Melody's P.O.V.

It's been a week since I started living in the club. In these days meeting the bikers puts my mind at some ease as they're all so kind and welcoming. Though they do a lot of fights and bickerings, they also protective of each other. They may don't have a blood relation, but what they do have is more than that. I'm in awe when I first saw it. And they treat me just like Daisy. With care and respect.

I got more close to Cara and Jenna. Helping Jenna in the kitchen is so much fun. She tells me all about Tyson and Daisy's childhood incidents which made me laugh so hard that I had to grip the counter tightly to not let myself fall. When I asked Hunter's memories, she gave me a sad smile and said he didn't have a childhood. After that she's silent and moody thinking distantly. In that time, I want to kick myself for making her sad. The thought of asking about Hunter didn't even cross my mind. It just came out of my mouth before I could stop it. So, I quickly changed the conversation back to Tyson and Daisy. Even though she smiles then, I could still saw her saddened eyes. I became aware of the fact that I touched the sensitive part.

Maybe it has to do something about his parents.

Daisy said they died when he was 10. Such a young age to lose our loved ones. True I too lost my parents when I was young. But I didn't have anyone to take care of. All I think about and scare about is myself. I could only imagine how hard it is for Hunter to take care of Daisy and not let her feel the absence of their parents. But I know even with the whole world beside us, we always feel incomplete without our loved ones. If it's our parents, then the pain will be unbearable. It's a hole that can't be filled ever. I can't shook away Jenna's words from my head.

He didn't have a childhood.  

Hunter didn't have a childhood. Just like me.

Grasping the truth that Hunter had gone through the same pain as me felt like a pang in my chest. From the shopping day, I saw him only few times, that too in breakfast and dinner sometimes. No matter where all are, Jenna is dead set on eating together like a family. 

Hunter is free with Daisy and Jenna showing his trueself. But with others, even if he's close to them, he's cold and distant. With Cara, he's always caring and sometimes funny too. From the day Jenna said that to me, I'm seeing the black shadows in his eyes I've never noticed before. Sometimes, I'm seeing myself in him. And that is more disturbing than everything. That way, I also know he don't share any of his troubles and pain with anyone. 

I wish he would open up with someone.

Exhaling heavily and shooking my head to dismiss his thoughts, I looked up to see Gabriel sitting just a few steps away from me and watching me. He do that everyday in this library. Sitting there, observing me and the surroundings in full alert. Always. I didn't saw him relaxed till now. He's uptight. When customers came to me, he'd appear right next to me in a light speed I don't even see him move. At first, I'm so uneasy with him being with me all the time in the library and sometimes in the club too. But I adjusted with the change in my life.

Gabriel is silent. As in, way too silent. Not with just me, with everyone. I sometimes wonder if he's even there at all. But it didn't make him less favorite person in the club. Everyone respect him so much.

He won't leave me for one second. I'm waiting for him to get tired of babysitting me. I sighed thinking about it and suddenly a memory that happened two days ago hit me like a blow.

Meeting Cassidy.

Two days ago

"Come on Daisy, we have to hurry up. Jenna probably need our help" I whined as she's taking forever to get ready.

"You can always go on your own then" Daisy shouted from bathroom.

I can clearly detect her teasing. I huffed crossing my hands as she know too well that I'm still awkward with them. I only went downstairs with Daisy or if no one was there.

"Okay. Let's go" she came out.

I breathed out, 'Finally."

She rolled her eyes at me.

"You know, Mom wouldn't beat you up for being late" she joked.

My mind stopped at a certain word she said.

Beat you up.

Daisy shakes me getting me back to reality.

"Mel, are you okay?" she looks worried.

"Yeah. Why?" I asked confused.

She looks at me for a minute, "You.....You suddenly had a funny expression."

"I'm fine. Come on now" I replied walking faster before she asks more.

When we reached downstairs, dining hall is full of people. So we went to kitchen to help Jenna with anything.

But a women stepped in our way blocking us. She's beautiful and looks like in her mid twenties. She wears a white dress that would probably cost fortune that came up to her mid thigh with full sleeves. It also shows some cleavage. For me, it's a lot. Because of she wore high heels, I had to crane my neck to look at her face. She had a lot of make-up. Way too much. Her eyes are fixed on me glaring. I'm confused why she's sending those cold daggers at me.

