Merissa loved to see his playfulness return and stood to accept her part. “Thank you, my King,” she curtsied. “Your kingdom will always be mine.” After she said the words, she watched as his eyes misted. He kissed her hand again before he sat on the throne. The rest of the ceremony was a blur, except for the one thing that mattered. Every detail of the game and the role Merissa and Chad played with their adoring crowd pulled them together in a stronger bond than ever before. It was a strange sensation, and she tried to guard against the captivating ambiance, but felt weak and unable to fight her heart’s response. She had fallen madly in love on this Christmas Cruise in July, and soon it would all come to an abrupt end.
The crowd was cheering. The mock crowning ceremony had ended and the peasants wanted the King to kiss his Queen. Chad stood looking at Merissa, the invitation burning in his eyes. One step toward him was all it took. He swept her into a kiss with such a force she held tight around his neck for fear of falling to the floor. Her head spun and her heart pounded faster than the clapping that vibrated in her ears. When their lips parted, he stared with glazed eyes into her face. “I seek the Queen’s forgiveness. I have been such a fool.”
Merissa could barely breathe and did not trust herself to be long-winded. May as well jump straight to the happy-ever-after. “You have, sir, but I love you nonetheless. Is that what you want to hear?”
“Oh, yes.” The cheering grew louder and they kissed again before drawing apart. Chad bowed to the crowd and Merissa curtsied.
The Epilogue.
It had been a long day at work. Merissa had been tossing around a cover design for the magazine and received little help from her flighty workers. An emergency meeting had been held and she’d come down hard on them. It was beyond her abilities to put this monthly magazine into the hands of the public all by herself. She needed the skills of others and for some reason lately, they’d be sadly lacking. Merissa hoped her shape-up speech had not fallen on deaf ears. She rounded the corner in her apartment building hallway, laden with mail and work-for-home when she ground to a halt.
In front of apartment number 306 sat a unique ornamental vase. A rather large bouquet of roses, dark, luscious, thick petaled roses, and they filled the air with an outdoorsy, morning fragrance. She hurried toward her door, dropped her armload of clutter, and held to her face. “Mm,” she groaned aloud. She reached for the card and read the words, Missed you. No signature followed, but she knew they were from Chad.
A voice sounded from down the hall. “Glad you like the roses.”
Merissa turned and stared at the man she’d seen only in her dreams for the last two weeks. Her day suddenly improved. He crossed the distance between them, never losing eye contact. She handed him her key and he turned the lock. They were no sooner inside the door – the vase safely on a hall table, the briefcase and mail kicked inside – than he slammed the door shut and pulled her into his arms.
“I missed you so very much.” The world stood still as they sealed his words with their hearts. When their emotions were spent, Merissa led him to the couch.
“How was your trip to China?”
“Tedious, and too far away from you.”
She would not repeat her offer for a position in the art department of the magazine. She could use his talent and expertise now more than when she’d suggested it to him on that Monday night before he left to fly overseas. She could not make the next move for him nor did she want to. She’d have him home only when and if he was ready.
“I’m ready,” Chad said as if reading her mind.
“Ready for what?”
His eyes shone with mischief. “Do I need to submit a resume and art samples?”
“You certainly do. There will be interviews with me and the team as well.”
“Making this difficult, are you?”
“It’s a competitive business, Mr. Livingston. We both need to know that you will be a good fit and happy in your work.”
“Mm – tough boss, I see.”
“I have to be. The magazine is ranked among the top five in America and I want to keep it there.
“I can help. I’ve been thinking a lot about it, even when I should have been fixing the mess over there. My resume will also include my skills in human resources. Got anybody solving the people problems at work?”
“Where were you today? I have people problems.”
“Excellent. Then I’m your best choice for new hire. Part time art and the arm of the law for the company when needed.”
“That is a great pitch,” said Merissa.
“After all, if I come aboard, it will be our sole source of income, so I’d best make it work,” Chad said.
Merissa grinned. “Is that you’re way of saying we may have a chance for a happy-ever-after?”
“It’s looking extremely strong in your favor, Miss James.” Chad pushed her to arm’s length. “My mother wants to meet you.”
“That is a good sign.” Merissa absently fumbled with the chain digging into her neck that held the half-cruise ship ornament then she slipped it back beneath her shirt.
“What you got there? A gift from an admirer?” Chad asked.
She slowly pulled it into plain view and watched the color in Chad’s face drain. “What’s the matter?”
“The necklace – where did you get it?” Chad asked.
Merissa stumbled
