Melody's P.O.V.

A week was already flew by like seconds since our date. In these days, I must say, Hunter and I had gotten quite close to each other. With him by my side, I found myself behaving like a girl with her crush. Like a normal girl.

These days feels like heaven to me. Just like he promised, Hunter started teaching me to ride the bike since last week, that too on Ducati Monster!! I won't say I became a pro in driving, but with Hunter instructions, I can drive pretty good. Alone is definitely out of question. Tried it once and nearly broke my neck falling from the bike.

If not for Hunter, I'd have been in the bed right now. So, he made me promise him that no matter what, I shouldn't drive by myself. And I'm allowed to drive when he's with me only. No matter how hard to convince him, he didn't budge. His heart doesn't melt down at my numerous pleadings. At last, having no choice, I agreed with him.

We share so many moments in those times. So many unforgettable memories. Sometimes, during our teaching session, Hunter would steal kisses from me and instantly, all my concentration would flew away. My cheeks grew hot and red due to his gestures. I know Hunter was doing that on purpose. But I love it.....

I blushed soon as I thought about it. Frankly speaking, there's not even a minute that I didn't enjoy with him. Every second is very precious to me. I wouldn't trade them for my life.

He also asked me for another date and I gladly accepted. Tomorrow is our date and I can't wait to see what Hunter planned for me.

But since morning, I don't know why, there's a knot in the pit of my stomach nagging me so much. It's making me uneasy for some unknown reason. I'm getting this feeling like something very huge is happening. I really can't shake off that feeling. From the morning, it doesn't letting me stay at peace.

I raised my head at the time to see it's only half past four. Still half an hour to go! I sighed heavily as I couldn't even close the library a little early cause of the people coming more frequently than any other days. I just want to go to my bed and sleep for atleast a WEEK!!!

"Thank you for coming mam. I hope you enjoyed your visit here" I said to a sweet old lady handing the book.

She smiled warmly, "Ofcourse dear! I'm glad to be here. Why wouldn't I when I'm surrounded by such an amazing collection of books."

"True" I replied grinning.

"What's your name, dear?" she asked.

"Melody, mam."

"Such a beautiful name" she smiled but put on a stern face quickly, "Why are you calling me mam? I'm still young, you know" she grinned mischievously.

I laughed at her words. She must be atleast in the middle of her 60's. But very jovial and full of life.

"By the way, I'm Caroline" she introduced.

"Nice to meet you" I greeted.

For the next half an hour, we chatted about nothing and everything. I've got to know that she's a widow and living with his daughter for 7 years. She had an aura in her that put everyone at ease with her. Such a sweet lady she is! I'm very glad to know her. Otherwise, I'd have missed a chance to meet a lovely women.

"Okay then, Mel. I'll take my leave now. Be aware! You've got one helluva crazy customer!!" she winked.

I chuckled,"Well, I'm glad to get her" I replied laughing at the end.

Soon as she went, Gabriel came, "Ready to go, Mel?"

I didn't mention that he started talking normally, did I? He is!! And for my sake, he also stated talking more normally with me rather than two or three words.

"Yeah. But I have to bring take out some books from store room. We'll go after arranging them in the shelves."

Without hearing his reply, I ran to the back room searching for them. I didn't get the time to do this today!

I found them after a lot of searching and was about to go out but my steps halted and body stiffened when a voice reached my ears. A very familiar voice!!!

Beads of sweat formed in a second and my hands and legs are shaking like a leaf in fear!

No....nooo!!! This cannot be true!!

Please..... please someone tell me this is not happening in my library right now!

I could literally feel every type of disgusting creatures crawling on my skin causing me goosebumps when I heard his voice asking for me!

"Is Melody Jacobs here?"

Oh god!! No way!! Please..... please someone help me! I beg you...

"No" replied Gabriel. Thank you....

"She'll be here tomorrow?" He asked.

"Don't know" Gabriel answered.

I couldn't understand why Gabriel is saying that. Maybe he get dangerous vibes from him.

"Fine. Inform her that Stephen Hyde is very eager to meet her again" he said referring to himself in a dangerous evil tone. I can almost see his vile disgusting smirk while uttering those words.

My legs gave out as I didn't have an ounce of energy left in me. I fell on the ground with a thud on my knees as my body goes numb and weak. The only thing I'm feeling right now is my heart aching more than I could endure. Although I heard his footsteps walking away, my mind was not in the state to acknowledge that fact.

