When Dick got home, he barely stepped through the door when he found Melissa waiting for him. She was leaning against the hallway wall, arms crossed, that familiar fake sweetness dripping off her every word.
"Can we talk, Brother?" she asked, her tone syrupy but her eyes sharp. "I heard you had a... quarrel with Jessica."
Dick raised an eyebrow, amused. "Quarrel?" He let the word hang in the air, knowing Melissa was fishing for information.
She gave him a soft, knowing smile and shrugged, pushing off the wall to stand a little closer. "You know how she is. She left the house earlier, storming off. Barely said a word." Melissa tilted her head, looking up at him through her lashes, trying to gauge his reaction. "I just figured... maybe you'd had something to do with it."
Dick chuckled, shaking his head. "Jessica's always been dramatic. You of all people should know that."
Melissa smirked, stepping even closer. "Of course. But it's rare for her to run off without telling me what happened first." She paused, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "So, are you going to tell me what went down, or do I have to ask her myself?"
Smiling brightly, Dick said, "Of course, sis. How about we find a nice café and chat? It's been a while since we hung out, right?"
Melissa raised an eyebrow, surprised by the offer but quickly recovered, her smile widening as she played along. "That sounds lovely," she replied, her tone sweet but her eyes sharp. "Great," Dick said, turning toward the door. "I know just the place."
The café wasn't far from the house, a quaint spot just off the main road with a cozy atmosphere and a menu full of overpriced drinks. Melissa had always liked places like that. As they walked, she kept glancing sideways at him, clearly waiting for him to crack and spill the details as always.
They took a table in the corner, away from the few other patrons scattered around. Melissa ordered a cappuccino, while Dick opted for a black coffee, keeping things simple. He leaned back in his chair, watching her with casual interest as she stirred her drink, her eyes never leaving his face.
"So," Melissa began, her voice light but tinged with curiosity, "you've been busy lately."
Dick smirked, sipping his coffee. "You could say that."
Melissa leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand. "Jessica's been talking about you more than usual. Seems like you've... caught her attention."
He chuckled, setting his cup down. "Jessica talks a lot, doesn't she?"
She gave a delicate shrug, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup. "She does, but not like this. You've really gotten under her skin. I can't help but wonder what you did to provoke her."
Dick shrugged, leaning back in his chair, eyes half-lidded. "You know she didn't tell you for a reason, right?"
Melissa sipped her cappuccino slowly, savoring the foam, but her gaze never wavered from his. "It is about Ryan, then?" she asked, her tone casual but probing. She had the same way of drawing things out as always—quiet, subtle manipulation hidden behind that sweet voice.
Dick grinned, taking a moment to enjoy her anticipation. "Yeah, it's about Ryan. You could say I... put him in his place."
Melissa's eyes glinted with curiosity, though she didn't react outwardly. "Put him in his place? That sounds interesting."
"More like crushed him," Dick said, casually stirring his coffee. "He pissed himself after a little altercation. Jessica wasn't thrilled."
Melissa tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a faint smile. "That explains her mood." She set her cup down, fingers lightly tapping the table. "A week before the dance. That is not good."
Dick leaned back, watching her carefully. He didn't need to say much; Melissa was already piecing things together. She always had a knack for reading between the lines. Her mind worked quietly, processing, calculating.
"Jessica doesn't like being embarrassed, especially not in front of her little circle," Melissa mused, her voice soft but sharp. She took another sip, eyes still locked on his. "And Ryan? Well, it sounds like he's officially off her pedestal."
Dick didn't bother hiding his smirk. "Yeah, she's not too happy with how things turned out."
Melissa's fingers traced the rim of her cup thoughtfully. "I'm surprised she hasn't tried to replace him already. Jessica doesn't waste time when someone stops being useful to her."
Dick smiled softly. Jessica had already set her eyes on an alternative, the only problem was, the alternative kicked. But he had no intention of explaining that. He'd said enough just so Melissa would know about Ryan being a loser and think he was in bragging mode. Let her chew on that.
"Jessica's predictable," Melissa continued, her voice low, almost conspiratorial. "She'll try to turn this around, make it seem like she dumped Ryan before his reputation tainted hers."
Dick chuckled, shaking his head. "She always has a plan for things like that. One Ryan isn't enough to sink her ship."
Melissa nodded, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Still, it must sting for her. The perfect boyfriend, reduced to nothing because of you." Her voice was almost admiring.
Dick shrugged again, "The fucker asked for it." He leaned back, eyes lazily watching Melissa as she sipped her cappuccino. Melissa leaned in, smirking as she twirled the spoon in her drink. "And you enjoyed it, didn't you?" she asked, her voice dripping with amusement. "Seeing Jessica squirm."
He took a slow sip of his coffee, meeting her gaze over the rim of the cup. "I'm not going to lie. Watching her world crumble a bit... yeah, it was satisfying."
Her laugh was soft, almost musical, but there was an edge to it. "Of course it was. You know, you're not the same brother I used to tease in front of her." Melissa's eyes flicked over him, appraising. "You've changed."
Dick barely held himself back from rolling his eyes. Tease? Right. Melissa's understanding of teasing was something far darker. Her version involved getting close, learning secrets, then unveiling them at the worst possible moment. All to say, "It was just a joke." He'd trusted her a couple of times—burned every single time. She fed on that moment when trust shattered into betrayal. It made her feel powerful, like she was in control.
