Sexy Adonis.

~MELANIE~

The airplane touched down hours ago, but the heaviness in my chest never did.

I tried to blame it on jet lag. Or the uncomfortable seat. Or the screaming toddler three rows ahead of us. Anything but the truth sitting like a stone in the middle of my ribcage.

Allison kept humming different songs beside me, scrolling through hotels and restaurants we “absolutely have to try,” but my eyes remained glued to the car window as the city lights of Madrid blurred past. Madrid was breathtaking. 

It carried this soft winter chill that simply brushed your cheeks without sinking into your bones. Different lights hung all over the streets like glowing ribbons, warming the city with gold and red. The air smelled faintly of roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate, and every plaza we drove by was filled with life.

Street musicians, small everyday markets, and people wrapped in scarves laughing their way between cafés. It felt festive, bright, and almost magical, as if the whole city was celebrating together.

But I couldn't relate with any of that. It felt like my life ended yesterday and everything else just… kept moving.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Allison finally said, lowering her phone and eyeing me suspiciously. “Like… extra quiet. What’s going on with you?”

Where do I even start? I mean I just woke up to the reality that I was assaulted and didn't even remember any of it and my mother, my only family, kicked me out without second thoughts. I forced a shrug, praying the lie would leave my lips before the truth did.

“Another rejection email came in this morning,” I murmured, rubbing my temple. “That makes… five, I think. Maybe six.”

It wasn't entirely a lie. Finding a well- paying job in some big company was the second hardest thing after surviving college. Working five jobs a day to provide for your mother and her lazy-ass husband was just a bonus.

Her eyes softened instantly. “Oh, Mel…” She reached over and squeezed my knee gently. “Look, you’re smart and talented and stubborn as hell. Something will come through, I promise. But not today.” She clicked her tongue. “Today we are not thinking about emails or bills or sadness or whatever dark cloud you’re dragging behind you.”

She poked my forehead lightly. “Holiday, remember? Fun? Relaxing? Not crying on curbs at 2am?”

Heat crawled up my neck. She didn’t know just how close to the truth that was.

“Right,” I said quietly. “Fun.”

“Good.” She leaned back with a satisfied grin. “Now pull yourself together because we’re about to surprise my dad. I told him I wasn’t sure I’d make it this year, so he has absolutely no idea we’re coming.”

I blinked, startled. “He doesn’t know at all?”

“Nope!” she chirped. It's been a while since I saw her eyes light up with so much excitement. “He’s going to freak. And don’t be nervous, he’s super sweet.”

Nervous wasn’t even the word. Meeting a friend’s father usually didn’t require oxygen masks, but everything in my body felt wrong. Tight, jumpy, strange. Maybe because I hadn’t slept. How could I when my mother’s words still echoed inside my skull. Or maybe because the idea of seeing a father greet his daughter with love was already making my throat sting.

I pressed my hand over my chest as the taxi rolled to a stop in front of a massive cream-colored villa, warm lights glowing behind the tall windows. It looked like the kind of place where peace lived. Where families laughed together instead of broke each other.

I exhaled shakily, forcing myself to relax.

Lucky Allison.

The front door was decorated with a wreath, ribbons, and twinkling lights, and I suddenly felt very small standing beside it. Very out of place. Very… homeless.

Allison bounced on her toes and pressed the doorbell, barely containing herself. “He’s gonna be so shocked,” she whispered.

But I wasn’t prepared for my own shock.

The door swung open, and every thought in my brain simply evaporated.

The man standing before us was not the heavy-set bald fifty-something I’d imagined. No.

He was tall. Broad-shouldered. Curly long hair packed in a loose bun. Handsome in a way that stole the air straight from my lungs. His dark hair was sprinkled with the faintest touch of gray at the temples. It looked distinguished, not old. His jaw was locked like it was chiselled into shape and those turquoise eyes… God, they looked warm and sharply intelligent, the kind of eyes that pierced right through your soul. 

And when those eyes landed on his daughter, his entire face softened, lighting up with a joy that hit me square in the chest.

Fuck, Melanie! Concentrate! This is NOT what you need right now or why you're even here!

“Mi niña,” he breathed with a gravelly Spanish accent, pulling her into a huge embrace. “God, I missed you sooo much. You didn't tell me you were coming.” 

Her laughter echoed through the hallway and something inside me clenched painfully.

If my father were alive… If I still had someone who hugged me like that…

Maybe I wouldn’t feel so breakable.

Maybe I wouldn’t be standing here with a suitcase full of everything I owned.

He finally released her, wiping a bit of moisture from his eyes. Then his gaze shifted to me.

“And who is this?” he asked, His gravelly voice was still silky somehow, rough around the edges, but smooth enough to make my stomach flip.

“This,” Allison beamed, grabbing my arm, “is Melanie. My best friend. My other half. The one I won’t shut up about.”

I swallowed hard as he stepped closer. The rich patchouli scent immediately engulfed me and for a second, it felt like I was melting.

Up close, he was even more arresting. And the warmth in his smile… God. I wasn’t used to adults smiling at me like that. Gentle, welcoming, without suspicion or contempt.

He extended his hand. And when I placed mine in his, his touch was firm but… soft.

Reassuring.

“Welcome to the family, Melanie. I'm Rafael, but you can just call me Ralph,” he said sincerely with a beautiful smile.

My breath caught.

Words, Melanie. Speak. Say something.

But my tongue felt glued to the roof of my mouth and my brain short-circuited like someone had yanked the power cable.

I just stared at him, completely unable to form a single coherent response.

His smile deepened like he found my speechlessness… adorable.

And I stood there, frozen, breathless, heart pounding wildly on a stranger’s porch, wondering why the hell my stomach suddenly felt warm for the first time in months.

I must be losing my goddamn mind.