Mr. CEO's Young Mistress novel Chapter 58

Melanie's room was simple. It was a thirty-square-foot room with baby blue walls and matching curtains. 

There was only a bed, a wardrobe, a study table and a bean bag sofa. Shelves were installed all over the room and held books and other small ornaments, giving the area a very spacious feeling despite the size. 

...

Melanie told Sharon to make herself comfortable, so Sharon immediately snuggled into the bean bag sofa. 

Melanie grabbed two bottles of juice from the table. She pulled her chair over to the rug where Sharon was and sat across from her, cross-legged. 

"This is all I have." Melanie handed Sharon a bottle of juice. 

Sharon accepted it and looked at Melanie. "This is my favourite brand."

Melanie shrugged and unscrewed the lid. She threw back her head and took a gulp. "I got it from my workplace. It's homemade, and it's not for sale."

Sharon smiled sheepishly. "Really?"

Melanie rolled her eyes.

Sharon lowered her head, struggling to unscrew the lid. 

Melanie frowned, exasperated. She reached out and said, "Give it to me."

The corners of Sharon's mouth curled upwards, and she handed the bottle to Melanie. 

Melanie swiftly unscrewed the cap and returned the bottle to Sharon. 

Sharon took it and took a sip.

Melanie watched Sharon put the lid back onto the bottle and place it beside her. Eventually, she asked, "Can you tell me what's wrong now?"

Sharon pressed her lips together tightly and stared at Melanie, teary-eyed.

Melanie's heart sank. She slowly whispered, "I guess the day has come, huh?"

Sharon looked at Melanie, confused.

Melanie took a deep breath and explained. "Do you remember inviting me to your home on your birthday?"

"Yeah..." Sharon nodded slowly.

Melanie stared at Sharon's puzzled face and continued. "We were so excited that day that we exhausted ourselves and passed out beside the bed. I'm a light sleeper, so it's quite easy for any slight movement to wake me up."

...

Sharon had already known about that because she had never seen Melanie taking a nap in school. 

...

But Sharon was confused about why Melanie was talking about this. 

...

"Leonard came in once, but since you were already fast asleep, you wouldn't remember." Melanie resumed. 

Melanie had also fallen asleep but had stirred when Leonard opened the door. 

When she peeked and saw that it was Leonard, she immediately shut her eyes again and pretended to be asleep because it stressed her out whenever she had to face him.

...

...

Although it had been Sharon's birthday, she stayed in Sharon's room the entire time because she had been afraid of bumping into him. 

...

Alas, they still met! 

Not to mention...

Melanie frowned and peered at Sharon, conflicted.

Sharon stared at her. "What happened after he came in?"

Melanie cleared her throat and lowered her voice. "I saw... I saw him kiss you."

Tongue-tied, Sharon did not respond, blushing down to her neck.

...

"I wouldn't have thought much about it if he kissed your forehead or cheeks. However, he chose..." 

Melanie pointed at Sharon's mouth.

Sharon felt a surge of heat travelling through her, almost hot enough to singe her eyebrows. 

Subconsciously, Sharon covered her mouth with her hands, embarrassed. 

Melanie chuckled dryly at the awkward atmosphere. 

Sharon's heart was pounding wildly, and she shut her eyes, forcing herself not to think about it.

Without noticing, her lips, covered by her palm, had pressed into a fine line. 

"I knew of his... feelings for you. That's why I was so adamant about pairing you up with Simon. Although his family isn't as powerful as the Lefebvre family, I thought Leonard would have to think twice before doing anything." 

...

"No wonder she had been so eager for me to end up with Simon!" Sharon thought, touched. 

...

Sharon lowered her hand and whispered, "Thank you, Melanie."

"What are friends for?" Melanie humphed.

Sharon smiled bitterly. "Melanie, I really don't know what to do anymore."

Melanie frowned. "Did you put on that show with Simon on your birthday because you found out about Leonard's feelings for you?"

Sharon nodded. "I thought if I did that, our relationship could return to normal. I didn't expect it to infuriate him instead. He..."

