Melody
"I agree."
Silence ensued as soon as I said that. They all stared at me like I was some strange creature. Derek looked like he just heard the best news of his life.
Well, it is.
Dorian on the other hand looked like he was seeing a ghost. His eyes were wide open as he stared at me.
"Mel, you......"
I knew what he wanted to ask so I nodded. "Yes."
Dorian's eyes widened and he blinked. "This is Derek," he reminded me.
Of course, I knew that he was Derek. Who better than me can know this?
Why would I fail to recognise the first man I fell in love with as a child? How could I forget the face I stayed up all night trying to paint? For years I spent my time doing nothing but trying to please Derek, so how could I just forget? Why would I forget the face of the man who broke me? How can I forget the man who took my innocence? How could I forget the man who broke me? How could I forget the face of the man who was the reason why my life was ruined? How could I forget the face of the man who gave me more pain than I can ever imagine? How can I forget Derek?
"I know," I shrugged.
It's time we buried the hatchet anyway.
I can't leave the twins in the dark about who their real father is. Even though I know that they already know that Derek is their father after all that happened in Mallory, I still want to tell them by myself.
I have to make them understand why they need to accept him.
"What are you saying?" Dorian asked with dismay.
I flashed him a smile to assure him that I knew what I was doing. However, Dorian didn't look like he understood any of that.
"You said you agree," Malcolm finally spoke. "What do you mean by that? What did you agree to?"
He was interested in what I have to say.
My gaze settled on Derek and he adjusted in his seat, making himself comfortable.
"I agree to give Derek a chance."
"What?" Dorian's eyes widened.
His eyes settled on me and his mouth opened in surprise.
"Momma?" Giovanni stared at me with a surprise filling his gaze. He seemed to understand everything I said.
"Yes, dear?" I leaned to his height.
"You want to go back to Mallory with King Kong."
I don't blame my son if he thinks that I want to go to Mallory with Derek. I mean, I never wanted anything to do with the man. I didn't even want to see his face, yet I just mentioned that I wanted to give him a chance.
"No, son, I am not going to Mallory." I replied and brought my son into my arms. ", I just want to...."
"Then why did you say you wanted to give him a chance?" His head pointed towards Derek.
Giovanni doesn't seem to like Derek at all and for the first time, I felt bad. It made me feel like a bad mother. It made me feel as if I raised my kids to hate their father.
I was also a victim of fate and that's why I was badly treated by my father but now the roles are reversed. My kids hate their father instead.
"Listen to me, son," I hugged him and patted his back to make him feel safe. "Will you?"
I put him at arm's length so that I could see his face.
"I want to give Derek a chance and I want you to do that as well." Giovanni pursed his lips as if he was waiting for me to complete my explanation.
"What chance?" He repeated, still not understanding what I was trying to say.
"A chance in your life." I sighed as I tried to think of a way to explain this without confusing my son because I know that no matter how wide he is, he is still a child.
"My life?" He asked.
"Not your life, son." I gulped as the matter seemed complicated, unlike what I had imagined.
"What I'm trying to say is that I want you and Giovanni to act good and learn to respect Derek too, just as you love and respect everyone else."
"But Momma, he...."
I know what he wanted to say but I won't raise my kids to be vengeful.
"Melody, what are you saying?" Dorian crossed to my side. He took my hand and locked our gaze.
"You trust me, don't you?" I demanded with our gaze still locked.
"Of course, I do." He grabbed my shoulders. "I trust you completely, Mel, but I will not stand still and watch you leave me for anyone.... especially not for him."
Dorian was referring to Derek. I need no soothe sayer to help me understand that. But Derek didn't seem to mind Dorian's words. His attention was on Giovanni and I could swear that I saw his glisten like he was about to cry.
I cupped Dorian's cheek and looked straight into his eyes.
"I will not leave you for anyone," I emphasized, making the room go silent.
"Then what do you mean by...."
I didn't let him finish his words. I placed my index on his lips to stop him from speaking further.
"All I'm trying to say is that we all forgive each other and move on from the past. That way, we can all live like family. Please, Dorian." I begged him.
Dorian's brow furrowed. He said nothing anymore, but I'm sure he wasn't too happy about this.
"I think Melody is right." Malcolm chimed in. "After all we've found out. I think that's the only solution."
"So, do you think our enmity will end when Melody gives Derek a second chance?" Dorian asked.
"No," I spoke before Malcolm could reply. "I only belong to you, Dorian." I cupped his cheek again. "Now and forever."
"I believe you, Mel, and I trust you. But I don't trust him" Dorian glared at Derek. "I don't trust him one bit."
I know that it's not easy to let go of hatred that is deeply etched in the heart but I do know that with effort it could be killed.
"Then let your trust in me prevail." I smiled. "Because, I believe that soon Derek will find his second chance mate, just like I did."
Derek's head snapped and he stood abruptly. His eyes stated suspiciously. He looked like was about to speak, but before he could, the door of the study, burst open and Estrella came in looking straight at Derek.
"I believe you, Melody," she smiled. "Because Derek is my second mate."