MEL POVPRESENT DAY.“The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital.” My voice cracks a little as I relayed my ordeal. “The doctor there informed me that some good Samaritans who had been camping nearby, found me lying unconscious in the woods and brought me to the hospital. He also said my family had filed a missing report as I was lost for about three days. He then said the police were on their way to take my statement about had happened and I agreed.” I look down at my right fingers when I feel pain in them. I didn’t realize it, but I had pressed my nails so hard into my them that I had made little dents.“Then what?” Dante asks when I stay silent.“I remember the news channel was playing in the ward where I was.” Not looking up from my fingers, I continue. “They were reporting on the fire that happened in the woods. The news lady said the police had done their investigation and had ruled the fire as a camping trip gone wrong. They even had a family on the news who claim
RIO POV She is staying.I don’t usually take bath, but the heat of the water soaking into my skin was definitely what I needed this morning.She is staying.I can’t figure understand why the fact that Mel chose to stay makes me… happy. Afterall, I have gotten what I craved.To have her in my bed. Then why do I feel this immense pleasure at her decision to stay, even after what happened this morning?I couldn’t actually… care for her. No, that is not possible. The sex was good, great in fact, more than what I imagined. So, it’s only natural I would want to her close by, with the hopes of it happening again.You will never touch me again. Mel’s heartfelt warning made me excited.I wouldn’t be who I am if I didn’t get turned on by a challenge.“If you are done moping about being chased out of your room, get out of the bathroom.” Dante bangs on the bathroom door, starling me. “We need to talk.”“Shit!” I curse. I thought I had locked the door. The last thing I need now is Dante’s snide
RIO POV“I thought you don’t let anyone into this room.” I mention when Dante leads me into his dark office. “Or have you finally gotten over your weird kink of not letting people touch your things?”Growing up, Dante had this weird possessiveness over his stuff, that he never let anyone, not even our mother nor Nonna, into his room, to the extent that he cleaned the room by himself. I strongly believed that he had killed people in there, since it was the only soundproof room in the house.“This is not my room.” He turns on the lights and turns on his desk’s computer.“I have never been in here either.” I mutter, looking through the stacks of CDs on a wall shelf.“Mel has.” He says casually, while pressing some keys on the computer.“What?” I glare at him. “You brought her in here?”“More like she fell in.” He murmurs. “Your wife is pretty nosy.”Not willingly to play his games again, I decide to ignore his words. “What did you want to tell me?”“That you were wrong. I didn’t spend al
MEL POVIt smells just like him.Maybe taking Rio’s car wasn’t such a good idea, I realize. I was already having a hard time dealing with flashbacks of our night together, I really didn’t need to breathing in his scent. It is just annoying and very, very distracting.“Arggh!” I blast the horn of the car loudly, taking out my frustration on a black car that suddenly swerves in front of me to enter the next lane, right before we approach a red light stop. “Can’t you f**king see?” I roll down my window to yell at the driver. He, it looks like a man from my end, does not even glance my way, but stays put, even after the light turns green.“Now, you don’t want to go.” I shout. Still no response. “Asshole!” I roll up my window and continue driving.Few minutes later, from my left side mirror, I notice the same car again. This time, he is driving closely behind me, even though the other lanes were practically empty.Is he following me? He couldn’t.Panicking, I increase my driving speed and
MEL POV“Changed?” Angie echoes my words. “Like you don’t dream of that night anymore?”“I still do… sometimes.”“And other times?” She urges me to speak.“I have been dreaming of my childhood, I think.”“You think?” She raises her brow.“Yes, Angie.” I reply. “To be sincere, I don’t really know. I haven’t been able to understand what it is.”“But you think it’s about your childhood?” She asks.I nod in response.“And what normally happens in these nightmares? What do you see?”“Myself, but so much younger. I look just like the little girl in the pictures, Mrs. Park showed me when I asked her about when I was little.”“Interesting.” Angie rubs on her chin. “And what?”“I can’t remember, Angie.”“Let’s try this.” She leans into the table. “Close your eyes. Just do it.” She insists when I frown at her.“You are being silly.” I reply, but still oblige her.“Breathe in. Breathe out. Good. Now just relax.” She takes my hands. “Nice. Now try to picture the image in your head.”“Really, Angi
RIO POV“Where exactly are we headed?” I pull down my window as Dante goes off the highway, we have been on for the past two hours and takes a turn into a small, dirty, one-lane road. “Are we going out of city?”“Not exactly.” He answers, with his eyes glued to the road.“I haven’t been in this part of the city in a while.” I say, looking around the slums and make-shift homes lined up on both sides of the road. “People actually live here?” I ask, marveling at the state of the environs.“Not everybody was born with a silver spoon like you brother.” Dante glances at my face. “What with the look of your face? Feel like helping the poor, already?” He laughs. “You were always too soft, brother. Most of the people here are drug addicts running from their debtors.”“Having a conscience isn’t being soft.” I shift on my seat. “Not everybody can be crazy like you.”“I am pretty sure your wife would disagree.” He jests.“F*** off.” I lean out the window when I feel a cold breeze on my face. “Are
