NEW FEELINGS

The following morning, Melody woke up soaked in sweat, and gasping for her breath.

Slouching on her pillow she wondered when would she stop having these disturbing dreams. By now, Melody had lost count of how many times she must've had these nightmares, the ugly memories of her life that keeps coming back to haunt her, when she is asleep.

Every single time Melody had these terrible dreams, she is awakened in panic. This had gradually taken over her peaceful sleep days and Melody saw no cure to heal the wound.

Melody got up and splashed cold water on her face. When she walked into her bedroom, where Lyrical was still asleep. Slowly, making sure not to disturb her sleep, Melody took out a towel and her bathrobe and went to take a bath.

Lyrical woke up soon after, leisurely stretching her arms, with a broad smile stuck on her face. She, on the contrary, had a very pleasant dream.

Assuming that Melody must still be asleep, because she had returned home just few hours ago, Lyrical casually walked towards the bathroom to freshen up.  The moment Lyrical pushed the door open, she found a naked figure standing below the shower. Lyrical was startled by this unexpected turn of events, that made her freeze at one place.

Lyrical noticed that her boss had a lot of tattoos sketched all over her body. The one on her back, starting somewhere near the nape of the neck to her lower back looked something like the tribal design, a wing tattoo below her navel, an infinity tattoo on her inner arms.  But she loved the one on Melody's thighs, which said 'Hakuna Matata'.

Lyrical wondered to herself, ' Was there more tattoos that she had not noticed yet?'  Maybe. Oh Yes! The one on her chest, an arc of words which said 'My angel' and a musical icon below it.

It took some time for Lyrical to realize that she was brazenly staring at her boss's naked figure. She abruptly closed the door and walked back awkwardly and finally managed to sit on the couch. Lyrical kept having these strange feeling inside her, and that was freaking her out. Perhaps that is why her heart was beating so hard, wanting to jump out of her chest.

She took a deep breath to calm herself. 'So she had tattoos and managed to hide it well. I wouldn't have known if I didn't see it for myself. What was that angel tattoo, again? Does that have any meaning?' she wondered.  But her evidently shameless mind only replayed the scene of her boss's naked body with water flowing down soaking every inch of her beautiful flesh.

She was nervously excited with that scene playing out repetitively inside her mind. So much so that she rushed towards the bedroom and had to open the window to breathe in the fresh air. 'Why was her heart beating like this? Had she suddenly become claustrophobic?' Lyrical stood by the window for some time, keeping her eyes closed and focusing on her breathing. But it was not helping at all.

Lyrical closed the window and went into the kitchen and turned on the induction burner, randomly started searching the cabinet and the refrigerator. She gathered a few things that she could find in that kitchen cabinet and started cooking breakfast.

Melody spent nearly thirty mins, standing below the shower, soaked in her thought. She wanted the water to drain out the exhaustion from all that she had been feeling lately.  If possible take away all those feelings she had towards that woman who clearly doesn't care about it.

Melody recalled what Monica had told her last night, "we cannot fall for people like her, and it'll only bring us heartbreak." and she couldn't deny that it wasn't hurting nor could she blame anyone for the pain.

Melody dried herself, wrapped the bathrobe around her and walked out, only to be welcomed by the refreshing smell of breakfast that Lyrical was cooking.  Melody sat down on the stool near the kitchen wooden table, "What's that mouthwatering smell?" she snooped stretching her neck to take a peek.

Set before her was baked beans loaded with potatoes, fresh salad, and coffee. "Ahh!!! There. Smells good. Tastes divine." Melody grinned at her assistant.

Lyrical went to take bath and came back to find her boss still savoring the food, smiling to herself.  She noticed Melody looked like an innocent kid yet stunningly beautiful, as always. Her heart fluttered and she found herself smiling while staring at her boss.

She cleared her throat, "You're out of groceries. Let me help you buy some." Lyrical said plainly.  But her heart was yet to settle down, because Melody was sitting in front of her, still in her bathrobe. The bare skin of her chest was peeking at Lyrical, her bathrobe teasing to 'come and undress' her right there. Lyrical  wanted to look away, desperately, but couldn't.

"What?" Melody asked breaking through her wild imaginations.  "W-What do you m-mean?" Lyrical stuttered nervously, afraid she might've got caught staring at her.  "Why are you looking at me like.. umm.. you want to eat me? Do you, hon?" Melody couldn't stop being playful.

