THOMAS
Thomas looks at Melina while eating breakfast the following day. She has barely touched her food, and Thomas knows why. Melina worries about her sister, and Thomas hates the toll it’s taking on her. Melina has lost weight as a result of it in recent days. He recalls how small she felt against him during their training yesterday. Every second, he fears Melina will try to trade in herself for her sister. Thomas will lose it if he loses her again. I must find her sister as soon as possible.
Thomas’ train of thought is interrupted when Leo walks over to him and whispers that the car is ready. He gets out of his chair and walks over to Melina. His lips linger a little longer than they should as he pecks her forehead before stepping outside to meet Leo. Melina isn’t coming with him to work today as she is spending the day with his mother. He doesn’t like them apart, but he trusts his mother to keep Melina safe.
At the office, Thomas is unable to concentrate on anything. Every second he is apart from Melina, his mind worries that she is trying to flee to exchange herself with her sister. She ran away from me once so she could do it again.
Thomas closes his eyes and massages the bridge of his nose. He is extremely frustrated right now. He gets out of his chair and walks to his office’s floor-to-ceiling glass windows. He stares at the skyscraper buildings in front of him, thinking about what to do. Thomas already has his men and Richard searching the whole world for Franky, but he still can’t find her. Thomas imagines how difficult it would have been to find Franky if their network had not been so extensive. Things would be so much easier if Rafael had already given him the time and location. Rafael demands Thomas in place of Franky. Thomas agreed as he would do anything to make Melina happy; the only problem is Rafael isn’t ready for the exchange. He has told Thomas that he’ll notify him when it’s time to do the swap. This frustrates Thomas and leaves him perplexed because there is no reason why Rafael should delay the exchange.
Thomas wants to do something to help Melina cope with the abduction of her sister, but he is at a loss for ideas. He worries anything fun he suggests would be rejected by Melina as she will feel guilty about having fun while her sister is suffering. Thomas is at a block road and doesn’t know what to do. His train of thought is interrupted when his phone starts ringing. Fetching it out from his pocket, he answers the call.
“Hello, brother,” Thomas says in Italian.
“You’re late,” Stefano replies in Italian.
“Fuck.” Thomas looks at his Rolex wristwatch and realizes he is ten minutes late for his meeting with Stefano. “I’m on my way,” he says, picking up and putting on his Gucci suit jacket.
“You are never late; what the fuck happened?” Stefano asks as Thomas walks to the door.
“I have a lot on my mind, lately. I got lost in my thoughts.”
“We’ll discuss how to deal with Rafael after the meeting. For now, get your ass here,” Stefan says, already knowing what’s bothering Thomas. The entire family is trying to help him get Franky back and put an end to Rafael.
“I’ll be there soon.” Thomas says and hangs up.
MELINA
Melina drops down on the bed and looks up at the ceiling. She had just returned home from the family mansion where she had spent the day. She was happy to spend the day with someone other than Thomas.
Melina was particularly affected by her sister’s absence today. Her heart ached as she watched Melissa and Aurora fight over a dress. She and Franky used to fight the same way too. Melina hopes they find her sister soon as she misses her a lot and is concerned about her.
Someone knocks on Melina’s door, interrupting her train of thought. She walks over to it and pulls it open, revealing Serena by the door.
“Hello, Mel,” Serena says with a smile.
“Hey, Serena, how are you?” Melina steps back from the doorway to allow Serena in.
“I’m good. How about you?”
“The best I could be,” Melina says with a forced smile.
“Don’t worry. Thomas will find her soon.”
“I know he will. What brings you over?” Melina motions for them to take a seat on the couch in the room.
“Thomas sent me to see if you were truly back home, as his mom had told him. He said he tried calling you, but your number didn’t go through.”
“Oh my God! He must be worried sick. My battery ran out of charge.” Melina looks at her phone, which is charging on the nightstand.
“I’ll text to let him know you are here and, there’s nothing to worry about,” Serena says, picking up her phone.
“Thank…what do we have here,” Melina says, noticing a big rock on Serena’s ring finger.
“Oh, this,” Serena says, lifting her hand to show off the beautiful engagement ring.
“It’s absolutely stunning. I can’t believe you said yes,” Melina gushes, admiring the oval peach-pink sapphire and diamond ring.
“I know. I can’t believe it also.”
“Don’t get me wrong, marriage is a beautiful thing, but I thought you told me you weren’t ready.”
“I did, and I’m still not ready to get married, but that doesn’t mean Leo isn’t the one.”
“Aww. I’m extremely happy for you guys.” Melina rejoices, pulling Serena in for a hug.
