Chapter 9

Melissa went upstairs and changed to a new set of clothes, black linen pants and a red wine blouse, complementing the look with black flats. She let her hair unbound. What was that all about? Why were all these strange situations happening to her? It was like she has started a new life since the dreams began, and every time that she tried to remember something about her past; the headaches will come full force, like a storm in a calm beach. Swiping and destroying everything around it, without a warning; and she will finish the same as when she started to remember, with no luck and with a huge headache.

"It seems like I started to live my life after my parent's death?" What was blocking her memories, and why? preventing her to remember anything? what was keeping them away? the memories, the feelings. Staying far away from her like there were trying to keep her away from her past.

"What was a hybrid? What did that mean anyway? "I am a human ... right?" she kept questioning herself. All these questions swirling like a whirlpool of emotions in her head. The only way of saving herself from all this she knew right then and there it was him. The beautiful man with the eyes of honey and hair black as the night itself. 

            Everything that happened gave her the certainty that she was part of the unnatural world that she though only existed in movies and books, old tales, and stories around a firepit. While camping on a school trip. But she remembered that no one in the train seemed to realize what was happening. 

            At the end of the day, she felt human, she didn't feel different. Her days in college had passed in a breeze. Now she was almost twenty-one, almost five years had passed since her parents' accident. She missed them so much, even though she couldn't remember anything form her past, but her heart felt it. The fact that she remembered them with such a hole in it, the tightness in her chest, the longing… made her reassure that they were good parents and that she had love them.

            The bell of the Manor rang… Sonya was there, now she could tell her friend everything that happened since the nightmares. "But how can I tell her everything? she will not believe such a non-sense. Well, I can at least tell her about him" She though. He was almost godlike looking, her mind wandered towards him, how he made her feel, how his presence made her whole-body tremble with only one look, one gaze. She felt vulnerable like a naked baby. But safe at the same time. "Well, he saved me once, maybe that is a good sign". She tough in a reassuring manner. "Maybe I will tell him to come for my birthday, so I can know a little more about him". She wanted that, very, very much.

"Melissa put a hand on her chest feeling the pounding inside her chest. Suddenly remembering the necklace. "Sonya's necklace, she gave it to me, and I lost it". After everything that had happened, now was when she finally realized that she had lost Sonya's gift to her. Going out her room she went down the stairs, thinking, tracing back what she did after meeting her friend that day. She remembered leaving the cafe, walking straight to the car. The discussion with Rembrandt. Then the train, the panic that she went through and everything wrong about that night and then waking up in her bed.

            When she got to the last step of the stairs. She heard Sonya's high-pitched Voice "Melissa" Sonya greeted her. Melissa was glad to see Sonya there. It had been rough this past days and Melissa couldn't wait to talk to her beloved friend.

            Anastasia was standing with Sonya in the living room and said, "lunch is almost ready. I hope you are hungry Sonya". 

"Of course, Annie. I haven't eating anything waiting for you and scrumptious food" Sonya complimented her as Anastasia smiled warmly to Melissa's friend.

            It didn't matter to Melissa that Sonya called Anastasia just like she did, they have been friends for almost five years now, and she was used to that. Anastasia excused herself and went back into the kitchen. 

            Sonya hugged Melissa as always "how've you been?" She sang and added with apologetic eyes. "I've been so busy planning everything for the wedding that I haven't had the chance to talked to you after that day…" She stood silence reading Melissa's face. All the thoughts of that day were still vivid in Melissa's mind. 

            But she couldn't tell Sonya what had happened... "I'm sorry Sonya." Melissa said on a repent voice. "I lost the necklace that you gave me. I had it when I went in the car with Rembrandt and then I told Flavio to stop. Ughh!!! my grandfather can be so… he is insufferable most of the time that I had to come back on the train. I didn't even realize I had lost it when I was on the train. And now I don't know where I could have lost it". Of all the things she wanted to talk to Sonya that was the only thing she managed to say.

