Forgetting Mellaine

Completely Vulnerable

A couple of weeks have passed and the town is getting a lot busier than before. It is also the day that I am in this place for a couple of months now. Valentines is fast approaching. The streets being rammed with people are filled with ornaments for the event, letting it have the recognition of the town’s excitement. People were also busy buying some gifts, which made France’s Café a busy one too. Different colours of roses are at the peak and somehow we can catch and even pass our daily quota.

The sun glimmered from above us. France and I are currently enjoying our share of having some sunny side ups and bacons in the forenoon, having a lovely day with her on the terrace. The shop is getting plenty in such days, hence, it’s in its peak season these months – including that there’s an upcoming hearts’ day. We started gathering information and preparations for the booth we specified a couple of weeks ago. We wanted to display a bountiful amount of pastries and bouquets together with the goods of the other organization’s members.

Amy and Natalia were engaged with the organization’s financial reports. They were quite busy examining the expenditures for the event. Despite of the officious schedules that were placed, France decided that she’ll be the one to watch out for the café, while I’ll be the one assigned to help the others at the booth - the perfect time to get along myself with the other people.

France remembered that she had a paperwork to do over the counter, making herself in heading there, thus leaving me with the foods in a perfect scenery. I decided to grab some of the famous rolled-up magazine and newspapers that are neatly placed under the wooden dark brown table. Looking over the people under the pavements, I didn’t bother to give some comments on the likelihood they’re living for. It was a grasp to hold, having the perfect setting to relax under the heat of the sun at the moment, when suddenly I heard my phone rang. The ringtone lingered itself at the whole terrace. I picked up the receiver immediately, placing the newspaper over my dull skin toned lap.

“Hello, who’s this?”

“Hi, dear. Good morning. It’s me, Amy. Is France there? I couldn’t reach her over the phone, that’s why I contacted you. There’s something urgent.” Her voice was a bit shaky and worried. Amy was also able to get my phone number, as well as the rest of our friends’ numbers that night we had some fun. .

“Oh, yes. I’ll hand her the phone for you.” I quickly went downstairs and immediately approached France, who is currently busy noting down the orders that were made these past few days. She raised her head slowly and locked her gaze upon me as I went to her direction.

“It’s Amy.” I said, handing over her the phone.

She held and placed it over her ear gently, tugging the red pen she is using behind her other ear.

“Good morning. Amy, anything I could offer?” She muttered.

France’s eyebrows began to meet each other after a few seconds. I thought there’s a problem going on at the same time. She sat down on one of those chairs. Her fingers are ticking by on the table as she listen to Amy’s explanation. She was not amused of the current news and her lugubrious voice was showing off, enough to let me recognize her dismay. I sat beside her and waited patiently until she hang up the phone on the table. She sighed.

“They lost the fund for the booth. Someone just broke in inside Amy’s house. Her front door was damaged.” France breathe deeply in frustration.

“Are all the money being taken?” I asked worriedly.

She nodded. “Yes. It was placed inside a white envelope. I remembered we put it in one of Amy’s cabinets.”

It seemed that my only option was to comfort her, sitting beside her and thought for a few minutes. “Did they call the cops?”

“They already did. I was just wondering how the burglar was so steadfast enough to get that envelop at a given amount of time. Amy said she was just hanging around with her neighbours, together with Natalia outside the house for like 12 minutes, discussing about Valentines and for the booth. After such moment, they heard some furniture being shattered inside and a little squeak at the back door.”

I rubbed my hands, letting it warm for a while. “It’s like, he knows every divisions of Amy’s house.”

“I thought too. Who could have ever done this to Amy? As far as I know her, she is a well-known lady at her place and is well respected by most of the people living there. Her reputation is in good condition. However, her tactless behaviours are also showing somehow.”

“I just hope everything will be fine just before Valentines.” I said.

“The least that I can expect, is someone who is closed to her or even to us, her colleagues. Let’s be aware and be vigilant on our surroundings. It will be much safer if we get in touch to each other and contact anyone from us if we recognize something or something being suspicious in any places.” She suggested.

The day was a bit off for us as we get the news about the organization’s fund. After we put all the things together at France’s Café, Amy came over and fetched me out, leaving France to cook for our lunch for a while. She somehow volunteered to make them for everyone later. We went to the organization’s office straight ahead, which was located just three blocks away from the café. Embers Organization was the name being placed over the signage at the top of the entrance. The other members also heard the information and are already there, gathering in groups and having their usual little semi-confidential chats. Of course, their eyes are like dogs’ tails, slowly following our direction. With a feeble smile, Natalia just also arrived as we are arranging the chairs in the lobby, getting us ready for the meeting.

