Lonely Castle

Alcohol makes even the biggest problem seem small, right?

Melly

It had been almost 11 long years since Melodie Tong had set foot on British soil for more than few days or so anyone knew.

And almost a year since she'd last sat in the same bustling Canary Wharf cocktail bar, 'The Black Canary', a night filled with laughter, friends and many drinks.

Tonight there'd be no whispered giggles, no nostalgia filled conversations. Only the uncomfortable questions about why she'd returned and whether she'd be staying.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the Wharf Shane, Emit, Dru, and Rick would be gathering at the Hawksmoor.

"Look what the cat dragged in." Layla said, "Oh my, is this for me?" Layla drawled, plucking the glass out of Melly's hand without missing a beat.

"Lovely to see you too, Lay," Melodie shot back, raising a brow. "Food should be here before you get too pissed."

"You ordered without me? Outrageous," Layla gasped dramatically, slumping into her chair as if mortally wounded. Rolling her eyes, Melodie snatched back her drink.

"Obviously. I got fried chicken nachos with everything, naturally. And two jugs of Banana Daiquiris, with enough rum to sink a ship. You're welcome."

Grinning, Layla blew an exaggerated kiss. "Honestly, Mel, it's a tragedy you're not a man, or that I'm not into women. We'd rule the world, proper chaos." She said, leaning over and planting a cheeky peck on Melodie's lips, just like when they were kids.

Melodie threw her head back and burst into a fit of laughter. "Never change, Lay. "

"Someone's got to keep things interesting." Scoffed Layla.

By the time they'd finished their meal and several jugs of Daiquiris, Melodie had finally begun to relax- that was until Layla got that look in her eyes, you know that look that always preceded an awkward conversation.

Sighing, Melodie leaned back into her chair "Go on, I know you're dying to ask," she said, pouring herself another drink.

"Why now? Why'd you drop your life and come back here…" Layla asked, gesturing to their surroundings and draining the last of her drink.

Shrugging, Melly exhaled; she knew eventually she'd have to answer this question and yet she still didn't have an answer- well, not one that would satisfy anyone. It's not like she could lay out her plan like a Bond villainess, white cat and all.

"Would you believe me if I told you mum was gonna cut me off if I didn't stop bumming around in paradise?" She asked, staring into Layla's emerald eyes. "Not even for a second", scoffed Layla. "You have your company, Mel; it's not like you need the family funds."

"How about this… I missed my life and all of this," she said, gesturing to their surroundings.

"You're so full of s**t," giggled Layla as she stumbled free of her chair and clumsily pulled Melly to her feet. "I'm glad you're home; it was never the same without you… They were never the same without you," she said gently, pressing another kiss to Melly's lips. "f**k I'm hungry. Fancy some expensive steak? Courtesy of my men, of course," She asked, wiggling her eyebrows as she led Melly out of the bar and into the cool London night.

The Hawksmoor

Melly trailed behind the hostess, weaving through the crowded restaurant. Determined not to make eye contact with any of the patrons, Melly kept her eyes trained on the hostess' feet. Until her curiosity piqued when one of the female servers started gushing to a colleague about four handsome men at a nearby table.

And like a moth to a flame, Melly's eyes followed the server's gesture, her eyes instantly locking on Rick and Dru. Their intense stares sent a jolt of anxiety down her spine.

"Erm, sorry, excuse me. Is there another table available, maybe out on the deck?" Melly asked, pointing to the almost full 'floating deck'. The hostess paused, giving Melly a slow, scrutinising once-over.

"There's only one table left, and it's reserved for the Tsong group," she snapped, her eyes once more scrutinising Melly and Layla's appearance, as they offended her.

Melly's jaw clenched. She despised flexing her family name to get what she wanted, but if it meant she didn't have to sit opposite Rick and Dru, then flexing was what she'd do. Smirking, she thrust her I.D badge under the hostess' smug nose.

"Ah well, you might want to seat us then, since Emanuel Tsong is my grandfather," she said, allowing arrogance to colour her tone.

"Oh, and that table over there put them on my tab," she added sharply. Without waiting for permission, she grabbed Layla's hand and strode past the stunned hostess. God, I'm such a coward, she thought, pulling her chair out.

