Two Sided Bow

Chapter 19

Mel woke up sleepily the next morning. The scent of fried eggs and sausage triggered his sensed. He let out a loud yawn and got out of bed. He washed his face and headed out to the kitchen where the fragrance was leading him to. He found Kathy in a pair of gray slacks and a white top with an apron around her waist. Mel smiled as he leaned against the kitchen door “I could get use to this.”

Kathy turned and found him eyeing her up and down as she laughed “How do you live like this? You’ve got nothing in the fridge.”

“Sure I do.” He walked over to her while wrapping his arms around her petite waist.

“Beer is not food, Mel.” Kathy rolled her eyes. She picked up a sausage with the fork and fed it to him over her shoulder.

He took a bite and then replied “It’s a type of food.” He pointed out.

Kathy nodded not convinced “Yeah, that’s what you think.” She pushed him back so she could set the table “I have to hurry, we have an early meeting this morning.”

“You’re going to work?” he asked with a pout on his lip. Kathy nodded before taking a bite full of scrambled eggs. “Stay home with me…please?” he gave he the puppy eyed look that she could hardly resist.

She laughed with her head shaking “That look would work anytime but not today, babe. I’ve got to come in to work….even on my death bed.”

Mel frowned in disappointment “At least give me a minute to clean up. I’ll take you to work. I’ll feel better if I saw you inside the building safe and sound.”

He prepared to get up but Kathy quickly pulled his hand and yanked him back down on the chair “That won’t be necessary, Mel. I talked to Neil this morning and he offered to take me to work.”

Suddenly his eyebrow arched up and his eyes narrowed “Neil?” Kathy nodded casually with a smile “Neil…your ex-boyfriend Neil? The one that stood between us? That…wimp?”

Kathy smiled shortly “He’s not a wimp Mel…and stop it with the jealousy, he is my best friend after all.”
Mel snickered “Superficial freak.”

She wrinkled her brows together “You don’t like Neil?”

He laughed at her innocence “No.”

“Why? I was always under the impression that you liked to tease him.” Kathy thought about the incidents where Mel had talked to Neil. “Anyways, weren’t you the one that tried to get him to confess his love for me?”

Mel nodded “Yeah, sneaky aren’t I? It was all a master plan to get you…unfortunately it backfired.”

Kathy laughed with her head shaking, she knew he was just trying to sound like the bad guy “That’s very sweet of you…but I know you better than that.” She got up and leaned over to kiss him on the forehead. “I’ve gotta go. Neil should be here soon.”

He looked up at her strangely “Do you have bad aim or do you like to kiss me on the forehead?”

She laughed but decided not to answer him. When she was ready to leave, she gave Mel a quick hug and a peck on the cheek “Okay, better?” she winked adoringly.

Mel nodded slowly “Better than the forehead.” She smiled and gave him a wave before disappearing out the door. He watched from his window to make sure she was in the car safely. A smiled spread across his face when Kathy turned up and blew him a kiss.

He cleaned up and prepared to check his bars and talk to his boys. He sent a few to hang around Kathy’s building just in case Luke decided some funny business. When Mel was about to leave, he heard a knocking on his door. He opened it gently and Addy’s smiling face startled him “Good morning!” she said brightly.

She prepared to walk inside when he took his hand and pushed her out by the shoulder “I’m going out, Addy.”

Addy grumbled “I have to go pee!!”

He let her push him aside as he rolled his eyes annoyingly “Hurry!”

“Alright!!” she yelled from the hallway as she raced inside.

Mel turned to the elevators as they opened and out came Don and the other bodyguards “Is she here?” Don asked completely out of breath.

Mel chuckled “What’s wrong with you? You sound like you fuckin chased her down ten blocks.”

Don snorted “Try 15 blocks.” He eventually leaned on his knees to rest.

“What a shitty job.” Mel commented right after Addy came back out.

She placed her hands on her hips and leered her eyes dangerously at Mel “I heard that.”

“Good, I’ll say it again.” Mel said sarcastically “Now if you don’t mind, I have a lot of things to do today. So get the hell out of my house.”

Addy frowned “What’s more important than meeting with my father?”

