Chapter 23: Twenty-three

“He’s old and has a heart condition, please, help him!” That was the last she heard from Catalina and Gabs. Suddenly Xanthos was in front of her with a pissed semblance. He seized Melina by the arm and walked to her office. Once inside, he let go of her and closed the door behind them. Melina got away from him, sitting in her chair by the desk, and sheepishly stared at him.

“I see you and Catalina hit it off…” Melina trailed off with a playful smile, dancing on her lips.

“I’m not here to talk about me, Melina. Have you looked at yourself these last few days?” His black eyebrows furrowed above his piercing blue eyes, turning his face into a mask of fury.

“Yes… What’s wrong with me?” Noticing his eyes traveling all over her, she blushed. Melina knew she didn’t look her best, but not that bad, did she?

“You look sick, tired, and not acting like yourself! He’s keeping you away from Evangeline! What kind of proposal did he make you?” he spat at her.

“How do you know?” She gave a loud sigh and rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell me. Gabs! She is a blabbermouth, she promised me!” God, when Gabriella would stop with her motherly act. She knew how to take care of herself!

“I’m your lawyer, don’t you think I should know shit like this, Mel? Why don’t you trust me?” He didn’t hide the hurt in his voice.

“It’s not like that, Xanthos! I don’t want to go to court, I don’t want an entire process. He asked me for two full weeks with Eve and he wouldn’t pursue guardianship.”

“And the catch?” He asked, staring at her in slits.

“There’s no catch. Henry doesn’t want me around. He said I had her for myself for five years and he wanted some time with her without my influence.”

“Are you crazy? You don’t even know the guy for real!”

“What are you implying? He’s her father, Xanthos! Besides, Giagiá is onto him.” Melina bent her head to the desk, hiding her face in her arms.

“He has no right to do this to you!” He walked to her exasperated, splattering both hands on top of the desk. “Look at me, Melina.” It came like an order, and he didn’t mean it, but she faced him.

“I have all the rights, she’s also my daughter, and get away from Melina!” The door hit the wall as Henry barged in, shooting a grilling look at them and slamming the door shut again, advancing on Xanthos. “I’m tired of you hovering around her!”

Melina stood up as fast as she could, going around the furniture. But it was too late. Henry’s fist connected to Xanthos’ jaw, sending him flying to the floor. Before he charged again, Melina jumped in front of Xanthos, who stood up in a leap, ready to retaliate the attack.

“Are you crazy?” she hissed at Henry. Melina stretched her arms between the men to keep them apart, while Xanthos wiped the blood from his mouth and both stared at each other like hissing cats. “What is wrong with you? What are you doing here? Eve will see me!”

“No, she won’t.” He growled, not taking his eyes from his opponent. “She is with your assistant, visiting the hospitalized animals. She wanted me to see mommy’s job, and I’m glad I came.” He glared at her. “but I didn’t imagine you’d be so busy!” Contempt dripped from his tone.

“Who the hell you think you are to tell me what to do?” Xanthos grabbed his shirt, crossing the threshold Melina put between them. The man was infuriating, and the ‘screw you’ look Henry shot at him made Xan even more pissed.

“I’m Evangeline’s father, and her soon to be husband.”

Melina’s face reddened out of rage, giving him a murderous look. Now he did shit. He got so angry with the situation, jealousy beat at him from all sides that the words just slipped out of his lips. He couldn’t care less about what she thought. She was his to keep, and he wanted that phony god far away from her.

“Are you out of your mind? I’m not marrying you!” She yelled at him, dumbfounded. She needed to act soon. The situation was escalating to a terrible outcome. They were like two pitbulls growling at each other over a Chihuahua snack. And she was the snack. “Stop, you two. Not here, this is my workplace! Eve is outside!”

“Melina, I don’t want him near you, or the deal is off. I’ll take Eve away!” Henry didn’t back down, and Xanthos pulled him closer to his face, squishing Melina against both their bodies.

“You wouldn’t dare do that to her. You’ll have to go through me first!”

“Gladly!” Henry hissed at him.

Melina didn’t know where she got all her strength from, but she turned to Henry and her arm flew around, and when she realised by the stunned face, she had slapped him square in the face. She wasn’t a violent person, but Henry could drive her mad. But she didn’t have the time to dwell on it now, and she didn’t waste the opportunity to push him to the other side of the room.

“You don’t have a clue about the asshole you’re being to her. If you hurt her, I’ll make you regret your actions!” He sneered at Henry.

“You can try, phony god.” Henry teased him with a grimace, massaging his red cheek.

Melina breathed, relieved, when she heard a knock on the door. Both stopped their quarrel and looked at her. The door opened and Gabs stomped inside with a prominent chin as she stopped in front of them, with arms crossed above her chest and flaring her nostrils.

“What is going on here? There are patients arriving!” Gabs tapped her foot, swiping her eyes at each of them and waiting for an explanation. But it didn’t come. “Can’t you act with civility for a change? Xan, I expected more of you. And you mister, Eve heard you yelling and got scared, so Nia took her to walk a dog until all this is over.”

“Please, Xanthos. Go! I’ll deal with him.” A sudden silence fell upon them. They could listen to the thundering of her heart, and Melina did everything to avoid Xan’s eyes. She didn’t want to see the hurt in them, and when she glanced at Henry, she couldn’t tell what was going on behind that Stoic façade, but nothing good could come out of it.

“But Mel…” He started, but Gabs cut him off.

“Xanthos, she told you to go, besides Catalina is asking for you, and she needs comfort at this moment.” She gritted out, shoving him out of the door and turning to Melina. “Mel, I think it is better you take a few weeks off, until you sort him out.” She gestured with her hands, indicating Henry. “I’ll call Karisa to fill for you until you’re back.” Gabs glared, her eyes shooting daggers at him. Then she marched out of the office, shutting the door.

Silence got even more threatening once Gabs was out of the room. She didn’t dare move from her spot. Henry had a possessive look towards her when she peeked at him. Lust and rage glinted in those pools of honey, stripping her naked in his mind. A mixture of arousal and fear struck her, making Melina shudder.

“I warn you, Melina. If you keep him around, I’ll take her away from you. She’s my daughter, I’m the one who’s gonna raise her!”

“Yeah, and you’re doing a hell of a job, frightening her.” She hissed at him, not averting her eyes. “I date whoever I want whenever I feel like it! And stop stalking me like a creep. The beach incident is still fresh. Don’t think I let it slide. You will not dictate my life.” She raised her chin, narrowing her eyes, and crossing her arms in front of her chest.

“Yes, I will, Melina.” He strode to her and crowded her in his arms. She fought him, but he was much stronger. There wasn’t much she could do. “I’m your date from now on… Whenever I feel like it, Melina… And this slap, I won’t let it slide either.” Henry bunched up her hair in his fist, pulling her head back, making their eyes meet for endless seconds. He lowered his mouth to her ear, his beard grazing her skin and erupting goosebumps all over her body. “You’re mine, you just don’t know yet,” he whispered to her, reaching for her sinful lips.