Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
MELODY
O ne Week Later
Reality crashes back the moment I step into Crimson Hollow High School. After a blissful week hidden away at Malik's cabin, the fluorescent lights and institutional beige walls feel like a cold shock to my system.
"Ms. Washington, welcome." Principal Brightly extends her hand, her smile professional and assessing. "I trust you're settled in town now?"
"Yes, thank you." I shake her hand, hoping my nervous energy reads as first-day jitters rather than guilt. "I appreciate the opportunity."
"Jordyn Kane McCrae speaks highly of you. Any friend of Sage Harris is a friend of Crimson Hollow." She gestures toward the hallway. "Let me show you to your classroom."
As we walk, students stare openly, whispering behind their hands. Small town curiosity about the new teacher, or something more? I tug my blazer tighter around me, suddenly aware of the hickey carefully concealed beneath my collar.
"Your predecessor left detailed lesson plans," Principal Brightly continues. "Though you're welcome to adapt them to your teaching style."
"I appreciate that flexibility."
We reach room 214, and she unlocks the door. The classroom is standard issue, rows of desks facing a whiteboard, motivational posters about literature on the walls.
"I'll leave you to get settled. Faculty meeting at 3:30 in the lounge." She hands me a set of keys. "Welcome aboard, Ms. Washington."
Once alone, I drop into the chair behind the desk, exhaling slowly. Just a teacher. That's who I am here. Not Sage's friend. Not Malik's lover. Just Ms. Washington, new English literature teacher.
My phone buzzes with a text.
Malik: Everything okay? Let me know if you need anything.
I smile despite my anxiety, typing back,
Me: All good. Just getting settled. Nervous about meeting students tomorrow.
His response comes quickly.
Malik: You'll be amazing. Dinner at my place tonight?
I hesitate, reality settling in. We’ve spent every night together since that first kiss. But now I'm officially Ms. Washington, and Crimson Hollow is watching. The looks from those teachers in the hallway weren't my imagination earlier.
Me: I think I should stay at the guest cabin alone tonight.
Maybe we need some space until I get settled at school. People are already talking.
The three dots appear, disappear, then reappear.
Malik: Understood. Take all the time you need.
No pressure. No guilt. Just acceptance of my boundary. Something warm unfurls in my chest, but doubt follows close behind. Is this too much, too fast? We've barely known each other two weeks, and already I'm deeper than I ever was with Jason after a year.
I turn to arranging my desk, trying to focus on the task at hand rather than the complicated emotions swirling inside me. By lunchtime, I've organized my teaching materials and reviewed the lesson plans for the week.
The faculty lounge buzzes with conversation when I enter, which dies down suspiciously as I approach the coffee machine.
"You must be Melody." A woman with auburn hair and kind eyes extends her hand. "Caroline Miller. I teach history."
"Nice to meet you." I accept her handshake, grateful for the friendly face.
"Don't mind the silence," she says quietly. "Small town syndrome. Everyone's curious about the new girl."
"Is that all they're curious about?" I ask, an edge of anxiety in my voice.
Caroline's eyebrow raises slightly. "Well, there have been some... rumors. Something about you and Sage's father at Forbidden Chains last weekend?"
My stomach drops. "What kind of rumors?"
Before she can answer, a tall man with salt and pepper hair joins us at the coffee station. "Ryan Peters, math department." His smile seems genuine but holds a hint of curiosity. "Welcome to the jungle."
"Thanks," I manage, pouring coffee into a mug emblazoned with Shakespeare quotes.
"So," Ryan continues, leaning against the counter, "you're friends with Sage Harris, right? She mentioned you were coming to town."
"That's right." I add cream to my coffee, avoiding his gaze. "We were roommates in college."
"Word around town is you and her dad made quite the entrance at Forbidden Chains," he says, watching my reaction closely. "Didn't peg you for the type."
My face burns as I realize what he's implying. "That's... that was a misunderstanding."
"Oh?" Caroline's interest is piqued.
I take a deep breath, making a split-second decision. "There was a guy harassing me at the club. Malik happened to be there. I panicked and told the guy Malik was my fiancé to get him to back off." I force a laugh. "Just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"So, you're not actually involved with him?" Ryan presses.
