Chapter 263

"Good day, Mr. Harris, I apologize for the wait." Joseph returned a courteous bow and politely introduced. "This is my wife. She's a traditional lady and unfamiliar with the customs of courtesies. Please be understanding." Since Melissa couldn't understand Japanese, she stood silently by the side, smiling. One day she would come to understand Joseph's defense for her when they were abroad, and one day she would comprehend his deep consideration. "No problem, I understand. Please guide your wife inside to sit." Mr Harris made an inviting gesture and everyone moved towards the reserved luxurious room for dinner. Melissa, when in Rome, followed in their footsteps, removing her shoes to sit cross-legged in front of the low table, listening while they ate... From the meal to signing the agreement, a span of four hours passed, all of which Melissa waded through in a daze, amidst the incomprehensible language. Occasionally, she would join everyone for a sip of aromatic rice wine, slightly tipsy. After the deal was sealed, Harris invited Joseph and Melissa to a hot spring project. Joseph didn't want to drag somebody else into the late-night proceedings, so he tactfully declined Harris's invitation. The enthusiastic Harris arranged accommodations for them, then left with his assistant to enjoy the hot springs. "Joseph, it's already past two in the morning, we might be late for work tomorrow." Melissa yawned, her cheeks warm, and her stomach cozy; she would always feel sleepy after eating. Joseph took her hand, looking at her with amusement. "How can we be late when you're with me? We're taking the whole day off tomorrow. I'll take you to see the sea and the stars, but we must return to our room and rest now." Hearing Joseph would take her to see the sea and the stars, Melissa was overjoyed and couldn't help expressing her excitement and admiration, "Joseph, do you know? I am more and more impressed by you and I admire you more as an excellent assistant, but...I'm less willing to be your wife now." "What logic is that?" Joseph, puzzled, looked at Melissa, with an urge to pinch her cheeks. "Because you're too remarkable, I feel I'm not good enough for you." Melissa candidly admitted. Floating on air, she walked with Joseph to the door of their room "Also, actually... I'm quite scared of you. You look a bit frightening when you don't speak, you know?" Joseph opened the room door and stepped back to let Melissa in, closing the door behind him before he proceeded to pinch Melissa's cheek. "Don't say such things as 'I'm not good enough' again. I'm certain you are a priceless gem in this world! You said I'm frightening, didn't you? I'm always gentle to you." "Hmph! Gentle by pinching my face, let me go." Melissa tried to pry Joseph's fingers from her face. His fingers were cool to the touch and felt soothing against her skin. "So, will you still say you don't want to be my wife in the future?" Joseph asked, temporarily letting go of her, infuriated. The thought of this made his heart ache. This was the most enjoyable business deal he's ever made in his history, because with Melissa, wherever he went felt like home. "I'm telling the truth. It's stressful being your wife; I prefer being your good employee." Melissa stubbornly refused to admit her feelings for Joseph. "I don't lack good employees. What I lack is you to accompany me for a lifetime." Joseph stared intently at Melissa as he spoke, only to find Melissa, as if hearing a joke, looked at him with innocent eyes and lost herself in her own world. "What can I say to make you believe me?" Joseph felt like he was being driven to madness, yet at this moment, Melissa broke into laughter! He could only gaze helplessly at Melissa, unable to suppress the sparks in his heart any longer. He ardently seized Melissa's lips, pressing her down onto the fragrant, soft mat of tatami. Uh... Melissa reminded herself to stay rational, her wide, shocked eyes locked onto the light-yellow walls and the retro wooden window lattices. However, the alcohol coursing through her veins ventured perfectly to heighten her desire, and she closed her eyes in this invasive kiss, succumbing to the tender and violent whirlpool. Melissa felt the real warmth of Joseph pressing against her, beneath his clothing was the wild heartbeat and suppressed breaths. Joseph extended this passionate kiss to Melissa's neck, she gyrated her lower body, constantly rubbing against his sensitive body. The unique warm bodily fragrance drove Joseph no longer able to contain his surging desire. Unknowingly, they reveled and intertwined in their love under the dim warm-toned lights. Melissa's legs wrapped around Joseph her fingers gently playing with his hair. A heat wave surged from Melissa's chest, rushing to her throat, returning to her cheeks. That velvety ambiguous voice melted in their moist mouths, drowned in the tidal waves of their emotions... "Melissa, are you still awake?" Joseph holding Melissa in his arms, tenderly asked as he looked into her dreamy eyes. Melissa rolled onto her side, rested her head on Joseph's heart, and listened quietly his gradually calming heartbeat: "I can't sleep. I want to go to the beach to see the sunrise." "Really? If you want to go, we can leave now." It was already five in the morning, Joseph watched the bright starry skies from the window. They weren't far from the beach, they could definitely make it on time. Melissa lifted her head, her eyes full of expectation: "Sure." Half an hour later they arrived at their destination, arm in arm, strolling on the sandy shores, the dusk gradually brightened, and the faint stars and moonlight slowly retreated. "What beautiful stars!" As Melissa looked up, a shooting star whizzed across the sky above her head, disappearing after a brief moment. Watching Melissa's ecstatic expression, Joseph felt utmost happiness. He wished for Melissa to remain this cheerful all her life. The sunrise cast its blinding rays over the sea and the crimson morning clouds enveloped the entire world. It was like the seemingly calm but passionately tumultuous love between this pair of lovers, it was intense. When they returned to their lodging after watching the sunrise, intending to rest, Joseph's phone rang. It was Aunt Linda calling. As he prepared to answer the call, Melissa's phone started to ring as well. It was a call from the lead teacher of the kindergarten. Both calls relayed the same information — Alvin and Alvina were taken away while doing morning exercises outdoors! This time, a real crisis had occurred! Melissa and Joseph returned home by the fastest means possible and pulled up the CCTV footage from the kindergarten. The children were led away by a woman in a long coat. "It's Nancy!" Melissa exclaimed painfully, covering her mouth and looking at Joseph in despair.