Mel looked up with confusion “No one told me.”

She circled her lips into an ‘O’ shape “Whoops…I was suppose to tell you last night.” She walked over to Don and slapped him on the arm “I told you to remind me!” she scolded.

“Bullshit!” Don cried “You didn’t tell me anything.”

She pushed her chin in the air “I did too!! Before we came into the bar, I told you to remind me to tell Mel that Daddy wanted to talk to him.” Addy was sure of it.

Don widened his eyes “I was on the phone with my sister!! I wasn’t paying attention.”

Addy laughed “That’s not my problem.”

Mel leaned his head back against his wooden door watching the two of them argue “Why don’t you two just get laid.”

Addy turned to him with a look of disgust “That’s sick!”

“Yeah!” Don agreed “I’ve never been so insulted.”

She suddenly laughed making the guys turn to her strangely “That’s a joke!” she wiped the tears of laughter away and patted Don and Mel on the shoulder “Anyways, time to go. Daddy’s waiting.”

Mel looked Don before closing his door “How do you do it? You got fuckin balls man.”

“I heard that!!” Addy cried from the elevator.

Don shook his head “She needs help.”

“I heard that too!” Addy yelled again.

**********

On the drive to Cheung Gor’s home, Don and Mel chatted. After all it’s been years since they last saw each other “How’s Snow doing? I haven’t seen her for months.” Mel proclaimed.

Don shrugged “She’s got a job…waitress at a family owned restaurant. I think she’s dating that fucking cop.”

Mel smiled “You don’t sound happy about that.”

“Of course not!! He’s a cop! What if one day he turns on her and arrests everyone she knows? And you should know more than anyone that it includes you and me.” Don whispered when Addy was eavesdropping on their conversation.

She noticed that he lowered his voice “I could still hear you, we’re in a car not a subway station.”

Don looked at her with annoyance “Stop being so nosy!” he scolded.

“Its not my fault you talk to loud.” She retorted.

Mel snickered sarcastically “You two should just fuck and get it over with. I know you want him.” He nodded to Addy “And you want her.”

Addy’s lips began to tremble “Mel Lam…if you say that one more time…I’m…going… I’m going to tell Daddy on you!”

Mel put up his hands in self defense “Alright, don’t be squeezing out the water works now. I’ll shut up.” He turned to Don with a sly grin but turned away when Addy looked at the two of them.

When they finally reached the mansion, the group found Cheung Gor smoking a cigar in his back yard. The man seemed to be lost in thoughts as he looked up “Mel, great you’re here.”

Addy skipped over to her dad as she linked her arms through his “Hi daddy.”

He patted her on the head adoringly “Hi sweetie. Now if you all will excuse me, I have to talk to Mel in private.”

Addy pouted “I can’t stay?”

Cheung Gor laughed “No…sorry honey. Go inside with Don and the rest. There’s breakfast on the table for you to eat.” He unlinked her arm and placed an arm around Mel’s shoulder to lead him towards the patio table.

Addy walked back into the house feeling betrayed. Her dad never kept any secret from her, she stood inside the patio glass door while staring at Mel and her dad trying to guess what they were talking about “What do you think they have to plan?” she said to Don.

When he didn’t answer, she turned and found him and the other guys eating breakfast. She let out an exasperated sigh “Don’t be so nosy…come over here and eat.” Don instructed.

Addy dragged her feet as she took a seat next to Don “I want to know.” She grumbled.

“What you don’t know, won’t hurt you.” Don said wisely.

She wrinkled her brows at him “What are you? 100 years old? I don’t need you to lecture me.”

He nodded before taking a mouthful of eggs “Fine…the next time you need advice, I’ll remember to keep my mouth shut.”

Addy rolled her eyes “Whatever…like I’ll ever need your advice.”

Chapter 20

After the conversation with Cheung Gor, Mel walked into the house with a dazed expression. Addy looked up and she knew it was not good news. She dropped the tv control and rushed over to him “What is it, Mel Gor?”

Mel shook his head blankly “Nothing.”

“Aww, come on, you’ll feel better if you tell me.” She coaxed before turning to Don with a look that said for him to help her persuade Mel.