Five years..... For five years, I had my life in my hands. I won't say it's a happy life..... but it's damn sure a safe and secured one. And within a second, all that crumbled down at my feet in million pieces.

I clutched my heart when the pain grew unbearable. It became hard to take breathe and my whole body is trembling uncontrollably as I felt a massive panic attack is on the way. Still clutching my heart with one hand, I hunched over placing another hand on the ground putting all my weight on it. I don't even have the strength to hold onto myself anymore.

Never ending tears keep on rolling down my cheeks. I gasped taking in a huge gulp of air. I can't take this anymore.... Why me?! Why always me??

Don't I deserve a chance to get a normal life?? What crime did I committed to get this brutal punishment???

For nearly 12 years, I lived through that hell hole. And now, I'm falling back into it. But this time, I'm sure I won't survive it. There's no way I could go through that pain ever again.

Heavy broken sobs left me causing violent shooks in my body when I thought about all the pain I had gone through.

If Stephen really comes infront of me again, I'll have to die!! There's no other choice than that. I'd rather die than to be captured in his clutches. Thinking it, I began to sob harder than before. It this happened a few weeks back, then I'd have not bothered by it this much. Because I don't have any hopes or dreams for my life. But lately, I'm loving the way my life is going on.

The minute I woke up, there'll be a cup of coffee ready for me. I'm eating my breakfast every day. Even though it's only small amount, it's regular unlike what I'm used to. I don't need to cook my food if I'm tired like before. I can go to sleep while Jenna would send it to my room. I don't need to look after myself as everyone would be there to take care of me.

Even if I'm at work, I won't feel lonely as Gabriel was with me all the time. It's true he talks less, but his presence alone makes me feel safe. The evenings were the most enjoyable time of the day. As soon as I enter the club, Cara comes running and hugs me tightly. It gives me a sense of comfort that someone was actually waiting for me at the home. Home..... I began to think it as a home. It may not be mine. Still, it's a home!! That made it special.

And the best time in the day were dinners. Everyone in the club gathered at the time and enjoy dinner like a family. A family with full of love and care towards each and everyone.

Above all, the moments I share with Hunter were the most special and precious to me. Every second I spend with him is like a new birth to me. Fresh and energetic. His caring, teasings, stolen kisses, feather like touches, mischievous glances..... Everything he had done was a delightful experience.

I'll treasure them in my heart and cherish them forever. They are my valuable possessions. But that's what hurting me most right now. I've got the taste of happiness for the first time and it's going to be snatched away from me way more ruthless than I could bear.

Why God?! Why giving me happiness if you want to take it away from me? Only to deepen my pain??

I don't know how much time has passed. I'm still on my knees crying my hearts out until I heard Gabriel cussed at the sight of me entering the room. I shut my eyes in shame that he's looking at my vulnerable state.

"What happened, Mel?" he asked with worry laced in his voice.

My cries only increased hearing him. It's getting harder to breathe as I keep taking huge intakes difficultly.

When I saw Gabriel hand reaching out for me, my instinct kicked in making me backing out of his reach. Without actually knowing what I'm doing, I crawled backwards till my back hits a shelf. Bringing my knees to my chest, I hide my face and continued to weep more at my fate.

A place where I found myself.... A place where I felt safe most– my library– is not safe for me anymore. A place where I put my heart totally in it..... is the same place where I lost all the hope!! This is not my hiding spot anymore.

"Shit!!" I heard Gabriel cursed, "I'm calling Hunter."

By my mind is not in the condition to register his words as the only thing I can think of right in this moment is—

He found me.....

***

Hunter's P.O.V.

"Are there any leads?" I inquired Nolan, one of my men.

"Nope. We're keeping tabs on David. He didn't met his father from the last 3 months. No phone calls and any sort of contacts with him. Looks like he forgot about him" Nolan replied furrowing his brows in disappointedly.

"FUCK!!!" I shouted in frustration punching the wall beside me.

We have been searching for Andrew Jackson for one and a half year but still found no clue about his whereabouts. Before, David Jackson calls his father.... but still we couldn't track him down. Now, he's not even calling him!! Apart from breaking into Melody's house, David Jackson, that bastard's son had not done anything unusual or suspicious which seems to be threatening to us.

I'm sure they're planning something..... Something BIG!! If not, they wouldn't be this calm. I can sense that. Suddenly, a phone shrill brought me back to the present from my thoughts. I took out my phone, looking at the caller ID frowning. Gabriel?!

