Chapters 21-30

I looked myself in the mirror. I looked okay. These were clothes my mother gave me but I didn't know what to do with. I'm not much of a fashion girl so when it came to combining things I was clueless.

http://www.polyvore.com/ch_21/set?id=11071969

http://www.polyvore.com/uprising/set?id=11191604

But Lucy wasn't.

She did my hair and makeup as well.

It was almost as if she was my friend. Weird. I know.

We took her car, she doesn't drive she has a driver. The driver was named Lloyd. He was really nice. He opened the door for me.

I thank him as I got in. Lucy didn't even glance at him.

"So!" She said. "How long have you been with Nathan since he woke up?"

"Um, two months, I think." I said.

"Oh." Was all she said.

The rest of the ride I explained what I did since we've last saw each other. I can't even remember the last time I saw Lucy. She just wasn't that important to me.

"So, you and Peter were pretty close while you thought Nathan was in a coma?" She asked.

I don't know what she was implying, like if Peter and I had a relationship or something.

"We were just friends." I said to make things clear. "Nothing ever happened between us."

"I heard about what happened to Roberto, I'm so sorry." She placed her hand on mine and gave me a sincere look.

I took my hand back. "Rodrigo," I corrected. "And thank you."

"Oh right, sorry. I get those names confused." She chuckled.

I couldn't tell if it was fake or not. If she was being fake or not. At times it seemed but then her expressions were sincere. Either she was truly sorry or she's a good actress. Lloyd stopped.

"Thanks." I thanked him when he opened the door. Once again Lucy didn't acknowledge his existence.

"Don't worry, ma'am. I'm used to it by now." Lloyd tipped his hat.

I gave him a warm smile and followed Lucy into a really expensive looking pastry shop. The little bell dings as we walked in. It was small but you could tell it made lots of money because of how well done the displays looked.

"Lucy!" A voice called.

I looked over and saw a women.

She had her red hair in a bun. She was too cleaned to be a pastry chef. I looked to where she came from and saw that there were workers back there doing the actual cakes and things.

"Charlene." Lucy said and they both peck each other's cheek. "It's so good to know you could squeeze me in."

"Of course." Charlene said and looked over at me. She smiled... forcefully. I guess she didn't like me.

"Melinda." I said offering her my hand. She took it as if it was infected and then wiped her hand on her pencil skirt.

I rolled my eyes.

It was going to be a long day. A long, long day.

"What kind of masterpiece are you thinking of?" Charlene asked.

"I'm thinking three layers." Lucy gestured with her hands how tall she wanted it. I started to look around.

I remember when I was ten I wanted to be a baker. I didn't always wanted to be a nurse. I was a kid who wanted to do so many things. One of them was to be a pastry chef. I saw how my nanny Laura would bake the cakes. I loved licking the bowl.

"Melinda." Lucy's voice brought me back.

"Yeah?" I said walking over to them.

They already had a tray of taste samples.

"What do you think of this one?" She asked.

She hasn't even tasted it yet. I took the little plate and ate a bite of the chocolate cake.

"Good." I said simply.

"Only good?" She raised an eyebrow.

Charlene laughed. "Silly girl doesn't know about pastry. This is a special kind of chocolate."

"It taste just like any other kind of chocolate cake." I said simply.

Charlene gasps as if someone had slapped her.

"It just shows you don't know anything."

I shrugged went back to looking around. The pastry all looked to fancy. I would be happy with just a chocolate cake with strawberry jam filling.

It was my favorite.

Lucy asked me to taste another. Lemon.

Then a strawberry.

Then some other ones with champagne or wine. The wine one didn't taste too good for me. But Lucy didn't decide on any. Charlene glared at me as we exited the pastry shop.

"God, what's up her ass?" I muttered.

"She was just offended." Lucy said as Lloyd opened the door.

I got in and thank him again.

"I was just saying the truth. It tasted like a regular cake you could buy at a grocery store."

Lucy laughs as if what I said was the most funny thing.

"You just don't know taste."

I don't if that was an insult or not.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

"Don't worry. That is why you have me for."

I checked my phone for the time.

It was only twelve.

Lucy's phone went off with the ring tone of Britney Spears "Circus".

"Devlin!" She said. "I miss you, love."

