Brandon didn't know what else to do that could console her. He silently patted her back and let her cry to her heart's content. In between her tears she asked in a choking voice, "Why...W.. Why are you so nice to me? I don't deserve all this from you. I don't deserve anything good... "
Brandon slowly lifted her face and made her look at him. He said "Melody look at me... Do you really want to know why? "
Melody was now sobbing and she replied with a yes.
"To be honest Melody I knew you before you even came to work for me... I've had a crush on you since college days... Every day I'll look for you secretly in the college but you never noticed me probably because I didn't talk to anybody often... I observed you secretly... I wanted to confess to you but I saw you with another guy and you were happy with him and when I asked around they told me he was your boyfriend... I was heartbroken and but I couldn't stop looking at you from time to time until university but I was two years your senior and I finished earlier than you. I went abroad after that to further my studies with a heavy heart as I couldn't see you. Even when I knew you had a boyfriend I couldn't bring myself to stop seeing you or peeping at you at your favorite spots. I used to go to your favorite spots in college and university just to get a glimpse of you. When I came back the year you graduated I was too late... I tried to find you but I couldn't. None of your friends knew where you were and I finally found you a few months later. I was so happy but when I saw you I realised you were not the same anymore. Your eyes showed pain... And all I wanted to do was to embrace you there and then. When you applied for a job at my company, I was so happy and excited to see you and I accepted you immediately even before you came for the interview. You are the only female who I care for in my whole life other than family. Melody I used to like you but now I believe I have truly fallen for you. I love you. Will you accept me? "
Melody was shocked out of her wits at his confession... she even stopped crying. She just stared at him and saw the tenderness and care in his eyes for her... He was nervously waiting for her reply... She didn't know what to do... Brandon realised she was shocked and was unable to reply. "You don't have to give me a reply immediately Melody, I have waited all these years and I can wait a little longer. Even if you don't want to accept me now don't push me away as your friend. I really care for you. But know that I have always loved only you throughout these years. "
Melody was so touched by his words that she hugged him out of impulse... "Brandon I feel comfortable with you but I'm scared that I'll get hurt again... lately even if it has been just a few days I realise your presence makes me feel safe and cared for. I just don't want to rush into things but I feel like I'm falling for you. My heart beats fast whenever I see you but I don't believe that much in love anymore Brandon ever since I broke my heart. I am scared Brandon. I truly am. I am scared that I'll get hurt again. "
"I understand Melody but can we give it a try Melody? You and I? We can take it slow and I won't force you... I will not hurt you and even if I do it will be unintentionally but let me know and I'll try my best to rectify it. "
"Yes, Brandon... we can" she replied shyly. Brandon immediately hugged her tightly back this time. They were both smiles on the way to work. Even though she had her doubts and her heart was broken before and she doesn't believe in love so much anymore she wanted to give it a try with Brandon. She knows that love is a long journey and she was unsure of what challenges awaited her in the future to be together with him.
They both reached the company and Brandon went to his office while Melody went to the pantry first to make coffee for Brandon. Just as she was about to grab the mug she heard her phone ring. She saw the Caller ID and reluctantly picked up. It was her stepsister Molly. "Hello Melody... It has been so long now since we spoke or met hasn't it? I'm calling to tell you that I'm having a birthday party next week and you better show your face there as I don't want anyone to talk badly since its the family reputation at stake. You can bring a partner if you want... oh I forgot you got dumped and cheated on... Hahaha... By the way Mr Tony has been wanting to see you... He came and spoke to mom about wanting to marry you... I think it's a good suggestion Melody... since you got dumped and Mr Tony might be old and plum but he is rich... I think you would be taken care of and also help our family business... what do you say? "
"There's no way I'm going to marry that old man... you planned this didn't you? You know that he has so much of rumours of torturing young girls and raping them but you still did this with your mom. There's no way I'm coming to your birthday party either. "
"Well if you don't want to marry him it's okay but come to the birthday party or do you want your birth mom's things to be thrown away? "
Melody loved her birth mom a lot and she knew her dad still kept her birth mom's things... they were precious to her and she had no choice but to agree... "okay I'll come but there's no way I'm marrying that old man. "
"Okay see you then. " Molly replied with a sinister smile as she had a sinister plan in her mind to send Melody to Mr Tony.
Melody was so upset but decided to push it back and immediately made coffee and brought it back to Brandon.