Don laughed “I’m sorry, I’m not allowed to give you advice.”

Addy tilted her head “You’re not giving me advice, help me out here.” She nodded towards the dazed Mel. Don turned away as he continued to stare at the television while Addy frowned “Ohh, you’re so fired!!”

When she turned back, Mel had already walked towards the door. Addy was about to run after him when her father stopped her “Addy! Give him some space.” The man shook his head sternly.

Addy nodded obediently “Yes, daddy.” She noticed Don was stifling a giggle. She picked a cushion on the couch and threw it at him.

***********

Mel knew the only way to calm himself is to hang around a café shop he often came to relax. The tables were set outside the sidewalk as he took his favorite seat. It was a place where he went to relieve his stress. He sat there sipping on a cup of coffee when a hand patted his shoulder. His first instinct told him to defend himself. He grabbed the person’s wrist as he squeezed it tightly “Oww!! Ow…” Snow cried as she bent down on her knees in pain.

He quickly let go and turned to her, he shook his head “You know better than to do that.” He scolded.

Snow frowned “What’s with you? Your so damn tense.” She wrung out her fingers to keep the blood flowing.

Mel laughed, it was amazing how Kathy could read his face, but he almost forgot that Snow that power too “Nothing.”

She narrowed her eyes “Oh please, don’t pull that shit with me. I know when you’re upset because you come to this particular café shop.”

“You still remember?” Mel asked.

Snow nodded “Of course. I don’t forget things too easily.” Mel turned away slowly at the double meaning and Snow quickly felt guilty “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…”

Mel put up a hand to silence her “Its okay.” He smiled “Have a seat.” He kicked a chair leg across from him as it was pushed back far enough for Snow to sit down on. She nodded and sat down “I heard from Don that you are dating that cop.”

She rolled her eyes “And they say women are nosy!” she laughed but eventually nodded “Yes…I am. His name is Gary and he’s head of the Investigation team. He’s a wonderful guy. I’m working at his mom’s restaurant as a waitress. I’m happy.” She concluded.

“I’m happy for you. You deserve better.” He reached over and gave her hand a little squeeze. “Just as long as he doesn’t invade my bars, I’ll be fine.”

Snow sighed “I have no control over that, Mel.”

Mel laughed “I’m just teasing…I thought you could read my face?”

“I can.” She leaned forward on the table “Now are you gonna tell me what the hell is wrong?”

His smile faded slowly as his eyes dazed away at the sky “You know Katie and I got together.” Snow answered with a nod that he saw from the corner of his eyes “I don’t want to hurt her.”

Snow frowned “I don’t get it. If she’s willing to take a chance on you…why would you hurt her?” Suddenly she grew angrier as her voice raised “Mel Lam, don’t you fuckin tell me you already slept with another girl!! I told you not to hurt her!”

Mel rolled his eyes towards Snow “No…I didn’t.” he took a long deep breath “But I might as well be…”

“Now you’re not making any sense.” Snow looked confused.

He suddenly leaned on the table and began rubbing his eyes in frustration “You won’t understand…”

“You’re right…I don’t. Because you haven’t told me what the problem is!” Snow felt like she was pulling teeth, he won’t budge.

Mel looked up and sighed “Can I have some peace?” he asked softly.

Snow knew that look, it was the frustrated look which meant Mel was not happy. Whatever it was she knew it had to concern Kathy in order for him to be so miserable. She began to get up “Fine…if you need to talk, you know where to find me.”

He nodded “Thanks.”

After Snow left, it was almost another hour until he decided to leave. Suddenly at the corner of his eyes he saw a figure running towards him. When he looked up a flash of wind flew by him, it was a young girl. She quickly hid behind Mel “Sir…please help me.”

Mel frowned “Why should I? I don’t even know you.” He dropped the money on the table and prepared to leave.

Suddenly he heard two laughing voices “Now I got you….” Mel turned to see and a slow smile came on his face, it was two of Luke’s boys “Shit…it’s Mel.” One guy whispered.

“What now?” the other one answered.