I zoned out as she made kissing sounds and other stuff I'm trying suppress at the moment. I rubbed my temples. How could I already have a headache? Well I didn't eat breakfast so that might have something to do with it.

"The boys want us to meet them at a restaurant so we can all have lunch together." Lucy said.

"Oh, okay." I looked out the window.

Lucy started talking about how she reconnected with Devlin. I wanted to mention I had met him before but that seemed inappropriate.

"We're here!" Lucy announced.

We got off and Lloyd went to park the car. We walked inside the restaurant and said we were meeting someone here Lucy told the host the name of Nathan.

"Right this way." The host said.

We followed her to an area that seemed full of rich people. All clothes looked expensive. Things I could afford but just seemed silly to have. When I saw Nathan a smile appeared on my lips.

I kind of jogged the rest of the way and hugged him. It felt such a big relief to be with him. He hugged me back. We kissed and then we pulled apart. He examined what I was wearing.

"I didn't know you had these clothes." He said.

"It was buried behind all those silly scrubs." Lucy said.

I tried not to glare or narrow my eyes. I liked my scrubs.

"You look great." Nathan said.

He pulled the chair so I could sit.

"Thanks." I was sitting across from Devlin. Nathan was sitting across from Lucy.

Devlin winked at me and gave him a small smile. Nathan didn't notice the wink because he didn't say anything or looked any different.

"Did you have fun picking a cake for their wedding?" Nathan asked me.

I forced a smile and nodded.

"Oh good." Nathan pecked my cheek.

"Oh Nathan, I wanted to know what time I should come in on Monday." Lucy said. I watched as she put her hand on top of his. Any other girl would think it was friendly but I didn't think so.

But... wait... why did she ask?

I looked over to Nathan. He looked a little flushed.

"For what?" I asked.

Lucy looked shocked that I didn't know.

"Didn't he tell you I'm going to be working for him?"

"No... he didn't." I said looking over to him. He seemed nervous.

"I'm sure he was getting around to it, right Nate?" Devlin intervened.

Nathan cleared his throat. "I was going to tell you tonight. Lucy wanted to work and she has secretary experience and mine just quit."

"It's all right." I told him and gave him a small smile.

"Yeah?" He asked.

"Yeah, of course." No. It was not all right at all.

An awkward silence came between me and Nathan as he drove me back home. It was snowing now. Back in California I had to go to Big Bear Mountain to be in the snow, here it comes most of the year.

"I was really going to tell you about Lucy." Nathan broke the silence.

I looked over at him and smiled.

"It's all right, Nathan."

"I know it isn't, Melinda. I can tell by your tone of voice."

He knew me too well.

"What am I supposed to say?"

"What do you really feel about Lucy working for me?"

I sighed. "It doesn't matter, Nathan. She's getting married and I shouldn't have any reason to be suspicious but I just don't trust her. She's so fake!"

"Have you tried to get to know her?" He raised an eyebrow and glanced at me before looking back at the road. "Because it seems she's making an effort to get to know you."

Shit. I was stuck.

"You said to tell you how I really felt and I did and now I'm getting accused of not putting my part." I said and shook my head.

"She has Devlin and they seem to be really in love."

Well I didn't see it. Not once did Devlin held Lucy's hand, sure she patted her hand sometimes but didn't held her hand and squeezed it to show affection. Nathan and I always did that. There was something in Devlin's eyes that I just didn't trust.

And Lucy is being fake but Nathan doesn't believe me.

"Yeah, whatever." I said. I took out my phone and checked that it was five in the afternoon. We spent a lot of time in the restaurant. "Are you staying?" I asked.

"No, I have some paperwork to finish. I might just go to my place tonight since it's closer." He gave me a sad look.

I patted the hand that was on the drive stick. "It's all right. I understand. I'm kind of tired myself. I might just chill."

He stopped in front of my building and kissed me. With his kiss he made me forget why I was so upset.

"I love you." He said as we pulled away.

I caressed his cheek. "I love you, too."

I got out of the car and went inside. Once inside of my apartment I found myself really bored. I flipped through the channels and found nothing good on.

My phone rang. I saw the caller ID

Pete Watson

His name flashed on the screen. I smiled. I missed him. I answered.

"What's up, Pete?"

"I have a day off and I was wondering if you were doing anything tonight?" He said.