Melody could not deny the fact that she had feelings for Lyrical. And it will remain that way, in her heart, forever.

"Oh, stop with that 'hon' thing, Melody, Lyrical pretended to be irritated. "And, may I ask.." she tried to change the mood by changing the topic ".. what have you been doing till wee hour in the morning?"  But Melody was far from stopping, "Why? Were you worried about me, huh?"

"Who cares where you go? If you can, then change my boss from you to Gisselle, I will be at peace." She derisively retorted.  "So.. it means you care about your boss? That's alright with me. For now, I'm your boss," Melody shrugged and continued flirting.  The more she flirted, the deeper it affected Lyrical.

When Melody laughed her robe threatened to come undone and Lyrical was losing her calm. She couldn't eat much.  It seemed like, right from her eyes to her stomach had a mind of its own. Therefore, she got up and started washing the dishes and cleaned the kitchen.  Lyrical was so lost in her thoughts that she had not realized Melody was standing right behind her.  As soon as she turned around to go from the kitchen counter to the sink she bumped into Melody, landing in her arms.

"Oh, Sorry!" She apologized with an exclamation, delighted to be where she secretly was hoping to be. And Melody also held onto her waist tightly.

Lyrical could feel her bust against her hand and she froze. When the realization hit her, she winced and struggled to free herself, but it went in vain.  Melody held Lyrical tightly in her arms. However, as soon as Melody saw the expression on her face, she released Lyrical from her arms. Melody did not like the look that she had on her face.

Lyrical straightened her clothes and stood facing Melody. In order to avoid the awkwardness, "We should go get groceries for you. You've got nothing left to eat tonight." she repeated as a reminder.

"So, you staying the night?" Melody questioned teasingly, excited by the idea. No matter how many times Lyrical was rude or ignorant of her feelings, Melody couldn't stop loving each moment she gets to spend with her and still craving for more. Melody wanted to do anything to keep Lyrical beside her.

"Will you stop it?" Lyrical huffed. "No," Melody coolly answered. So Lyrical shot back. "Can't you be serious for once? Why is everything a joke for you Melody?"

Melody was quiet for few moments while she walked around sluggishly and dropped on the couch, "Don't worry, I'll go and buy something later.." she replied staring at Lyrical intently. 

"No", Lyrical yelled. "I know you won't buy anything and eat that bloody junk food for dinner. You don't realize that you need to take care of yourself, Melody. You just don't use your brains when it comes to yourself."

Melody was quiet again absorbed in her thought. "Will you.. take care of me, Lyrical?", she asked rather seriously.  "What?" Lyrical was surprised and annoyed at the same time. Melody can be unbelievably adamant and flirty at the same time. 

And as Lyrical had already expected, Melody smiled cheekily and put her two fingers up in the air, "PEACE"

"You are too much," She gritted her teeth and sighed in exasperation. "Let's go now." She ordered Melody.

Lyrical walked out of the kitchen but stopped suddenly remembering something. "Ahem! I.. don't have anything to wear." She spoke awkwardly, in low voice.  "Wear me. I'd look good on you. Besides, anything mine is yours." Melody was being her flirty self.

"Oh God," Lyrical cried, "You are so… I just can't handle you," she groaned, turned around, and walked into the bedroom.  "Take anything you like from the wardrobe," Melody chuckled and shouted from where she was seated.

Lyrical took out a boxy yellow top that had 'Reserved' written on it. "Seriously you buy such tacky stuff?" she scoffed.  "Wear it. It's for you", Melody winked and giggled.

Lyrical rolled her eyes and went inside. She paired the yellow top with blue shorts and Melody wore a pair of loose sleeveless white tee and black track pants.

"Oh, Darling! You seriously wore that?" Melody whispered in a suggestive tone, then moved closer to Lyrical and languidly moved her finger on the letters, teasing her almost erected perks.  Lyrical could feel a storm rising in the pit of her belly, her cheeks burned, her body started to heat up and her heart was beating abnormally.

"Do you have a problem with that?" Lyrical pushed her a little and moved away, trying to avoid Melody. She did not want Melody to see the strange reactions to her flirting, Lyrical started to have these days.

"No. I love it. You can keep it." She purred keeping her chin on Lyrical's shoulder. "Goodness Melody," Lyrical groaned and pulled her out of the apartment.

They head out to the departmental store and strolled with the trolley buying nothing, all this time Melody flirting and smiling amusingly.  "What's so funny and why are you smiling at me like that?" Lyrical asked and kept staring at Melody, giving her a stern look.