"Of course not," I say firmly, hating the lie but knowing it's necessary. "He's Sage's father. That would be weird. He was just helping me out of an uncomfortable situation."
The relief on their faces is palpable. "That makes more sense," Caroline says. "Though I have to say, if any older man in town could turn heads, it would be Malik Harris."
"He's a piece of work," Ryan adds. "Keeps to himself mostly, but there are all kinds of rumors about what goes on at that club he works security for."
My grip tightens on the mug. "I wouldn't know."
"Hey, a bunch of us are going to The Velvet Antler after the faculty meeting," Ryan changes the subject. "You should join. Get to know the crew."
I hesitate at the door. "I'll think about it."
Back in my classroom, I set down my coffee with shaking hands.
The rumors have already started. How long before someone discovers the truth?
The guilt of denying Malik weighs heavily, but what choice do I have?
I can't be the scandalous new teacher who's sleeping with her best friend’s father before classes even begin.
The afternoon crawls by, and by the time the faculty meeting ends, I'm exhausted from smiling and making small talk while dodging personal questions. Against my better judgment, I agree to join the teachers at The Velvet Antler, telling myself it's important to build collegial relationships.
The wine bar is rustic yet sophisticated, with mountain lodge aesthetics blended with modern touches. Wine bottles from Iron Vine Estate line the walls, and soft jazz plays in the background. Jordyn and Silas McCrae have created a space that feels both upscale and welcoming.
"First round's on me," Caroline announces, sliding into a booth beside me. Ryan and three other teachers I've just met join us.
"So, Melody," says Sharon, the science teacher, "tell us about yourself. What brings you to our little mountain paradise?"
I deliver my rehearsed answer. "I needed a change after teaching in Toronto. When this position opened up, Sage recommended me to Jordyn Kane McCrae, and here I am."
"Quite the coincidence that you knew someone here," Ryan comments. "Most people don't even know Crimson Hollow exists."
"Lucky break, I guess," I say, taking a sip of my wine.
The conversation flows around me, school gossip and local politics. I start to relax, thinking maybe this will be okay after all. Then the door opens, and my heart stops.
Malik walks in, followed by Jake Winters and a tall, striking woman I don't recognize. They head to the bar, and I spot Jordyn McCrae greeting them warmly.
"Look who's here," Ryan says, following my gaze. "It’s your fake fiancé and Talia Kane. She's Jordyn Kane's sister in law, runs the local marketing firm."
I force a smile and duck my head, panic rising as Jordyn points out our table to Malik and his companions.
"Ms. Washington!" Jordyn calls, bringing them over. "I didn't know you'd be here tonight!"
"Faculty bonding," I explain, not daring to look directly at Malik. "These are my new colleagues."
Introductions are made, and I finally risk glancing at Malik. His expression is neutral, but his eyes burn into mine with an intensity that makes heat flood my cheeks. Does he know I've been denying our relationship?
"Mind if we join you?" Jordyn asks. "These guys are doing a security check of downtown businesses tonight."
"The more the merrier," Caroline says, sliding over to make room.
Somehow, Malik ends up directly across from me, his presence commanding the space between us. Under the table, his knee brushes mine, and I jerk back instinctively, guilt making me overreact.
"So, Mr. Harris," Ryan says, leaning forward. "Melody was just telling us about that misunderstanding at Forbidden Chains. Quite the creative way to handle unwanted attention."
My blood runs cold as Malik's eyes find mine, questioning. I give an imperceptible shake of my head, pleading silently for him to play along.
"Quick thinking on her part," he says after a beat, his voice betraying nothing. "Always happy to help a friend of my daughter's."
The word "friend" stings more than it should. But what did I expect? I asked for space and belittled our relationship to a ‘misunderstanding’. He's simply respecting my choice.
"But surely you could get her on the guest list at Club Crimson," Ryan persists. "Show her the legitimate side of the place. Clear up those other rumors."