"Nope. Nada. Nathan has some papers to do over at work and he's crashing at his place." By now I was hanging upside down on the couch.

"Well, I have a lovely surprise for you. Why don't you open your door?" There was two light knocks. "Don't peek in the hole!" He said.

We hung up and I got off the couch and walked to the door. I opened the door and I was tackled to the floor.

I looked up and saw Charles.

"CHUCK!!!" I exclaimed in happiness.

"MELLIE!" He yelled back.

"Oh, my Gosh! You weight a ton!" I said.

He gasps. "She called me fat, Pete." I looked above and saw Peter with a smile on his face.

"Mad cause she tells you the cold truth?" Peter took Chuck off of me and helped me up.

"You are supposed to protect me from evil." Chuck pointed at me as he said evil.

I gasped in fake hurt. "You think I'm evil?" I hid my face in Peter's chest and pretended to sob.

"I know you're faking, Mellie." He said tapping his foot.

Damn. I looked at him and stuck my tongue out. He laughs.

"So this is your place, huh?" He looked around.

"Yup." I smiled proudly.

"Where is the kitchen?" he asked looking around.

"To your left." I pointed and he just went through the door to the kitchen.

Peter and I laughed. Chuck's mind was always on his stomach. When we stopped I noticed he was still holding me. Rather tightly. It was as if we were a couple. I pulled out of it and smiled at him.

"Thanks for the surprise. I really needed this."

He furrowed his eyebrows. "What's up, pumpkin?" He lifted my chin and I glared. "Oh right, you don't like it when I call you that."

I chuckled. "And yet you continue to use it, meanie." I pinched him and he jumped a little.

"Ow, that hurt." He rubbed the spot I pinched him.

"You deserve it."

"Yeah, yeah. Now really tell me what's going on?"

I sighed and walked over to the living room. We sat on the couch facing each other.

"I don't know. I just... you remember a guy named Devlin?"

He nods. "Yeah, what does he have to do with this?"

"Well, he and Lucy are engaged--"

"What?" Peter sounded shocked.

"Why are you surprised?" I asked.

"Why aren't you? I mean I wouldn't go back with the girl that cheated me with my best mate."

My eyes widen in horror. I must've heard wrong. Because then that would mean that Nathan backstabbed his best friend for Lucy.

"Whoa, go back and rewind. What the f**k?" I cursed.

Peter seemed to regret what he said. "I thought you knew." he said slowly.

I shook my head. "What do you mean, Pete?" I asked.

Before he could answer Charles came back with a bowl of popcorn.

"Do you have the DVDs?" Charles asked Peter.

"Shit, I forgot it in my car. Go get them." He tossed him the keys and Charles easily caught them.

Once he was gone Peter turned to face me.

"When we were younger, Devlin and Lucy were together. Since they were like thirteen or something. When were seventeen Devlin found Lucy and Nathan sleeping together. Ever since Devlin and Nathan haven't spoken."

I was so angry at Nathan. Why didn't he tell me any of this? Why did I have to hear it from someone else? He had a whole week and didn't say anything.

"When did you find out about their engagement?" Peter asked.

"Monday and today I had to go cake tasting with Lucy."

"That must've been something." Peter muttered and I agreed.

"I just can't believe Nathan did that!" I screeched.

"We were young. And he was a different person." Peter defended him.

"Why haven't you talked to Nathan?" I asked.

He sighed. "I really can't be friends with a guy who's with the girl of my dreams." He placed a lock of my hair behind my ear.

Just then Charles walked in and saw it. He froze with wide eyes.

"What is going on?" He asked slowly.

I smiled and moved away from Peter. I didn't notice we were so close.

"Nothing." Peter said quickly.

Chuck placed himself between us.

"All right. Let's watch Ace Ventura the first one. It's the best." Chuck said popping out the DVD from the box. I took it and placed it inside of the DVD. I took the control with me.

"I love Jim Carrey." I smiled.

Chuck put his arm over my shoulder and I leaned on his shoulder. It was friendly. Chuck never had feeling towards me other than a friend. Or a sister.

When Jim Carrey started dancing in the tutu I started laughing so hard my stomach hurt. It was the best scene, especially when he's trying to hide inside of the box.

After Ace Ventura we watched V For Vendetta. I am so in love with that movie. The message is just so incredible.