"So, you are the charity case they're talking about" she said. Even her voice is cold.

"Back off, Cassidy. Leave us alone" Daisy said sounding like irritated.

"Why? I came to meet charity case" she replied too sweetly .

"I'm Cassidy Birch" she introduced herself to me.

"Cassidy Bitch is more fitting for you" Daisy snapped.

Cassidy took a step forward to Daisy.

"You better keep your mouth shut, little girl" she warned her.

When Daisy seems like she's about to lunge at her, I quickly hold her hand stopping.

"Hello. I'm-" I started but Cassidy cut off my words.

"Whatever. You're just a charity case for me. I came here only to warn you" she clipped.

When I look at her confused why and what about she has to warn me, she replied,

"Keep your distance with Hunter. He's mine. If I see you anywhere near him, I'll make your life hell" she bit out and leave us alone.

"Bitch!" Daisy muttered, "Don't take her words seriously Mel. Hunter hates her but she's obsessed with him" she assured me.

"I don't think she likes me" 

"Who cares?" she states and drags me to kitchen.

"Good morning girls. Sleep good?" Jenna asked as we entered.

"Yeah mum" Daisy said taking some candies from fridge.

"It's fine, Jenna" I too replied, "Do you want any help?"

"Yeah sweetie" she said, "Can you make some toast?"

And she turned to Daisy and hit her on head, "Learn from her. Always asking if I want any help" then she looked at me stating, "With Daisy. I had to help her."

I chuckled at that while Daisy whined.

"Mom.....Melody is a master piece. And obviously am not like her. No one is at that matter" she said.

I ducked my head waiting for Jenna to laugh at that. But I'm surprised when she replied,

"Won't deny. She's a special child"

I jerked my head up to see Jenna smiling fondly at me. Quickly looking down in shyness, I continued to do the toast. I'm doing the same thing twice or thrice replacing bowls and glasses, but whatever I'm doing in my awkwardness doesn't make any sense.

Daisy chuckled at my difficulty as she fully knows my nature for compliments, she helps me get out of this situation.

"Let's go for breakfast" she announced.

When I saw Jenna carrying two heavy bowls of sauce, I swiftly get hold of one. She smiled at me and walked away.

Holding the bowl securely, I walked with Daisy as she's talking animatedly. As soon as entering I heard so many unfamiliar voices. Taking small steps behind the chairs, I strolled to the other end of the table.

And then it happens so fast before I could even blink. It took few minutes to process for me to know what actually happened. 

Right now, I bent forward gripping the chair for support which backed and the sauce bowl in no longer in my hands but on the floor. The thing is there's no sauce on floor. Confused, I raised my eyes and the scene in front of me makes fear build in me immensely.

Cassidy is there covered with red sauce all over her body. Her perfect white dress now changed to red color stained one. Her arms, neck, above her breasts, is totally filled with it. Even her face had some drops of sauce. But this red is so little compared to the red in her eyes. She's fuming at me.

Oh my God! What have I done?!

"I'm so sorry Cassidy. I don't know how it happens" I began to explain but my words struck in my throat as she lunged at me.

"You bitch! How dare you?" she screamed and raised her hand to hit me.

As my reflex instinct kicks in, I covered back away shielding my face with both my hands and waited for the impact. When it takes too long time, I peeked with an eye to see a man's back. Daisy stands next to me with her hands around my shoulders taking me back a little as it gives me the view of the his face. Alec..... He grabbed her hand in mid air and from the pain in Cassidy's face, he had to be grasped her tight.

"Stay in your limits, Cassidy" he barked at her and released her hand with a jerk causing her to stumble.

She winced soothing her hand. Throwing an icy glare at me, she glanced to Alec.

"You are telling me? Look what she did to me" she screeched.

If not before, now everyone in the room focused their attention to us. My throat is getting tight by controlling so hard not to cry.

"It's an accident" Alec hissed at her.

"I'm sorry" I apologized knowing it's my fault.