Sitting across from her now, he could feel her mind working behind those innocent eyes. But this time, he wasn't the weak, naive kid she used to toy with. He was a different beast, and Melissa was still playing a game she didn't realize had changed.
"Yeah, I've changed," Dick said, his tone flat as he leaned back in his chair, watching her. "And you haven't."
Melissa's lips curled into a smirk. "Oh, I have. You just haven't noticed yet." She set her cup down, her fingers lingering on the handle for a moment before she leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Jessica's not the only one who's noticed how much you've grown, you know."
Dick chuckled, embarrassed as he broke her gaze, giving her a fleeting moment of confidence. Melissa liked that—she was a mastermind when it came to emotional control, always taking pleasure in the subtle moments where she thought she held the upper hand. He knew her too well for that. Since junior high, she'd dragged Daniel, her boyfriend, around like a loyal puppy. The guy would take a bullet for her if she asked. The funny thing was, Daniel wasn't dumb. He was brilliant, driven, even sharp when it came to law. But he was completely clueless when it came to Melissa.
Dick doubted whether Daniel had ever kissed Melissa, much less anything else. She'd kept him in line with scraps of affection and promises she never fully delivered on. It was always the same—dangling what he wanted just out of reach, making him feel special without ever giving too much. Daniel thought they were equals, a power couple. The fool had no idea he was playing a game Melissa had already won long ago.
Now, Melissa was testing the same waters with Dick. He let her play her little games, watching the wheels turn in her head as she spoke. Every word, every calculated glance—she was laying out her traps, testing his reactions.
"Come on, Dick," she said, her voice smooth, sweet as syrup. "I've seen how people look at you now. Even Jessica's friends have been whispering about you. You must've noticed." She leaned in just slightly, her eyes glittering with a mix of curiosity and something else—something darker, almost predatory.
Dick shrugged, playing along. "I guess a few people have mentioned it."
Her smirk widened. "A few? Try half the girls in our old class. Giselle basically drooled over you."
Dick sat up straighter, his confidence apparent, as if Melissa's words had managed to light something in him. "Yeah?" he asked, his voice deeper, more intrigued.
Melissa leaned in, a smirk playing on her lips as she sensed the shift in him. "Oh, you know it's true," she teased. "Everyone's noticed the change. Even girls who never gave you a second look before."
Dick chuckled lowly, the sound rich with amusement. "Guess they finally figured out what they're missing."
She arched an eyebrow, her expression coy. "They did. But I wonder... have you?"
Dick bragged a bit, letting the words flow with confidence. "I mean, it's hard not to. When I look in the mirror, it's like seeing a completely different person."
Melissa's smirk widened, her eyes narrowing with interest. "Oh, I'm sure it is," she purred, leaning forward.
It wasn't a move of femininity or an attempt to show cleavage—Melissa was too modestly dressed for that. Flashing skin was more of Jessica's style. When she leaned in, it wasn't to flaunt her body but to show interest, to strike where she thought Dick's confidence was most vulnerable. He played along, mimicking her movement, letting her believe she still had control.
"Well, if you think so." Dick said, matching Melissa's tone perfectly. His voice was confident but not overdone, giving her the impression that her words were shaping his reality. He leaned back slightly, as if contemplating the idea she had planted, watching her with a gaze that was both casual and curious.
Melissa smiled, satisfied that her little game was working, "Oh, I know so," she purred.
"People notice when someone like you suddenly starts... standing out."
Dick let a small smile play on his lips, his eyes never leaving hers. "Is that right?"
She nodded. "It's more than just the way you look now. It's the way you carry yourself. Confidence does wonders."
He chuckled softly. "Yeah, confidence helps."
She smiled, leaning forward, eyes gleaming with that mischievous glint she always had when fishing for gossip. "Oh, seems like you've had a few flings. Come on, tell your big sis. How many sluts you've fucked?"
Dick smirked, tilting his head as if considering her question. "You think I'd give you the details that easily?"
Melissa pouted, her fingers lazily swirling the remains of her drink. "Oh, come on. You know I can keep a secret." She leaned in closer, lowering her voice to a playful whisper. "Unless you've been too busy playing the gentleman."
He chuckled, amused by her transparent ploy. "Gentleman, huh? Is that what you think I am?"
Melissa's smirk widened, her voice dripping with mock innocence. "You? Oh no, Dick. I know you better than that."
"Tell you what," Dick leaned forward, lowering his voice. "How about you go first?"
She frowned. "You know I'm waiting for marriage, little brother. I'm not some slut like Jessica."
Dick smiled awkwardly, leaning back a little. "I didn't mean like that, Melissa, sorry. I thought it was something you told Daniel, while having fun from time to time with a few studs."
She shook her head, brushing off his words with a wave of her hand. "No, that's not me, Dick. I cherish my first time." Her voice was firm but playful, as if dismissing the very idea of casual flings.
Dick smirked. "Right. Like you're waiting for the perfect prince or something?"
Melissa laughed softly, shaking her head again. "Not a prince, but someone who's worth it. Someone who knows how to handle me."