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Chapter 26
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Brock walked in through the door, and met with Blake who was getting a drink.
“Late night?” Blake said as Brock hung up his coat, when he heard the door go.Brock went to him, and punched him straight in the face.“What the hell dude?” Blake asked shocked as he held his cheek.“That one was for Melissa, sleeping with her and then dumping her.” Brock snarled.“I didn’t dump her.” Blake said“So you’re planning on texting her? Or even seeing her again?” Brock asked folding his arms across his chest.Blake yelled at his older brother “I tried. I lost her personal cell number when my phone slipped out of my pocket at the bar when it flooded, then I brought another one with a new number. I found her business card and rang it but for some reason that stupid secretary told me Melissa was busy then the number was blocked.”Brock was taken back to the evening and the chat they had.Melissa and Brock are sitting in a booth. Melissa turned to Brock and said “Why? Why did he sleep with me? I wouldn’t have minded if he had made his intentions clear, but I was a virgin. Then when I told him I thought I was falling for him he left and hasn’t responded to my texts. But I know he’s read them.” Resting her head in her hands, tears fell from beneath them.Brock’s eyes widened at this, “He took your virginity?”“I know what you’re thinking. How did she get to 25 and still be a virgin. What a prude.” Melissa said. Leaning back, she looked off to the side, away from Brock.Putting a hand on her shoulder, he spoke quietly over the music, but loud enough to be heard “Melissa look at me please.” No response. “Melissa please look at me.” No response “Melissa please look at me. Grabbing her chin between his thumb and index finger, he forced her to look at him, as he looked at her, he saw a tear rolling down her face.“Melissa darling, listen to me. My brother is an ass. He has never had a serious relationship, but this is different, it’s not your fault. Blake has this sickness, he has never been in love before. You’re this sweet, fun loving, brilliant, intelligent, sexy woman, you could be with any guy you want. Please treat yourself better than this. By all means cry, but when was the last time you slept? Or ate? Is he really worth getting sick over.” Letting go of her chin, Brock looked her in the eyes, Melissa felt as if he could see right into her soul.“I” Melissa started to say.“I’m making it my mission to help you get over Blake.” Brock exclaimed, thumping his closed fist on the table, “And I will help you find a guy who is worthy of you.” He said with finality.“Oh Brock. Can I have a hug? Please I feel like you’re the sweetest guy ever. Thank you for being a friend.” Melissa said and put her arms that didn’t quite reach around the broad guys back. Resting her cheek against his chest.Coming back to the present Brock said “Well? Do you intend to see her again?”“No. You know I’m a fuck them and leave guy if she blocks my number there isn’t much I can do anyway is there?” Blake replied monotone lying about the whirlwind inside him.Brock pulled his fist back and hit Blake again. “DUDE!” Blake cried out.“That was for her virginity.” Brock said as he turned to walk away.Gathering his senses Blake snarled “Those weren’t the clothes you went out in?”“No they aren’t. I stayed at Melissa’s.” Brock replied with an arrogant smirk.This caused Blake to hit Brock.“What’s the deal. I thought you were a fuck them and leave them guy.” Brock responded as he walked to his bedroom and slammed the door.Once inside Brock grabbed his phone and brought up a website.Floral designs by SadieHe ordered a bouquet of yellow roses. He remembered from one of their many conversations that Melissa told him that flowers had meanings and a yellow rose is for friendship. But he remembered it had to be a small bouquet.He paid for the bouquet and got them to deliver them tonight.He then lay on his bed and fell asleep. Wondering what the look on Melissa’s face would be when she got the flowers.Blake stood looking at the door shocked, he couldn’t believe it.‘Brock had spent the night at Melissa’s?’ He was wearing different clothing so he definitely stayed overnight.Looking at his bruised fist, from where he connected with his twins face, “Shit.” He said.He didn’t like the thought of Brock getting close to Melissa.But he was still confused. He didn’t know how to feel.“Fucking Brock” Blake said as he left to go to work.His mobile beepedGroup Chat Christmas - Mom, Dad, Blake, Brock and AndreaHi Boys, right about Christmas. Come over on Christmas Eve. My boss is letting me have a few days off. You can stop at the house, in your old rooms.Blake - Why mom?Brock - Yeah why can’t we come over Christmas Morning?Mom - Because We have done this for years. We’re going to play games, eat lots of food and drink lots of alcohol - Except you Andrea.Andrea- Yeah I know mom.Mom - So I’m going to send each of you a list. We are also having a special guest. So I want all of you on your best behaviour.Blake - Aw mom who is it? It’s not weird Uncle Mike is it?Brock - It had better not be. Is this important because I was sleeping.Dad - Where’s the scooping thing?Blake - lol dads as goofy as always.Mom - Do you mean the spoon? And why are you texting me? You’re literally in the next room. Anyway, Christmas Eve morning be there or else feel my wrath.Brock smirked, before going back to sleep his mom and dad were the best. His dad was so goofy, his mom was came across as strict but was big hearted.Pocketing his phone Blake left for the bar.Christmas, Blake disliked Christmas lately. His mom was always asking him why hadn’t he settled down yet? And when was he going to give her some grandkids? To be fair Brock got the same questions, but why did he always feel like he didn’t measure up in the girlfriend department.Going to work Blake slammed the door hoping it would wake his brother up. Now he was irritated, and his mood would last all day.Related chapters
