***POV - Melaena “Soooo, those guys seem nice,” Kiara says and I nod in agreement, ”but there’s just something familiar about Alejandro that I can’t put my finger on.” “Maybe it’s because he’s so good-looking.” “As if we don’t have enough sexy hotheads in our lives already,” she grunts, and then her face changes. “Care to tell me why I had to cope with a drunk-ass friend last night?” “I’m not sure. Everything was fine until Damion showed up and put his hand on my leg and …” Kiara interrupts me with a little squeal. “He did WHAT?” I glare at her. “Focus bitch, he put his hand on my leg … but I removed it and then we held hands, but not willingly – he forced me. Do you get something like hand-rape … cause that’s what he did?” “OMG, NO!” Another interruption and she wiggles her eyebrows, a huge grin across her face, “How was it? I bet he’s awesome with his hands.” “Haha, so not funny!” I’m seriously considering replacing my best friend with somebody that has more tact than this
* ***POV - Melaena I flip through the pages of my diary, sipping my orange juice. Kiara and I just came back from dance practice. Teaching those little kids is something different and I think the group just might have the potential to win - they're that great. I’ve written everything about my stalker D in my diary since his first message. I’ve also written down who was there during each occurrence. There are around 10 people from the paintball match that I’ve excluded … leaving 10 suspects … but not one of them stands out at the moment. They’re not students … so how can they get into the university area … they could sneak in I suppose. But not one of them was around when the other photos were taken … or maybe I just didn’t see them. Ug, this is so frustrating. I stare at the names again. D keeps saying he wants revenge for his father … so what could I have done to his father? It must be something bad … but what? What could be so bad that he would try to kill my brother? “Mel, you c
***POV - Melaena Sorella = Italian for ‘sister’ “Hi, sorella, are you okay?” Alejandro flings himself into the chair, not waiting for an invitation and I’m so glad to have him here that I can kiss him right now. I wipe my eyes and put on a smile. “Damn, am I glad to see you! What are you doing here?” I’m hoping he’s not on a date or something. “Was in the neighborhood and felt hungry. I saw you walk in. Seems like everybody is here tonight.” Firstly I wonder what he was doing in this part of town, secondly, I wonder who else is here because at this moment I’m not in the mood for more company. “Did you eat already?” I ask, hoping he hasn’t. “Nope, was just about to order,” he flashes me a warm smile. “Can I stick you for a burger and milkshake?” I bite my lip in anticipation, feeling rather hungry but desperately don’t want to eat alone – not after the day I’ve been having. “You may, madam,” he jokes, “I will definitely not refuse, since I was dreading eating alone.”
***POV - Damion Every time the bell rings, my eyes abstract-mindedly move to the door to see people entering or leaving the diner. But this time, my heart does a double-take triple-somersault with a fucking headstand, leaving me gulping for air. Melaena walks through the door dressed in a short denim dress that accentuates every curve of that perfect body, showing off her sexy tanned legs and just enough cleavage to make you pay attention. Suddenly, all my control flies out the door, and my pants seem to fit a lot tighter than a minute ago. I shift my position on the chair to hide my uncomfortability. What the hell was she thinking about wearing that in public? Not that she looks bad, no, on the contrary, she looks super-hot and sexy - and right there lies the problem. I look around and I’m right, every guy in the diner is eye-fucking her with hungry lustful stares. Shit. Why did the universe have to throw me a curveball like this – giving me a girl that every man wants to
***POV - Melaena I jump onto Alejandro’s back, falling over his head onto his lap. He tickles me and I eagerly roll away to sit next to Kiara. He tosses me a huge sandwich and says, “Here, I made this for you.” I take a big bite, chewing slowly with closed eyes, and let out a small, contented groan since I’m starving and this sandwich is amazingly delicious. Silence falls over the group and when I open my eyes, everybody is amusedly staring at me. “What? I’m hungry, okay,” I mutter and point at the bread in my hand, “and this is utterly divine.” I look into Alejandro’s teasing eyes and say, “You should think about opening a restaurant or something.” His eyes change, suddenly looking sad, although he keeps smiling. “I’ve put it on hold for a while,” he says softly, looking over to where Noah is talking on the phone, and I wonder what he means by that. I now also watch Noah … he seems worried or sad … maybe both, his free hand running through his deep red hair. He’s definitely of
***POV - Melaena I’ve never been to satan’s hide-out … aka Damion’s house. Not once. Never been allowed, or invited, for that matter. Kiara and I baptized it the ‘hell-house’ in our minds. And now I look at the breathtakingly beautiful two-story in awe. It’s mainly constructed out of limestone, with lots of glass, separated by iron and wood. It almost looks like a modern take on a mountain cottage, complete with a chimney and everything. It’s only bigger and L-shaped with a hipped roof. I slowly gawk at my surroundings while I walk on a pathway edged by green shrubs, colorful blooms, and shining lights. I think we need to find another name for this … it’s more like heaven than hell. A forest surrounds it, the trees forming dark silhouettes in the moonlight. On one side is a little wooden dock with a large pond; misty steam evaporates from the water, creating a magical atmosphere. Hundreds of fireflies drift like stars over the surface and it looks like a fantasy fair
***POV - Melaena For a while everybody just sits silently, processing what we heard. Hayley got up and disappeared into the kitchen. I’m leaning back against Damion’s chest, his one hand absentmindedly stroking my arm. My nails are digging into the upholstery of the couch. “Did our father kill our mom?” Jackson asks and he looks so cool and calm like he’s been doing the SF Chronicle sudoku. How can he be this unaffected? I close my eyes … I don’t want to hear anymore … especially not this answer if it’s a ‘yes’. I can still remember bits and pieces of my parents, but I would never have thought for a million years that they were gang leaders. Well, I was only 10 when mom died, but still. “No, your dad has his flaws, but he truly loved your mother and you more than anything. We’re not sure who killed her, but they suspect that Harry did it out as retaliation. Additionally, it’s also conjectured that he was behind the car-bombing … but there’s no proof. Personally, I think
***POV - Melaena "See anything you like?" He walks up to me and I bite my lower lip. If I have to be truthful … yes yes and yes … and add another yes … maybe a hundred more. But being truthful right now is not in my best interests … what do the intelligent people always say … never be too honest – always remember straight trees are cut first! And I don’t want to get cut tonight … it might just be painful. He cocks his head to the side when I don’t answer but just keeps on staring at that sculpted chest. Why does he have to be so darn perfect? He puckers up a smile and a blush rush to my cheeks as I quickly turn away feeling mighty embarrassed for being caught drooling. But in my defense … his body is just insane. "Maybe you should get cleaned up too. I'll put some clothes for you on my bed." He walks to the cupboard and drops the towel, exposing his blessedly naked bums of steel. I know he did it on purpose … damn, this man is not shy, and with a body like that, why shoul