Melinas Men

Chapter Nineteen.

Chapter Nineteen.

I hated to admit but after a second encounter with my mind and Sebastian, all I did was dream about our memories.

There was a time where we were inseparable, we’d prank Michael and Jessa all the time, or even when we were on our own we were always being silly and doing something fun. But then we were the perfect couple and professional in front of everyone else. Sebastian was an only child and loved being apart of my family, but I also loved being apart of his. His estate was always quiet and his parents very much kept to themselves having so much to do around the place, I loved that about them. My parents always wanted us in the eyes of the public, Sebastians parents were happy for us to play truant with them.

I finally opened my eyes properly and looked around my bedroom, the light was shining through and directly on the chair Seb was sitting on when I finally fell asleep, but he wasn’t there now. He wasn’t anywhere but back in my head.

But my imaginary friend fuelled my fire, I decided to page Georgia. Yes, I know, we still use pagers for our staff, my mother insisted.

Not even a minute later there was a quiet knock at my door.

“Come in,” I called, still sitting up in bed.

“Yes, miss, you called?” She asked, standing in the doorway.

I smiled, “sorry, I was too lazy to come find you. We’re going to go shopping.”

A huge smile spread across Georgia’s face. I hated shopping and she loved it, so this was a dream come true for her.

“Ready in half an hour?” She asked.

“Sure,” I sighed, not knowing what I was getting myself in for.

Georgia hurried off in a trance getting ready to sort a car and where we will go. She would know it was for an outfit tonight.

I slowly got up and almost crawled to the shower to get ready.

I stood in the change room of the store looking at myself, I had never looked so sexy but also classy in my life. I didn’t know if my mother would have a heart attack either. I had skin tight, wet look, high waisted black pants on along with a lacy body suit with a navy blue oversized blazer over the top to keep some skin hidden. And big chunky boots.

“Are you sure about this?” I called out to Georgia who was sitting outside waiting for me.

“You wanted to be risky, right?” She called back, “just show me.”

I walked out of the change room and Georgia’s jaw dropped, so did the saleswoman that was waiting with us.

“Oh my god,” Georgia finally spoke, “yes, yes, yes.”

“You think?”

“Yes!”

“Okay, okay,” I laughed.

I turned and looked in the mirror. I did really look good. My mum would flip, but I didn’t care. We were going to a fashion show, you had to be edgy.

“I will die on my sword for you in this,” Georgia declared.

I laughed at her analogy, “okay, I’ll get it.”

“Awesome,” the sales woman spoke up, “I’ll get that all rung up for you.”

“Now, let’s get something for you, Georgia.”

That night came too quickly and I had made some big changes, first my outfit, but then my look as well. I wore my hair dead straight down my back with a swooping fringe unlike my usual wavy up-do. And I put a little eyeshadow to make a Smokey eye rather than my natural look of just mascara. I walked out to the front lawn scared of what everyone would think, I didn’t give my mother much time to make me go change, which was likely a good idea as it was certain that she would flip.

“Wow, Melina!” Jessa screamed in surprise, and what also seemed like delight. She wore a navy blue pencil skirt and white silk button up shirt, looking beautiful and innocent as always.

My mother turned to see me after Jessa’s reaction. Her eyes widened and her mouth was tense, I could see her thinking before she said anything, “you look beautiful, Melina. Very, vogue.”

I laughed at her attempt at a compliment, at least she wasn’t yelling at me, “thank you.”

She smiled, finally getting a normal no sarcasm reply from me.

“You’re not wearing that,” I turned to see Carmichael jogging down the steps to us, “go get changed.”

I was surprised that Carmichael was the one to resist my change, he was always supportive, especially as of late.

“Why?” I countered.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Carmichael,” my dad came to my defence, “she looks just like the girls you court.”

“Oh my god dad, ew!” Both Michael and I cried out in unison.

“What? Your brother has good taste, you look beautiful is all I’m saying, Melina.”

“No, just no,” I put a hand up to him. He had no idea what he was saying.

“That’s exactly my point, Mel. Get changed,” Michael ordered.

But it was too late, our stretch SUV just pulled up in front of us, ready to go.

Darryl, our driver, opened the sliding door. I poke my tongue out at Michael before getting in first, Jessa then the rest following.

We sipped champagne for the hour long drive to the event, I brought my earphones to drown out the rest of the family who would most likely be silent anyway. I left one earbud out just in case something good went down. A few moments my mother put her hand on my leg, signalling to slow down on the drink. But of course I kept disregarding her. I’m sure my body will love it when I finally stand up.

I hated the red carpet but it had to be done. We all got photos separately, and together. My parents always had photos of the two of them together, as did Jessa and I, then us again with Carmichael. We never stopped for the interviews though, they were always misconstrued. They didn’t need us to speak, they’d make up whatever they liked anyway. We stood together around a small table being served more champagne and appetisers before the show started. We all looked around, feeling the atmosphere. Mum probably looking for some connection she can schmooze with, dad a friend to make this less of a task, and Carmichael for some woman to chat up. He’d probably wait for the models. Jessa was just amused to see everything around her, and I was more looking for people not to be here. Everywhere I looked I saw people look away, everyone was staring at me and I hoped it was for good reason. I was definitely different than usual and I knew I’d be in the tabloids, I just wasn’t sure if it would be for good or bad. Fashion was the thing everyone loved to b***h about the most.

And then I almost choked…

“Are you alright, Melina?” Jessa asked me, patting my back.

“I told you, you drink too fast,” my mother declared.

And then Carmichael choked on his drink too.

“What is going on?” My father asked.

“Nothing,” I finally managed.

“Nothing good,” Carmichael extended.

Then all of their eyes followed where me and Michael were looking. At Prince Eric. Accompanied by his assistant.

“Maybe we should go,” Michael stated, finishing the last of his champagne.

“No!” I almost yelled, “I doubt Eric will try anything out in public.”

“That’s not what I was worried about,” Michael said to only me, causing my parents to look at us confused.

I widened my eyes as if to tell him to shut up, “I’ll be okay. I can’t hide forever.”

“That’s very mature of you, Melina,” my mother stated. Too many compliments from her tonight.

I smiled a fake smile and drank the rest of my champagne, “I’ll probably need another drink though.”

“I’m on it,” and just like that Carmichael rushed off to get us some more drinks before the show started.

Or to go punch Eric, or Jack. Who knows?