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Melissa carried the yellow roses into her office.“Hey Sam” she greeted the secretary cheerily.“What are you looking for?” Sam asked when she bent down to look in the cupboard.“A vase. For these flowers.” Melissa said. “Aha!” Grabbing a glass vase with cracked glass effect, Melissa disappeared into the bathroom to put water and flowers in.When she returned to the office Elaine had joined Sam, sidelong glances were exchanged between the two.“Everything okay?” Melissa asked. Placing the flowers on her desk, Elaine spoke to her “Can I speak to you in private please?”“Of course. Sam we can have our meeting in a few minutes. Go take a break or something.” Melissa said well aware that conversations could be heard through the door of someone listened hard enough.“Sit down Elaine, is everything okay? You can speak openly here.” Melissa asked clearly worried.“Listen I know I made it this big secret, but I wanted to ask you this privately. I know you normally sh
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Melissa walked into the house, she felt shocked and numb, she hoped that Brock wouldn’t be too much longer.Sitting on the couch, she just stared into space. A knock at the door came 30 minutes later. Brock stood there with a bottle of wine and a paper bag.“Hey.” He said softly. “Have you fed Storm and Sully?” Brock asked gently.“Oh. Oh no. I forgot.” Melissa said.“It’s okay. Tell me where their food is I will feed them.”She showed him the cupboard under the stairs. “Go sit.” He said quietly.Sitting back on the couch, Melissa was feeling sad.Brock joined her quickly, the wine and the bag he placed on the table.“My friend said he will ring you when Ebony is ready to collect, or I can collect her for you.” Brock said sitting on the couch next to Melissa who had now put her legs up and folded them.“Yeah.” Melissa murmured.“I though I would buy you something to cheer you up.” Brock said this while putting his hand in the bag.Pulling out a tub o
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A WEEK GOES BYMelissa sits at the wheel of her car, quite still at traffic lights. Noticing the black car two cars behind her. She’d started to notice it on Monday, didn’t think anything of it at the time. But then it was parked across the road, then it was there everyday as she shopped and took the dogs on walks.Sully and Storm were getting restless in the back. They hated being in the car. Melissa had overslept and it was almost 10:30. The time she had arranged to be at Elaine’s.Melissa’s phone rings and it come through the Bluetooth speaker in the car.“Hello?” Melissa said while waiting for the lights to turn green.“Hello Melissa, Happy Christmas.” Shane, Suzanna and Ryan all say into the speaker.“I hope you’re not spending it alone.” Suzanna comments“No. Honest. I’m spending it with Elaine and her family.” Melissa said touched at the concern of her stepmother.“Good we just rang to wish you Happy Christmas, Grandpa is doing okay. But when are you b
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Brock left the bathroom and bumped into Blake.“You asshole.” He whisper yelled. What did you say to her?”“I asked her if she slept with you.” He stated.“Douchebag.” Brock said. “No we haven’t slept together. You could have just asked me. And if we ever do it’s none of your business, you made that perfectly plain, when we spoke about it, the next day.”Just as Blake was about to say something, Elaine interrupted the whispering boys.“What are you two up to? Where’s Melissa? I’m preparing lunch for us all. Then afterwards I thought we could play some games. Oh Blake will you go and help your father. And remind him of Melissa’s name. He keeps referring to her as Melinda. Honestly that man.”Blake nodded and walked off to find his father.“Brock” Elaine said pulling her son into the living room.“I’m kind of hoping that you and Melissa will get together. That’s one reason I invited her.” Elaine said to her elder son.“Mom. Seriously? Did you set this up?” B
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Elaine clapped her hands together gently. “Right now lunch is finished, I’ve got some games I’d like to play.”Blake rolled his eyes and said “Mom aren’t we a bit old for games?”“Come on Blake.” Elaine said “You’re never too old for games.”As Melissa helped Brock to clear the table and loaded the dishwasher, Elaine, Blake, Tony and Andrea moved into the living room to discuss games.“My mom is so obvious.” Brock said suddenly, snapping Melissa back into the present, she'd be lost in her thoughts about what happened at the dinner table, did Blake still want her? But what about Brock? She found herself starting to fall for him the same way she did his brother. "Brock, what do you mean?" She asked, giving Brock a conflicted look. Brock paused, he was going to tell her about what his mother said, he knew what Elaine was up to, his mother had a big heart, she invited Melissa for two reasons, one was because she was alone at Christmas, Elaine hated the idea of anyone being a