MEL POV“So, what do we do now?” Angie asks as I drove her back to the Dancing Stars for her afternoon shift.“What?”“My shift doesn’t start till in the next hour.”“So…, I shouldn’t take you there now?”“No. Keep going.” She answers. “Just that I will be bored for that hour.”“I’m sure Steve will be glad if you decided to put in that extra hour.” I laugh. “How about you come inside for a little, huh? Say hi to the gang. Maybe flaunt that car key in Steve’s face, make him jealous.” She wiggles her brow. “Also, I’m certain Marty will be glad to whip something up for you. You barely touched your toast at the café, except when you were torturing it, of course.”“Marty still works there?” I ask in shock. Marty is the chef at the bar, but between him and Steve, it was hard to tell who was the boss and who was the employee. “I thought Steve would have given him the boot by now.”“Steve will need to summon up the balls to do that first.” Angie snorts as I park in front of the bar. “Besides
RIO POVI stood by the corner of the container, watching as Dante and Pascal hurdle over the computer, whispering about the information that they had managed to get out Rafeal, while his dead body was lying still, on the floor right next to them.“This will just be a minute more.” Dante calls to me.“Take your time.” I push off the wall and walk around the space. “Do you mind me asking how you purchased this container? Was it a gift or…”“My family runs a shipping business.” Dante“Of course, smart ass.” I shoot him a glare. “I just remembered a little detail. There is a serial number on this container, right? It should start with RF since the container belongs to the company.”“I don’t know.” Dante answers.“I do, sir.” Pascal says. “And it does. At the right end corner, outside.”“Exactly.” I clap in excitement. “Dante, the container in the woods had a serial number staring from IT. I remember seeing it on the contract and even in the pictures.”“And your point here is?” Dante stand
RIO POVAfter a round of drinks with some of the board members to celebrate my election into the CEO position, I am in great need of some peace and quiet. Drinking during the day is not really my strong suit.So, coming back to find Mr. Jim lurking around my office door is not a pleasing sight. I tiptoe to his back and whisper softly. “Are you looking for someone?”He jumps up like a scared cat. “Oh, Mr. Rio. You startled me.”“What are you doing?”“I wanted to have a word with you, but your secretary is not on seat. So, I was contemplating knocking to know if you were in.”“I am now.” I open the door and step back from him. “Please come in, and take a seat.”“Thank you.” He steps in and I follow him, closing the door behind me. “So which office are you going to occupy? Your father’s office or your mother’s old one?” He says, looking around my office.“I haven’t decided. Drink?” I ask, taking out a bottle of whiskey and a glass.“Sure. Your father’s office will be the better choice
MEL POV“You are awfully quiet.” Angie says, the car glides through the light traffic on the way back home.“I have nothing to say.”“I don’t blame you. After a kiss like that, gurl, I will be speechless too.”“It wasn’t like that.” My cheeks turn red as I remember how Rio had taken over the kiss.“Like what?” Angie asks“I was feeling emotional, okay. Mrs. Park was being…” I hesitate, not sure how to describe the things she had said.“I don’t get why you put up with that old witch. She has always been a nut case.” Angie frowns. “I’m sorry he is dead and all, but she and her son are the same. Always blaming others for their misfortunes.”“You can’t blame her though. She is a mother.”“Hmm, if that is what motherhood is. I don’t want it.” Angie snorts. “Thank God, she isn’t your real mother. Imagine having to grow to be just like her. That would have been a crime on its own.”The wretched woman who…” Mr. Park hadn’t finished the statement, but I know what she wanted to say. The wretch
RIO POVMel’s soft lips on mine is not something I would have ever imagined would happen today, but I am definitely not complaining.I know she is grieving and this wasn’t exactly the appropriate place, but as her tongue slips into my mouth, it didn’t really matter.I mold her body closer to mine and take the one thing I have been craving for, rolling my tongue with hers and swallowing her soft moans, wishing with all my might that we could somehow teleport to my room so I can take this a lot further.“Excuse me.”I have never wanted to kill someone so much, when Mel quickly pulls away due to the interruption. I turn around, ready to rain hell on the intruder.“What the … Oh, Angie.”“Sorry.” She is trying hard to hold in her laughter. “I didn’t know you guys were still here. I heard about your altercation with Mrs. Park and came to check on Mel. Are you alright, baby?” She rubs her hand on Mel’s back. “You shouldn’t have come. I wish I was there to give her a piece of my mind.” She s
MEL POVThe choir were already singing their lungs out, when I and Rio walked into the cramped chapel that has served this tiny community for years. A coffin was placed in front of the congregation with Jack’s picture in front.“Just stay quiet and try to blend in.” I whisper to Rio as we were led to sit in the back by an usher.“I don’t think that is possible.” Rio whispers back, pointing out the few eyes that were focused on us. “I can’t remember the last time I have been in a church.”“I do.” I answer absently, straining my eyes to see if I pick out the Parks in the front. “The day we got married.”“So, you still remember the day we got married?’”“Shut it.” I scold him as the priest walks onto the pulpit. “The service is starting.”“Dearly beloved,” The Priest starts. “We are gathered today on this Monday morning to support one of our very own. A pinnacle of strength in our chapel, Mrs. Park as she mourns the death of her child, Jack Park. A young promising life that was cut short
MEL POVRio drops Angie off at the café since she refused to stay at home by herself, and by the time we got home, it was almost dark. Immediately we walk through the door, Nonna wraps me in her warm embrace, while everyone else were seated in living room, watching.“I am so sorry for your loss, Senorita.” Nicks says, breaking the silence.I manage a faint smile. “I am going to lay down a little. My head hurts.” I murmur, pulling away from Nonna.“Of course.” She responds and holds me tighter. “I will take you up and get a soothing bath running for you.” “I think she can handle it by herself.” Rio pulls Nonna away from me.“I can.” I smile again, glad that he noticed. “Good night, everyone.”“Call, if you need anything.” Nonna yells after me.What I need is for hands of the clock to turn back to yesterday, but even Nonna can’t give me that.*******The next morning, Nonna walks into my room dressed in a long black dress, with a full tray in hand and another black dress in the other.
