The girls got into the car and went to the local market to buy foodstuff before going back to Hunter's house. They wanted to cook their lunch by themselves and Melody, who was hungry, couldn't wait. She slapped a sandwich together and ate it before joining them to cook. She picked up the apron they kept for her and wore it before standing beside the four girls to watch them. They worked together quietly but in sync. She watched them as they mixed the ingredients for the chili con carne they were making, expertly measuring everything. She helped them in any way she could as she also tried to learn how to make the food. Hunter's kitchen was equipped with model cooking utensils so everything they needed was there. When the food was finally ready, they marched to the dining room, each of them with a tray containing their portion of the food. Melody nearly bit her finger in a haste while eating because of the delicious taste of the food. The girl watched movies after movie bef

By the time they got to Harrison's house which was in another town two hours later, Melody's ear was already filled with talks from how much Rebecca loves her boyfriend to what he looks like and even the color of his underwear. She hummed softly anytime Rebecca asked her if she was listening. She was going to doze off. As much as she wanted to meet Rebecca's wonderful boyfriend, she felt like her head would fall off with how much information Rebecca was filling it with. "Here we are". Rebecca slapped her hand on the steering wheel, the sound waking Melody who was already closing her eyes to sleep. "We are there already?". Melody looked around groggily to see that they were parked in front of a beautiful house with a nice porch. She thought that she would be dead by the time they got to the said Harrison's house. If she knew that the journey would be so long, she would have stayed back to help Hunter out. Business could not really be that boring right?. "Baby!". With

"My dear Melody, if anyone volunteers to help you escape from your father or volunteers to help build your life and achieve your dream then take it without much thought. You can repay them back when you have more than enough. You need all the help in the world. I'm sorry I could not be the person that will help you". Melody remembered her mother's last words. Her mother had told her to take help from people should she receive any. She jumped up from her bed and went to get the form. He won't disturb you to pay him back. He did not trouble you about paying him back for taking you to the hospital twice now. He's kind and just trying to help you because of his sister. Melody kept chanting in her head as she filled up the form with the pen she borrowed from a maid. She added the last part because s part of her kept telling her that he was helping her because he likes her and wanted her to be with him for a long time. That was a part of her that was falling for him with each

Everything was going well. Melody was learning quickly because her teachers were good and took time in explaining everything to her until she understood. The girls were fun to be with. There was never a dull moment with them. Melody, who had been awkward whenever Arianna hugged her, was no longer awkward. She got used to it before the end of the week. Morgan popped by anytime he was free to offer lessons to her, and Melody could not help but to always squirm under his gaze. She has caught him staring at her countless times, and she could not understand what the look in his eyes meant but she was so not comfortable with it.A week passed by almost too quickly for Melody because her anxiety level began to increase. She began to wonder what would happen if she did not pass the competition. She knew that everyone would be disappointed and would try not to hold it against her. Her dream would be over if she failed, so she tried to block every other thing from her mind. Including thoughts

Melody's lips curled into a tiny smile as she watched Hunter expertly flipped a pancake. He was right, he could cook. She did not believe him even when he had told her that all of them in his house could cook, but after seeing the way he confidently carried himself in the kitchen, she knew that he belonged there. If he did not like business, she was sure that, like Rebecca, he would also want to become a chef. He knew exactly where all the ingredients were and it made her think that he must always cook for himself anytime he was free. Her toes curled up in her slippers when he brushed past her to pick up a bowl, and she wondered what he wanted to use the bowl for. She had noticed that he was constantly trying to initiate body contact with her, but she couldn't be so sure. Maybe it was a mistake, but the kitchen was big enough for the both of them to walk about without touching each other. Him touching her was not exactly what she was thinking about. It was the way her body was