CHAPTER 10

"Good Morning! You seemed to be bothered last night. Is there a problem at the shop yesterday?" Nana wrinkled her nose.

Nana was Melody's grandmother. She'd raised Melody together with Elizabeth, Melody's mother. She had been a second mother to Melody rather than a grandmother since Elizabeth was busy with her business.

"The usual." Melody sat down and reached out for the toasted bread.

"How's the preparation going?"

Melody knew that the moment she would open up about the preparation, Nana would bombard her with plenty of suggestions. She has been successful lately of avoiding such topic and she wanted to keep that way. Instead of answering her, Melody took a sip of her coffee and asked, "Where's mom?"

"Well, she left early since they're having an event at the center."

"Oh, I almost forgot."

"By the way, she asked me to remind you to go there this afternoon."

Melody, however, understood that her mother was like a father to her in every way since she was busy with her business and her advocacies. Elizabeth was actually influential in fulfilling Melody's dream. Beside from the capital that her mother had given from her saving, Melody's kind-hearted traits came also from her and Nana.

Nana perceived that Melody was not in her usual morning self. Rather than being jovial in the morning, she was blankly staring at her coffee and hasn't yet touched her coffee.

"Is something bothering you?"

Melody snorted. "Do you remember the guy that I told you about when I was still in New York?"

"Is that the guy whom you cried over for years even after you came back from college? The guy that kept you to shut down local guys until Keith came." Nana was the first to know the heartache of Melody after coming back from New York. It's safe to say that Melody was more with Nana than her mother in terms with emotional problems.

Melody nodded, "Yeah!"

"What about him?" Nana glared at her and sat opposite to Melody.

Melody rolled her eyes. "Well, yesterday, I saw him and talked with him."

Nana grimaced. "What? How?"

"He was at RR's yesterday."

"Wait! Did you invite him for your wedding?"

"Before? No! Of course not! As you know, I don't have any form of communication with him." She started to become fidgety and set aside her drink. "But yesterday, I did invite him. I even asked him to help me with the preparations since I know he's a well organized person unlike me."

"What? Are you insane?" Nana accepted the fact that she would invite him for the wedding but to ask his help with the preparation, it's like giving him a knife to cut himself slowly. She recognized that Melody has no horrific interior motive for doing so but she hesitated in agreeing on what she did.

Melody shook her head. "Why?"

"Are you sure your heart has fully recovered from all the pains?"

"Of course!"

"Hmmm your troubled face last night said otherwise."

"It's just that…"

Before Melody could answer, they heard someone knocking at the front door. Nana was expecting one of her friends who would help her prepare some pastries for the event. She stood up and volunteered to look who was it. Besides, she thought that Melody should finish her breakfast since she has a long day ahead of her given the things that need to be prepared.

When Nana opened the door, to her surprise it was not her friend. A young good-looking man appeared in front of her. He looked familiar yet she cannot recall where she has seen him. Yet, she was sure enough that she has seen him somewhere.

"Sorry for the intrusion but is Melody home? I'm Eric, Eric Baler."

"So you're Eric. Please come in." It came to Nana why he looked familiar. She saw him in one of the pictures brought home by Melody, which she kept at the attic. He is the Eric that Melody cried over for years in pain.

Nana led him to the living room. "Let me just call her."

Nana was about to walk towards the kitchen when Melody appeared before them. His voice made Melody stood up and left her breakfast. She wanted to confirm if it was really Eric who was at the living room. To her mind, it was impossible for him to be here. If he were early with their appointment, he would be at the shop. After seeing him again, she was right but she couldn't figure out on how did he find out her address. She tried to recollect if she gave it to him yesterday yet she was so sure she didn't. It was clear that the meeting place would be at her shop next to the hotel that Eric was staying at.

As Melody approached them, Eric couldn't help but stared at her beauty just like yesterday. He still found himself enchanted by her more than when they're in New York. He actually found her to be maturely dazzling than ever. To Eric's mind, she was one of a kind, bless her heart. Always had been. Yet, it came to his consciousness that she was already getting married and everything between them was all in the past now.

"What are you doing here? I mean, are we not supposed to meet at the shop?" Melody sat at the coach opposite to him.

Eric smiled. "Yes we are. I believe we are supposed to meet around eight in the morning but you're not yet around and so I asked one of your employees about your address." It was trouble-free for Eric to look for their home. He had seen it before but wasn't aware that Melody's family owned such ancestral house. It was among the unique houses in the neighborhood. Aside from being Victorian style, the deep and rich heritage of it was well known to the town people.

