Chapter 17. Her answer

PROSE MODE.

Seth watched Melody, she was staring blankly out the window. They were headed for the spa, he wasn't driving today. Tiger was.

Seth was a bit relieved that she wasn't crying anymore but this was their anniversary, he'd feel terrible if he was the one who ruined it just because he took some game seriously.

"Mel-"

"We're here."

Tiger said backing up into the parking lot. Melody reached for her duffle bag and stepped out of the jeep grand Cherokee.

***

They were both getting their couple's massage.

Melody tried to figure out what she was going to say to him, she had a lot on her mind already, she was edgy about how he'd retaliate to her reply.

Their sauna started afterwards. Seth was already in the room. Melody walked in later, she sat on the opposite side of the room. She wanted to maintain his gaze throughout whatever she was gonna say.

"Seth, I..."

"Babe I don't want you to apologize about that, I shouldn't have asked something like that out of the blue, it ruined the moment."

"I actually wasn't going to apologize, I just feel that you deserve an answer either way."

She adjusted her towel tied in a back knot, it was getting quite loose.

"I don't plan on having kids early, I wanna go far in my life, there's a lot I want to achieve and I never planned to give up my passions either. So, I don't think I should try out motherhood just for the sake of it. Maybe I'll have kids much later because I actually do have a strong maternal desire. Secondly, I think I'll be a terrible mother because I'm basically a very selfish human being. You should know that by now, I even shut you out without any explanations during the exam t–"

"It was because of your scholarship."

Seth cut Melody shut as he leaned against the wall behind him.

"How did you find out...?"

"That's not important. I don't want you to make out yourself to be such an irritating person, you had your reasons for doing that, you just didn't inform me ahead of time. That's not being selfish, you'll only be selfish when you didn't feel guilty for doing that."

Melody coiled up the strand of hair dangling out of the towel around her finger.

What was she supposed to reply to that?

"I know that my reasons aren't what bothered you. It's because of the silent abortion topic and yes, I would get rid of it if it gets to that point. I didn't know how to say that out earlier, I still feel shitty for saying it now but... that's just the truth."

She'd finally verbalized her thoughts. She knew he was too good for her anyway, maybe she should be the one to put an end to this relationship first so she can avoid any eventuality of her getting hurt by him later.

She looked up at him. He was still leaning against the wall, his eyes pressed shut. She garnered enough tenacity to walk over to him and take a seat right next to him. They needed to have a long talk about this.

But he didn't say anything else. Their dinner date was also quiet. If either of them said anything, it was to avoid the tension brewing in the air. Seth still kissed her goodnight. He dropped the L bomb but strode off straight away to his room, which was just a wall away from Melody's.

Melody slowly pushed the door in. So much for their hundredth anniversary, it was completely wrecked.

***

Seth knocked on her door at ten in the morning the next day. She opened up, her smile reached her eyes. They had chatted a bit last night, she couldn't sleep so she sent him a text hoping he'd still be awake fortunately, he was.

They didn't talk much but she sent a voice message that loosened up the edginess to the point that they ended up laughing afterwards.

***

MELODY'S Point of View

The birthday party was later today. Almost a midnight occasion. So we were by the pool. All his sisters were off somewhere helping out with the preparations. The Queen was at the beach with the King, hopefully, she'd distract him long enough till the surprise was all set.

The maids were all helping out with the preparations also. So Seth and I were pretty much alone. I nuzzled up against his chest on the large sun lounger. I was comforted by his breath on my neck. His other arm encircled my waist.

Seth had told me to try to forget about what happened yesterday. He didn't want anything to ruin our relationship, so we're going to see where things go, for now.

"Stop thinking about it."

I heard him say. Sometimes I wonder if he could tell what I was thinking by just looking at my face. He slowly bent his head and nibbled on my upper lip. It started as a soft kiss. He tilted his head with his half-lidded eyes, his lips brushing slowly over mine. When my eyelids closed, they stuck together. I tried opening them later to get a better glance at Seth's bewitching vampire hairline. We kissed for a long time, pulling away briefly, breathing deeply, I drew him back with my eyes. The smell of his cologne was dizzying, warmth consumed me as I leaned deeper into the kiss, my fingers carded through his hair as we breathed each other in and...

An all too familiar presence hovered. The Queen cleared her throat and my face pulsed with color as Seth reluctantly pulled away from me.

"Sweetie, there are rooms inside just not on the sun lounge chairs, okay?"

Seth nodded still out of breath.

"Thank goodness I was the one who ran into you and not your father."

I heard her say as she trotted to the bar to pour herself a drink.

***

We still had about two hours to go, before the birthday banquet. Seth wasn't even close to being satisfied yet. He was so eager, that he bit my lip, the salty taste lingered and I felt his fangs trying to pop out. I must have a vampire fetish or something. Now that I think about it, Luke was also a vampire.

His tongue traced my lips, his eyes fully closed. His body pressed mine fervidly against the wall, breathing heavily, as my lips glided over his. My heart pounded in my chest as I felt my knees get weaker. I could only focus on how soft he felt against my mouth, how addictively he invaded my senses. My whole body tingled.

Knock knock knock.

"My lady, it's Hillary. It's almost time for the banquet I'm here to help you get ready."

Seth pulled away to get a breather, his hands still firmly gripping my thighs.

"Okay."

I heard myself say, I was still held captive in his eyes. Whatever it was we were communicating, one thing was clear. Neither of us wanted this moment to stop.

"Just give me a minute."