I'm Back!

Her father's words echoed in her mind: 'Don't do anything stupid at the Pacifica International airport until I get there. And don't go flaunting your criminology student status around anyone at the airport – everyone is watching.'

Mel watched as the detectives grilled her one by one, demanding answers she didn't think she have.

She had been denied the opportunity to make a phone call, and the coldness of the room was beginning to seep into her bones.

All she could do was hope that Travis would see the headlines before her father did – otherwise, there would be trouble.

The newspaper was flung in front of Mel, and she saw that she had made the headlines: "Unidentified Woman Attempts to Tamper with Airport Murder Saga." She read the words silently, but in her head, she was screaming at the bold-faced lies.

Travis chuckled as he took his seat at the edge of the table. "Looks like you got a grand reception, Mel. You're almost as famous as my celebrity idol – even though the president didn't personally welcome you." He grinned mischievously. "I'm here for your autograph, by the way."

"Thank goodness you're here," Mel began to say but was cut off by the sound of quick footsteps approaching the room.

"Well, well, well, looks like we've got a celebrity in our midst! Miss Paige, the one and only! And apparently, you're trending. Lucky for you, you've been away for seven years, or else I'm sure everyone would already know your status by now. Such a shame."

This was the typical Paige family.

"Father..." Mel stood but was ignored by him.

"Travis, take her home. I'll take care of her leftovers," Mel's father commanded.

She longed to run and embrace him, but he didn't even glance in her direction as he vanished into the hallway, leaving her heart feeling burdened.

Mr. Samael Paige held the position of general detective in the criminology department of Pacifica.

He was known for his diligent work ethic and was highly respected by his family for this.

Despite being his daughter, he did not let personal bias interfere with his work, and he was not one to forgive easily.

He had already reviewed the CCTV footage on his way there, but he was well aware of his daughter's cunning nature, perhaps better than anyone else.

Melanie's unwavering aspiration to become the top female detective in crime and justice investigations ultimately led her to do the unthinkable.

Even as a young girl, she would mimic the behavior of detectives by sneaking into her father's vehicle at crime scenes.

Occasionally, she would emerge and offer her assistance, which had jeopardized her father's investigations on numerous occasions.

As a result, he sent her abroad to pursue formal training in the field, hoping to hone her professionalism.

Melanie's mother had initially opposed her daughter's desire to pursue a career in the criminal investigation.

She instead had envisioned a future for her only daughter in prestigious companies that dominated the Pacifica job market.

These companies were few, highly coveted, and generally private, offering competitive salaries and excellent benefits.

Despite her mother's objections, Melanie was determined to follow in her father's footsteps and pursue a career in criminal investigation, despite the inherent dangers that come with the job.

"Hey, I'm home!" Melanie announced as she stepped into the house, her voice ringing out cheerfully.

Travis tossed the car keys onto the table and lugged her suitcase in behind him. "Mom, look who's here, your celebrity daughter!" he exclaimed with a grin.

Her mother embraced her tightly while in the midst of preparing her favorite dish.

Flour from the baking process had coated her hands, which inadvertently ended up smudging onto her daughter's body.

Despite the mess, the sheer happiness and delight that permeated the moment made it all worth it. Her mother cried out after seeing her daughter after so long.

"Mel, dear," Mrs. Dela Paige began as she led her daughter to the couch. "We're sorry we couldn't attend your graduation. How was school over there? Your father has been busy lately, and the country is in lockdown due to the ongoing murder cases. Please forgive us."

"Mother," she said as her mother helped her into the coach, "I'm so angry with myself, even more than with anyone else here."

The Paige family mansion was modest, with a cozy and welcoming feel. It had enough space to comfortably accommodate a family of five.

The ground floor consisted of a small living room, a dining room, and a kitchen, with a hallway leading to three bedrooms.

The bedrooms were simple yet elegant, each furnished with a comfortable bed, a wooden dresser, and a bedside table.

Upstairs, there were two more bedrooms, one of which served as a home office for the father.

The rooms were bright and airy, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light.

The overall atmosphere was one of warmth and comfort, reflecting the family's simple but happy lifestyle.

Despite being a renowned general in Pacifica, Samael Paige and his family did not hire maids to take care of household chores.

Instead, they all pitched in to keep the home tidy and organized, including their youngest son Jerry Paige.

Mel took a deep breath and turned to her mother.

"Where should I begin?" she asked, grateful as Travis handed her a glass of passion juice with a smile.

"Just start at the bottom, that's where all the trends are happening," Travis said cheerfully. His mother gave him a sharp slap on the arm.

"Be quiet, can't you see she's tired?" she scolded. "Why don't you go check if the dessert is ready?" she suggested, her tone more gentle now as she turned to Mel. "Don't mind him, he can be a little too enthusiastic sometimes."

Mel said, "He's like a hedgehog, and everyone knows about him."

Although it was still early morning and she had few hours to prepare for the afternoon meeting with the other criminology officers, she can't get enough of her mother.

As she was starving and hadn't eaten anything on the flight, they didn't engage in many conversations with her.

Upon reaching the kitchen, Travis had already set the table, and he took the lead in serving them food.

Her mother was a splendid cook. Mel simply believe her mother could make any dish taste delicious with a dash of her magic hand and her recipe brain.

Though Mel wasn't as good as her mother, her coffee-making skills were particularly suited to creating a bitter brew, as it simply required the addition of an extra amount of coffee without the use of sugar.