Want An Orange?

3:00 A.M (GMT8)

Another sleepless night here, another day passing where she had not done what she set out to do. It felt as though time was being wasted, so many lives reaching their ends if she did not speed up her process. Although she could only go so fast, push into their lives at a pace that would not raise suspicions. That was the last thing she wanted in this case.

So here she sat on the edge of her bed, looking out of the window into the dark sky. Yet again the stare glistening, humming against the shades of blue that flowed like a painting on a canvas. Amelia always found some sort of comfort in the dark of night. The sky is illuminated still by the moon, not entirely covered in pitch black darkness. A beautiful view, something she got to see every night from her window back at home.

Home, somewhere she didn't even know what lay waiting for her. Dallas for sure must have noticed that she was gone, no doubt looking for her. Amelia swore not to use her personal phone to not be tracked, there was no way for him to contact her. As much as she loved Dallas, she could not jeopardize her father's life to ring him. Even then, he had become distant to her.

Something wasn't right with him, it was odd for him to be so forward on rest and relaxation. Dallas was the opposite, especially when he injured himself. Resting was never in the cards, nor did he push her in such a state. So why now, what was he trying so hard to keep her from? That was a trial for another day, something that would be waiting for her the moment she stepped foot on California's grounds.

Amelia huffs, rising from her bed and moving out of her room. Her footsteps are light on the hardwood floor, fixing her messy bun on top of her head so it didn't fall over. Expecting no one to be awake, she is met with a surprising sight. In the kitchen stood Melody, humming wistfully to herself. Her back turned to Amelia, she could see the woman was wearing a silk robe over her body. It was a shade of light pink, complemented with a black tank top underneath it. The counter top blocked Amelia's eyes from following down to the woman's hips and thighs.

She steps around the counter, putting herself in the view of the other woman. Hands pressed on the material, holding herself up. Leaning against the counter tops, watching in silence as the hum is more evident from her distance. It only takes a moment before Melody turns to see her, almost jumping back from fright.

Melody places a hand over her heart, taking a deep sigh. "Amelia! I thought you wouldn't be up after all that traveling today." There's a sweet smile on her lips after bouncing back from the scare.

"I'm used to being up this late. Why are you awake at three in the morning? Don't you get tired?" Amelia rubs her forehead, sighing.

Now having the other woman in front of her, she could see what was on her lower half. She was wearing what looked to be black lingerie panties, it was her home after all. Walking around in underwear was not uncommon for anyone, even her. Amelia had done it plenty of times in her own halls, knowing she was alone.

The black haired bombshell was bold, she would admit. Knowing a guest is staying within her home and yet, carelessly letting skin show as if she were alone. Melody was an attractive woman, Amelia couldn't deny that fact. From the smooth skin, the long fluttering eyelashes, the dark blue eyes: to the curves of her hips, the slight pull of her stomach, to the roundness of her thighs. Anyone would be attractive to a woman who looked flawless with no makeup in sight, Amelia was.

She laughs, waving her hand in dismissal. "Me? Tired, oh no. I'm a nurse, I don't usually get to sleep when I'm on my shifts."

That has Amelia's eyes widening, leaning forward to meet Melody's gaze. She was interesting to say the least. At first glance Melody did not seem like the smartest woman she had met. Yet now being told she was a nurse, it was all the more exciting.

Being a nurse was a difficult field. One that required dedication to care, as well as the smarts involved. Leo had picked up a woman who had the smarts, and the heart to take care of others. He did one thing right in his pathetic life at least.

Amelia hums, tapping her fingers on the granite. "A nurse huh? You must be a smart woman." She could tell Melody did not like compliments, already swatting her words away.

"I try to be, but I have my moments." Her body turns away from Amelia again, fiddling with someone in front of her. Though Amelia's view is hindered by her frame. "Leo is the only one with the full eight hours of sleep it seems."

It was quite interesting, to even pretend she cared about Leo's marriage at all. Of course his wife was attractive, smart in some respects. However it was all an act, there was nothing that truly had her interested in their tie to one another. Amelia's only goal was to get rid of Leo, and disappear from the city without a trace.

"What does he do now?" Amelia asks, crossing her arms over her chest.

Emerald eyes watch Melody turn away once more, holding an orange slice in her hands. Amelia can't help but notice how danity, how small her hands were. The way her fingers lightly held onto the fruit, pulling the slice to her mouth before taking it in one go. She chews for a moment, swallowing.

"Private investigator. He only answers requests during business hours. Though he enjoys his work." She states, turning her head back to the counter. Pulling another orange slice out, she holds it up to Amelia. "Orange?"

Melody was so casual, willingly giving food to a stranger no doubt. Believing her husband of how they used to be old friends, not knowing the truth about how they had met. It would be her downfall in the end, being so trusting. A vibrant woman who had so much of her heart to hand to those in need, even herself.

She'd play along, taking the orange to pop in her mouth. Melody's eyes glued onto her as she swallowed. "I'm surprised that Leo hasn't told me a single thing about you.."

"I used to be a source of very bad luck back in the day. Not many mention their involvement with me." Amelia chuckles, watching as Melody raises an eyebrow at her statement.

"How so?" Melody asks, pushing herself up off of the counter.

Leo had threatened her about keeping their relationship a secret, how they had met. Amelia could assume Leo had never told Melody the tale of Amelia. Or even her existence altogether, she didn't blame him. Both of them had parted ways after a horrible period, yet only one of them was the victim. Amelia never wanted to be in the mafia, and yet he had a hand in pushing her towards it.

She was lucky to have escaped it.

"I was around some horrible people when I was a graduating highschool student.. It was a very rough time and Leo was there through many parts of it." Her eyes darted down to the floor. "I tend to try to forget those memories, all of those dangerous times where I wished I hadn't brought so much upon other people."

Trying was the key word: Forgetting was never something she could do. GTireless nights of seeing their faces, hearing their screams. There was nothing that could get the images out of her mind, no matter what she tried. Drinking her sorrows away, sobbing her guilt to another, smoking to kill herself faster. None of it pulled the imagination of hers from swallowing her whole. Hearing the voices of those who died for her in her ears when silenced dared to drop.

Melody steps closer to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. Her palm was warm, it was the opposite of her own cold skin. "I'm sure whatever happened is not your fault, Amelia. You seem like a very strong woman, and that you really can get through anything."

Appearances were deceiving, especially for Amelia. Amelia had always made herself seem as if she had her life together, even after the deaths of those who loved. Coming off as confident, yet cold and caulis. Not daring to let anyone into her life, shoving away any emotion that would show weakness. Melody fell for a mask that made her seem strong when she was crumbling slowly.

Pieces of the mask chipped off as each day passed, unable to put them back together again.