Mel looked at the girl and then the two idiots. He stepped closer to them until the began to back off, his eyes widened and the two quickly ran away. One guy was so busy looking back to see if Mel was chasing them that he didn’t see the uneven pavement as he fell flat on his face. Mel smiled amusingly when the other guy stumbled back to help his partner up.

Mel prepared to leave “Thank you.” A feeble voice said.

He turned to the petite girl “I didn’t do anything.”

“You saved my life.” She said with a grateful smile.

“Whatever.” He mumbled and continued on his way. But that wasn’t the last he would see of her. She followed a few feet behind him everywhere he went. When he had enough, he turned to the girl “Stop fucking following me!” he growled.

The girl inched back “I’m sorry…” she trembled “I don’t have anywhere to go.”

Mel sighed “What the hell am I suppose to do about it? I don’t even know you.”

She smiled as she rushed over to him and brought out a hand “I’m Kacy, how about you?”

His face paled over “What?”

“I’m Kacy…” she said again unsure of why he looked so strange.

Mel wrinkled his brow as he muttered “Oh shit...of all my fuckin’ luck!”

“Excuse me?” Kacy asked.

“Tell me…why were those guys chasing you?” Mel wanted to know if she was the person he was looking for.

Kacy turned away hesitantly “I…they…uh I owed them money.”

“Bullshit!” Mel cried.

She was startled as she gave a little jump “I’m telling the truth!” she insisted.

Mel looked down at her neck and found a small silver cross pendant “You promise on God?”

Kacy was near tears as she turned away “I’m sorry…but I can’t tell you why…it will only cause you problems.”

“Problem’s my middle name.” He chuckled “Now tell me.” He ordered.

She looked at him in the eye and her gut told her to trust him “Okay…I ran away from the nun convent about a week ago.”

Mel shook his head slowly “So what?”

She wrinkled her brows “You don’t think that’s a bad thing?” she asked incredulously.

He laughed at her question “You’re asking a guy who’s been in more fights than you praying the rosary. I’ve cursed more than you’ve been to church.” He made another point when she looked at him strangely. “What?!” he asked when she didn’t answer.

Kacy smiled “You’re not as mean as you make yourself sound. You have a very kind heart.” She said softly.

Mel rolled his eyes and began walking away “Fuckin nuts…” he grumbled.

She quickly fell in pace next to him “Tell me…why are you a gangster?”

“Why are you trying to be God? What? Am I condemned to hell because I’m a gangster?” Mel snickered.

Kacy shook her head “No, God does not condemn anyone, he only wants what’s best for you. All he does is steer you in the right direction. You just have to listen to the voice inside your head.”

Mel suddenly stopped and turned to her “The only voice inside my head is telling me to tell you to fuck off!” he narrowed his eyes at her “Why are you following me anyways?”

She shrugged “I have no where to go.”

“You don’t have a home?” he asked with an eyebrow raised.

She shook her head “No…”

Mel narrowed his eyes suspiciously “You have no home, so you live in the streets?” Kacy nodded “Do you have a job?” she shook her head. He let out a sigh “Go find one then.” She looked down at her hands and Mel felt bad “I’ll help you find one, how ‘bout that?”

She smiled with a nod “Thank you.” Since the day she left the nunnery, she ran into bad people all along the way. Maybe it was God’s way of punishing her. But meeting Mel was almost like a breath of fresh air, he helped her without even knowing her background but little did she know that he knew more than she could imagine. “What’s your name?” she asked when he led her to a poorer part of town.

“They call me Mel Gor.” He answered shortly.

“So what should I call you?” Kacy asked with a smile.

“Mel Gor.” He answered a matter of factly.

“Oh…” Kacy nodded “Don’t you have another name? Mel is so…”

Mel abruptly stopped in his steps “What?” he turned to her.

Kacy chuckled nervously afraid that she might have blown off his temper “Nevermind…just pretend I didn’t say anything. I have the tendency to ramble on and ask stupid questions. You can ignore me…I don’t mind.”

He snickered sarcastically as they continued “Are you sure they didn’t kick you out for talking too much?”

She frowned “You’re mean.”

“Ooh...are you going to tattletale to your mom now?” he asked sarcastically.

Kacy looked away sadly “She dieds when I was only 1 year old.”