Glaring at her watch, Melody was stunned that it was already nine. She remembered that she has failed to inform him last night about the change of schedule due to her girl friends who were not available. She had fallen asleep without sending a message to him. As soon as she realized her mistake, she felt embarrassed and immediately apologized. "I'm so sorry! I forget to tell you about the change of schedule."

"It's okay."

"Let me just get my things and then we'll leave."

Eric nodded.

As Melody walked towards her room, Nana was looking intently at Eric. Nana knew everything about him. From the encounter at the coffee shop to the disappearance, Melody was very much open with her. Nana always had a unique way of putting things. She was curious why would he appear days before Melody's planned wedding. She knew that he's a gentleman. His stature said it all. There is no trace of evil intent in his eyes from the moment she met her eyes. However, Nana was bothered on Eric's sudden return to Melody's life.

"Can I have a word with you for a second?" Nana asked.

Eric just nodded. It was also an opportunity for Eric to ask if the lady in front of him is the Lizzy of Mr. Clements and finally to unstitch the mystery behind the name Yam.

Nana led him to the porch where they sat on opposite chairs.

Nana had the ability to size people up in an instant, and she had this way of shrugging who she didn't like someone. "I see a great man in you," she said. Then lowering her voice, "Yet, I could not help myself but to ask why did you decide to go back to Melody's life knowing for a fact that she's getting married in few days?" She sat up straighter. It was not to scare Eric but to find out the truth behind his unexpected coming to Kitsap.

"Let me first apologize with you about what happened between Melody and I when we were still in New York. I don't have any accepted excuse to say but a sincere apology." His face painted a remorseful reaction. "Secondly, I didn't know that Melody is getting married and I don't have the slightest plan to ruin it or to stymie her. I'm here on a mission to find someone, incidentally that person seems to be Melody. If I have my ways I would rather want to finish my business early and go somewhere else," Eric calmly responded.

Nana just nodded in understanding the good intention of Eric. She's satisfied with the pure and honest answer that she has received from him.

Eric sensed that there was no follow up question. He decided then that it was his turn to find some answers as well. "If you don't mind, may I ask if you are the mother of Melody?"

"Oh no, my dear! I'm her grandmother. Beth is not around. She had already left early this morning."

At first, Eric's face turned pale in disappointment. It's not that he's expecting Nana to be Lizzy but he has anticipated the word Lizzy from Nana's mouth. Suddenly a recollection came to Eric. He recalled what Mr. Clement said before. It was only Mr. Clement who called Elizabeth as Lizzy while the rest of her friends and relatives called her Beth.

A ray of beam blossomed on Eric's cheeks knowing that another chain of truth has been revealed. He only needed now to talk with the mother of Melody to confirm if Yam and Melody is the same person.

"May I know where she's at the moment? I also wanted to apologize to her for what happened in the past."

Nana smiled. "She's at the center preparing for an event."

Before Eric could ask more questions, Melody went out and was ready to go. Not wanting to stir awkward moment, they bade goodbye to Nana.

Prior to riding on Eric's rented car Nana pulled Melody and whispered, "The IQ of a person plummets when they fall in love."

Melody had heard that for as long as she could remember. She didn't understand what Nana said. Yet, she didn't bother to ask Nana the meaning of it. She knew that no matter what she would do, she would get no answer from Nana. In time, she understood that such words from Nana would unravel itself.

Nana watched Melody walk away, realizing for the first time how time flies. Five, maybe four years ago, she was still crying like hell because of the man he was with. Now, she's preparing her own wedding to another man with the help of the man who made her cry before. Paradoxical but Nana hoped it would end in a better road without traffic or trouble.

It was strange to think of the unexpected twist Melody's life could take up until three days ago. She would have jumped at any suggestions her friends would say regarding the preparations. It was probably exactly what any woman would want but when Eric reappeared, the façade of normalcy that she had been maintaining was gone.

Melody appreciated the fact that she didn't feel the pressure why Eric suddenly resurfaced the way he had. No questions, no curiosity, no open-ended hints. Just a casual acceptance that she was getting married.

"Oh…!" Jean, Kendra and Eunice expressed. They were shockingly staring at Eric. They didn't know that Melody would bring a man for her preparation.

"Hey girls! This is Eric," Melody introduced. "He would help us for the preparations."

Eric beamed.

The ladies had been friends since their childhood years. Their friendship goes beyond laughter and tears, failures and successes. Due to their uniqueness, they stood up from the rest of the young in the town. The town folks even called them little spice girls. Not only were they good in singing like the spice girls; the ladies were also elegantly gorgeous in their own way. They were the undoubted beauties of the town. Most of them have joined the annual beauty contest in Bremerton except for Melody, who never tried to be in any contest excluding the annual fundraising contest, which her mother organized.