Before Malik can respond, a man approaches our table. Clean-cut in an expensive suit, he looks out of place among the casual mountain town crowd.
"Excuse me," he says, eyes fixed on me. "Are you Melody Washington?"
Every muscle in my body tenses. Malik straightens in his chair, instantly alert.
"Who's asking?" Jordyn demands, protective.
The man produces a business card. "Marcus Wells, private investigator. I need to speak with Ms. Washington about a missing item belonging to the Mills family."
Silence falls over the table. My colleagues look confused, but Malik's expression turns dangerous.
"This isn't the place," he says, voice low and commanding.
Wells ignores him. "Ms. Washington, the Mills family believes you're in possession of a family heirloom valued at approximately one hundred thousand dollars. I'd like to arrange a time to discuss its return."
"I don't have it," I say, finding my voice. "I left that ring on Jason's kitchen counter when I moved out."
"That's not what Mr. Mills reports," Wells counters. "And given the insurance claim they've filed, this is now a matter of potential criminal charges."
I’m positive the word "criminal" echoes through the club. My colleagues' curious expressions turn wary.
"You should leave," Malik says, standing. His size and demeanor make it clear this isn't a suggestion.
Wells backs up a step but doesn't retreat. "I'll be in town until this matter is resolved. Here's my card." He places it on the table. "I suggest you cooperate, Ms. Washington. Things will go easier for you."
After he leaves, an awkward silence descends. Ryan clears his throat.
"Well, that was dramatic," he says, attempting humor. "Ex-boyfriend trouble?"
"I should go," I mutter, grabbing my purse. "Early day tomorrow."
Jordyn tries to stop me. "Melody, wait?—"
But I'm already heading for the door, humiliation and fear churning in my stomach. The cool night air hits my face as I step outside, tears threatening to spill.
Footsteps follow me into the parking lot. Malik's hand catches my arm, gentle but firm.
"Melody, stop."
I turn, anger flaring unexpectedly. "Let me go."
He releases me immediately, hurt flashing across his face. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay."
"I'm not okay," I snap. "That man just threatened me with criminal charges in front of my new colleagues. Everyone at that table is now wondering what kind of person they've hired."
"We'll handle this," Malik says calmly. "Sage has evidence that you returned the ring. We can prove they're committing insurance fraud."
"That's not the point!" My voice rises despite my efforts to control it. "This is my career, Malik. My reputation. I can't be the new teacher with the criminal investigation and the sugar daddy boyfriend!"
The words are cruel and unfair. Malik steps back as if I've struck him.
"Is that what you think this is?" he asks quietly. "Is that why you told them we're not involved? That what happened at Forbidden Chains was just a misunderstanding?"
The fact that he knows what I said makes me defensive. "What was I supposed to tell them? That I'm sleeping with a man damn near twice my age before classes even start? They were already gossiping about us."
His jaw tightens. "You asked for space. I'm giving it to you. But don't expect me to pretend what's between us isn't real."
"Malik, I didn't mean?—"
"You did," he cuts me off, voice even. "And maybe you're right. Maybe we rushed into this without considering the consequences."
The swift pivot from supportive to distant leaves me reeling. "So that's it? One complication and you're done?"
"I'm giving you what you asked for," he says. "Space."
Before I can respond, the wine bar door opens, spilling light and noise into the parking lot. Jake and Jordyn emerge, headed our way.
"We'll talk later," Malik says, turning to intercept them. "Go home, Melody. Get some rest."
I watch him walk away, shoulders rigid with tension. Just like that, the bubble of our private happiness bursts, reality flooding in to drown what we've built.
As I drive to the guest cabin, doubt creeps in like a chill. Was I fooling myself? Thinking a relationship with this kind of age gap, power imbalance, and public scrutiny could ever work? Or was I just desperate for the safety Malik represents after Jason's abuse?
Alone in the cabin that now feels empty without Malik's presence, I curl up on the bed we shared just last night. My phone remains silent. No texts checking if I arrived safely. No reassurances that we'll figure this out.
Just silence and the growing fear that I've sabotaged the one good thing I've found in Crimson Hollow before it even had a chance to thrive.