Bonding Time

Hearing the dining room door open, Melina placed her phone in her sweatpants pocket before looking up to see her aunt Mena and Robert entering the room. The two sat down on the opposite side of the table, her aunt taking the seat in front of Melina.

"Morning aunt Mena." Melina greeted a little awkwardly. "And um…Robert."

Mena smiled in acknowledgment as Robert nodded his head. The two then grabbed some breakfast, Robert occasionally adding food to Mena's plate and handing her a cup of the coffee.

Melina watched the two, wondering what their relationship was. She had forgotten to ask Jason about it and Kai was MIA since yesterday, something about a party, so she couldn't ask him either. And she felt a little nervous asking her aunt.

After Melina had left the office yesterday, her father and aunt had spoken for a long time, the two even having dinner in his office. When it ended, her father and Jason said their goodbyes before leaving for the airport. Her aunt and Robert had gone out for business so she hadn't been able to have a conversation with the two.

The awkward air among the three was starting to get tense when Kai suddenly appeared, looking like he had gotten in a fight. Melina breathed a sigh of relief, glad to have someone she knew in the room.

"Andrew, can you get me some painkillers and water please." Kai asked, taking a seat next to Melina.

"Of course, young master." Andrew replied, heading out the room to the kitchen.

"Morning Kai." Melina said.

"Hey Lina." Kai greeted back, stuffing his face with a bread roll. "Morning aunt and Robert."

"You get into a fight." Aunt Mena asked, pointing her fork at the red mark under Kai's right eye.

"Not really. It was more of a sparring match with Richard." Kai answered, taking the pills and water from Andrew, who had come back with them.

"That so." Mena raised an eyebrow.

"I thought you went to a party." Melina said, curious about what had happened.

"Well, it was a uni party, but my friends and I got bored so we went clubbing and landed up at one of Tasha's fighting clubs." Kai shrugged as if that explained everything. "Besides, it's not that bad. Richard got a black eye and a broken arm."

"Oh…" Melina murmured, her curiosity dying with Kai's explanation.

"Anyway, what is the Red Devil doing here?" Kai questioned, looking at Mena. "I thought you were taking care of stuff in Eden."

"Brat, I told you not to call me that." Mena glared at Kai. "And I'm here to take care of your sister while your father's out of town."

"But, I'm here." Kai exclaimed.

"Yeah, well your father clearly doesn't trust you. Besides, can you handle a female demon's time."

"Well, I guess you're right. The Red Devil is the best person to deal with blood." Kai smirked, quickly getting up and heading out the room.

Mena stood up, throwing a knife at Kai's direction. Melina watched in shock as Andrew picked up the knife, handing a new one to Mena, who was sitting back down, fuming. It seemed like whatever had happened was a normal thing, scaring Melina a little.

Melina made a mental note never to call her aunt "The Red Devil" like Kai had. She guessed it was some kind of nickname from the mafia world, probably something to do with blood. But that was as far as Melina was going to think about it.

She had a feeling that she didn't want to know how her aunt earned that nickname.

"Apologies for that horrible sight." Mena exclaimed a few minutes later, having calmed down a little. "I have a reputation because of the work I do and it's given me a certain name. I don't like hearing it and your brother knows it."

Mena sighed, taking a sip of her coffee. "Anyway, do you have anything planned today?"

Since it was Saturday and Melina was grounded, having to cancel plans with Alice yesterday, Melina had planned to get some school work done and do a little reading.

"Um…I just plan to do some schoolwork and read a little." Melina replied.

"Good." Mena nodded. "We're going out at eleven so please get ready. I'll have one of the maids come by with something for you to wear."

"Can I ask what we're doing?"

"We're having some girl's time." Mena answered, smiling. "A little bonding time since you know very little about your aunt. And I want to learn more about my niece."

***

Melina thanked the maid, taking the bag from her before closing the door behind her. Opening the bag, she pulled out a purple knee-length sundress and short black boots. The outfit seemed cute but not something Melina would normally wear.

Hurrying to the bathroom to change, she wondered where her aunt was taking her. Her aunt hadn't said where they were going and when she asked her aunt, she had said it was a surprise.

Once she was done changing, Melina placed her phone in one of the side pockets of the dress, grabbing her black leather jacket. She quickly headed downstairs to find her aunt waiting by the door, putting on a bright red lipstick.

Melina saw she was wearing a similar outfit to what she had worn yesterday, except this time her dress and high heels were a dark red color instead of black.

Closing her hand mirror, her aunt smiled at Melina and asked, "You ready?"

"Yeah, but are you sure this is okay? You know with me being grounded and all." Melina questioned, still a little nervous about the whole thing.

"It's fine. I asked your father yesterday while we were talking. Now let's get moving. Gabriel is waiting with the car."

The two headed outside to find a black sedan car waiting outside the front of the mansion, Gabriel holding the back door open for them. He closed the door behind Melina and headed to the driver's seat.

"Is Robert not coming with us?" Melina asked, a little surprised he wasn't with aunt Mena.

From the few hours Melina had known the two, she had always seen the two together, almost like they couldn't part from each other.

"No, he has some work to do." Mena answered. "Are you curious about us?"

"Um…a little." Melina responded honestly.

"Well, I guess the easiest way to explain our relationship is that we're lovers. In human terms, we're married but don't call Robert uncle." Mena sighed. "He grew up with other Fae and family is a weird thing among Fae. Especially among high elves."

Melina was curious about the last part but decided not to ask. It seemed it was a touchy subject for her aunt. At least now she knew what the relationship between the two was.

"Anyway, do you have anyone you're interested in?" Mena asked, changing the subject.

"Not really. I'm just trying to get used to everything. I haven't had time to think about love."

Mena smiled. "Of course. You do have time so I guess studying is important. Also your brothers and father might have a heart attack if you bring anyone home."

Melina nodded, still feeling awkward around her aunt. She knew her aunt was trying to bond with her, but it was a little hard for her to talk to someone who was basically a stranger to her about such imitate things.

Mena, sensing the awkwardness, said, "There's a new movie coming out that I want to watch. Z movie. We could watch it while we're out if you want?"

"Yeah sure." Melina replied, the awkward air disappearing. "I actually have been wanting to see it. But Alice and Antonio didn't like the first one."

"It is a good series but I can see why they wouldn't like it. Most kids don't like those types of movies."

Melina nodded in agreement and the two continued talking about movies and other mundane subjects, the two bonding as they realized they had a lot in common.

Soon, Gabriel came to a stop, parking near a huge shopping mall. Melina looked at the modern building and grasped in shock. It was one of the wealthier malls with some of the most famous and expensive shops inside.

"What are we going to do here?" Melina asked as she got out of the car with her aunt.

"Well, I thought we'd go do a little shopping, maybe eat something and catch the premiere of Z movie." Mena replied.

"The premiere?!" Melina grasped. "But what about tickets?"

Mena pulled out two tickets from her small handbag. "One of the producers is a friend and gave me tickets for Robert and I to go see the movie but Robert has some things to deal with so I decided to bring you instead."

Melina was lost for words. She had known that her family was well off and knew a lot of famous people but seeing it with her own eyes was different. She suddenly felt glad that her aunt had chosen her clothes.

"Shall we get going?" Mena asked as they walked to the mall. "There's only a few hours before the movie and I want to see this mall after hearing it was good."