After that one I think I fell asleep.

[Peter's Point of View]

"I think it's time for us to leave." I told Chuck as I watched Melinda sleep. She looked so peaceful. So cute.

"Yeah, I'll clean up." He said getting up.

"I'll take her to the bed."

Charles gave me a look. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm not going to rape her, Charles." I snapped.

"I wouldn't pass it by you." He muttered and I glared at him.

I picked her up bridal style and she clutched to me. She smelled so good. It was like cinnamon and vanilla. Her bedroom door was open. I placed her on the bed and pulled the covers on. I removed the hair from her face.

I just couldn't resist.

I placed my lips very gently over hers and pulled away.

She stirred a bit. "Nathan." She mumbled and I clenched my hands.

I had to remain calm. The plan was going well. Nothing was going wrong.

[Melinda's Point of View]

On Sunday morning I woke up in my room. I was a little confused but then I think I remember Peter carrying me. I smiled a little.

I laid in my bed and looked at the ceiling. I went back to sleep for a little while. When I woke up I felt my bed shift.

Nathan laid next to me.

"Good, morning sleepy head." He tapped my nose and I scrunched it.

"Not cool." I said.

He chuckled. "What did you do last night?"

Suddenly I remembered what he did to Devlin. I sat up and he did the same. He looked confused.

"Why didn't you tell me that you betrayed Devlin? You and Lucy?"

His eyes widen in fear. "Let me explain--"

"Why didn't you just tell me, Nathan?" I asked. "Why did I have to hear it from Peter?"

He narrowed his eyes. "What exactly did he tell you? I bet he said lies about me."

"He actually defended you." I said. "Nathan, please just tell me why you kept it a secret? I was going to find out sooner or later. And I would've wished it would've been from you and not someone else."

"I was going to tell you." He said.

I got off the bed too angry at him. "Just like you were going to tell me that Lucy was going to be your secretary?" I snapped at him.

"Why were you with Peter?" He changed the subject. "You know I don't like him being near you."

I scoffed. "I can still be friends with Peter, Nathan. He's a very close friend of mine and before you go thinking wrong, Charles was with us as we watched movies last night."

"How do I know? Huh?" His blue eyes turned dark.

I couldn't believe what he was implying. "You think I'm cheating on you with Peter?"

"I don't trust him, Melinda. I trust you. I know you love me but I know Peter is manipulative."

"Peter has been my friend for four years, Nathan."

"And I've known him my whole life." He shot back. He sighed and calmed down. So did I. "Look, I know him better than you."

I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

"Did you apologize to Devlin?" I asked.

"The first day we saw them." He said. "Look, there are something in my past that I'm not proud of. Losing Devlin's friendship for Lucy is on top of my list."

He took my hand and pulled me to him.

"I'm so sorry. But I hate seeing you disappointed in me and I knew this would disappoint you and I just had to gather the courage to do so." He wrapped his arms around me.

I sighed. "You can tell me anything, Nathan. Sure I might get angry and upset but I would get over it." I smiled at him.

"I don't want to lose you. Now that's there's nothing standing between us, I don't want to lose you." He hugged me tighter. I hugged him back.

"Me either. Te amo." I said I love you in Spanish.

"Te amo." He said it back.

I giggled.

"I'm going to take a shower... wanna join?"

"Yes." He said.

[Later]

"What do you want to do today?" He asked after a long shower, hint, hint.

"You don't have anything to do in the office?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Nada." He said.

I smiled.

"How about we--"

His phone went off. We pulled apart from the embrace and he answered.

"Hello?... uh-huh... no I told you to reschedule that... can't you... okay, okay. I'll be there in fifteen minutes." He hung up.

That must've been Lucy.

"So much for secretary experience if she didn't reschedule." I muttered.

"It's a simple mistake that happens a lot, love. I should be back before dinner. Are you going to be fine?" He asked.

"Yeah, just me and Ben and Jerry." I said.

He kissed me long and deeply. I just hated not having him to myself. When he was gone I decided to do laundry. I picked up my dirty scrubs and other clothes. I washed them. I put on my I-Pod as I start to clean the apartment.

"When you see yourself in a crowded room Do your fingers itch, are you pistol-whipped? And will you step in line or release the glitch? And can you fall