The following week, the headlines exploded.
Heiress Reforms: The Mysterious Man Behind Melissa Vauhn's Metamorphosis
From Scandal to Scholar—Who Is David Terverem?
Paparazzi had caught a grainy shot of David and Melissa holding hands outside a charity bookstore downtown. By morning, the photo had circulated through half of Europe's celebrity gossip blogs.
Melissa stared at the article on her tablet, mouth slightly open.
"I didn't even know they still cared," she muttered.
David skimmed the article, lips tight.
"They're already twisting the narrative. Making it sound like I'm some—what do they call it? A redemption project?"
Melissa sat up. "They don't know you. They don't get to define you."
"I don't care what they think of me," he said. "I care what it means for you."
That afternoon, Aria texted:
Didn't realize you were dating your new life coach lol. Pretty bold to make him public.
Melissa rolled her eyes.
Then another message came. From someone she hadn't expected.
We need to talk.
– Clara
Clara Devereaux, Melissa's former best friend and socialite partner-in-chaos.
David looked at the screen. "You okay?"
"Honestly?" Melissa whispered. "I don't know."
Later that day, she met Clara at a rooftop bar in Ranelagh.
Clara wore black sunglasses and an expensive pout. "So it's true," she said, sipping a dirty martini. "You've gone full charity-case romance."
Melissa crossed her arms. "You haven't changed a bit."
"And you're suddenly a nun?" Clara raised a brow. "No more blowouts? No more mystery men and Chanel overdose?"
"I was never happy doing that," Melissa said.
Clara blinked. "So now what? You marry the scholarship boy and ride off into a morally superior sunset in Africa?"
Melissa stood. "You can keep your cynicism, Clara. I'm choosing something that feels real."
Clara shrugged. "You'll be back. The world doesn't let girls like us disappear quietly."
Melissa left without replying.
Back in her flat, David was reading on the couch.
She curled into his side, and he put the book down.
"Rough day?" he asked.
"I saw Clara."
Melissa had made it a point of telling David about all her friends, and Clara use to be the worst among the bad. Knew all the drug dealers in town, got invited to secret elite sex-parties, etc. Even Melissa knew that Clara was a bad of bad decisions that was to be avoided by anyone who wished to find some pieces of their lives left to pickup when the morning comes.
That Clara met with her. David already knew, a meeting with 'the devil' can only be for one purpose...pressure Melissa into slipping back into 'the life' by way of blackmail or otherwise. He has seen such situations before now, he was familiar with the kind, and was very familiar with the tactic. He was right. of course he was.
He pulled her close. "She doesn't know you anymore did she."
Her eyes raised to meet his in a loving glance "I'm still figuring out who I am."
"That's the point," he whispered. "Keep choosing who you want to be."
His arms tightened around her. He gently panted several kisses in her hair and around her neck.
They were kisses of reassurance, not only saying I love you, but also saying I will stand by you forever, even when everyone else turns their backs, you can lean on me.
Melissa felt as vunulreable as she felt loved, it was a feeling that was alien to her, but, this was her David. "D" as she would call him in their most intimate moment. She felt safe with him. she trusted him with her body and soul. ...or shouldn't she?