Reflections and relief

After leaving Caleb's office, Melanie pulls out her phone and opens the Uber app that Kalinin downloaded and helped her set up earlier. She requests a ride, selecting the "Home" destination saved on her profile by her twin sister.

Melanie stands outside the office building, taking a deep breath of the evening air. She watches as the Uber driver's estimated arrival time count down on her screen.

The driver arrives promptly in a sleek black Honda Civic. Melanie hops into the backseat, exchanging pleasantries with Amir.

"Hi, how's your evening?" he asks.

"It's been...interesting," Melanie replies, still processing the events at Caleb's office.

As the driver navigates through the city’s streets, Melanie gazes out of the window. Lost in thought, she replays Caleb's behavior, Alistar's intervention, and her feelings.

"We're here," the driver announces as he pulls up to Kalinin's Estate complex.

Melanie thanks him and steps out of the car. She takes a deep breath, feeling relieved to be home.

Melanie puts the passcode combination for the door and she walks into her sisters apartment, tiptoeing before locking the door behind her.

She takes a moment to breathe in and collect her thoughts before turning around to make her way to her room, but she notices her sister sitting on the couch as if she were waiting for her.

“You are not sleeping?” Melanie asks looking at Kalinin confused because it's past 11 pm and usually, she is always asleep by this time…especially after dealing with her two-year-old antics throughout the day.

“I am tired but I can't stand going to bed when you are not back, so I could be at alert if you text me that Caleb at done something to you and I needed to pull up with the Orion Police Department (OPD)” Kalinin demonstrates dramatically.

"Since you are back in one piece, how was the date?" Kalinin asks, leaving her seat to drag Melanie to the chair so that she can get the full gist.

"It was...interesting." Melanie flops onto the couch beside her.

"Spill." Kalinin raises an eyebrow.

Melanie recounts the evening, from Caleb's initial charm to his unsettling behavior. Klinin listens attentively, her expression growing concerned.

"…And then Alistar walked in and saved me," Melanie concludes.

"Wow, what a creep! You're better off without him." Klinins eyes widens.

“Well, I am glad that came from you because when I told you that I want ready to date, you made it seem like it was because I just didn't want to move on from Alex but at least I did what you wanted so you should leave me be”

“You have not done what I wanted” Kalinin disagrees.

“You went on only one date and you met such a creepy person….you can be lucky and the next person that you will match with on the app won't be that creepy,” Kalinin suggests.

“Don't go there Kali” Melani stops Kalinin because Kalinin’s words are starting to trigger her

“I admit tht Caleb may be a creep but you can find a better man if you try to match with another person on the dating site…..you won’t know if you don’t try” Kalinin continues anyway.

“You told me to put myself out there, which doesn't necessarily mean that I needed to date at all costs, you just wanted me to try it and it didn't work out for me so can you leaves me be and stop threatening me with our mother now?” Melanie uses Kalinin’s own words against her.

“Yoh have misunderstood my intentions” Kalinin tries to justify.

"Don't start, Kali... You told me to put myself out there, and I did so don't push me further,” Melanie cuts her off.

"Fine, I'll leave you be. No more dating lectures." Kalinin smiles, acknowledging her own words thrown back at her.

“Get some rest, okay?" Kalinin smiles warmly at Melanie.

"Thanks, Kali. Love you." Melanie nods, relieved.

"Love you too, Meelah," Kalinin replies, standing up.

Kalinin heads to her bedroom, closing the door behind her. Her husband, Marcus, looks up from his book.

"How'd it go?" Marcus asks, concern etched on his face.

"Caleb was a total creep and Melanie's shaken but okay." Kalinin sighs, flopping onto the bed.

"That's terrible…How is Melanie handling it?" Marcus's expression turns serious.

"She feels like I pushed her into dating too soon." Kalinin expresses, shaking her head.

"Give her a break, Kali. Don't push her too hard for now. Let her process this." Marcus sets his book aside, pulling Kalinin into a gentle hug.

"You're right. I just want her to be happy." Kalinin nods, snuggling into Marcus's embrace.

"I know, but sometimes we need to let people find their own way…Melanie will come around when she's ready." Marcus smiles.

"You're right. I'll back off for now." Kalinin takes a deep breath, feeling a sense of resolve.

"That's my wise wife." Marcus kisses her forehead.

****************************

In the living room,Melanie stands up from the couch, stretching her arms over her head. She feels a wave of exhaustion wash over her, but she's determined to get back into her nighttime routine.

She heads to her bedroom, flipping on the light switch. The soft glow illuminates her cozy space, filled with memories of happier times. Melanie's eyes lingers on the photos of her and Alex, but she quickly looks away.

Tonight, she wants to focus on self-care, not nostalgia.

Melanie begins with washing her face and applying a soothing moisturizer. She then brushes her hair, feeling the gentle strokes calm her mind.

As she changes into comfortable pajamas, Melanie catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She looks tired, but relieved.

She climbs into bed, pulling the blankets up to her chin. For the first time since the breakup, Melanie feels like she's taking care of herself.

She reaches for her favorite face mask and applies it, letting out a contented sigh. The cooling sensation calms her skin, and her mind begins to unwind.

As she applies her moisturizer, Melanie's phone buzzes on her nightstand. Caleb's name flashes on the screen, his message igniting a spark of annoyance in her.

Melanie settles into her skincare routine, the soothing scents and gentle motions calming her frazzled nerves.

"Hey, beautiful. Had a great time tonight. Can't wait to see you again."

“Beautiful? Really? After what he tried to pull?”Melanie's eyes narrows. Instead of feeling good about the whole situation, She ignores the message, setting her phone on silent mode before she hisses and flings her phone on the bed as she continues with her skincare.

At the start of the date with Caleb, she felt that Caleb was different in a good way, there was something about Caleb's charming smile and amber eyes that had stuck with her and She wanted to know more about him, to see if their connection was real but now that he has showed her his true colors, there is no way he can have him in her corner.

Feeling a sense of closure because she had stood up for herself, shared her truth with Kalinin, and now she is moving on, Melanie grabs her e-reader, settling in for some relaxing reading before bed. She's treating herself tonight, compensating for the uncomfortable evening with Caleb.

As she reads, her eyelids grow heavy. She feels her thoughts drifting, her body relaxing.