"Don't open your mouth, bitch" she screamed at me.

Now, it became impossible for me to stop tears as they start flowing down my face uncontrollably. A man came forward between us.

"Quit your tantrums Cassidy. I'm the one to move the chair back. She didn't saw it and tripped throwing the bowl. It aimed at you. No big deal" he said annoyed.

"No big deal? Look at this" she pointed herself and turned to me, "Do you know how expensive is this? Oh, I forgot you are a charity case. Ofcourse you can't know it. You need to sweat yourself atleast a year for able to buy this" she shouted detestably.  

"SHUT THE FUCK UP"

I jumped when the voice roared behind me with such an intensity and command as everyone freezed and alarmed at it. I turned back to look at him and instantly I know he's fuming when I saw his clenched jaw.

Damn! One more person to complicate this situation. 

Hunter marched to us like a worrier ready for battle. Holy carp. 

When he advanced at Cassidy in a threatening manner, his posture is too stiff and menacing.

"If I ever saw you or hear you misbehaving and disrespecting her, I swear Cassidy, you'll have to kiss your so called golden life a goodbye" Hunter growled at her intimidating.

He is so damn scary in this way. If it was me, I'd have ran away and hide in an invisible cave where no one can find me by now. But Cassidy didn't even flinched.

"Baby, see what she had done to me. She need to be put in her place."

"ENOUGH" he raised his voice even louder than before and it boomed throughout the estate I presume. Now Cassidy flinched.

"What did I just say? You got a problem with that? That's all right. Pack your bags and get out of here" he barked and looked around shouting, "That goes for you all too. If anyone here have problem with that, kindly join her."

When no one made a sound nor moved, he asked Cassidy, "Why are you still here?"

"Why are you supporting that charity case?" she got the nerve to ask him.

Shit Cassidy! Do you have a death wish?!

"MELODY..... Her name is MELODY. Don't test my patience Cassidy. You know what I'm capable of. Now, are you staying or leaving?" he thundered.

"Staying" she mumbled so small that I can barely hear.

"Then apologize to Melody" his words made both mine and Cassidy's eyes rounded in surprise and stunned at his demand.

Time to intervene.

"There's no need for-" I started but instantly refrained from it by a single glare of Hunter at me.

"Sorry" she said to me in a little voice no one can hear

"Loud and clear" Hunter snapped in her back.

"I'm sorry" Cassidy now said loudly. I can see the hatred in her eyes.

"I'm sorry too for ruining your dress" I replied as the guilt was eating me.

Hunter had a bewildered look on his face and soon it changed soft. Even some of the guys had a surprised face. Maybe they thought I'd be a bitch to her. But it's not my character.

What'd be the difference between Cassidy and me if I act just like her?!

Cassidy huffed and stomped out of the room. Alec asked me if I was okay. I nodded my head and watched Hunter coming towards me.

"Thank you. But you don't have to do that" I said to Hunter as soon as he neared me.

He raised an eyebrow in question.

"Apology. You don't need to do it. It should be from heart. Not just by words" I explained.

"You are right. But it should be done. If she disturbs you again, tell me okay?" 

I nodded in agreement.

"All right. Drama's over. Let's have breakfast" Jenna called for us.

When I looked at her, she gives me a secretive smile. Daisy leaved me, then I noticed that during the whole scenario she holds me tight with her. I smiled at her and she too gave me a weird one like Jenna.

Am I missing something?

We quickly finished eating in silence. From then, I didn't saw Cassidy and I'm afraid she leaves the club. But Daisy assured me that they're not that lucky and she's just staying away from me. Then onwards, I'm always careful and cautious to not let the misunderstandings arise between anyone because of me.

**********

The incident still makes me smile. Not the whole Cassidy thing. But what made me happy is Hunter stands for me. He defended me. Respected me and expected everyone to do it. No one ever stands for me in my entire life. Even if Alec defends me first, the way Hunter did it touches straight to my heart. He scolds Cassidy for me. Make her apologize to me. Commanded everyone should respect me.

Argh!!! He's making impossible for me to stop liking him.

"Ready"

I jumped at the voice and whirled around. Gabriel is standing stiff like always. When I watched him confused, he jerked his chin to the wall clock. It's nearly 5:30. Shit! it's late.