Mel almost forgot as he quickly regret his remark “I’m sorry…if it makes you feel any better I have two parents who kicked me out of the house when I was 16 years old.”

Kacy laughed with her head shaking “No…it doesn’t make me feel any better. But I understand why they did…” he raised an eyebrow and she grabbed his arm and shook it playfully “Aww, come on…I was just teasing.”

“Ha ha.” Mel mumbled.

Chapter 21

Mel and Kacy walked to the poorer part of town as beggars rushed over to them to ask for money. Kacy’s heart softened at one particular kid who looked like he hasn’t eaten in days. She decided to give him her last $50. The kid smiled as he thanked her numerous times. Mel watched as he soon regret what he was about to do to her.

Kacy bounced over to him with a grin, proud of herself “So where are we going now?”

Mel smiled shortly “Find you a job.”

She nodded “Okay, what will I be doing?”

“You see.” He began walking away to a run down building. She did not think anything of it until they reached the 5th floor. The two entered and Mel began talking to the old man behind a desk area “Uncle Frankie, I’ve got a new girl for you.” Mel grinned.

The old man raised his brows “Really? When can she start?”

Mel paused as he turned to Kacy “When can you start?”

“Anytime.” She replied brightly. It wasn’t until she saw a girl lead another man into her room that she realized it was a brothel. Kacy’s broke out into a cold sweat as she tugged on Mel’s sleeve “What is this place?” she whispered.

Mel tilted his head and leaned back on the counter “An escort service. You told me to find you a job.” He said with sarcasm.

Her face paled over, the last time she was in a place like that, she had promised herself never to step foot into one ever again. Mel hastily took her hand as he led her to where the hallway full of rooms were. Instead of knocking on a door, he kicked it open and inside was the girl Kacy saw earlier working on her ‘customer’. She flinched painfully as a flashback invaded her mind. “Oh my God…” she muttered before backing away. Her eyes tore away from the obscene gestures before her while Mel stood there laughing at her misery.

She turned and bolted out of the place. Mel’s smile slowly faded as he realized it must have touched a sensitive spot. He raced after Kacy and caught up to her when she was outside the streets with no where to go. Kacy stopped as she spun around to face him, her face drenched in tears, but no sound came out. She wasn’t sobbing, just crying. Her eyes hardened at the look of him and he quickly frowned “What?” he asked.

She shook her head slowly with a sarcastic smile despite her tears still flowing “What? You took me to a brothel for me to work as a hooker?”

Mel turned his head away and then back at her with a tilt “It’s an escort service, you don’t have to sleep with anyone.”

“But it just comes with the job right?!” she cried with anger. Suddenly she broke down as she fell to the ground sobbing “I…I can’t believe I trusted you…” she said between sobs.

His heart instantly softened. He couldn’t stand the sight of a woman crying. Mel walked over to her as he too sat down on the ground “You can trust me.” He said earnestly but she didn’t catch it.

Kacy looked up in horror “If that’s call trust, I’m not sure what’s love to you.” She spat out harshly.

He nodded, knowing he indeed was wrong this time “I’m sorry…if that even means anything.”

“Do you even want to know why I had to get away from that place?” Kacy asked.

“Because you can rent your own pornos?” Mel snickered.

“I meant from the convent.” She had to smile despite her mood. He sure had a charm to him. Mel smiled as he shook his head “From my brother.” Kacy sighed as she spun her legs from under her and sat down on her butt like Mel “My family came from a very low class, we had no money and barely could afford an apartment. At that time, my dad was so worried about making money that he would do anything. He joined a gang called the Tigers….he started small and worked his way up. But until he actually got up there, we had what I called the ‘horror years’. Which was my brother and I at the age of 10 and 7 to fend for ourselves.”

“Where was your mother?” Mel asked.

Kacy’s eyes hardened “Ask that father of mine. He drove her over the wall and eventually, she died from frustration, eventhough the doctors said it was pneumonia.” She took a few seconds as her head bowed in silence “My brother, Luke…was everything my father was. He followed in his complete footsteps. At one year, they were so desperate for money that he took me to a brothel and tried to sell me for money. I was only 14 then.”