"Oh, Melissa don't worry about it. I'll buy you another one". Said Sonya waiving her hand brushing off the matter. "Please, really, don't worry about it". 

"But Richard bought it and I'm sure it was expensive". Melissa pointed. 

"Don't worry about it" Sonya let a sight. "Every time that Rembrandt appears he shakes you to the ground… Speaking of which; have you talked to him after that?"

"No, he is coming later today to discuss about the documents that he wants me to sign" Melissa could not wait for that moment, for that small ray of sunshine to shine thought. Couldn't wait for the day to come when she could finally be free from his manipulations and demands. 

            He was used to always had the saying in everything that revolved around Melissa. But now, her birthday was close, that day was so close that she could almost tasted, the freedom, the unchain, the break free moment that will change her life to shape it into a new one, without him. She will finally give him everything, the company... although the thought scared her. "Give him everything?" She thought and didn't like that though, she didn't like that thought not even one bit.

            Anastasia came into the living room, where they were sitting and chatting. "Lunch is ready" she announced. 

            Sonya got up immediately and followed Melissa into the dining room. "Are you sure?" said Sonya while sitting down on the table "That you really want to give Rembrandt everything?" She looked at her and then met Anastasia's gaze who frowned to the words but stood in silence and kept serving the food. Sonya's looked at the small feast and her eyes beam in surprise like she could taste it with her eyes. Brown Rice, Pilaf with roast chicken and Lemon cake". Anastasia announced, Melissa smiled grabbing her fork and placing a table napkin in her lap. 

"Mmmm!!! this looks delicious as always" Sonya said, "and you know, lemon cake is my favorite… thank you Annie". She said as she dug in.

            Melissa smiled looking at her friend digging into her food like a kid eating candy, "Sonya sure loves Anastasia's food". Melissa said loud, and Anastasia smiled. "How's Richard?" asked Melissa, she didn't want this visit to be only about her. Realizing that was only so much she could actually tell Sonya. "How are the weddings preparations going along?". 

"Everything is going excellent" Said Sonya, happiness bleeding from her words "His mom is kind of taking care of everything, the invitations are almost ready. There will be live music to dance to, it will be my dream wedding. Which reminds me..." Sonya said drinking her seltzer water. "You need to come with me. I have to try my wedding dress and I will love for you to be there".

"Of course I will go with you, let me know when". Melissa said with much emotion, she was really happy for her friend. 

"I'm waiting for them to contact me, but it should be on two weeks or so". Richard was a really good man to Sonya; they all met when they were at final year at the university even though Melissa didn't like him as much. As year passed Richard continued his father footsteps and inherit his company, after a while he proposed to Sonya, too soon in Melissa's eyes but never said a word about the matter. He traveled around the world, always busy with his 'Trading Business' even though Melissa never asked about what he traded, and it was almost never around, but this didn't seem to bother Sonya. To the contrary, it seemed like the had a weird kind of relationship, he was always away, Sonya was always alone. Her always cheerful demeanor never falter her friend, and so Melissa had decided that if her friend was happy, if he made her Sonya happy, that was enough.

"Sonya, are you going to stop teaching? ... after you get married, I mean". Sonya was almost always by herself at her place but after she get married, she can move in with Richard and have a family. 

"Well, that is a possibility, if Richard keeps traveling. I need to do something in the meantime. I spoke to him about the idea of working in his company but to he doesn't want me sniffing around his business, he said once" Sonya laughed and then added, shrugging her shoulders "Maybe I will stay at the house..."

"What about kids? asked Melissa "are you planning on having kids soon?". Sonya looked at her friend, her hands armed with a fork and a knife cutting the tender meat. 

"He is being really adamant on having kids and I don't want to have them that fast either. I rather wait to see if the marriage 'actually works' out" She rolled her eyes "I don't want to be tied with him for the rest of my life if he turns out to be…difficult after we are married". Well Sonya had a point…somehow. But marriage should be forever, Melissa always though that way, but decided to stay quiet about the matter.