“Hurry up, beautiful ladies. There’s so much things that we need to discuss about the certain matter that just happened.” Natalia spoke with such authority that everyone hastily worked with each other. It is the time I smelled how bossy she is to the other members. Maybe that’s why she was elected as the president of this. She is eager to build a good foundation for the organization itself. More to that, she got some good communication skills and leadership. We finished arranging the chairs and everyone is pleased to sit down on each one. Amy is sitting beside me at the first row, while France is still on the café making some delicious snacks for us.

Natalia passed by at us with her regular proper posture and directly headed towards the centre, where everybody can see her. Taking the spot, she grasped the microphone with so much confidence.

“Good noon to all of you. It’s always a pleasure to have you gathered here in our centre. I guessed you all heard the news about our fund, which is why we are here today.” She uttered. “But before we go into our discussion about that matter, I would like to inform you that we have a new member in our organization” She looked at me and gave me a blankly courteous smiled.

“Please help me welcome, Mellaine West.” She smiled and signalled me to come over the stage and let me talk for a while to them. Standing slowly from my seat, I felt my inner self getting enough nervousness just like a five year old child, making me have a stage fright all of a sudden.

I slowly took a deep comforting sigh and went beside Natalia who offered me her place. All eyes are upon me and are eager to listen to what I will tell them. She handed me the microphone. My hands began to water, yet I still did manage to hold it. Looking at the microphone, I breathed deeply and composed myself.

“Hi. A pleasant noon to all of us. I’m Mellaine West. I just arrived here for a couple of months now. Uhm, it’s indeed a privilege to meet you all. I’m hoping to get along with you also. T-thank you.” I gave them a warm smile and gave back the microphone to Natalia, after she thanked me in return. I heard the glamourous claps from all the members. Most of them are happy to see a new member, as well consider me as a noob in the organization. I headed to my sit and Amy gave me a hug. France eventually arrived at the meeting holding two trays of food being wrapped with a transparent cellophane.

Everyone turned their glance at her, and had the moment to smell the goods she prepared for everyone. I heard some muffled laughter behind our sits, but decided to ignore it. I knew they are talking behind France’s back. Juicy gossips about someone really travel at a flash movement, huh. Despite of the dipshits they are discussing, I knew France is a great friend. She is a bit way older than me, but she is a lot of help from the day I came here. She somewhat like a second mother to me, hence she is also a good boss in the café.

The shrill giggles and murmurs are a lot louder than before. I slowly turned my head and faced the two women who are obviously busy chattering about their topic. They did recognize my stare and looked at me with surprise. I gave them a wry smile, having the expectation that they won’t bother me as well as France. They decided to keep their tongues off back inside their mouths and their topic behind their thick woven jackets, deciding to turn their attention to the meeting’s agenda. I wouldn’t want to deal with them in the near future, either.

Apparently, France is busy arranging the goods on the table. She is eager to help the organization by giving something to eat. She’s a hero in her own ways. I hope everyone can see that, especially those other two behind me. Standing from my seat, I went to her direction and decided to help her out. Natalia is now debating with the other officers on how they’re going to raise the fund again. Some suggested that we will try having solicitations with the local government or search for a possible sponsor to cater the need. The others gave their ideas about having contributions from each member.

At the end, we decided to search for someone for the sponsorship. I was well assured that they would find one eventually, just by looking how well-mannered most of them – came from a decent and reputable families. It was 1 pm when Amy announced that our lunch was fully ready. Food were served properly, enough for us to get a happy stomach. Bringing us our food, we stayed in our original seats. A group of three freshly married women approached us, offering us their dulcet smiles.

“H-hi. I’m Christie Coben, and these are Beverly Morgan and Jezelia Britz.” A woman in her mid 20s said, wearing her charming, crooked smile as she introduce her friends to us. The other two were standing beside her.

“Mind if we join you?” Berverly asked shyly. She’s somehow alluring with her long and elegant, brocaded lavender dress and a white plain sandals.

“Sure. I wanted to get to know more about you. I heard you just joined the organization two weeks ago. I am sorry I wasn’t there when they introduced you to the team. My schedules are piled up at these moments.” Natalia said propitiously.

They sat down on each stool and placed carefully their plates filled with foods on their laps. I’m not that approachable lady in terms of heating a conversation with a person. I just stayed cool and was silent.

“Your hair colour really suits you.” Jezelia complimented me suddenly as she examined my hair. Her deep-set brown eyes caught my attention. Well, I just hoped she wouldn’t see some of my split ends.