Layla grinned, leaning forward with bright, mischievous eyes. "Talk about big d**k energy," she said, unable to contain her laughter.

Layla glanced at the hostess, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Did you see her face when she realised who you were?" She shook her head in disbelief. "And then you paid for the guys' food… She looked like she was going to vomit." Squealed Layla as she made eyes at Shane.

"My God, must you!" snarked Melly as she took out her phone and texted Shane.

Melo: What happened to being gone before we got here?!

Shane: Well hello to you too, beautiful x

Melo: You said you were leaving!

Shane: The guys wanted to keep drinking…

Melo: Fine, stop flirtin' w/t my date :p oh & stay away from our table x

"Are you listening to me?" queried Layla, thrusting her finger in Melodie's face. Realising she'd not been listening, Layla slammed her cocktail glass onto the table, sloshing drink everywhere.

"Ooh, food's here," she gasped giddily, abandoning whatever she'd been droning on about.

Dru

"Sorry 'bout that; Mum has the worst timing," Dru said, unbuttoning his suit jacket and tossing it over the back of his chair, scanning the restaurant. Dru began to feel ill at ease being in the presence of at least two of his and Garrick's conquests while Melly was only a few doors down, and it seemed wrong despite the current state of their relationship.

"Why'd we have to come here, mate?" he grumbled as the waiter set a scotch before him. "What if Lay an' Mel come in?" He asked, staring in Garrick's direction, then over at the two women eying them.

Garrick let out a slow, exaggerated sigh as he continued to lazily flick through the drinks list. "Don't worry, she won't come in here. We're here, and we're the last people she wants to see, trust me," he huffed, waving over their waiter, ordering more food and drinks.

A little over an hour slipped by before Emit had their waiter move them over to his company's table so they could drink without interruption.

"No more vigorous f*****g in the lounge now, huh?" smirked Dru as he took a sip of his whiskey.

Emit shrugged. "No, I suppose not. Paradise is out of the question as well… Can't imagine why she traded a beach house and private chef for this," he said, gesturing to their surroundings.

Scoffing, Rick took a mouthful of beer "We all know she was summoned back by the old man and her brother. I'm sure this is-" he paused, gesturing to himself, then Dru and their surroundings "is not what she was missing"

As the words left Rick's mouth, the restaurant doors swung open, and two stunning women swept through. "Bloody hell," Dru hissed as the hostess led them past their table; his eyes met Melly's, and his mouth began to water.

"Jesus, would you stop staring at her like she's the last roast potato at Sunday lunch?" Shane teased, giving Rick's shoulder a friendly shove.

Rick shook his head, muttering a quiet, "No."

"We should go; I have training in the morning," Dru stated, gesturing for their server to cash out their tab.

"Yeah, we should probably head out too," Shane agreed, his gaze lingering on Layla.

"Gentlemen, it would seem your tab has been settled by the Tsong group," announced the manager as he handed them a premium bottle of imported tequila. "Compliments of the Tsong group's table," he added before walking off to check on the other big spenders in the room.

"Should we go over? It would be rude not to say thank you." Dru said, freeing himself from his chair. Before anyone could object, he headed towards Melly and Layla's table.

As he approached, Layla offered him a warm smile. "Dru... boys," she said, eyeing Emit and Shane. Rising from her seat, she hugged each of them in turn. Rolling her eyes, Melly placed her napkin on the table and stood as Dru rounded the table.

Pausing, he felt his heart pound in his ears; reaching for her hand, he pulled her into his embrace.

"Thought we should come say thank you and welcome home," he said, his hands resting on her hips but not releasing her. Dru stepped back just enough to look into her eyes.

"You're more than welcome, Andrews," she replied, stepping closer to lay a gentle kiss on his cheek. As she did so, her eyes locked with Rick's.

"Rick," she said, offering him a weak smile.

Ignoring their exchange, Dru pulled her into his embrace again. Lowering his head to her neck, he took a deep breath and inhaled her scent. 'God, she smells good,' he thought, pulling her closer and feeling her melt into him. 'This, this is how it's supposed to be,' he thought. Before he could say anything else, she abruptly stepped away from him.