Chapter 2 The First Love Surprise
## Chapter 2: The First Love Surprise
Two weeks into their arrangement, Daisy had established a rhythm. Days at Woolridge Electronics overseeing the integration with Shaw Industries, evenings maintaining a calculated distance from her contractual husband. Melvin hadn't mentioned the night she'd caught him sleep-talking, and she hadn't brought it up either. Their marriage existed in a state of professional detente.
Until tonight.
"The Blackstone Foundation Gala is mandatory," Melvin announced over breakfast, not looking up from his financial reports. "Seven o'clock. Wear something impressive."
Daisy sipped her coffee. "Mandatory because...?"
"Because three board members will be there, and we need to secure their votes for the merger restructuring." He finally glanced up. "And because married couples attend events together. Optics, remember?"
She nodded, mentally cataloging her wardrobe. If this was a performance, she would ensure her costume was flawless.
---
The Blackstone Gala transformed the Metropolitan Museum's Great Hall into a glittering wonderland of wealth and influence. Daisy navigated the crowd with practiced ease, her emerald gown—chosen deliberately to complement, not match, Melvin's charcoal tuxedo—drawing appreciative glances.
For the first hour, they played their roles perfectly. His hand rested lightly on her lower back as they greeted investors. She laughed at the right moments during his conversations with board members. Anyone watching would see a power couple in perfect harmony.
"Mrs. Shaw." A silver-haired board member approached. "Your husband's stock projections were brilliant. I was skeptical about this merger, but seeing you two together..." He smiled broadly. "Sometimes the personal connection makes all the difference in business."
Daisy returned his smile. "Melvin and I understand the value of strategic partnerships," she replied, feeling her husband's approving glance.
They were good at this game—perhaps too good. Sometimes in these moments, Daisy caught herself forgetting it wasn't real.
She excused herself to fetch champagne, scanning the room for Melvin's dark head among the crowd. She spotted him near the Egyptian exhibit, his tall frame unmistakable even from across the hall.
But he wasn't alone.
A woman in a striking red dress stood intimately close to him, her hand resting on his arm in a gesture too familiar for a casual acquaintance. Even from a distance, Daisy could see she was breathtaking—all cascading chestnut waves and delicate curves.
As Daisy approached, fragments of conversation reached her.
"—should have told me you'd be back in New York," Melvin was saying, his voice lower than his usual business tone.
"And ruin the surprise, darling?" The woman laughed, the sound both musical and practiced.
Darling.
Daisy felt something unexpected twist in her chest. Not jealousy—certainly not that—but something sharper. Territorial, perhaps. This was a business deal, and someone was interfering with her assets.
"Melvin." She slid beside him with practiced grace. "Won't you introduce me?"
His eyes met hers, and for a split second, Daisy saw something she'd never witnessed in Melvin Shaw before: panic.
"Daisy." He recovered quickly. "This is Maisie Lancaster. An old... colleague."
So this was Maisie. The woman from his dreams—or nightmares.
"Colleague?" Maisie's perfect eyebrows arched as she extended a manicured hand to Daisy. "Is that what we're calling it now, darling? Maisie Lancaster, Melvin's first love and the one who got away. And you must be the new Mrs. Shaw I've been hearing so much about."
First love. The pieces clicked into place.
"Pleasure," Daisy replied, her smile not reaching her eyes. "Melvin never mentioned you."
"Didn't he?" Maisie's gaze shifted to Melvin, who looked as though he'd prefer to be anywhere else. "We have such history together. Paris, Tokyo, that little villa in Santorini..."
"Ancient history," Melvin cut in firmly.
"Not so ancient." Maisie's fingertips brushed his sleeve again. "I've just transferred back to New York. We should catch up properly, darling. For old times' sake."
The endearment hung in the air between them. Daisy watched as Melvin failed to correct her, failed to establish the boundary a married man should.
"If you'll excuse us," Daisy said pleasantly, "I need to borrow my husband for a moment. Board member emergency."
She guided Melvin toward a quiet alcove, her smile fixed until they were out of earshot.
"Darling?" she hissed. "She called you darling twice, and you said nothing."
"Maisie is... complicated," he replied, straightening his already-perfect tie. "Her appearance tonight was unexpected. It won't affect our arrangement."
"Won't it?" Daisy kept her voice low. "Three board members are watching right now, wondering why your ex-girlfriend is hanging all over you while your wife stands by."
Melvin's jaw tightened. "I'll handle it."
"No," Daisy pulled her phone from her clutch. "I'll handle it."
With quick movements, she opened her email, retrieved a file, and handed him the phone. On the screen was a PDF titled "Contract Addendum."
"What's this?" he asked, scanning the document.
"Insurance." She smiled sweetly. "Sign it."
Melvin's eyes narrowed as he read. "A punishment clause? 'Should either party commit actions that jeopardize the authenticity of the marriage in public, said party agrees to wear a maid uniform and personally clean all restrooms at Shaw Industries headquarters, with video footage to be shared with the board of directors'? You can't be serious."
"Dead serious." Daisy's voice was steel wrapped in silk. "Either sign it, or I walk out of here alone—right past those board members who just told me how convincing our marriage seems."
Their eyes locked in silent combat. Finally, Melvin took the stylus she offered.
"This is absurd," he muttered, but signed anyway.
"Wonderful." Daisy tucked the phone away. "Now go tell your 'darling' Maisie that you're happily married."
To her surprise, he complied, making his way back to Maisie with newfound purpose. Daisy watched from a distance as he spoke to his ex, gesturing briefly in Daisy's direction. Maisie's expression shifted from surprise to something more calculated before she nodded and stepped back.
For the remainder of the evening, Melvin was the picture of devoted husband. His hand never left Daisy's waist; he brought her drinks without asking; he even laughed at her jokes with convincing warmth.
By the time they returned to the penthouse, Daisy felt a strange satisfaction. She'd won this round.
"That was well played," Melvin admitted as they entered the apartment. "The contract addendum was... creative."
"Harvard Business teaches negotiation tactics, not just spreadsheets," she replied, kicking off her heels. "Consider it motivation to maintain our cover."
He almost smiled—almost. "Get some sleep, Daisy. The Peterson acquisition meeting starts early tomorrow."
She nodded, heading toward the bedroom. At the doorway, she paused. "Melvin? Who is she really? Maisie."
Something shadowed his expression. "Someone from another life. It doesn't matter now."
But it did matter—Daisy knew it did. She just didn't know why yet.
---
At 3 AM, Daisy woke with a start. Melvin's side of the bed was empty, the sheets cold. Wrapping herself in a silk robe, she padded quietly through the penthouse, following the faint blue glow from his home office.
The door was ajar. Through the crack, she could see Melvin at his desk, phone to his ear, voice too low to make out the words. She was about to return to bed when he set down the phone and reached for his laptop.
Daisy froze as the security monitor in the hallway gave her a clear view of his screen. He was texting someone, and as the message sent, she could just make out the words:
【Plan continues. Meet tomorrow at the usual place.】
The recipient's name was clearly visible: Maisie.