"Yeah. Let me get a book" I said to him rushing to the children's section for Snow White.

In the past week, it became my habit to read for Cara every night. And in the middle of it, she'd fall asleep clinging to me. Sometimes I carry her to the bed, if I didn't then Alec or Hunter would come and get her.

When I found the book, I snatched it quickly and hurried to Gabriel.

"Let's go"

The only thing I love about staying in the club and this whole bodyguard arrangement is, I get to ride in Ferrari. My dream car I always wish to buy. The same one Hunter brought when he first came to my house. Each time I stepped in it, it feel like heaven.

Chuckling at my own thought, I enjoyed the ride.

**********

The minute I opened the door, loud music hit my ears making me wince. I looked around to see where the music coming from, but there is no one in the hall. Just then, Cara came running down the stairs to me and hugged my legs as I stumbled backwards a little by the force.

"Hey princess" I said stroking her hair.

She signed me that there is a party at the pool. I'm learning the sign language from Daisy and sometimes from Jenna. Though I'm not good at it, I did learn some basics. If it's too hard to understand Cara what she's saying, then she'll write the notes for me. But the small words and conversations, I can do it.

I lift Cara in my arms and instantly her hands wrapped my neck.

"Okay then, honey. Let's go to my room. We can play whatever you want till the party ends" I said smiling at her.

"Oh no! You're joining the party" I heard Daisy's voice beside me.

"Hey Daisy" I greeted her.

"Get ready quickly. We're joining the pool party" 

"Please no. I'm tired. Can't I take some rest" I tried to convince her.

"Really? But I heard you saying Cara about playing till the party over. Or is it my conscience?" she smirked at me knowing she got me there.

I gave my best puppy dog eyes hoping she'd leave me. She came to me and released Cara from me.

"Cara, dear, go fresh up. Your dad is coming tonight"

Cara jumped hearing her dad's name and dashed to her room leaving us alone. Daisy turned to me, 

"Mel, you can't lock up yourself whole evening."

"I'm actually considering doing that."

"It's just party, Mel. I could understand the first time you refused to go. But now you know everyone here and they all adore you. Only new things are music and dancing " she explained.

But she really don't get me. It's not people or sound. It's pool. I have got too many memories about it and they all are unpleasant. Since the first time I heard about the pool in the club, I did everything in my power to not get even a glimpse of it. And now this staying there whole evening.

"Be quick. I'm not taking no for answer" Daisy declared.

I nodded not having a chance. Perhaps, I can lock the door.

She watched me for a second, "And don't even think of locking the door. I have all the keys to the rooms"

Argh!!!!!

I went up to my room and got ready as much as lazy I can. The door burst open and I saw Daisy waiting for me. When we reached the pool, I thought my ears will bleed at the intensity of the music. Daisy leaves saying she'll bring drinks to us. I stand there not looking at the pool and also keeps my distance from it.

Some guys greeted me and some smiled at me. I returned their greetings trying hard not to look troubled. Cara jogged through the crowd reaching me, grabbed my hand. She dressed in a golden gown with a flower ribbon around her waist looking so gorgeous. 

But what most beautiful is her face appearing like a thousand fire works. I know the reason behind it is her father coming today. She suddenly grazed on the pool side and started running dragging me along.

"Cara, wait" I screamed in fear of going near the pool. 

And my fear becomes true. She hauled us to the pool making me stand there like a statue. I didn't move an inch because I couldn't.

My gaze glued to it. Cara pulled me, when I didn't budge she leaves me sprinting towards the other side. But I couldn't process anything. Music is not reaching my ears, my surroundings disappeared, the air got stilled not giving me breath.

I closed my eyes tightly trying to think about anything other than this. Rainbows, flowers, Mom, Dad, but nothing went to my mind. It's blocked. Hunter...... thinking about him instantly calm my raging breath and heart.

Taking this chance, I quickly turned to walk away from here but someone grabbed my hand pulling me backwards with such a force that I tripped on my own leg and there is no one behind me. I can sense it.

All of sudden, I'm falling back. Into the pool.