Melanie was ushered into the room by Larry. She looked afraid, intimidated and tremulous, yet defiant.
The brothers watched her in awe. She was more beautiful to them now than she had ever been on the island, and now she was here to declare her love and be claimed by her lover. Alex was sure of her love as he was of his own heartbeat. Sebastian, on the other hand, was sure of her future possession as he was of the memory of having taken her first.
"Please take a seat, Melanie." Mr. Drummond said.
"Thank you."
"Do you know why you're here?" He asked.
She took a moment to clear her throat and find her courage. Alex was afraid to take a breath. Sebastian watched cautiously, guarding his feelings.
"Frankly, no I don't." She said, her defiance returning.
"Are you familiar with the Drummond Airlines Human Resources code?"
"Oh, I know the rules alright. I just don't know why they exist and why they are being applied in this case."
"You sound defiant, Melanie. I'm not surprised. Who wouldn't be with such a large fortune at stake?"
"I don't care about your money, old man." The billionaire brothers sat with their mouths open. No one, but no one in their 31 years had ever spoken to Mr. Drummond like that. Alex's heart was bursting with pride; Sebastian's with fear. How defiant was she really? Could he eventually take her given the right amount of time? If Mr. Drummond was shocked, he betrayed no evidence of his reaction.
"I learned how to survive on the pennies you paid me as a flight attendant and I can make those pennies anywhere else. You can't threaten me with a life of poverty because I already live there."
Mr. Drummond smiled.
"And you're happy to take my son there with you, I presume?"
Melanie stared back at him, considering her response. She was angry, but this was her crossroads. If she really wanted to, she could renounce both men and save them from the loss of their wealth. What difference would it make to her anyway? She would struggle to survive either way.
Alternatively, if she wanted to, she could defy this arrogant old man and take Alex at his word that he would do anything to be with her. She could declare her love for him here and now, making her beloved a poor man for the rest of his life. Better yet, if she wanted to, she could strike a blow to the very heart of the Drummond Corporation and tell the whole truth about their love triangle on the island. Would he really banish two of his sons from the family circle? She could reveal their plan to trick him in order to take care of each other and of her, defrauding the Drummond Corporation of money in order to sustain the lives of two people who had chosen to break the rules.