Countless Lovers Under Covers

- Chapter 1 -



            He laced his fingers around mine, a warm smile spreading onto his lips as he returned to his dinner, consisting of spaghetti and chicken.



            "Thank you for the dinner, honey. It's delicious." He murmured, gazing at me.

            "You're lying," I stated, examining his features. "I know! I'm such an awful cook! The spaghetti's too soupy and the chicken's too dry... Why do I even bother?"



            "Hey, hey, relax Mel," Nathaniel assured me, gripping my hand. "The dinner's fine. I really appreciate your hard work and effort."



            "Why can't I make a simple dinner for my boyfriend?" I questioned hopelessly, placing my head in my hands. "On our three year anniversary!"



            "The dinner is fine, okay? Please just relax." He responded calmly, patting my hand.



            "Okay..." I replied, attempting to calm myself. I tried to change subjects. "Hey, um... Nathaniel?"



            "Mm?"



            I pondered on how I should phrase my thoughts. "...The guest bedroom is finished, right?"



            He nodded slowly, his expressions beginning to turn suspicious. "Why?"



            "N-no reason..." I responded lamely, a small blush rising to my cheeks.



            "Melody," He stated flatly, holding his fork up. "You can't lie to me, you know. Your blush gives it all away. Tell me."



            I swallowed, rubbing my sweaty hands over my jeans. "I want Harmony to stay with us for a couple of months."



            He choked on his food, coughing vigorously. He slammed his fist on the table, stomping his foot on the ground. Honestly, I expected his reaction to be much more abominable than this.



            "Harmony?" He choked out, his eyes widening incredulously. "You can't be serious, Mel."



            I nodded meekly. "She's in town for a couple months. I miss her. I want her to stay with us for a little while."



            "Well, I don't." He countered, crossing his arms together.



            I frowned. "Please, Nathaniel! She's my little sister! I don't have much family left, okay?"



            He gave me a flat look. "So? Invite your mother. Not Harmony."



            I shook my head. "My mother's a distraught, bipolar woman. I don't want her near Sophie, and I'm positive you don't want her near her too."



            Sophie was Nathaniel's six year old sister who lived with Nathaniel since she was born. I had known her for three years now, and I had raised her as if she was my daughter.



            He sighed deeply, tapping his fingers in the table. "How many months, Melody?"



            I bit my lip. "Six."



            "What?" He demanded loudly, raising his tone. "Are you insane? You're inviting someone like your sister over for half a year? Did you so happen to forget what she did your family?"



            "I remember, Nathaniel. Of course I can't forget something like that. But.... she's my sister. My only sister. I have to help her out."



            "She's twenty two! She doesn't need help! She finished college and should have a job by now."



            "She does," I muttered flatly, avoiding eye contact with him.



            "Good. And I hope it's a steady, practical job that will earn her lots of mon – "

            "She's a model," I responded, interrupting him. He widened his eyes, looking at me incredulously.



            "A what?"



            "A model." I replied calmly. "Her yearly salary is probably bigger both of ours combined, so I wouldn't judge her if I were you. Plus, you don't really know her, so I honestly don't know why you have a grudge against her."



            "I don't like what she did to your family, leaving you all in the midst of chaos when you needed her the most." He explained, placing his palms on the table.



            "She wants to make up for it. She wants to start over, and I want to help her."

            "Well, I don't."



            "Nathaniel, please." I responded, giving him a soft look.



            "She has four months, no more," He said firmly. "And she pays for her own groceries."