Hard Nut To Crack

Melody zipped her suitcase and sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, staring at it like she didn’t quite believe what she’d just done. Packed and ready to fly to Paris, the word still felt unreal in her mouth. 

She hadn’t packed much, Logan had told her to pack light, and for once, she listened. A few dresses she hadn’t worn yet, tags still intact. Two pairs of heels, flats, comfortable sneakers. A jacket she loved, it was a gift from her mum and she remembered how many months it took her mother to save up for this jacket. Since people always talked about how romantic Paris is, she figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to dress romantic while in Paris.

She was done packing in no time, and then she got dressed. She wore her comfortable sweatpants, a matching sweatshirt, her coat wrapped snug around her shoulders, sneakers laced tight. She tied her hair back, glanced at her reflection, and smiled faintly.

Logan already texted her that his driver would be picking her up soon, maybe in less than thirty minutes.

This was happening.

She knew she couldn't travel without telling Tara, although she didn't know if it was a good time to call her. Before she could overthink, she dialed Tara’s number.

Tara picked up immediately, almost as if she was expecting the call.

“Melody!” Tara answered almost immediately. “You called at the perfect time. I’m having lunch and God, I can't even begin to tell you how exhausted and broken I am.” Her mouth was full.

“I'm so sorry about that, before I woke up you were already out. Are you okay?”

“No I'm not, I'm far from being okay.” Her voice sounded hoarse. “I lost two patients today, and one of them was a little girl. I don't know why, but I can't stop thinking about her little face and how peaceful she looked as she was carried away.”

“That's really sad. I'm so sorry you had to see all that.” She was genuinely sorry.

“And to add to my problem is Dr. Davy, he's making people talk. I noticed the other nurses staring at me like I was wearing the back of my uniform. He keeps following me around and begging me for dates. It's gradually turning into harassment and I'll be reporting to the hospital if he doesn't stop.” Her voice was stern. 

Tara was a handful. Melody laughed softly, rolling her suitcase toward the door. “You are exaggerating and just maybe those nurses weren't even talking about you.”

“I am not exaggerating. He keeps smiling like he knows something I don’t.”

“That’s because he likes you,” Melody said easily. “And you know it, he's the kind of man that is always patient with the woman he loves.

“I do not want any kind of man,” Tara snapped lightly. “I am fine. I have enough drama in my life already. Tending to demanding patients every second, and adding a man to this, is going to be too much to carry.”

Melody smiled. Tara had always been like that, sharp, guarded, and stubborn. A hard nut to crack “You don’t have to date him. Just… have dinner. Once or twice. You won’t combust.”

“I might,” Tara replied flatly.

Melody laughed. “No you won't, fair lady.” 

There was a pause. “Why do I feel like there's something very important you want to talk to me about, because that's the only reason you'll call me when I'm still working?”

“I have good news and bad news.” Melody said, staring at her reflection in the mirror.

“Now you're making me scared, let's start with the bad news then.” She said, chewing with her mouth full. She was famished and had only fifty minutes before walking back to hell.

Melody exhaled. “Brandon is expecting a baby.”

Silence.

“What?” Tara said slowly. “What did you just say?”

“The girl he was cheating on me with. Claudia. She’s pregnant.”

“Oh my God.” Tara sounded stunned. “That man… that man hated you.”

Melody shook her head, surprising herself with how calm she felt saying it out loud. “Thank goodness I left. Honestly. I feel like God forced me to that party. Forced my eyes open. If not… I’d still be blaming myself.”

“I am so happy for you,” Tara said sincerely. “So happy.”

Melody swallowed. “Okay. News number two.”

Tara gasped dramatically. “From the tone of your voice, I can already feel the happiness in you. Shoot.”

“I just finished packing,” Melody said. “Logan is going to Paris. And he’s taking me with him.”

“Oh my God!” Tara squealed. “Melody! Paris? That’s insane. You deserve this.”

“We’re flying today,” Melody added. “In three hours.”

“What?!” Tara laughed. “I feel bad I’m not there to see you off.”

Melody smiled. “I’m not going to college.”

“Still,” Tara said. “FaceTime me. Send videos. Everything.”

“I promise.”

“Be safe,” Tara said softly. “I love you, I have to go now.”

“I love you too.”

The call ended abruptly, Tara being Tara, already pulled back into work.

Melody smiled to herself, Tara's love and dedication to her job was one of the things Melody loved so much about her. She'll always put in her best in everything that she does.  

A knock sounded at the door, making her heart skip. When she opened the door, it was Logan's driver. They both said hello and he helped her put her box in the boot and they drove to the airport.

By the time Melody reached the airport, she was buzzing with nervous energy. She expected long lines, boarding passes, the usual chaos. Instead, Logan spotted her immediately.

“There you are,” he said, smiling.

She barely had time to respond before she noticed where they were headed.

“Wait,” she said slowly. “Are we… flying private?”

Logan chuckled. “Yes, baby.”

“Oh my God.” She laughed breathlessly. “Wake me up.”

“This is reality,” he said. “Relax.”

“So you own a jet now?”

“It’s my father’s,” he replied. “Mine’s still on the to-do list.”

She stared at the sleek aircraft, stunned. How did some people get so lucky with their lives? Having a private jet is on someone's to do list, and for some people, getting by is the only thing on their list. Being able to afford the basic things.

“Then why weren’t you on this when we met?”

“It was under maintenance. And I had to be in New York ASAP.”

They boarded, greeted warmly by the crew. Melody felt out of place and completely at home all at once. Inside, everything looked exquisite.

They were champagne as they boarded.

A chef approached, smiling politely. He introduced himself to Melody and told her he was happy to have her onboard. “What would you like, ma’am?” He finally asked after they'd exhausted the pleasantries.

She waited for Logan to order, since she had no idea what would be available.

He ordered for Dirty rice and prawns and Melody ordered for creamy pasta and grilled turkey.

When the food arrived, Melody exhaled in disbelief. “I love this.”

“It’s nothing,” Logan said, watching her closely.

She caught him staring. “What?” She was shy.

“You look happy.”

She was.

“This feels surreal.” They cleared their plates and served dessert.

“And wait until you see the hotel,” he added.

Now she was too excited to even sit still.