Chapter 44: Forty-Four

Three days had gone by, and Henry would come home late at night after spending the day God knew where, but every night he laid down with Eve on the little bed, falling asleep with the little girl. In her room, Melina laid quiet, hearing the noises around the house, and once the silence took over, she’d swing out of bed straight to Eve’s bedroom, to find an asleep Henry. It was the time Melina lost herself observing him.

The strain lines on his forehead didn’t ease, not even in his slumber. Sometimes she tried to ease them, rubbing her fingers on top of the lines, and he’d lean into the warmth of her hand. He didn’t have nightmares, but some parts of his sleep was restless, and she knew he would wake up feeling like crap for sleeping all tangled up in the little bed, but he needed this. Evangeline would curl up to him, comforting him, and easing the loneliness she could see gnawing at his soul.

Henry didn’t touch her anymore, and by morning he was already gone. Every time she snapped her eyes opened and went to Eve’s room, her heart would drop to her stomach. It was only Eve with her teddy in the bed. She wasn’t about to force him to be with her. If he wanted his distance, she’d give it to him. Maybe he needed time to come to terms with his feelings for her, or decide to come out clear. Tell her everything about his past and what was troubling him. But finding a garden picked daisy on the kitchen counter filled her heart with hope. It showed Melina how troubled he was, and probably battling his inner struggles.

Daisies were her favorite flowers. Simple, delicate but strong and one could find them plenty, and Henry remembered it. That was what Melina loved about him most. He was attentive to all the little details about her. Maybe it was time for her to show him how important he also was to her. She sent him a text and didn’t intend to intrude. Melina just wanted to make sure he’d be home to leave him a little something, but no answer from him. She gave a deep sigh, her chest raising and falling in frustration.

The day was the same as the other ones. No. Not true. Her day was shit, and she felt forgotten by every single soul around her. Melina didn’t even have the animals of the clinic or her patients to give her some solace since Henry put her in this house arrest. Yes, it felt like that. Gabs was going nuts with preparations to receive her brother at her house.

Beautiful Catalina had kidnapped Xanthos and for the first time in six years, it’s been a week since he didn’t bug her about their friendship and how he wanted more. It wasn’t only about the bugging, she literally didn’t hear a word from him this entire time. Yiayia* got busy with her charity group, spending her days doing her crochet for their coming street fair, and the old lady was all happy since her sister announced she’d move back to the island next month.

Even Evangeline had abandoned her going up and about the cats. Socks and Lina were back, and she couldn’t get enough of them. The cats were still recovering, but they were excited to be back home and frolicking with Eve and Chops. Melina looked around the terrace. Josh and Eli were there, all equipped with security gadgets like two Greek columns, watching her every movement. It was unnerving. She peeked at them and shook her head. Maybe the move helped make her brain work. She got her cell and not a word from Henry. So…

Melina: Is Charming there?

She tried to bait him out of his shell. If he didn’t talk to her, she could hope Charming did. Her plan seemed childish and stupid, but it was her last resource. She just wanted to grab his attention. Half an hour later, her phone buzzed. Looking at the screen, her face brightened up.

Henry: Maybe…

Melina: Have you felt so alone even breathing is hard? (sad emoji)

There was a long silence, and she thought he lost him right there. It was sad he built this cinder block wall between them. She threw the phone on top of the table and sank back in the chair, crossing her arms over her chest. A defeated look marring her face. Melina peeked at the phone, suspicious when it buzzed again. She grabbed it. Her heart brimmed with excitement. The same happiness it used to be filled years ago, when they spent those two months chatting.

Henry/Charming: Every day of my life. But why are you feeling this way? (puzzled emoji)

Melina’s chest caved in, listening to his confession. She didn’t want him feeling this loneliness, not when he had Eve in his life now. If he trusted her enough to tell her everything, but she had no clue what changed. It was something his tea friend told him.

Melina: I’m grounded, you know. My friends are busy and have abandoned me. My granny has an important fair coming soon, and even the little one exchanged me for the cats. I just needed someone to talk to.

Henry/Charming: Grounded, huh? What did you do this time? (laughing emoji)

Melina: Hey, I did nothing wrong. (outraged emoji) I just got an overbearing, domineering, handsome gangster stuck with me. (devil emoji) Why do you feel so alone?

Henry/Charming: You do, don’t you? Wrong choices, decisions I had to make, knowing the outcome would mess with people’s lives, and a few other things.

Melina: You don’t have to feel this way if you give people a chance and let the right ones in, Henry. If you happen to come home late again, shame on you, because it’s been three nights since you left me alone in bed, fantasizing about you and touching myself. Please, check the top shelf of the fridge. Charming might like it.

Henry: Melina! Kitty Kat!

She didn’t answer anymore and disconnected. Her cheeks were burning and if she looked at herself in a mirror, her face would be scarlet red, not only her face, but her entire body. Never in her life she had been this bold. She didn’t know where she got the courage to write dirty to him. It wasn’t her intention to do so, but something came onto her and when she read her text, it was done. But she felt at ease with him. The phone buzzed a few times, but she didn’t get it. She had dropped the lust bomb. Let's see how late he’d get home now.

The sun disappeared from the sky, and the afternoon got chillier, erupting goosebumps on her skin. Melina stood up, massaging her arms to warm herself up and walking to Eve. She got the girl by the hand and headed to the house, with now three cats zigzagging on their legs. If she wanted to make Henry’s favorite dessert, she needed to get Eve ready for bed later on. Eve wanted to help her with the cooking and what she thought would be an hour-long task became almost two, with a thrilled and sticky child, and a messy kitchen, but all worth it.

She was still in Eve’s room, watching the sleeping girl, when her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen. Her smile got wider at Xanthos face. “Hey Xan! So good to hear from you!” Melina greeted, cheerful.

“I’m sorry, Melina. I don’t bring good news. Can I come over?” There was so much worry in his voice. He didn’t want to scare Melina, but there was nothing he could do about it.

“Sure, you know you can, don’t need to ask, but can’t you tell me anything ahead?” A heaviness settled in her stomach. Something bad was about to happen, and she didn’t want to deal with more problems.

“This is not a subject we can discuss over the phone, Mel. I’ll be there in a few.” He hung up, and Melina stayed there, numb, staring at the wall.

Shaking her head, she got herself together and dashed to the porch, looking around. Her sentinels had already changed the shift, and another two of Henry’s men were there. The pain of being watched was that Henry got to know every detail of what went around Eve and her. Xanthos came through the little gate after a few minutes. He looked menacing, his body tensed, and his handsome face in a scowl, and in his hands a big brown envelope. His entire image raged, and he got in front of Melina, huffing and puffing.

“You’re scaring me Xan. What happened?” She frowned at him, worrying her bottom lip.

“This happened, Mel. Can you explain it to me? Do you have any idea of what’s going on around you? How much do you trust that, asshole?” Xanthos handed her the envelope. He was frightening Melina, but he couldn’t stop. Angry wasn’t how he felt. Outraged and dumbfounded covered it.