Strangely, she had started enjoying the sweet talks and compliments Melody kept throwing at her, no matter how much she denied or acted annoyed. She kept wondering, how all of a sudden things have become so easy and comfortable between them.

They bought milk, eggs, bread, and other necessary items and stuffed them in the kitchen cabinets.

"Do you mind staying? I mean we can eat something and hang out a little." Melody tried convincing her, so she could spend some more time with Lyrical outside the office enviromnment, where she is not her boss. And spending time with her was anytime better than staying alone in the apartment on a nice weekend.

When Lyrical agreed just for the sake to shut her up, they went out to have lunch, watched a movie and Lyrical actually ended up staying the night. They had a nice bath, changed into comfortable clothes, and sat down chatting. As expected, Melody's clothes were loose-fitted for her, which slipped off her shoulders.

The conversation started with a debate on how homophobic the movie was. But when they couldn't reach the point of settlement, Melody scraped it. Then they spoke on random topics.  Lyrical suddenly went off the topic of discussion, "Listen, I really need to ask you this. Though it's none of my business, still I'm curious."  Melody raised her eyebrows, "What are you blabbering about?"

Out of nowhere, Lyrical jumped back to their homophobic debate again, "Why are people like you so interested in multiple partners and not stick to one. I mean seriously, aren't you tired of these one-night stands. Or do you seriously have something going on with Monica?" Melody wasn't sure if she should be upset for Lyrical's judgemental attitude or happy about her curiousity in her life.

Lyrical continued, "Don't get me wrong. OK.  What I'm trying to say here, is why aren't you looking for a serious relationship, even if it's with a woman. Or maybe you are looking in the wrong direction, you should try dating or at least meeting up with men." she suggested. Melody mentally huffed.

"Don't you think, I've already tried that? Dating boys?" Melody replied, looking at Lyrical with a calm expression. "Besides, I go to that bar to meet Edwina and get to meet some interestingly 'ab-- pretty normal' people like me. I find them to be friendlier and more understanding, they don't interfere in other's business. So, I feel free." Melody smirked derisively, "Unlike the normal people like you, who are too busy judging and more interested in other people's life. Remember the restaurant we went to last time? What happened then, you know better than me."

Lyrical went silent.

"Moreover, I see no harm in a little alcohol and a great sex with a pretty woman on weekends," Melody answered frankly.  Lyrical was a little disgusted, however, Melody did have a point, she thought.

"By the way, just to answer your question, there's nothing serious between me and Monica. She is a friend and I like spending time with her. Again, as I said there's no harm if we want to do it." Melody bit her lips suggestively, but Lyrical chose to ignore.

Lyrical suddenly remembered that she had totally forgotten to call Aunt Marissa.  She immediately called her and apologized for staying out one more night. She had never done this before, not without her brother accompanying her.  She also called her father for a quick chat since she didn't call him the entire day and promised to visit him soon.

Finally, she called Norman. Her brother and she chatted for a long time. They both had been busy with work and had been missing out on talking every night as they had initially decided. They had a lot of things to discuss. Lyrical laughed and giggled over the phone, which made her realize she maybe missing her brother a little. She needed to visit her brother too. If he wasn't able to come home, then she would go to him.

"It's been so long we haven't spent time together, I miss you so much, Norman. Come back." She cried and whined.  "You know how busy I have been, working till my arse becomes sore. I barely even have time left for myself, Lyrical. Please understand. But I promise to come back as soon as I am done with this one case."

"I'll come to you then", she pouted wiping her tears. "OK.. if you decide the date. Let me know, I'll pick you up." Norman teased his sister. He knew she'll never do anything, like taking a sudden trip to meet him. But this time Lyrical had made up her mind, she will go to see Norman one weekend and her father during holidays.

Melody sat listening to the conversation but acted busy with the ice cream that they had bought while returning back home.  She had no idea with whom her assistant was talking to as she missed out on the name. But whoever he was, he made Lyrical cry tonight and Melody did not like it.

'He'll have to pay for it.' She muttered to herself, dug the spoon in the tub, scooped a big chunk of it, and shoved it in her mouth.

Soon after she ended the call, Lyrical watched her boss, whose mouth was filled with ice cream, staring at her. She saw this funny and amusing sight in front of her and started laughing.  "If you are hungry, eat food. Stop gorging on the ice cream." She poked Melody's face, then her stomach, and laughed vigorously.

