Chapter 05

Melissa stayed in her room all day which got Kristen really worried. All he wanted from her was a simple explanation why she was acting this way.

Once again, he rasped a knock on her door and opened it. "Melissa, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Melissa tried as hard as possible not to look towards his direction. She didn't want him to know she was crying because it would certainly make him ask what was wrong.

"I think Mia needs you."

"I'll be down in a minute." She responded waiting for him to leave the room.

Once the door closed, Melissa heaved deeply. Why now? Why does Alex have to show his face now? She suddenly recalled the day he had Rejected her. What she had gone through with her pregnancy because she was unable to forget him. She was never going to forgive him and she would keep repeating it to herself.

Melissa wasn't scared for herself, instead, she was scared for her baby. Alex might make her baby's life miserable if he found out because he would believe the child from her supposed affair.

She rose up on her feet. Even if it meant moving to another town where he would never find her, she was ready to do it as long as her child was protected.

She began walking out of the room and heading down to the living room once she heard Mia's voice. This baby of hers was her reason to smile, and she was glad she fought so hard to birth her.

"I'll prepare something for you two." 

As Melissa rose up on her feet, something on the television suddenly caught her attention. She paused and stared at it until her name was called out in public.

The winner was announced, and Melissa clearly heard her name.

"Now to announce the winner of the 65th Sea Views cooking contest, Melissa Kim."

Melissa couldn't believe it until Kristen repeated it again. "You fucking won Melissa."

She had no idea whether to be sad or happy. Winning meant she couldn't leave and she would stay back, but could Melissa ever do that. Her dream was to own the biggest restaurant, and bakery. Could she ever give this up because of Alexander?

Tears that brimmed her eyes fell freely, but she had to make her choice.

Mia walked up to her and since the little angel couldn't reach her mom's level, she outstretched her hands towards her and picked her from the floor. Her two years old baby meant everything to her and she could sacrifice the world for her.

"I'll go prepare something now." She said.

Kristen had expected her to be happy, but he was shocked to see the expression on her face. What was fucking wrong with Melissa and why was she acting this way?

He trailed behind her to the kitchen and watched as she dropped Mia on the floor handing her a candy to keep her busy with.

"Wait for mummy and don't touch anything okay?"

Mia nodded her head and began chewing what was given to her.

"Melissa, what's wrong? You've wanted this all your life, and it has been your dream. Now you got it, and you don't sound happy after working so hard?"

Melissa was cutting some onions as he spoke. This was the perfect opportunity for her to cry out to her heart's content using the onion as an excuse.

"I just don't know anymore. I'm fucking confused right now, and I don't know anything."

She cried loudly, not minding that her baby was next to her.

"Did something happen yesterday? You've been acting so weird since yesterday, like you saw something strange."

She sniffled, but refused to say a word.

"I don't wanna talk about anything. I'll be forfeiting the prize." 

She continued with the Onion, but he came closer and held her hands, stopping her from cutting further.

"You can give up on everything else, but not just this. You worked so hard to get this so do not let anybody take it away from you."

Maybe he was right, she had worked her ass out to get this, and she was just going to give up on it because of her ex mate? 

He slowly pulled her closer and hugged her tight. 

Alexander had rejected her already so there was nothing to be scared about. He was nobody to her anymore.

*********

"If you need me to come pick up, just make a phone call okay."

"I'll be fine Kristen. I'm not a baby and I can find my way back."

"You got this okay."

Melissa took out a deep breath. She had no idea why Mrs Camila, who was in charge of the contest, requested to see her today. She was meant to just go directly to the company and that was all. Nevertheless, she just believed that it was necessary to just go meet with her like she had requested.

Melissa wore a white trousers and a black turtleneck with a brown coat.

She kissed her baby's forehead and Mia reciprocated by kissing her left cheek before waving her mom bye. Melissa smiled widely before getting into the car.

She zoomed out of the house and began heading straight to Mrs Camila's office. She halted the car to see a black Mercedes Benz park outside. It was so fancy that it attracted her at first sight, but then she ignored it soon and began walking inside.

"Miss Melissa Kim?"

"Yes." She responded to the man in black with glasses.

For some reason, Melissa noticed that this place was heavily guarded today. Maybe something else that required heavy security was going on somewhere in the building.

She minded her business and trailed behind the man in black until they were standing at the entrance of the office.

"You may go in."

For some reasons, Melissa felt rather uncomfortable, and scared. She tried to relax before stepping in, but it was simply impossible to feel at ease.

She shut her eyes and held the knob telling herself that she only needed to act natural.

She cracked the knob and stepped in after opening the door. The seat was faced backwards.

"Mrs Camila, it's Melissa Kim." Melissa greeted, but then there was no response.

She waited until the seat was turned towards her direction. Melissa couldn't feel her heart racing hard and beating fast against her chest… she slowly took two steps backwards letting go of the bag she was clutching onto, and her voice trembled as she spoke.

"A…AA…Alexander?"