered, I sat at the portico with a cup of tea and called my aunt. I gave them the positive news that I almost got the job and on Monday, I would be signing the contract. Thankfully she did not have many questions to ask. Abby was like usual, fun and super active, enjoying time with my aunt and my brother.

On the coffee table in front of me was an envelope, I hadn’t noticed it before. The stationary was blue and expensive looking. Opening it, I read;

Hi Merlyn,

I understand you liked the place. If you need anything you know Benjamin is always at your service. I think the place would be ideal for our physiotherapy sessions too. That is why I chose the place for you. Yeah I know you are a physiotherapist and I hope you will help me stand on my feet soon with your experience and expertise. I want to be an able bodied man as soon as possible. Have a great day Merlyn.

Christ, was I that predictable to Bernard? I ran my fingertips slowly over the beautifully composed handwriting. It looked much similar to Stephen’s. But I knew this man was different because Stephen was never polite to anybody other than me. I was lucky, he loved me till the day I left him. Otherwise I knew nobody could dare to invoke his black eye which would be worse than hell.

Getting up and going to the door, I glanced across the empty hallway; looking instinctively at the door opposite which was closing. Doing so, I caught an unmistakable masculine scent of a fresh, clean, ocean smell. I must be delusional; no, more than delusional… I really needed to get a grip. Pulling myself together, I pep talked myself. This man was not him and I should stop seeing Stephen in every male I would come across in my life.

All I have to do is close my eyes and he is back again knocking on my every dream, sexy as hell, tall and lean and drop dead gorgeous in his customary navy blue crisp suit. More than ever before I needed a man in my life and probably this was the best opportunity that life was giving me to forget all my flashbacks with a certain handsome hunk.

I was a little tired after uncovering all my stuff and had a good nap. By the time I got up it was evening. My work starts the day after tomorrow. So I thought I could enjoy quite a bit of time going to the club. A little booze once in a while wouldn’t harm me. I was a tourist here in New York and the clubs are very good for such tourists.

I took two drinks and began to sway my head to the music. “Can I buy you a drink?” A male voice called beside me. It was then I noticed the man. I was already feeling slightly tipsy by then. I took the drink and within two sips my vision started going blurry.

I could see a tall lean man in white dress shirt and in crutches beat the shit out of the guy who offered me the drink. Who the hell comes in work clothes and that too in crutches to the club? I giggled and my eyes shut off.

The next morning I woke up in my room with peeping rays of sunlight falling through the window. As I looked around I could breathe the beautiful fragrance of fresh water lillies. I did not know the highlight of my Sunday should be opening my eyes to these humongous heartwarming blossoms. They rested on the coffee table occupying all the place and hidden between them was a card.

Hi Merlyn,

Just a small gift to celebrate your presence here. I’m very pleased to have you as my wife and my physiotherapist. I hope you’re not having any headache because of yesterday’s drinks. In case of any problem you can always tell Mary the house maid to prepare you a glass of lemon water. Hope your day goes as blooming as these blossoms.

Yours

Bernard

It was obvious Benjamin would have brought me back here because he was the one who took me to the club. Probably he might have informed Bernard about my drunkenness at the club.

Who is this man who brings crazy vibes in me like a randy teenager without even looking at him?