Melody kept the ice cream tub aside and started tickling her. She pulled Lyrical towards the bed and hooked her hands up, wiggled her butt, and climbed on top of her.  They stayed entangled like that for a long time, just looking at each other. Lyrical nervously gulped, her body tensed and breathing uneven. Melody had ice cream on her lips, like a drool falling down her mouth. Looking at her, Lyrical had a sudden urge to lick it.

Before she could understand her own feelings, she noticed Melody slowly moving down towards her. Lyrical brazenly kept gazing at her lips, fighting the desire building inside her. She slowly closed her eyes and her lips parted. She could sense Melody's breath on her face, her throat went dry.

Melody dropped down beside her on the bed. The moment Lyrical realized it, she sprang out of the bed, "I need to use the washroom," she said and excused herself.  As soon as she reached inside, she closed her eyes tight, opened her mouth wide, and gasped for air. Her hand was on her chest and her mind was confused. "Shit!!"

Lyrical regretted her decision of staying over, but it couldn't be helped now. She was afraid of what else could possibly happen. After all, they had an entire night left to spend together.

Lyrical splashed her face with cold water and decided to maintain distance from Melody. She took a deep breath, mentally prepared herself, and walked out, but found that Melody was already asleep on the couch.  She tiptoed towards the bed and went to sleep, relaxed.

The next morning Lyrical woke up feeling refreshed. For some odd reason, she had been sleeping well, given the fact that she was not on her bed in the basement room, back at her aunt's house. Instead she was sleeping on her boss's bed, in her room, in her apartment.

Lyrical stretched luxuriously before climbing out of bed. Slowly, she moved out, to see if her boss was awake, but couldn't find her boss anywhere. Melody must've stepped out of the apartment, Lyrical assumed. She went to the bathroom to freshen up and then walked towards the kitchen to make some breakfast for her and Melody.  She found a note stuck on the refrigerator 'Out to get some breakfast. Wait for me.'

Since Melody was buying breakfast, Lyrical stepped out of the kitchen and sauntered around the apartment leisurely having a look. 

Melody's apartment was small and comfy. Apart from important items, she did not find anything. There was a picture of Gisselle and Melody, where she could be smiling wholeheartedly. Lyrical remembered, the first time she came here with both of them.  She had noticed how comfortable they were together and how caring Melody was towards Gisselle.

Also, there were few photos of Melody and Edwina, perhaps they were classmates. It showed they were best friends, by how sweetly Melody smiled in that photo.  However, there was no photo of any other female, not even Monica. Lyrical smiled to herself, secretly feeling assured.

But what felt weird to her was, there was no evidence of her family. 'Is she an orphan or something?' Lyrical wondered. She must ask Gisselle the next time she called. Lyrical mentally made a note of it.  That's when she suddenly remembered, it was a Monday and she was still at her boss' place loitering around.

'Fuck Me!!', she blurted out to herself. She needed to go back home and get ready for the office.  She was still wearing her boss's clothes, but Lyrical did not have time or the patience to wait. She hurriedly wrote on the note 'Had to go. See you at the office,' and stuck it on the refrigerator.

Lyrical dashed out of the apartment, flagged down a cab, and rushed back home.

Sadly, Melody was not coming to the office that day. She texted Lyrical saying, 'The breakfast was tastier than what you cooked. Glad I could enjoy it alone. Have a great day.'

Lyrical face-palmed herself and regretted leaving the apartment without waiting to meet Melody.  She sluggishly spent her day, diverting her mind with her work. But repeatedly cursed herself for being so dumb and leaving the apartment in haste.

Lyrical was relieved when the day came to end, she called Melody numerous times all day. But, either her number was busy or she was meeting up with somebody.  Before going to sleep, she texted Melody apologizing for being rude. However, Melody had a change of mood and she called back.

"Are you regretting leaving me alone, Ms. Assistant? Enjoyed your weekend, is it?" Melody and her flirty self, Lyrical was getting used to it.  However still, Lyrical rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the blush that displayed on her face.  "Good Night Melody. Now go to sleep" Lyrical ordered.

Lyrical found Melody's clothes that she was wearing today, still lying at the corner in the basket. She took it out and dropped it in the washing machine. But then again, she picked it up and sniffed. It still had a faint lingering smell of Melody's body scent.

"Shit Lyrical! What do you think you are doing?" she groaned and scolded herself.