Mel closed his eyes guiltily “That’s why you ran out of the brothel right now.” He nodded understandingly.

She smiled shortly “Something like that.”

“Well…did you work?” he asked hesitantly.

Kacy shook her head “No. When Luke dropped me off there, he made sure the owner had men to watch over me so I wouldn’t run away. I knew the only way for me to get away was to take a job and try to escape. So on my first job, I chose the smallest man I could find, that way I could fend for myself. When the doors of the room closed, I began to seduce him and eventually the horny man let me tie him up to the bed. When that was done, I climbed down from the fire escape 7 stories down.”

“Did they ever see you?” Mel asked wondering if the girl was as innocent as she appeared.

She smiled “If they did, I wouldn’t be here right now. After I got away, I went straight to the convent. I turned to God for an answer and yet each time I prayed, my brother would find me. Then I picked up and moved to the next convent. It was years after that he actually found out my route. I traveled up north to Mainland China and yet…he still found me. I hadn’t realized that my father had eventually become the Dai Lou of the Tigers until recently. Then I knew I could not run away anymore, they had their guys everywhere.”

“What makes you think I’m not one of them?” Mel asked.

Kacy smiled “Because your with the Red Dragon.”

“How did you know?” he widened his eyes and stood up, towering over her.

She sighed and put out a hand as he helped her up with ease “The dragon on your arm gave me most of the clues.”

He laughed “It’s been with me for so long that I forget I have it.” Mel suddenly frowned as he looked down at her “Why do you trust me?”

She shrugged “Most of it is gut instinct, but I could tell from the way those two guys were so scared of you before you even attempted to harm them. I knew you were the only one that can protect me.”

He shook his head and began walking away back towards downtown, where his turf was “What makes you think I would want to protect the sister of my arch enemy?”

Kacy chuckled as she skipped after him “Because you have a kind heart.”

“That’s what you think.” Mel muttered.

“No, that’s what I know.“ she corrected.

The two reached his apartment building as he took her too his own place. He glanced at the watch, it would be time for Kathy to be home. How would he explain the new girl? And how in the world was he suppose to break up with his girlfriend? It took them so many years to even get together. The meeting with Cheung Gor was obvious Mel was to follow orders. His mission? Break up with Kathy and get together with Kacy, they would use her as a weapon against Luke.

It explained why Mel was crueler to Kacy. He resented her, for she was the reason why he would have to do this mission. But he dedicated his life for this and Cheung Gor was like a father figure to him. He knew if he was to fail this mission, there would be war. And if Kacy turned on him, he would lose everything.

She turned to Mel as his eyes looked distant “What’s wrong, Mel Gor?” she shook him gently.

Mel seemed to be brought back to reality “Nothing…this is my apartment.” He opened the door and walked in with Kacy.

“You home, Mel?” Kathy asked from the kitchen.

“Who’s that?” Kacy asked.

Mel’s mind was racing, he knew there would be a way to explain this whereas Kathy won’t get upset and move out. Kathy continued to talk “I got Neil and a bunch of other guys to help me move this afternoon. So you don’t have to worry about it.” She came out in an apron and she suddenly stopped in her steps as her eyes moved to Kacy, who was smiling at her “Hi…” Kathy said hesitantly.

Kacy nodded politely as she reached over and shook Kathy’s abroad hand “I’m Kacy.”

“Kathy.” She nodded while her eyes traveled up to Mel “Could I talk to you?”

Mel knew it was coming as he followed her into the kitchen “Kathy, before you get upset.”

She smiled and touched his hair adoringly “Upset about what?”

He gave her a strange look, she was taking it too well. It reminded him of the time he was dating Snow and took him girls after girls…no matter how good of a liar she was, he knew she was upset. Yet, there was not a inch of anger in her voice or eyes. “That girl…Kacy.” He pointed to the living room.

Kathy sighed “I’m disappointed in you Mel.” He nodded understandingly “At least warn me so I could make dinner for her too.”

Mel shook his head like he was in a daze “What?”

She reached down and took his hand in hers “I’ve learned not to ask you about your business. Plus, I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. Whoever she is, I don’t want to know and I don’t care to know. As long as you don’t hurt me, I don’t care how many girls you bring here.” It was a double meaning answer.

