Chapter 78: Chapter 78

After the meeting at the company, Melissa went to visit Mr. Steven in prison. Diana refused to pay her father's bail money and from how haggard he looked, she knew no one had gone to visit him.

A few days back her godmother had called asking if she could help them get back to the country to visit him. Apparently Diana had ceased all their finances when her father authorized her to take charge.

"Cough! Cough! Melissa, you are the last person I expected to visit me. What good have I done for you to grace me with your presence?" Mr. Stevens inquired over the phone before getting another fit of violent cough.

Staring at him seated behind the glass window, Melissa felt sorry for him. "I'm taking over Steel's operations and I have some questions."

"Cough! Diana has all the documents you need. She can give you all the information you need but be warned… Cough! Cough! Be weary of her. I raised her myself but she left me to rot in here just because I didn't do what she wanted. Cough cough!" His coughing was so severe Melissa couldn't ask him any more questions.

She sat with the phone in her hand as the warden took him to his cell then went to the chief warden's office to ask if she could pay for his treatment and upkeep.

Though he betrayed her father's trust she understood his intentions and was willing to help.

…..

Spending the day going to different offices and meeting most of the employee's, Melissa felt exhausted. She was afraid she couldn't keep up but David was a good teacher. Standing behind her they thought he was there to guard her but he was directing every move she made.

He did not only train her how to shoot and defend herself but he also trained her how to manage the transport company and how to face the board members whom she suspected were working with Mr. Stevens in the illegal business.

"What is going on here?" She and David walked in only to find Mr. Edward, Mr. Johnson, and Lucy charting laughing and in the lounge.

"Oh Melissa, David you are back. Come, we have been waiting for you. Johnson wants to have a word with you Melissa." Mr. Edward said, placing his teacup on the table.

"I have nothing to talk to Mr. Johnson about. Please excuse me." Melissa said, turning to the stairwell.

"Melissa, I'm here to apologize. I know we have not been getting along well since I was not supportive of your relationship with my grandson." Mr. Johnson's words stopped her. "Mark went along with my plan for the engagement party so he could bring me and Edward face to face. He wanted us to end our lifelong hatred which I'm grateful for. Please forgive him. I have been bitter for a long time and it has hurt my family. I don't want what I did to destroy the beautiful thing you two have."

"Is that bitterness the reason you hurt my aunt?"

"Melissa, show some respect." Mr. Edward roared.

"It's okay Edward." Mr Johnson touched his friend's arm to calm him down. "I was not on board when Richard told me of his choice for marriage but after seeing how happy he was I couldn't keep hurting them. For that, I let him be with the person he chose. If I couldn't force my son then why force him?" He explained. "No matter how hard I try to keep you away from my grandson, I know he only loves you. Please talk to him, don't hurt yourself and your son anymore." Melissa closed her eyes, took a deep breath then turned to face him.

"Thank you, I understand you wanted the best for Mark but he shouldn't have sent you. He can come and talk to me himself. Excuse me." She smiled briefly then walked to her room and locked herself in.

"How long will you keep this up, Melissa? This is hurting you and the people around you." She lay curled up on the bed. "I miss you so much Mark. I want to be with you yet I'm afraid I'll lose you again. Keeping you away from me is easier than losing you a second time." She sniffed, trying to hold her tears back. "I can't be with you, not because I don't love you or the pain in my heart is greater but because I can't manage to lose you again." She looked at Mark's picture with tears in her eyes.

Startled by a knock on her door, she hid the picture under her pillow and sat up wiping her tears before her aunt walked in. "I've brought you some juice. I know you must be tired." Betty smiled, handing her the glass.

"Thank you aunt."

"Talk to me, Melissa. It's been almost a month now and you haven't talked to Mark or anyone. You don't even spend time with your son. What is going on?" Betty sat beside her and held her hand.

"I'm sorry for how I've been treating you, aunt. You deserve to be happy and I shouldn't get in your way."

"It's okay my child. I know you want what is best for all of us. If I were in your shoes I would do the same. Being afraid is okay, but losing is part of life. My dear, don't stay away from your family because you're afraid to lose them one day. Mark loves you, he did all this for you. Crying with his picture will only drive you mad I know it. Get up and face your fears honey, fight for your family and be happy no matter what."

"Oh, aunt...." Betty hugged her, smoothening her hair soothing her to stop crying.

"Shh.." Without uttering a word she held Melissa until she fell asleep.