Chapter 29

A WEEK GOES BY

Melissa 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 back home?” Shane asks.

“After Boxing Day. Probably the 27th. So I will ring then.” Melissa replied, moving off and turning left.

“Ok. Well you’re present should arrive after Christmas.” Shane explains.

“Dad I don’t need a.” Melissa tries to say but Shane and Suzanna cut her off “Melissa Page Hartford, you listen to us. You’re our daughter and you will get a present. Ok!” Melissa laughed as they both “told her off.”

“Ok guys. I have to go I’ve arrived.” Melissa said feeling sad that she had to cut their conversation short.

Pulling up into a street, Melissa got out, and Elaine came to meet her.

“Hello you made it okay.” She air kissed the young woman.

“Hi Elaine, I only brought Sully and Storm, I’m afraid Ebony passed away last week. Sorry I’m late. I overslept.” Melissa said sadly.

“Oh Honey, I’m sorry.” Elaine said.

Melissa thought back over the last week and thought about how she and Brock had hung out, and spent time together, he’d brought her flowers everyday to cheer her up, they’d met up at lunch, and if they couldn’t meet at lunch they’d stop at a bar and have a drink.

Melissa found that Brock was avoiding Blake’s bar. Melissa thought of Blake and how it didn’t hurt so much anymore. Which meant she was getting over her heartache and the fact he used her.

Brock was a perfect gentleman, he’d even gone shopping with her, helping her wrap and mail gifts. They’d had fun, she’d even made a batch of mince pies, her cooking was okay and she taught Brock a little British tradition, she knew Suzanna kept mincemeat in stock, she also knew that Suzanna wouldn’t mind as it was for Elaine and her family’s were having her over for Christmas, the making and cooking part that was troublesome.

Brock and Melissa ended up throwing flour and milk at each other. And laughing hard.

The kitchen was a right royal mess, but they’d cleaned it.

She noticed Brock roll up his shirt sleeves, and watch in fascination as his biceps flex and relax as he helped her clean. Pulling to a stop brings Melissa out of her daydream.

Grabbing the dogs out of the car, an older guy who looks sort of familiar, comes to greet Melissa, “Hello Melinda, I’m Tony. Elaine’s thingy.”

“Husband” Elaine interjects “And it’s Melissa. Honestly” shaking her head she hands the leashes to Tony. Who takes the dogs round the side of the house.

A young girl of about 15 or 16 appears at Elaine’s side. She’s very beautiful, petite, and curvy wearing a reindeer sweater.

“My mom made me wear this. I hate it. Andrea.” She said sticking her hand out for Melissa to shake.

Shaking her hand with a smile and getting a smile in return, Andrea takes the bag with the alcohol and mince pies in. Grabbing the last bags Melissa shuts and locks the car.

Walking up to the beautiful wooden porch, Elaine opened the door into the living room and there sat on the couch and armchair is Brock and Blake.

Melissa freezes. “Holy sh..” catching her own words they look just as shocked to Melissa as she is to see them.

Coming back from locking the front door Elaine says “Oh these are my sons Brock and Blake. Come on boys come say hi. Honestly you have no manners. This is my special guest. She’s originally from the U.K. but we won’t hold that against her.”

Elaine and Melissa laugh. “It’s a failing that I’m working hard to overcome.” Melissa said with a laugh and a sneaky look at Blake and Brock. They are looking at each other and then at Melissa then finally at their mum.

“Give me your coat, I will hang it up for you and the bag.” Melissa put her backpack containing clothes and the one containing gifts on the floor.

“So you’re our special guest.” Brock said happily giving Melissa a hug and kiss on the cheek.

Blake had a dark expression on his face. As Melissa turned away from Brock, Blake turned away and went off somewhere.

Melissa looked after him as he went “Oh don’t worry about Blake.” Elaine said “He’s moody and thinks Christmas should be family only. Ok. So make yourself at home.”

Brock takes a minute to take in Melissa, they’ve spent a lot of time together recently and he’s finding it harder and harder to just stay friends. He hadn’t planned it this way. It just kind of happened. Looking at her red dress dress, and knee high boots, and pantyhose, she looks amazing.

“Sit down?” Brock asks as she sits very ladylike.

“Why does your mum have a different surname to yours. Yours is Milligan hers is Brockheim.” Melissa asked trying not to look as uncomfortable as she felt.

“MOM” he emphasised this word to make fun of Melissa’s accent earning him a fake glare of anger from her “Got all her qualifications in her maiden name. It would cost a lot to change them all. So at home and with family her name is Milligan and professionally she goes by Brockheim.” Brock explained as if it were simple.

Blake came back from wherever he’d been. And stood in front of Melissa blocking Brock from her view.

“Can I have a word with you please?” Blake asked.

“Sure” Melissa said not moving.

“In private.” Blake said through gritted teeth.

Getting up Blake led Melissa to what looked like a study. Oak and Mahogany adorned the room. Books on every shelf, first editions some of them.

Blake shut the door quietly “What the hell are you doing here?” He asked anger in his voice. But a conflicted expression that Melissa couldn’t make out.

“Your mother asked me here.” Melissa explained.

“Are you stalking me?” Blake asked.

Melissa looked hurt. “God no. Why would you think that?”

“You’ve spent one evening with Brock” Blake explained, he only knew of that one evening when Brock signed the contract, he didn’t know they’d been hanging round together, “You sleep with him?”

That earned him a slap. “Fuck you. No I didn’t. And even if I did, it’s none of your business.” Melissa spat the words at him.

Blake trying to get closer to her, trying to hold her in his arms, Melissa pulled away.

“You know what Blake. You’re a sad excuse for man, you’re so wrapped up in own sense of importance that you can’t tell when someone’s being honest. If I decide to sleep with Brock, it’ll be none of your fucking business.”

Blake looked confused as Melissa explained. She turned on her heel and walked out of the door so Blake could not see her tears and how angry she was and how hurt she was. ‘Does Blake think so little of me that I’d jump out of his bed and into bed with his twin?’ She thought as she was thinking this she walked straight into a hard body. Arms circled round her waist, “what’s wrong?” The voice was unmistakably Brock. He’d heard raised voices and came to see if everything was okay.

Noticing her tears he pulled her towards a bathroom. Pulling her in, “It’s okay. Ignore Blake. He’s being a dick.” Melissa smiled gratefully and asked “Can you leave me to clean up please?”

Nodding Brock left the bathroom and decided to confront his brother