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Brock and Melissa walk down the street. Sully and Storm slightly out in front of them. Sniffing at all the new smells occasionally lifting their legs on the lampposts which bring the couple to a stop, only for them to carry on, after a few seconds of the dogs deciding that the smell is not worth following up.There is a comfortable silence between them, as they pass nicely decorated houses and now closed stores, it’s only broken when Brock tells Melissa about certain things that happened in specific places.“This is where I broke my leg when i was 15.” Brock said pointing at a plaza that had a statue of a unicorn in bronze, rearing up, on a plinth, surrounding it is stairs that lead down to a fountain, and railings.Brock continued on “I was a bit of a skater when I was younger. And I was trying to do an Ollie, and instead I fell, landing on my leg. It snapped in two places. I was in plaster for 8 weeks.” He chuckled at the memory.They walked a bit further “Oh this used
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It was getting close to seven pm when the two walked in. Getting in out of the cold December air, the two took off their coats, and the leads off the dogs, Brock shut them in the small living room, that was separate to the one the family were sitting in.Elaine looked over to them when they walked in, “Hello lovely’s, are the dogs okay?”“Yeah they enjoyed their walk and even chased a squirrel.” Melissa said laughing.“It’s okay for you Sully pulled me into a bush.” Brock said with a smile.“So we thought we’d have a few drinks, and perhaps play a few more games?” Elaine said.“Before you do I have something for you.” Melissa disappeared into the kitchen and then returned five minutes later with the mince pies. “I Erm...... I made these for you guys, they are kind of a tradition in the U.K. we have them at Christmas and in my opinion they are delicious.” She said opening the biscuit tin, that she was holding, to show mince pies with icing sugar on top.“You can eat
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The two sat on the steps to the porch and talked, the chiminea giving off a little heat, kept them warm.“I was out here taking photographs of the snow. It’s such a lovely picture, I couldn’t sleep.” Brock admitted.“Oh same. I tossed and turned.” Melissa agreed, taking a sip of the hot chocolate.Brock fiddled with the camera, holding it up, Melissa looked out over the street now covered in a cold white blanket. It sparkled under the dim light of the street lights. It looked so magical. Melissa thought how picturesque the street looked, the dark sky, the dim orange glow and the white snow.Even the cars were covered in the deep snow.Out of the corner of her eye she saw a flash of light and whipped her head round to look, there with a guilty look on his face was Brock.“Oh my god Brock, you didn’t just take my picture? Give me the camera I’m deleting it.” Melissa placed her now empty mug under the swing seat on the porch, and she reached for the camera in Brock’s
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After meeting with his lawyer Shane was armed with all the documentation he needed. He got in his car and drove to where they holding Blake. Getting out Shane met with his lawyer. “Mr Hartford. Are you sure you want to do this?” The small man, dressed in an expensive suit and thick rimmed glasses asked. “Mr Lawerence.” Shane turned and looked him straight in the eyes. “If I’m wrong about this guy I want to know. And I’m fairly good a judge of character. I can also tell when someone is lying which is why people hate to play poker with me.”“Then why didn’t you pick up on it when you first met Mr Milligan.” Steve Lawerence asked as they walked towards the entrance. &n
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WARNING THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS REFERENCES TO ALCOHOLISM, ABUSIVE LANGUAGE AND SUICIDEIN A CABIN Two men are having a conversation. “What the fuck have you done?” The older of the two asked. “I’m tired of waiting for Melissa. She’s getting further out of our reach.” The younger one said. Slamming his fist on the table the older guy picked up his ringing phone. “Hello. Yes. Yes. Alright.” Hanging up the phone he turned it off. “You could have killed Melissa!&rdqu
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LATER THAT EVENING.“Dinners ready.” Blake called to Melissa who had had a nap and a shower. Walking down the stairs with damp hair falling around her shoulders and her face Melissa could smell the scent of baked trout, her mouth salivating at the thought.An hour later with full stomachs Blake and Melissa retired to the couch with a full bottle of Malbec both slightly tipsy.“So I gotta know.” Blake considered for a minute asking Melissa what she saw in Brock. But quickly changed her mind.“What was young Melissa like? Party girl? Nerd? Or were you miss Popular?” He smiled as he said this.“I was very studious, but I wasn’t a nerd, I wasn’t popular either.” Melissa made a face like she was remembering a bad incident. “I was just normal. My turn now.” Melissa squealed with glee “What was Blake like as a teen?”“I was
