Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 6
MELODY'S P.O.V.

"Leave me"

"No harm in one drink Baby" He tightened his grip making me wince in pain.

"I think the lady wants to leave her Marcus" a voice boomed behind me loudly enough to be heard for both of us even in this loud music.

Hunter?

I turned around only to see Hunter glaring at the man who I know now as Marcus.

"Hunter, I'm just giving my babe a drink" Marcus said with a creepy smile.

WHAT!!!!! His babe? What a jerk....

"But it's looks like you're forcing her to do it. So I suggest you to leave her alone" Hunter spoke with authoritative voice.

Oh God!!! He's angry. And his voice is rough and strong like a thunder. No one can deny him if he spoke with that voice.

Marcus leaves me and gone through the crowd. I signed and turned to Hunter.

"Thank you so much" I said greatful for his help.

"No problem. But be careful with him. He's an asshole."

He helped me even when i behaved like that with him earlier. Now I'm ashamed and feel like I should apologize him again.

"Ummm....And I'm sorry again about earlier incident."

He chuckled at me.

"It's ok. Actually I'd be surprised if you wouldn't react that way."

I don't understand what he mean. But I smiled at him and looked down not able to look in his eyes.

Ordering a juice, he sat next to me. No matter how hard I tried, I can't stop myself from stealing glances at him. He's so rough and with his 6'3 or so height and the dangerous looks he's giving, he's the exact replica of the biker I've read in books.  he keep looking at me intently. I squirmed in my seat feeling uncomfortable about his looks

"So, I heard you're a librarian" he asked suddenly about my job.

"Yah... I love to be a librarian" I said thinking it.

"Why" 

I don't understand his question.

"Why do you choose to be a librarian?" he asked clarifying my doubt.

Because books are the only thing that helped me to get through the hell HE gave.

"Oh! I love books. They're an escape from my reality. An escape from pain. An escape from all darkness from the world" I said not even thinking my answer.

When he's watching me keenly, I recalled my words. My eyes widened at him.

Why Melody? Why are you loosing your tongue today. First about the knife in my purse and now this. You should just shut your mouth before you uttered those words. What would Hunter think of me now? Probably I'm mad.... 

To my luck, just then Daisy, Tyson and Alec came towards us. Daisy was drunk where as Tyson trying to hold her steadily. He draped his hands around her. She's making an effort to open her eyes but in vain. Tyson made her sit in a stool beside me. I quickly grab her as she's about to fall. Tyson gave me a thankful smile and collapsed in a seat next to Daisy. Guess Daisy drained his energy. He's not as active as before. Alec is talking to Hunter about something I don't know of. Tyson is drinking now and Daisy... as you can say still trying to open her eyes.

Suddenly Daisy started to sing Happy birthday song for Hunter loudly. All men are startled not expecting this and Tyson bursted out laughing followed by Alec. Hunter just smiled at her shaking his head. Daisy saw Hunter and hugged him tightly singing the song and ending it with a loud "I LOVE YOU HUNTY." He just chuckled at her hugging too saying "I love you too Bunny."

I can clearly see love and adoration in his eyes. Apart from chuckling and smirking, most of the time today I saw Hunter more rigid, emotionless and cold. But when Daisy was near, he is soft and loving only for her. He loves his sister dearly and I know this because Daisy always told me about him. I also know she loved her brother endlessly. 

"I told you not to call me Bunny" I heard Daisy shouting. She's getting away from Hunter's embrace and hitting him in the chest. 

I laughed at how cute they're looking with each other.

I wish I had a sibling to share this type of relation.

"And I said No" Hunter teased her.

She groaned trying to stand properly.

"Alright now. Tyson, take Daisy to home. I'll drop Melody off to her's and Alec do what I told you" Hunter ordered everyone.

"It's ok, I can go myself. I's not even midnight" I tried to convince him.

But one look at him, I shut my mouth.

Jesus!!! His looks alone can make you do whatever he wants.

I silently walked with him and the ride too is very calm. He didn't talk to me anymore and I kept quite too.

When we reached my home, I stepped down the car and invited him inside out of generosity. I didn't think he would accept it. But he did. As we headed to inside, I closed the door behind us and asked him.

"Do you want some water? I have soda too. But there's no wine or alcohol since I don't drink."

"Soda would be fine. Thanks" he said.

I headed to kitchen to get it. He followed me and stand against the door crossing his arms over his chest. I can feel his eyes on me as I was taking the soda. Quickly, I pour it in a glass turned to give it. To my surprise, he is right behind me. Not expecting this, I jerked back instantly only to hit the counter of the kitchen. He came forward putting his hands either side of me. I arched my back when he kept moving towards me. There's no way to escape as I was caged by him. 

