Chapter 9

Melody got out of the taxi soon she paid the driver. She looks up to the high building in amazement. Just one look, she knows this building is the most luxurious one. She puts her hands in her hoodie pocket before walking in.

The sliding door opens. The breezes from the strong air conditioner almost give her shivers through her body. Everything inside of this building screams luxurious.

“This is crazy...” Melody whispers to herself.

All the staff here look so professional and neat. Disciplined. She walks towards the receptionist.

"Hello, welcome to our company. What can I do for you, miss?” the woman smiles.

“Um...I wonder if I meet...” she took out the card, looking at it, “Mr...Mr. Angelo?”

“Mr. Angelo? Do you have an appointment with him?” the woman was surprised to hear that request.

Melody frowns, “No. But, I got his business card,”

She took a look at the business card to see if it was fake or not. As she makes sure it is the real one, she nods to herself.

“I see. Let me call our boss, yeah?” the woman smiles.

Melody didn’t say much so she just nodded. She leans on the counter, waiting. The woman grabs the phone waiting for something.

“Ah, hello, Mr. Angelo. There’s someone who wanted to meet you. She got your business card and she requested to meet you,” the woman informs.

Then, she turns to Melody, “What's your name, miss?”

“Melody,”

“Her name is Melody, sir,” she speaks.

After a while, the woman hung up the phone and put it back down, “You are free to go, miss. His office at the top floor, at the end of the hallway.”

“Thank you,” Melody smiled and bowed before leaving.

The elevator stops at the top floor. The door slides open and she steps out. All staff turns to her in confusion, looking at her with stunned.

Melody couldn’t help but feel like she did something wrong. She breaths out, gripping her slings bag before continuing to walk. Those staff couldn’t help but exchange a look of shock and confusion.

“Who is that girl?”

“How did she get into this floor?”

“Yeah, didn’t this floor is forbidden for outsiders?”

“Oh gosh, I don’t know who she is but I hope she comes out alive,”

Melody just ignored those statements, not even bothered by them. She too mesmerized by the decorations of this company. Whoever designs it, must have a good sense of design.

She stops in front of the office. Her hands were about to knock but halted. Somehow, something makes her nervous. She debated with herself whether to knock or not.

“Who are you?” a voice makes her flinch. “How did you reach this floor?”

Melody slowly turns around and that’s when her eyes meet Matthew’s. The man’s eyes widen to see her.

“What the—what are you doing here?” Matthew frowns.

“Uh...I come to pay the money I stole from you and your friend. He gave me this business card,” Melody shows him the card.

Matthew crouches down to take a closer look. Oh yeah, he forgot Victor did give her this card.

“Ahh, I remember. But you should meet him. You are not supposed to be on this floor,” Matthew stands straight, crossing his arms on his chest.

“But, he told me to come to his office. The receptionist told me to go here,” Melody frowns.

“Really?” he arches his eyebrows. She nods. “Maybe that’s because the name on the car—”

Matthew stops talking as he gets an idea. He slightly smirks. Somehow, he wants to do something as a payback to this girl for making him stupid two times.

“Well, you are on the right floor. This is his office,” Matthew nods towards the door.

“Really? Thank you, Mr....” she trailed off, waiting for him to say his name.

“Matthew,” he smiles.

“Mr. Matthew,” Melody grins.

“Please, let me open the door for you,” he smirks, holding the handle.

He knocks on the door and pushes the door open. Soon, they were inside. Melody looks around the office which looks so neat.

“Dude, someone wants to meet you,” he speaks.

Melody turns her attention to them. As she looks at who’s in front of her, her smiles fade. Damian sitting there, on his office chair looking nothing but cold as his expression. She expects to meet Victor but this is not the same face she wanted to meet.

She rummages through her pocket and grabs the business card. Her eyes fell on the name ‘Mr. Angelo’.

“You...are Mr. Angelo!?” she frowns.

“He is, sweetie. His name is Damian D’ Angelo,” Matthew grins, leaning on the wall. “ It surprised to see Damian let you come in here.”

“I did because I know she wants to meet you guys and not me,” Damian speaks, continue working on his paper.

Melody still standing there stunned. She felt like she still trying to get back to reality. Of course, it was easy to fool her since she didn’t know their names.

“You know it wrong and yet you bring me here!? You trick me!!” Melody glares at Matthew.

“Woah, calm down,” he grins, raising his hands like a criminal. “I just did what you did to me. Trick.”

The door opens and reveals Victor. He walks in and notices Melody, “Her again?”

“This is Victor. The one that you supposed to meet,” he smirks.

Victor arches his eyebrows, “Me? Why do you want to meet me?”

“I want to pay you guys back. Here,” Melody handed over the one envelope which contained money.

Victor takes the envelope and opens it. The money in the envelope is more than enough to pay them.

“This is...more than the amount that you stole,” he arches his eyebrows.

“Well...the extra one is...the gesture of apologizing,” she fiddles with her fingers.

The two men exchange looks. They thought she would act like what she did was normal. Somehow, the vibe from this girl is nothing but innocent and pure.

“It’s okay. We appreciate it. Thank you,” Matthew smiles and pats her head lightly.

Victor put the envelope in his pocket and turned to his friend, “Mat, come with me. You haven’t keyed in the data I ask you.”

“Oh right, I forgot,” he chuckles. “Wait here, sweetie. We will be back,”

They leave the office, shutting the door. Melody stands there and sighs in relief. She is afraid that they won’t accept the money and punish her for stealing. Looks like they are not that bad.

Besides, they seem like a good guy and easy-going.

“Are you going to stand there like a tree?”

A harsh voice speaks up. Melody flinch as she remembers she’s not alone in this office. She turned around and saw Damian was already looking at her. His deadpan expression, jet-black hair and huge figure are enough to intimidate someone.

Everything about him screams dangerous.

“I’m not,” she softly answers.

“There’s a couch there. Do I need to tell you to sit?” Damian questioned with lace of annoyance.

Melody rolls her eyes, “It’s called etiquette, sir. A guest can’t sit just like that, it is called rude.”

“Hm. It surprised me that you know the etiquette for someone...pick-pocket like you,” he quipped. His voice sounds deep and harsh.

Somehow, his words make Melody twitch. She didn’t do this on purpose. She crosses her arms, glaring at him.

“At least I know the etiquette, unlike you, old man,” she blurts out.

Damian’s expression changes. His jaw clenched, “What did you say...”

“Do I need to repeat it, sir? Because I love to repeat it,” she smirks.

“I’m not old. I’m only 29 years old,” he firmly speaks.

She gasped, “Are you pushing to 30!?”

Damian gets up abruptly as her words trigger him. No one dared to talk about him like that face-to-face.

“I suggest you mind your words, little one,” Damian keeps his gaze sharply on her.

“What if I don’t?”