He won't call unless it's an emergency!! Instantly, a realisation flashed in my mind. He's with Melody!!

Quickly accepting the call, "What's the matter?" I asked.

"Hunter.... Man! It's about Mel.... You need to come here.....right now!" He replied with a tension filled voice.

"Why? What happened?" I asked frantically taking my car keys.

"First come here.....fast."

By now, my rage mixed with some unknown fear got me the best as I growled into the phone, " JUST TELL ME GODDAMNIT!!!"

But Gabriel already cuts the call intensifying my temper, "BLOODY HELL!!!" I yelled annoyed at him. "Why the fuck he didn't say the reason?!"

I ran towards the car and within 10 minutes, I'm infront of the library.

Rushing inside, I only see the library completely fine but empty. There's no sign of Melody or Gabriel.

Strolling to the back door, I bursted it open only to witness the heart wrenching sight of Melody curled up in a ball covering her face in between her knees. Even with this distance, I can clearly hear her silent sobs. Her every broken whimper hurts me like a sharp dagger piercing through my heart again and again so brutally.

Gabriel is standing near her silently watching her with pained expression.

Without a second thought, I sprinted towards Melody crouching down next to her. She's still hiding her face not looking at me and I doubt she's even aware of my presence. But when I lifted my hand to touch her, she jerked her head up moving back a little. A part of me breaks when she appeared scared of me.

I hate that. I don't want her to be scared of me. Instead, I want her to turn up to me when she's afraid. I want to be the one whom she can lean on without a second thought.....

She gazed at me with her big swollen red eyes due to all the crying. There is so much pain, fear and helplessness in them.

It took every ounce in me to stop myself from hugging her and hiding her from the world. She kept looking at me as more tears are flowing endlessly weakening me. Figuring that she's having trouble for breathing, I called her softly,

"Kitten"

And the next second, she jumped in my arms throwing her hands around my neck. I fell on my ass due to the sudden impact, but it's the least I care for right now.

Crossing my legs, I pulled Melody in my lap making her comfortable and began to stroke her back soothing her as much as I can. But her cries didn't stop. She clutched my shirt tightly in her fists and nuzzled more into my chest. Her whole body is shooking so violently with her sobs.

"Melody..... Shh.... Stop crying sweetheart" I pleaded, "Look, I'm here with you now. Don't cry, kitten. Please...."

"I-I'm s-scared, Hunter" she gasped in between her hiccups.

I shut my eyes hearing the vulnerability in her voice. How can I assure her that she don't need to be scared?!

Cupping her face, I asked her to look at me. When she did, I kissed her forehead softly and gazed into her eyes wiping the tear stricken cheeks.

"Don't be. You don't need to be afraid of anything or anyone in this world, sweetheart.....because I'm with you. I promise you Melody, that nothing will ever happen to you. I'll protect you. Please don't cry, kitten."

She just nodded mutely hugging me again strongly. But her tears didn't stop wetting my shirt. I silently stroked her back and arms whispering sweet nothings to her and placing kisses on her hair.

After sometime, I felt her body goes heavy and limp as she fell asleep in my arms. Without disturbing her, I lifted her in bridal style and walked out. Seeing us, Gabriel came worriedly looking at Melody.

"Is she fine?"

I sighed, "Physically..... yes. But mentally..... I don't know. She's tired after all the crying" I replied gazing at her.

Before he talks more, I continued, "I'm taking her with me. Inform everyone that we're not coming tonight and don't disturb me today. And not a word about what happened here. Mainly to Daisy."

He agreed in understanding.

"You and I, will have our talk later" I said staring at him.

He nodded getting my point what I want to talk about.

I quickly bring her to my home. She seems really exhausted. Going to my room, I placed her gently on the bed and sat next to her. Even in her sleep, her brows furrowed with stress and fear is clearly visible on her face.

Slowly, I rubbed her worry lines with my fingers making them disappear. She's curling up while sleeping like she's trying to shield herself from something and mumbling incoherent words I can't hear. I carressed her hair hoping it would somewhat lessen her pain.

Something definitely happened that triggered Melody to the point she had a panic attack. I need to find out what it is. I can't see my kitten in this condition. So fragile and scared.

Looking at her sleeping form, I softly moved the strands that fell on her face. Whatever it is that made her breakdown like that, I have to figure it out.

I gave my word to Melody that I'd protect her..... And now it's time to keep my promise!