.
“Thank you,” Serena smiles, hugging her back. “Before I forget, Thomas asked me to tell you to get ready to go out with him by 8:00 p. m. ” Serena says, releasing Melina from their embrace.
“Oh, did he say where we’re going?” Melina asks, wondering where Thomas could be taking her tonight.
“He didn’t.”
“Alright, thank you for telling me” I will just ask him before they leave when he comes to pick me up.
“You’re welcome.”
Serena helps Melina get ready for her outing with Thomas. Melina has a little difficulty picking out what to wear since she doesn’t know where Thomas is taking her. She chooses black leather pants and a white floral lantern sleeve top. Melina hopes it’s perfect for wherever they are going.
Serena talks off Melina’s ear about how Leo is such an amazing guy to her while she applies makeup to conceal the scars on her chest. Melina was hesitant to do the makeup in front of Serena but gave in when Serena showed no sign of disgust upon seeing them.
Melina is extremely self-conscious about her scars. She knows no one finds them repulsive, but she is hesitant to show them. She’s working on accepting that they are now part of her. They tell her story of how much she has survived.
Someone knocks on Melina’s door as she’s putting on her shoes. Serena walks over and helps her open the door for Thomas. It’s 8:00 p. m.
“Amore,” Serena says, surprised. Melina’s brow furrows in confusion. Why would Serena call Thomas that? Melina gets up from the stool in front of the vanity table and walks to the door.
“Leo,” Melina says, shocked to see him but understanding why Serena said ‘Love’ when she opened the door.
“Hello, Mel. Sotto Capo asked me to pick you up.”
“Oh, let me get my purse, then we can go.”
“Sure.”
Melina walks back and does as she says. She returns to the door and kisses Serena goodbye before walking downstairs with Leo to the car.
A few minutes later, they arrive at a club. Melina couldn’t believe Thomas had asked her to come here as she stepped out of the car with Leo by her side. Melina knows she has been down lately, but a club should be the last place Thomas should think would cheer her up. She ascends the stairwell to the VIP area, where Leo informs her that Thomas is waiting for her.
Melina is about to tell Thomas she wants to go home when she notices who is sitting next to him.
“Hello, Melina, it’s been a while,” Rafael greets cockily. He uncrosses his legs and picks up his drink from the table before him. Melina freezes in her spot, unable to believe he’s here and sitting beside Thomas.
What is going on?
Thomas gets up from the couch and walks toward her.
“You look beautiful, principessa,” Thomas says, kissing her forehead.
“Thank you,” Melina responds quickly, pushing Thomas away from her line of sight of Rafael. Her mouth hangs open as she watches him causally sipping his bourbon and smoking his cigarette.
“Come and sit down. I’ll explain” Thomas pulls Melina with him back to the couch.
Melina tries to sit beside him, but Thomas grabs her by the waist and pulls her onto his lap. He tightens his grip on her waist as he glares at Rafael. Melina is too taken aback to see Rafael and Thomas in the same room to care about sitting on Thomas’ lap in front of Rafael, his bodyguards, and Leo.
“Don’t worry, I only have my eyes on the prettier sister,” Rafael says, and Thomas tightens his hold around Melina’s waist.
“Where is she?” Thomas asks.
“She should be arriving any minute from now,” Rafael says, looking at his Cartier wristwatch. Melina widens her eyes as she turns to face Thomas. She couldn’t believe what was happening.
“Don’t look so happy, Melina. I’m not handing her over.”
“What do you mean?” Melina asks as panic begins to rise in her. She fears she won’t like his response.
“You see…” Rafael draws out as he stands. “Your sister is….” He walks to a door that is not the same as the one Melina used. Her heartbeat quickens as she waits for Rafael to finish his statement. He opens the door and collects a leash from the person outside.
Melina’s heart sinks the second Rafael completes his sentence and pulls the leash into the room “My pet.”
Tears fill Melina’s eyes as she sees her sister with a collar on her neck, and on her fours.
“What the fuck is this, Rafael?” Thomas jolts from the couch, lifting Melina along with him. Tears stream down her cheeks, watching Rafael crunch down to the floor and stroke her sister’s hair like a dog’s.
“Say hi to our special guests tonight, pet.”
“Ruff, ruff,” Franky barks like a dog.
“Oh, my goodness!” Melina’s legs give out on her, but Thomas grabs her before she falls. Melina looks at Franky, but she doesn’t look back at her. She turns to Thomas, and even though the words do not leave her mouth, he is aware of the thoughts racing through her mind. What have they done to my sister?