Hunter was smirking at me and by now only a small distance is between us. If I moved an inch further my whole body will connect to his. The cologne smell from him making me dizzy. His huge body against me makes me feel small and vulnerable. The intense gaze on my face makes me flushed and when it stops at my lips, I know surely that all the blood in my body comes to my cheeks. I probably look like a tomato or a cherry to him now.

Oh my God!!!! What is he doing???? 

He slowly bend near my ears and whispered.

"You have a great collection of books, Kitten"

Smirking, he backed away from me taking the glass in my hand and disappeared into the living room.

I just stood there rewinding what the hell is happened before.

After I came to my senses, I slowly walked to living room. My heart stops only to see Hunter taking a book from the shelf. It's not just a book. It's a dairy. My Dairy.

I wrote all my life in it. If he read it he'll know all my secrets. That's not going to happen. I lunged at him taking it away before he opened it. He is surprised at my reaction and narrowed his eyes at the dairy which I held behind me.

"What happened Melody?" he asked quizzically.

"Nothing"

"Then why did you snatched it away from me"

"It's just an e...empty book. There's n...nothing in it" I said stuttering.

Why God? Why did I have to stutter whenever I lie???

I looked everywhere but him. After what it feel like an hour, he nodded his head.

"Ok then. I should be going now" Hunter walked to the door and I went behind him to lock the door. He stopped suddenly making me hit my head to his back. Turning around, he put his hands on my waist and hold me tightly to his body. My breath quickened its pace due to our proximity. He came closer and now his lips are touching my ears. A shiver ran down my body and tingles are exploded within me by his touch. His voice is husky and determined when he uttered the words.

"I'll find your secret, Kitten"

It's not just words. It's a promise. My eyes widened at him and my breath stopped by fear. Fear of him finding my life. And fear of what he'll do to find it.

He smirked at my reaction and before I know it he's gone.

I collapsed on the couch thinking about Hunter's promise. From what Daisy told me and from what I saw today, Hunter is a man of few words. He won't tell anyone what's he'll do and if he promised to do something, he'll do it at any cost.

Shit... What will he do???? 

Various thoughts are invading my mind causing the headache. I don't even bother to go to the bedroom as I closed my eyes still sitting on the couch. My mind is slowly drifting and the last thought is about Hunter.

*****************

"Mom, Dad...... I'm home."

The house is too empty and silent. My eyebrows furrowed at this. Mom always put some music while Dad is working. She hates silence and for her, Dad compromised and get used to work with noise. It's abnormal to find silence at this hour. Normally Dad will come by now and Mom cooked for both of us. I searched the whole house for them, but they're not here. I went to fridge to see if they stick any note about their whereabouts. But there's none. By now, my heart is racing and my sense is giving me negative thoughts.

When I reached the down stairs, I saw a man sitting on the couch who is in early 30's looking dangerous in a black suit. He has  black eyes looking at me and smirking wickedly. An ugly shiver ran down my spine by his looks. I gather my courage and asked him.

"Who are you?"

"It doesn't matter who I am Baby. It's the matter of what I want." he said slowly taking menacing steps towards me.

"What? What do you want? I screamed unable to contain me fear.

"You" he said "I want you"

"What are you talking about? Where are my parents?" I screamed searching for them.

"I killed them Baby. Now, no one will dare come in between us" he smirked evilly coming to grab me.

"No no no.....noooooo" I'm screaming attempting to get away from him. But he take hold of my waist tightly.

"Now I have you all my myself, Baby"

"Noooooo"

I woke up screaming loudly. Sweat is covered my body and tears are threatening to fall as I tried to maintain my breath even. I was still in the couch and saw the time. 4:45 AM. Now I can't sleep again as my heart is still racing cause of the dream. So, I went to take a bath. The moment I stepped in the bath tub, my body instantly relaxed at the warm water. I just lay there closing my eyes till the water gets cold. I wipe off the water from my body looking at the reflection of myself in the mirror.

That's not me. I'm not seeing a happy girl full of dreams and happiness. A girl full of wishes and love. But I'm seeing a girl whose dark circles around her eyes reflects the lack of sleep due to the nightmares. The bony cheeks reflects her weakness. The scars on her body reflects a broken girl. And it's true.

That's what I am.

A broken girl.

A broken girl who can't be fixed.
© Meghana Singaraju,
книга «Cold Burning Hearts».
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