“Thank you. I’m Mellaine. It’s nice to meet you.” The girl giggled vivaciously.

“You’re so beautiful. I guessed you also have a handsome boyfriend or a husband.” She uttered. I enjoyed the flattery she gave me but she was a bit exaggerating the fact of my own beauty. She was busy nosing around about my love life. France was done serving the food to the others, and eventually headed to us to join the conversation. Jezelia was wearing a V-neck black long sleeves and a fit pants paired with that Gucci belt. In terms of her age, I would definitely recognize her as a teen because of her tanned, vibrant slender body and her own sense of fashion. She is conscious about her appearance, yet she is married and even got twins.

At some point of my life, I also wished in having a child. Yet, I am not that lucky to be blessed by one. After all, I felt a tingle of satisfaction of my current life. These past days were fine. There were no signs of my husband’s soul and no guilt was knocking on my door to disturb me. I was able to sleep soundlessly every night, without worrying the tomorrows and the future. I was snapped out of having self-complacent when Mrs. Coben suddenly interrupted me with a question.

“What do you think, Mellaine?” She asked me, sliding her fingers through her thin silky hair.

I was out of the blue moon, wasn’t even paying attention to their discussion. I scratched my head slowly and made a small laugh. “What are we talking about again?”

“Oh, we’re discussing about the schedules for the booth. Would you prefer to have the time from 8 am to 12 noon?”

Not bad. I could have a lot of vacant time after that. Maybe, I could also help France in the afternoon. The schedule was good for me – beneficial.

“Sure. I wouldn’t mind taking that.” I said.

“Then it’s settled.” Amy muttered and clapped her hands

A sudden buzz was heard over Natalia’s phone and asked for an excuse, making her way by the centre’s entrance. She answered the call and held her phone straight beside her ear. She nodded several times and was clearly, indeed getting satisfaction with the person on the other line she was talking with.

“By the way, France. Can you make me a two layered chocolate moist cake for my twins after Valentine’s day? I will definitely give you a call before the day for the design.” Jezelia suddenly asked.

France looked at her and smiled. “Sure. Just call me anytime, Jez.”

After a couple of minutes, Natalia went back to us, taking her seat and plastering a smile on her face.

“Guess, something made you happy, Nat.” Amy teased her.

“Yes. Dad eventually offered himself as one of the sponsors for our upcoming Valentine’s Day celebration. He also wanted to see our organization to prosper somehow. He already talked to his colleagues and probably would also offer sponsorship to us.” She happily uttered.

“That’s so good. I mean, it’s a blessing, Nat.” Amy giggled.

“Yes! Let’s do our best!”

After our little talk and getting to know more about the other members, specifically me, Natalia decided to adjourn the meeting so we would have the attention on our own personal concerns. It was a privileged to meet other people. The organization was built for the married and single women. I was also able to get along with Johann Marsha and Veronica Quilts. They’re were one of those first people who got the membership.

After our little talk, Johann offered us a ride to our houses. Her home is just few blocks away from us. While the others are busy doing their thing, we packed our stuff and hopped in inside Johann’s car. France decided to stay for a while in the assembly hall with Natalia. She wanted to discuss about the services we’re going to offer on that event. During the trip, Johann is driving calmly, her eyes are fixed on the road, while Veronica is in the passenger’s seat, eating some chips and chocolates, and both of us, Amy were at the back seat. We were just talking about random stuff, specifically more about Valentines. All of them, except me were much excited. They were having a bet if I would have a date on that day. In my thought, I just hoped no one would ask me out.

After some moments, we arrived at our houses safely. We thank Johann for the safe ride. She was friendly and accommodating to us. It was clearly shown in her features that she was a well-known person in this town. Despite of her reputation and family background, she would eagerly help the organization to prosper for the betterment of its own.

We said goodbyes to each other and went to our own homes. While I was heading to my little plain grey apartment’s gate, I noticed a man standing beside my porch, patiently waiting for me to arrive– it was Brandon O ‘Lier. At some point, I somehow like this guy as a friend. Brandon recognized my presence and turned his gaze directly towards me. His eyes glimmered under the sun’s rays. He was stunning - wearing his plain white shirt and cargo pants. His hair was still wet. He walked slowly to my direction and hugged me tight. It was at that moment I felt butterflies flying happily in my stomach again. I could clearly smell his scent. The scenery we shared was a bit awkward. I was reluctant on my next move, but to my intent, I slowly wrapped my hands around him.

For the first time, I was well aware that my action made me…

completely vulnerable.