MEL POVIt wasn’t true. Please God, don’t let it be true.Those were the words I kept mumbling untill Rio and I finally reached the hospital. I ran through the front doors and almost down the hall before Rio manages to grab my arm.“We don’t even know what room he is or if he is still here.” He nods to the direction of the receptionist. “So, let’s ask, okay?”“Okay.” I nod and calmy follow his lead.“Hello.” Rio waves at the nurses behind the counter. “We would like to ask about a Jack Park. He was brought in this morning.”“Jack Park. I know that name.” One of the nurse murmurs. “Yes, that man who was rushed into ER earlier before…” She pauses and looks at Rio and I. “I’m sorry, his family has asked for us to not share his information out.”“What?” I blurt. “I am his family.” Before I could scream at the poor nurse, I hear Angie calling my name from down the hallway.“Oh, Mel.” She rushes to arms and hugs me tight. “Mel, it was horrible.”“What is going on, Angie?“They-they found hi
Mel POV“The smell of the blooming flowers in the spring is the perfect remedy for any aching nerves.” Nick grins, bringing a red flower to his nose.After a morning of Rio and his father arguing about me, Nick had suggested we spend the afternoon picking flowers to calm me down, since he was still on bed rest and couldn’t do much yet.“You can say that again.” I settle on the pavement along the wall. “It always hits the spot.” “I have missed this beautiful garden.” He sits next to me.“I have missed working in this beautiful garden with you, Nicky.” I give him my best smile. His face turns red as he tries to hide his embarrassment.“I have missed you too, Senorita.” He manages to murmur. I nod in response, happy with his reaction.Why can’t all men, Rio- fucking- Rafe in particular, be like my sweet Nick? I wonder. Why didn’t I fall for a nice, sensitive and charming man, instead of a freaking mad man?Fall? My body stiffens. How in the hell did I conclude I was in love with Rio?
JACK POV“Get off me!” I yell at the bouncer as he drags me out of the club through the back door and pushes me to the floor. “Come on, Pavor. It’s good old Jack.” I try to appeal to the club owner who followed us out.“Go back to whatever hell you crawled out from and don’t come back.” Pavor warns, shutting the door in my face.“F*** you!” I curse. This is the third club I am getting kicked out from this night alone.What wrong with wanting a little boost for the night? After the shitty day I had, spending most of it in the station, a drink was the least I deserve.I just have the little problem of being broke, so I decided to hover around the local spots, hoping for some freebies, but it seems I have garnered some sort of bad reputation of being a debtor.“Shit.” I push my body up against the wall, holding my aching head in my hand. I really should go home, get some rest and maybe some food. My stomach growls in response to the image of a hot plate of my mum’s pasta forming in my h
RIO POVI stood by the corner of the container, watching as Dante and Pascal hurdle over the computer, whispering about the information that they had managed to get out Rafeal, while his dead body was lying still, on the floor right next to them.“This will just be a minute more.” Dante calls to me.“Take your time.” I push off the wall and walk around the space. “Do you mind me asking how you purchased this container? Was it a gift or…”“My family runs a shipping business.” Dante“Of course, smart ass.” I shoot him a glare. “I just remembered a little detail. There is a serial number on this container, right? It should start with RF since the container belongs to the company.”“I don’t know.” Dante answers.“I do, sir.” Pascal says. “And it does. At the right end corner, outside.”“Exactly.” I clap in excitement. “Dante, the container in the woods had a serial number staring from IT. I remember seeing it on the contract and even in the pictures.”“And your point here is?” Dante stand