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THE NEXT DAY.“I’m sorry baby. I forgot I’m supposed to photographing the governor and his family. It’s supposed to be an all day event. Until about 10pm.” Brock said guiltily.“What’s the point in being here if I’m going to be alone?” Melissa asked trying her best not to sound whiny.“I’ve spoken to Blake. He will take care of you. I trust him to keep you safe. I trust him with my life. He’s going fishing, and you can go with him.” Brock said plainly.“Fishing? I wouldn’t know where to start.” Melissa said as Brock got out of the en-suite.“Well bows a great time to learn. Listen Blake’s taken time off and closed his bar so I can work and so that one of us can always be with you.” Brock explained gently.Melissa pouted for a brief moment before realising he was right. Blake had put his business on h
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Melissa stood up getting ready to leave. “There’s really no talking to you. I came here in good faith to make you aware of what was happening as you don’t care.” Blake ran and grabbed her hand pulling her into his chest causing them both to fall on the floor.Blake looked into her eyes as Melissa lay on his chest. Putting his hand on her cheek a very loving and caring gesture he moved his head up towards hers and kissed her again, this time though she brought her knee up between his legs connecting with his genitals.Blake howled in pain. Sucking at his teeth he howls “Again?” Melissa extracts herself from the floor, and runs to the door.The hot sting of tears in her eyes. She fiddles with the lock as she hears Blake get up.She ran down the stairs, her heeled boots clump clumping as she went.She could hear the pit pat of Blake’s feet as he chases her. “Melissa, honey w
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A FEW DAYS LATER“This is soooo relaxing.” Melissa crooned as the masseuse rubbed oil into her back.At the same moment Brock’s phone rang. Adjusting his towel around his waist he got up and took the phone call into the hallway. Melissa allowed herself to think back on the previous days events. “Babe? Babe? Come on wake up.” Melissa shook Brock’s shoulder. Opening a bleary eye Brock looked at Melissa. She was showered and dressed. Wearing black skinny jeans, and a red cashmere sweater, her hair was tied up in a high ponytail and she had make up on. Brock jumped out of bed and in the shower. Showering and dressing in record time he grabbed the keys to the Porsche and they went to the car. Brock snapped his belt in the drivers side, and started the engine, pulling out of the parking lot, before driving off to his and Blake’s apartment. “So you sure you want to do this alone?” Brock asked.
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After a little while the doorbell went getting up off the couch Brock got up and walked over to the door. Melissa sat on the couch, her head hanging and tears falling down onto her lap. Gritting his teeth knowing he feels helpless to stop this Brock opens the door. “Mr Milligan?” The detective asks. “Yes. Come in. Miss Hartford is in the living room.” He steps to the side and in the detective walks past him, taking a seat on the opposite couch to Melissa. Shutting the door Brock follows him and sits next to Melissa taking her hand that’s now in her lap. “Can you take me through tonight’s events?” He asks. Melissa nods and starts to recall everything that has happened, including the phone call, the detective writes everything in a notebook. “Ok. I’m going to bag all the stuff and take it to the forensics.” Sliding on a pair of latex gloves, he disappeared into the bedroom. After a few minutes,
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Grabbing the phone Brock could see that this has pushed Melissa over the edge. He grabbed the detectives card and typed in the number. The voice came out down the end of the phone as if he’d just been woken up “Yeah?” “Hi it’s Brock Milligan, I don’t know if you remember the break in a Melissa Hartford’s place.” Brock said into the phone. “Yeah. I remember. What of it?” The voice said no longer full of sleep. “There’s been a development.” Brock said putting his arm around a now shivering Melissa and guiding her into the living room. “On my way.” The detective said before hanging up. Brock pressed the red button to cancel the call. And sat Melissa down next to him on the couch. “Baby, you okay?” He asked worried that this would be a tipping point for Melissa, knowing that even the strongest of women would find it difficult to cope, with everything that happened. “Y-yeah.” She said haltin
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Melissa awoke to bright sunlight streaming through the glass windows. The warmth felt nice on her skin. Rolling onto her side she opened a sleepy eye, she had a sudden feeling of dread, as she saw a tie that was not Brock’s, and a memory of last night came flooding back, Chris, she remembered the way his hands felt on her body, and the way he felt inside her, for a brief second she smiled then she felt an arm drape across her. That feeling of guilt gnawed away at her insides. She’d cheated on Brock. A single tear ran down her face as she realised this fact. She was in her own world thinking of what to say to Brock how to redeem her relationship when a voice, thick and scratchy from having just woken up, startled her. “Good morning babygirl. Not too stiff I hope.” The voice came from behind. She immediately turned over, and was met with Brock’s smiling face, an eighth of an inch of stubble, and very messy hair. Bro