"These are my girl friends. This is Kendra, the youngest. This is Jean, the beauty." Melody tapped Eunice on her shoulder, "And of course, Eunice, do you still remember her?"

"You're with her in New York, right?"

Melody beamed. "She's the brain."

"You forgot about Lea," Kendra reminded.

"Oh! And Lea, the workaholic. As you noticed she's not around. She's in Seattle for a business meeting."

At least once a week, the ladies had get together at Melody's house before they parted ways when they were in college. Jean and Lea studied in Seattle. Melody and Eunice journeyed in New York. Kendra stayed behind.

It was only after they graduated that their weekly get together resumed. Yet, it was never the same from their younger group gatherings. Due to different priorities from business affairs to relationships, most of the time they were not complete. Lea was at the top of absentees since she was manhandling their family business enterprises.

"Shall we enter then?" Jean asked.

As the ladies and Eric were entering the boutique shop, Eunice suddenly pulled Melody out for a moment.

"What's wrong?" Melody asked.

"What's wrong?" Eunice raised her voice, "Are you nuts? Why on earth is he here?" She hit Melody at her shoulder afterwards.

"Ouch! That hurts. Can you not ask without hitting me?" Melody placed her hands on her hips. "He said that he has something to do in the area. Then I invited him for the wedding and of course asked him to help us with the preparations."

"Are you okay? You're really crazy?" Eunice stated at her in disbelief.

Melody just smiled.

"How about Clayton? What if both of them would meet? How would you introduce them?"

"Don't worry. I have thought about that last night. They wouldn't see each other. I wouldn't let them," Melody answered.

"Hello! Have you forgotten about the wedding? You invited him. Of course, they would see each other."

"I know and that would be the first and last time that they would see each other. Besides, they don't know each other. Clayton has no clue on who he is. Let me be selfish just this once. I am not shooting anything with this kind of situation. It was fate that made Eric come to us again. Maybe it's time. I don't know. If there's one thing I am sure about. I wanted to be happy and so is Clayton." Melody exhaled deeply.

"I hope your right. I wish that I were wrong in thinking that Clayton may end up hurt rather than happy. Yet, if things would tangle up again," Eunice smiled, "I will be here for you just like always," she reminded.

Eunice was the only one other than Nana who knew everything that had happened in Melody's life. From her sorrows and pains to her successes and joys. She was the closest friend to Melody. She has exemplified the true friendship between them. She had not only been a good confidant with secrets but also a crying shoulder and a helping hand when Melody needed someone the most. Since Melody was the only child, Eunice has been her apparent sister who would confront her when she was wrong and rejoice with her when she did something right.

When Eric disappeared without notice, it was Eunice who had been the crying shoulder of Melody. Moreover, she didn't leave her alone when unexpected things came to Melody's life. Not to mention, she was also the bridge that introduced Melody to her future husband.

While Melody was still caressing the pain she had received from Eric, Eunice has set her up with possible dates. Of course, not all dates came into good ending. There were some men who lasted for a single night while others for five dates just like the auburn-haired, green-eyed minx Melody dated. After the dozen dates that Eunice lined up came Melody's soon-to-be husband, who at the same time was Eunice second cousin. As a friend, Eunice only has good intention of helping Melody forget her aches and move on from the past. But, one history would never change with Melody's life. Moreover, such history, she looked at it as a blessing rather than a wound in her life.

"Is everything alright?" Kendra asked as she stepped out to check on the two ladies.

"Everything's fine." Both Eunice and Melody smiled at her.

"Let's get started then," Kendra excitedly invited.

As they entered the boutique, Melody recalled what her mother requested last night. Elizabeth asked her to invite her friends for the annual event at the center. As usual, Elizabeth wanted the ladies to help her with all the activities and preparations. She knew the ladies are always ready to lend a helping hand. They have become her children and likewise she stood up as their second mother.

"Girls, I almost forgot. Mama asked me, as usual, for your help at the center later. Who's free?"

Both Eunice and Kendra volunteered while Jean asked to be excused since she has work in the afternoon.

"Why not you," Jean tapped Eric's shoulder, "join them. Surely, it would be great to have man power for the preparation at the center," Jean suggested.

"I agree," Kendra seconded.

Melody and Eunice were surprised by their suggestion. They knew that they needed help at the center but it's a bad idea for Eric to be there considering that Clayton with Elizabeth. It's a catastrophic thought that would devour the plan of Melody. It had made Melody's throat tighten, didn't have a contingency plan for such worst case which is about to happen.

Eric simply nodded. "Sure, why not?"