A Secret to Hide

A secret to hide part 7

So 7 parts so far... I hope you all like it:) I am getting quite a few reads and even votes now which is really exciting for me:). If you could all comment on it, let me know what you think, any constructive criticism would also be appreciated! thanks everyone:)

Daniel drove to the inn the next morning, in yet again, his sister's car. He had ordered a rental and would pick it up after his meeting with Mr. Odell. Ramona was still sick, he had taken her to the doctor that morning only to find it was the flu. The doctor had prescribed her some painkillers and sent her back to bed again. Daniel was once again, back at his beautiful Inn, but staring at an even more beautiful woman, who was giving out orders to her staff. He could imagine her giving him orders, telling him what he could do to her, he liked a woman in control. Shaking the images from his mind, he concentrated on reality. Today Melissa was wearing a white shirt with a red vest over top, and her usual black pants. Her hair was curly today and Daniel could see the faint red streaks that highlighted her hair, standing out more than usual. He smiled at the picture of beauty. He had arrived early, hoping to chat to Melissa before the meeting, and so was surprised when he saw a man in a grey suit, with greying hair to match. It could only have been Mr. Odell, he thought as he was waiting patiently near the front desk. Daniel glanced back at Melissa and for once, caught her gaze. She looked away, a frown appearing on her face when she noticed him looking at her. He walked over to the grey man, "You must be Mr. Odell" Daniel said, reaching out his hand in greeting, the man shook it. "Yes" he smiled, "And you must be Daniel Cross, owner of this beautiful Inn" he added.  

"Yes, and I am very pleased with the way it looks, I believe we have our lovely manager to thank for that" He smiled, gesturing towards Melissa. Melissa looked up, hearing her name, and walked over to join the two men. "Pleased to meet you, I'm Melissa Valentine" she said, making no eye contact with Daniel. "Nice to meet you Melissa, beautiful place you have here" Mr. Odell answered. She forced a smile. "Shall we start this meeting, I'm dying to try the food here, I hear its incredible." Mr. Odell grinned. "Melissa?" Daniel asked.  

"Oh, Right this way gentleman" Melissa obeyed, knowing Daniel was asking her to show them to the dining hall. Melissa said a quick goodbye and left the two men to discuss business. She could barely concentrate knowing Bridgewater's was about to be sold.  

About an hour or so later, the two men emerged from the dining room, laughter on both their faces. Melissa gave the quick tour she promised and then went back to her desk, watching the men say their goodbyes. She had noticed Mr. Odell did not seem interested in the tour she had given, and she hoped she had not bored the two men. She brushed her negative thoughts aside, assuming Mr. Odell was a busy man and was probably in a hurry. "So we have a deal" She heard Daniel ask.  

"Yes, we have a deal" The older man answered. They shook hands, both pleased with themselves and parted, leaving Melissa heartbroken.

Melissa couldn’t concentrate on getting through the next few minutes, let alone think about concentrating on the next few hours she had left of work. In a daze, Melissa rang the night manager to cover the rest of her shift. Until he arrived, she knew the Inn would be in safe hands with Gary. She walked straight out the door, not looking to see if Daniel Cross was still there. Storming out to her car, she heard a faint voice yelling from behind her, growing closer. She kept walking. “Hey Mel” she heard Daniel’s voice yell after her. She turned around, her eyes blazing. “Gee, your fast” Daniel puffed, “I had to run after you, is something wrong” He sincerely asked, trying to reach out his hand to comfort her. “Something wrong” Melissa echoed Daniel’s words, her tone a fair bit angrier than his own had been. Daniel had a puzzled look on his face. “You just sold Bridgewater’s” she screamed, answering his confusion. ”You expect me to be happy about that” Melissa continued to yell. “Well no” Daniel answered. “But I thought Ramona had told you I was coming here to sell the Inn, you must have known it would happen sooner or later.” For all his confidence, he still sounded concerned. “Well I would have preferred the later” She retorted, “or not at all” She added.

“Look Mel” he said, “I have to sell Bridgewater’s. I just can’t look after the place while I’m in America.” Melissa felt guilty, Daniel really did sound sincere. “Ramona’s here, she’s seemed to manage well enough without you these past five years.” Melissa said. “Ramona agreed to sell” He simply stated. Melissa was furious again. Ramona, her best friend, could be the reason she lost her job. How could Ramona do this to her, how could she let this happen. Melissa was not only angry now, she was close to tears. She turned around before Daniel could see them fall. “Are you okay” He asked her, his sweet sexy voice sending a shiver through Melissa’s body. “Ramona didn’t tell you, did she” Daniel asked. Melissa didn’t say anything. It felt like hours had passed before Melissa gathered up the strength, and turned to face the now worried Daniel, eyes transfixed on her. She shoved the thoughts that were beginning to enter her head, to the back of her mind. Thoughts that were, once again, of the beautiful, caring man in front of her. “Daniel I think you should go, I’m just not feeling myself right now. I think I need to lie down.” She walked away just as Daniel was about to say something, then stopped. She hopped in her car and drove, trying hard to keep her mind on driving rather than think about Daniel, his soft hands almost touching her. She hated him, she hated him for what he was doing to her. And she hated the thought that his sister, her best friend, had betrayed her.

Melissa hadn’t talked to her friend in days now and she wanted to call her, to talk to her best friend but she was too angry to even confront her, it wasn’t like her friend had bothered to call her, Melissa thought. She got home and went straight to bed, glad of the company of her ginger cat who was sleeping on the end of her bed. Unlike her cat, Melissa found it hard to fall asleep. She wasn’t surprised, she knew her head was filled with too many thoughts.