Mel understood too well “I know.”

“Now go outside and talk to her. She’s a guest after all.” Kathy smiled as she continued with her cooking.

When he got outside to the living room, he found Kacy asleep on the couch. She was probably exhausted from running all day. He was about to wake her when his cell phone rang. It was Wong. After they promoted him, Mel hasn’t heard from his old guy for a long time. Mel answered grinning “What, bitch? I thought you forgot all about me.”

“Mel Gor…” Wong’s voice was a bit shaky “You better come down here…this placed is fucked up.”

Mel’s smiled faded “What happened? Never mind, I’ll be right down.” He peeked his head in the kitchen and told Kathy “I’ve got to take care of something. Don’t wait for me.” With that he rushed out.

When he got to the smaller bar, he found it trashed from head to toe. The glasses were broken and not one single table wasn’t overturned. He found most of his guys bruised up and Wong by the bar with his head cut up badly “Wong.” Mel rushed over to him “What the fuck happened here?”

“Luke…he brought over a welcoming party.” Wong said sarcastically “You’re never going to believe who’s with him now.”

“Janet.” Mel said bluntly.

Wong furrowed his brows “How did you know?”

Mel snickered “I knew since I saw them in Toronto. Apparently, he doesn’t treat her too well.”

“That’s a fuckin understatement.” Wong snorted.

Mel turned to him, afraid to hear the worse. He knew that Luke didn’t know of Janet and Mel’s short past, but if he knew, she would be in grave danger. “What?”

Wong shook his head sadly “He’s just a fuckin asshole. He came in with her on his arm and started to trash this place. While I was fighting, I noticed the he was feeling her up.” Mel widened his eyes in horror and Wong continued “He fuckin raped her right here in middle of his fight.”

Mel closed his eyes before punching his fist against the counter “Son of a bithc!!” he growled.

“Damn, I knew she was all clingy but no girl deserves that.” Wong shook his head. He felt sorry for the girl, not only was she humiliated, she was bruised from all the slaps that Luke gave her when she tried to fight him off.

Mel knew he had to get her out of there until it was too late “Call the guys, we’re having a meeting tomorrow morning at Old Willie’s place.” It was a run down restaurant that Mel often hung out when he was a younger gangster.

“Yes….” Wong watched as Mel walked away with his fists clenched. It would not be an easy war.

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

In the meantime, Kathy sat at home with the plates of food covered up. She wanted to wait for Mel before she began to eat. She sat on the living room love seat as she watched Kacy sleep peacefully. When the girl began to shiver, Kathy got up and took out a thin blanket as she placed it over the petite girl. Instead it woke Kacy up “I’m sorry…” Kathy began.

Kacy shook her head “No…thank you. It’s very thoughtful of you.” She quickly sat up and muffled a yawn.

“You can sleep in my room.” Kathy offered with a smile. In her mind she wondered who this girl was, but knew she must be important if Mel took her back to his place. Could be someone he needed to protect.

“No…I’m up now.” She shook her head again. “So…this is Mel’s place.” She started.

Kathy nodded “Yeah…”

Kacy knew the awkwardness of the conversation would not stop there “So…who’s Mel to you? If you don’t mind me asking.” She added hastily.

Kathy smiled “It’s not important.”

“Girlfriend?” Kacy asked with innocent eyes.

Her smile faded as she debated with herself. What should she say? “Uh…no…I’m his…sister.”

Kacy let out a sigh of relief “Oh…I’m sorry…it’s just you guys looked so happy. I wouldn’t have guessed you were his sister. But maybe because my brother and I don’t get along…” she let her words fade away.

Kathy tilted her head thoughtfully “I’m sorry to hear that. How did you and Mel meet?” she asked.

Kacy smiled remembering earlier that day “It’s a long story…”

“I have all the time in the world.” Kathy offered as she pulled her feet up and sat cross legged on the couch. And so Kacy began telling her story. The more she said, the more Kathy came to understand how important this girl was to Mel. She didn’t mean to pry and yet here she was hearing the whole story.

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