Melina awakens the following morning as the side of her bed deepens. She rubs her eyes open, wondering who sat on her bed.
“Good morning,” Franky says, with a breakfast tray in her hand
“Franky!” Melina exclaims, sitting up on the bed. “What are you doing here?”
“I brought you breakfast,” Franky says, placing the tray in front of Melina.
“Why?” Melina asks, confused.
“Because I wanted to do something nice for you,” Franky replies, smiling. Melina finds her grin a little sheepish. She smells another reason Franky brought her breakfast in bed.
“I am not buying it,” Melina says, squaring her eyes at Franky. She wonders why Franky really brought her breakfast in bed. Yes, Franky is an amazing sister, but she isn’t the type that brings you breakfast in bed. For one, Franky doesn’t know how to cook, and it’s not her style.
“It’s the truth,” Franky says, avoiding eye contact with Melina.
“Spill it out.”
“There’s nothing to tell,” Franky mumbles, tracing the flower design on the covers. Suddenly, they are the most fascinating things to Franky. She’s definitely lying.
“Did Thomas ask you to do this?” That’s the most logical explanation for Franky’s action. He must have asked Franky to check on me and is concerned I won’t eat breakfast because I was upset last night.
“Is it that obvious?” Franky asks, biting her bottom lip.
“Kinda,” Melina says, smiling softly. She understands why Thomas asked Franky not to tell her who sent her. Melina knows he’s worried she won’t eat it because he asked her to bring it. Thomas is being thoughtful again. Melina really missed this side of him.
“Are you still upset with him?”
“He didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Really, then why does he think he did?”
Melina narrates what happened yesterday to Franky.
“I don’t think Thomas would be repulsed by your scars.”
“I know he doesn’t seem like the type to care, but I know it disgusts him.”
“Did he ever say it does?”
“No.”
“Did he ever express disgust when he saw you naked?”
“Kinda.”
“Kinda?” Franky exclaims, sounding shocked, Thomas can possibly be disgusted by Melina’s scars.
“Yes.”
“Wow,” Franky says, surprised.
“To be honest, I’m not sure.” Melina is referring to the first time she thought Thomas was going to rape her. She believes he may have stopped because he was disgusted by her scars.
“Did he really look disgusted by it?”
Melina mulls over it before answering her sister. She realizes Thomas didn’t look disgusted; she just assumed that’s why he didn’t rape her.
“No,” Melina says.
“Melina,” Franky shakes her head at her.
“I know, I was overthinking again.” Melina bites her lip, feeling a little stupid. She sometimes overthinks things.
“Yes, you and Thomas dated for almost a year. The man saw you naked all the time. If he were repulsed by it, you would’ve known while you were dating.”
“I know.” Melina says, sinking into the bed.
“Whatever the case may be, the most important thing is that you shouldn’t be ashamed of it.” “I know it’s easier said than done, but your scars aren’t repulsive. They shouldn’t make you feel bad about yourself. You’re beautiful the way you’re.”
“Thank you for saying that; I’ll hold it in mind.”
“You’re a beautiful woman, sis; always remember that,” Franky says, wrapping her arms around her.
“I will,” Melina says, hugging her back.
“That’s good to hear.” “I came to speak to you about something.” Franky says as they pull apart.
“What’s up?”
“So, I have been thinking that now that I’ve recovered, there’s no reason for me to remain here. I would love to return to the states as soon as possible.”
“Do you think that’s safe? Rafael and James are still on the loose.”
“Yes, they are, but I’m not important to them. They want Thomas, and I have no relationship with him.”
“But you have to me, and I’m important to Thomas.”
“That’s true, but the chances of them kidnapping me to gain leverage over Thomas are slim.”
“Not really, but just to be safe, I could ask Thomas to arrange security detail for you.”
“That won’t be a bad idea.”
“Great. I could also use it to persuade Thomas to let me return to the States when I tell him.”
“Why?” Franky asks, shocked.
“I have a lot of thinking to do about Thomas, sis. Yes, I’m still deeply attracted to him and might still love him, but he is a mafia man. That isn’t something you just jump into, and I’m not sure I can forgive Thomas yet. I know he isn’t at fault, but he didn’t have to be so cruel to me. I feel I need some time away from him and this place to figure it all out.”
“You are right, but I have a feeling Thomas will not let you go.”
“If he wants me to forgive him and choose to be with him one day, he will agree to it.”
THOMAS
Thomas and Leo are in his office, discussing how their new weapons will be shipped. Leo is briefing Thomas, but he isn’t paying attention. His mind is far away from here. He can’t stop thinking about what happened last night. He racked his brain all night trying to think of possible reasons why Melina suddenly pushed him away but came up empty. He knows she hasn’t decided if she wants to be with him, but he doubts that’s why she pushed him away.
This is also another problem he is oblivious to. He knows Melina has feelings for him, but he also knows that’s not enough for her to want to be with him. He knows he hurt her badly, and it would take more than feelings for her to want to be with him again. He wishes there was something he could do to earn her forgiveness. He knows that’s the only way he can get her back.
“Boss,” Leo says in Italian.
“Yes,” Thomas replies in Italian, blinking his eyes as he pulls away from his thoughts.
“I am done.”
“That’s good. What’s next on my schedule today” Thomas asks, adjusting in his chair.
Leo is about to speak but gets cut off by Thomas. “What do you think is reason a woman who is ready for you to fuck her silly would abruptly push you away?” Thomas blurts out the question that is currently running through his mind.
“What?” Leo asks, looking baffled by the question his boss just asked him.
“Yes, what could be the reason?”
“Uhm…,” Leo mumbles as he scratches the back of his head. He seems to be searching for his words.
“Tell me,” Thomas says, leaning forward in his seat, waiting for Leo to speak.
“Maybe she got her period.”
“Hmmm, I didn’t think of that.” Thomas wonders if that’s why Melina pushed him away last night, but he doesn’t think so. He remembered how her eyes were filled with tears.
“I don’t think that’s the case,” Thomas says, shaking his head. “Get me a glass of brandy.”
“Okay, sir.” Leo stands up and walks to the minibar to make Thomas a drink.
“Here you go, sir,” Leo says once he walks back to Thomas. He hands him the glass of brandy. Thomas downs it all in one sip.
“Think of another reason,” he says as he hands Leo his glass to refill.
Leo and Thomas spend the rest of the day trying to figure out why Melina acted the way she did last night.