Sharon choked up, tears rolling down her face. 

Melanie jumped up and scrambled to Sharon's side. She grabbed her hand and asked anxiously, "What did he do to you?" 

Sharon wiped her tears with the back of her hand and said nothing.

Melanie felt even more uneasy when she saw this.

Her heart ached when she saw Sharon sobbing heartbrokenly. 

Melanie got up and grabbed the tissue from her table to wipe Sharon's tears, her face grim. 

"Melanie, please don't ask anymore." Sharon pleaded shakily. 

"Okay." Melanie looked at her solemnly.

Sharon looked at her gratefully. She pulled out another few pieces of tissue and patted her eyes. 

Melanie just watched Sharon silently, concerned. 

After a while, Sharon finally calmed down.

Melanie glanced at Sharon's swollen eyes and sighed silently. 

...

Actually, Melanie had more or less guessed what happened. 

Sharon introducing Simon as her boyfriend that night must have triggered a certain somebody's possessiveness, pushing her into the line of fire. 

...

Melanie felt a shiver travel up her spine just thinking about what must have happened that night. 

She hadn't expected Leonard's possessiveness over Sharon to reach such an extreme level.

...

At this rate, unless Leonard willingly let go of her, there was no way Sharon could ever escape his control. 

Distressed, Melanie looked at Sharon with sad eyes. 

...

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Sharon stilled and looked at Melanie. 

Melanie's face tightened. She looked at the door in disdain and asked, "What?"

"It's me, Dora." 

The cute voice of a toddler came from the other side of the door. 

Melanie frowned and asked, "What's the matter?"

"I brought you some fruits," Dora replied.

"It's fine. You can have it," Melanie responded coldly. 

"If you don't like fruits, I can get you some cake," Dora suggested.

Melanie pressed her lips together and glanced at Sharon. She got up and went to open the door. 

Dora was standing outside, holding two bright red apples. The moment she saw Melanie open the door, she flashed an adorable toothy grin. "Hi, Melanie."

Melanie softened her tone when she saw Dora's happy smile. "Dora, can you play by yourself for now? I'm talking with my friend."

Wide-eyed, Dora peeked into her room and mumbled, "Does she want some fruits?"

Melanie paused and turned to Sharon. "Have you eaten dinner?"

"Not yet," replied Sharon. 

Melanie turned around and took the apples from Dora. "Dora, could you get some cake for her?"

"Okay!" Dora chirped enthusiastically, toddling to the living room. 

Melanie watched her with a small smile. 

Dora was perhaps the only one in the family who could give Melanie some warmth. 

Dora brought the cake over and used it as an excuse to stay in Melanie's room. She ignored the look Melanie was giving her and splayed out across Sharon's lap, smiling like an angel. 

Sharon couldn't resist caressing Dora's head. "She's so cute!" she gushed to Melanie.  

Melanie gave a noncommittal smile.

Dora beamed when she heard Sharon praise her. "Sharon, do you want more cake?"

Sharon tapped her on the nose. "No, thank you, darling. I'm full now."

"Tee-hee! You're welcome." Dora replied with a giggle, covering her chubby cheeks shyly.

Sharon patted her head again, amused. 

Melanie watched Dora with crinkled eyes. 

"Dora."

Liam Faure's wife, Sara Richards, called out from the living room. 

Startled, Dora immediate sat upright, staring at the door with wide eyes. 

"Dora? Dora..." 

Her voice was growing closer. 

Melanie narrowed her eyes, and her face hardened. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get out."

Dora was bewildered by Melanie's sudden change and was at a loss. 

Sharon lowered her head and touched Dora's hand. "Go on, little one. Your mum is calling for you."

Dora looked at Melanie pleadingly and spared Sharon a glance before tottering to the door. "Mummy, I'm here."

"Goodness! Why did you come out from that room? Haven't I told you not to go to her room? Why won't you listen?" Sara's admonishing voice gradually faded away. 

Sharon's heart sank, and she twisted her head to look at Melanie. 

However, she seemed unfazed, as if she hadn't heard Sara's words. 

Sharon frowned.