            Back in college not many guys approached Melissa, she never felt pretty enough, everyone was always behind Sonya, her friendly and approaching manner had made her really popular around guys, around everyone Melissa supposed. Sonya was beautiful, her ash brown hair, her ocean blue eyes, her freckled pale skin, and her petite frame always made all the guys go after her, like dogs after a treat.

            But Melissa didn't care about any of that, she had learned to love her friend, with her defects and virtues. She always will want the best for her. They finish eating and went to the garden, Anastasia served them tea. "Is everything ready for your birthday Melissa" Sonya asked after taking in the beds of blue flowers extending all around the yard.

"You know I never get any saying when my birthday comes around" Melissa said drily, "is always all about Rembrandt, his friends, his partners… I'm always there as a decoration, is my money that he is using, nonetheless. But he always acts as if it his. He should have everything ready by now, I think. I just have to put my doll face and show up. My birthday is never about me". Melissa said but the light in her chest was still shining, it was closer at the hour passed, her freedom was close. 

"I can't never be near you for your birthday, he never invites me. Sorry Melissa" said Sonya with a sad voice. 

"It's ok, you have never missed anything really". Melissa said, a bad taste on her mouth.

  "We can meet afterwards like we always do and this time we can he some drinks". Said Sonya cheering up again.

"That is really a good idea". Melissa agreed, and then added changing the topic "Sonya I met someone". Said Melissa with a wary voice. 

"Noticing how you are saying that to me it looks like…I don't know what to think". Sonya laughed shaking her head not trying to jump into conclusions as Melissa eyebrows rose as her friend added mockingly. "Did you? Oh my God, finally". 

"Finally? what does that supposed to mean?" Melissa asked a hand in her chest pretending to be hurt by the words.

"I said finally because you never shown any interest on anyone". 

"Yeah…" Melissa agreed, "but… this time is different. I haven't talk much to him, but he seems like a good person. I met him on the train". Melissa said avoiding all the details.

"And…? When are you going to see him again?" Sonya asked. 

"Soon" said Melissa "very soon, I hope". She finished and she could see him clearly, his gaze on her, the way he made her body tremble with only his presence. She couldn't wait to see him again.

            The afternoon went on a breeze, they talked a lot of everything well almost everything, but whatever horrors happened in the train, Melissa kept that part to herself. Melissa was happy, always happy to see her friend, talk to her, spend quality time with her. Before Richard take her away for good. 

"It's time for me to leave" said Sonya looking at her watch. 

"If…he is coming I should go now" Sonya said referring to her friend's grandfather. "He will be here soon, and I don't want him to see me here, it will not be pleasant" Sonya cringe "I don't want you to get in any trouble".

            Melissa stood and instructed Anastasia to find Flavio, so he could take Sonya to the train station. They walked through the garden towards the front of the house still chatting, waiting for Flavio to ready the car. With his always serious face he opened the car door for Sonya. "Bye Melissa" Sonya said while hugging her friend goodbye and went in the car "please text me if anything… interesting happens." She said winking mischievously. Flavio was closing the door. 

            Melissa knew exactly what the wink and the playful demeanor was about, but she simply said smiling. "I will Sonya, thank you for coming to visit". After seeing the car disappear through the front gate. Melissa walked towards the house to get change and ready for her meeting with Rembrandt. 

"Your bath is ready Melissa," said Anastasia. 

"Thank you, Annie," and she went inside the house and up the stairs, into her room. Anastasia always knew what Melissa was thinking, at least that was what it seemed like most of the time. When Melissa came down the stairs she bathed and changed to something more comfortable. The sun had already set, she could hear Flavio's voice in the kitchen, it seemed like he took longer than usual taking Sonya to the train station and that only meant one thing: Rembrandt was already home.

            Anastasia was coming from the kitchen and saw Melissa, "Mr. Rembrandt is waiting's for you in the office". Said Anastasia calmly. 

            Melissa sighted, squaring her shoulders, and lifting her chin. "Let's get this over with" she said louder than usual, walking into the long hallway to get to the office and opened the door.