At long last

Melissa sat down to enjoy the cool evening breeze, the clouds were in different shades of orange and purple, nature had always fascinated her. She went inside her room and brought her camera out to capture the beautiful sight before her, it would be a waste if she didn't. After taking different shots from different angles she smiled to herself, being a photographer was kind of the only thing that made her genuinely happy. She might not be a good daughter or a good wife but she was definitely a damn great photographer and that made her so proud of herself.

After a while she heard a soft knock on her door, she picked up her phone to look at the time. By now she was expected to be at a dinner party hosted by one of her husband's close friends and she had completely lost track of time from watching the sunset. She opened the door and she was greeted with the smiling face of the butler.

"Good evening madam." He greeted.

"How are you, Lester? She asked.

"Mr. Jonathan said I should get you, but you're not yet dressed. Are you perhaps feeling ill?"

"Oh not at all, I just lost track of time. I'll go to him now and explain; and ask him for a little more time so I can get dressed. "She said.

"Alright, I'll be in the kitchen if you need me".

In her two years of marriage, Jonathan and she never really had any misunderstanding; he was cool, patient, calm and organized. It was those reasons that made her think getting married to him wouldn't be too much of a task to handle. She walked down the stairs and found Jonathan in the living room.

"Melissa we're late..... He started.

"I'm sorry Jonathan, I lost track of time. Could you be a bit patient while I get ready, it wasn't really my intention to keep you waiting. She explained. He let out a sigh and he straightened his face."

"If you aren't ready in twenty minutes, I'll go ahead, and then tell our hosts that you couldn't make it." He replied.

"Twenty minutes is okay." She replied.

Who was she kidding, twenty minutes was too small and it was a formal dinner she was attending. But she didn't want to disappoint Jonathan so she did as fast as she could to not keep him waiting.

Melissa gently walked down the stairs in her chocolate brown linen dress and black heels and her brown hair in soft waves that fell down to her back, there was no doubt that Melissa was a very beautiful woman who got stares when she walked into a room. Jonathan held his hand out for her, while they walked towards the door. He had always been a gentleman and she liked that about him, well she liked everything about him but this was just an added bonus. Even if he didn't feel anything towards her at least he respected her and it was nearly satisfying.

"You look beautiful". Jonathan said as they entered the car and he meant it. He always did mean it every time he said it but something made him feel like she didn't really believe he found her pretty.

"Thank you". She confidently replied she knew it wasn't meant as a compliment but just mere courtesy, but still he deserved a polite answer.

The night dragged on, with different activities. The only way Melissa coped with these outings was by thinking of all the wonderful relaxing things she could do at home in her comfy bed. Their house was her favorite place; it was a wedding gift from her parents two years ago when she and Jonathan had gotten married. She'd chosen the house because of the magnificent view it held, which was as expected since she was a photographer and her discipline was focused on views mainly.

An arranged marriage for five years; where no one owed the other anything. She had her life and he had his, since their marriage they had led completely different lives. It was only compulsory to stay in the same house, show up at social events together, and show up for the press, papers and magazines. Apart from that they had no business with each other.

Jonathan even had a girlfriend; well he had lots of them. Melissa didn't mind, but the current one was so annoying that at times all she thought of was rubbing the fact that she was actually married to Jonathan in her face, but then who was she to interfere with his dating life. Its not as if she was anything special to him and a married man having a mistress was a huge blow to the wife if theyre marriage was a conventional one that is.

After her third glass of champagne, she was ready to call for the driver. Jonathan caught a glance of his wife from a distance, she looked bored. Well he knew she never enjoyed all these parties but then she signed up for it. He decided to walk up to her and chat with her a bit, over the years they hadn't done much talking or much anything. They were both busy people and even though Melissa was good company he just never felt the need to indulge in long conversations with her. But today he felt like she could use a friend or maybe not a friend but a somewhat familiar person to speak to.

"Hey". Jonathan said when he reached her table.

"Do you need to go now?" Melissa asked in confusion, Jonathan didn't usually walk up to her with a "hey".

"In a few minutes, but you look like you need to get the hell out of here".

She laughed softly; well could she be more obvious. What if her hosts noticed her look, that would be very rude of her.

"I don't really enjoy these things ". She replied honestly.

"It's all for appearances..." Jonathan started but a song came up and people started dancing. Maybe dancing would help her cheer up, he thought.

"Dance with me?" He asked and Melissa raised her eyebrows in confusion, the last time she danced with her husband was two years ago at their wedding.

"Are you sure?" She asked still surprised at his request.

"Of course". He offered her his hand and he led them to the dance floor.

Jonathan pulled her close, his hands on her waist and her hands on his shoulders. They swayed to the music; Melissa didn't know how to act. They did quick hugs occasionally for photos but never this up close; he could sense the discomfort she was feeling. Did she find him disturbing? Even Melissa didn't have the answer to that.

"Do you find me disturbing?" Jonathan asked breaking the silence as they swayed to the music.

"No not at all". She replied with a small smile, why would he even ask her that when all she did was swoon every time she saw him.

"So what were you up to this evening that made you late, it's unlike you to be late". Jonathan asked just to make small talk and keep Melissa comfortable.

"I was watching the sunset and taking pictures of it". She answered truthfully and to her surprise again he gave a small smile.

"I'd love to see you in your element one day, taking pictures and all that you do. But with your features, I think you would have been better off as a model instead".Jonathan said and they both laughed.

"Yeah, sure. Behind the camera is where I belong though". She replied.

"Whatever rows your boat darling." They looked into each other's eyes for a bit, each not knowing what they were searching for. Melissa cleared her throat which seemed to bring them back to reality.

"Can we go home now, I'm a bit tired". Melissa said. Was it the champagne because suddenly she felt so warm in his arms, and this weird fuzzy feeling that tonight was maybe sort of special?

"Yeah, we can". He replied. He gave her a small nod before going to signal the driver and get their things.

Jonathan watched as she walked up the stairs, she turned back and looked at him.

"Thank you for the company tonight". Melissa said with a warm smile.

"It's alright, I enjoyed myself too. Goodnight Melissa".

"Goodnight Jonathan".

This evening was the most eventful they've ever had, it almost felt magical. The next morning, Melissa decided it was the champagne, because everything had gone back to normal. So much for dreams and wishful thinking, was it so much to ask that he had a little bit of feeling towards her. Well what could she expect from a marriage like hers, they certainly weren't a love match made in heaven, well when this marriage was done she decided that she would find the person who loved her and that gave her a bit of comfort and deep down she hoped that Jonathan was still the one.