Afraid in the Dark (Stalker Series Book One) Read online

  "That's not necessary mom, I told you. I want to support myself. I've got the inheritance money, but I don't want to dip into that right now. In fact, I really don't want to dip into it at all."

  "Well it's yours dear, you can do what you want with it."

  "Yeah, I guess, but I'm not going to buy all at once. I don't have that much money right now. And I don't want to get too low until my first paycheck."

  "Don't be ridiculous darling, you have the inheritance money, how could you possibly need money?"

  Melanie made a face into the phone, this is what her parents didn't understand about her. "I know I have it mother but I don't want to spend it like that. I'm supporting myself and I want to see how well I do. That money is for emergencies. How can I learn to budget and do for myself if I allow that other money to pay for everything? There is no lesson in that."

  "You're as big a tightwad as your father."

  "It's not that. I just don't feel like it's mine, okay?"

  "Your grandparents wanted you to have that money."

  "I know."

  Melanie didn't want to get into this right now. She had been so upbeat when she called, she didn't want to argue.

  Her mother puffed for a moment then gave in. "Check the second-hand stores for what you need dear they are cheaper. You can buy nicer stuff after a few paychecks maybe." There was a tolerance in her mother's voice.

  "Good idea. How's everything there?"

  "We're fine. Your father is thinking of retiring soon and that means we can do some traveling like we've always wanted."

  "That will be nice and you two have earned it."

  "Yeah, but I think I'm going to take your father to the eye doctor. He needs glasses now, I'm sure of it. He can hardly drive. He's so proud, he won't admit his weaknesses."

  "Oh, well, he needs to get that taken care of then." Melanie agreed. "Especially if you do much driving while traveling."

  "Is it a good neighborhood?" Her mother asked.

  Melanie rolled her eyes. "It's decent mom. Not the best, but so close to the hospital and I have a couple of locks on the door and I should be safe here. We have sprinklers in the ceiling, and fans. The air is working well, and I'll check out the kitchen appliances later when I get some food." She explained, trying to reassure her mother. "If my car breaks down, I can still get to work. It's not too far to walk."

  "Walk, are you serious. I don't want you walking in downtown Houston!" She scolded.

  "I don't mind, it'll keep me in shape."

  "Well it will do that, but I'm afraid for you to walk. I don't think you realize that you are a George and come from an affluent family. Someone might try to kidnap you for heaven's sake. Especially if they knew about your inheritance."

  "Mother, the way I'm living right now, no one would suspect I have a dime. So, don't worry."

  "Well, that is probably true. Alright dear, I never can win an argument with you. We'll come to see you as soon as we can." She promised.

  "Thanks Mom, well, I better get back to the dorm and pack. Registration is next week, and I want to have all my stuff out of there as soon as possible. They are going to let them look the dorm over so, I don't want my stuff there."

  "Alright honey, wish I was there to help."

  "No, you don't." Melanie chuckled.

  "I guess you are right." Her mother laughed. "Love you dear."

  "Love you too, mom. Talk to you soon." Melanie told her.

  She moved back inside the apartment and sighed.

  She locked up, turned all the lights off and left.

  Chapter Two

  "Melanie, I was afraid I'd miss you." Corinne was saying, her soft smile, light banter, honest and always explicit personality, was a driving force for Melanie's sanguine characteristics. They seem to fit each other from the beginning. They'd been best friends since the start of their four-year stint in college and that would never change.

  Corinne stood on her side of the dorm room, packing her stuff. She'd already moved most everything out though, she just needed to get her clothes and personal stuff.

  "Where are you moving to, do you know?" Melanie asked putting her blonde hair in a short pony tail. She usually wore it around her shoulders, turned under, but she didn't want to sweat while she worked. She needed to get it out of her eyes.

  "San Antonio girl, I'm starting in a new law firm. Can you believe it? I'll be a legal researcher at first. I'll have to work my way into a full partnership, but hey, it can be done." Corinne laughed.

  "And you’re the one to do it." Melanie chuckled. "Always so positive, I love it for you. I know you can, you have such a great grade average. You could choose anywhere you wanted." She seemed to study her a moment, then blurted, "isn't Jared from San Antonio?"

  Corinne's red lips made a wide arc. "He is; why do you think I chose a new law firm in San Antonio. I got three offers and this one was the best. This was no accident, my friend, I will get to see him during the holidays when he comes home from law school." Corinne chuckled. "That is if he still wants to. I haven't told him I'm moving down there yet. I was hoping for an engagement announcement, but he's been very quiet these last few days."

  "Hang in there, it will happen. He's crazy about you. It's a smart move, on your part. I knew that relationship wasn't over."

  "I'm not letting a catch like him get away." Corinne smiled at her. "You know, I'm sorry about you and Brad, it seems like such a waste of four years."

  Melanie sighed, "Well, I think our breakup is very wise really. I don't regret it. I've got a new job, and I've found an apartment, so I'm set to start a brand-new life. I'm actually looking forward to it. I got the job at Mercy so I'm very happy about that."

  "I can't believe you want to stay here in Houston, haven't you had enough of the place?"

  "I like it here, it's familiar, you know."

  "And Brad, no regrets at all?" Corinne stared in disbelief, "I mean girl, he was a catch. He was rich, good-looking, and certainly had enough charm."

  "None! I guess that sounds funny doesn't it, I mean after four years and all. I don't know why I went with him as long as I did."

  "Oh, that's pretty easy, besides all the attributes I just mentioned, he took you to all the school functions. And you were having a blast. I just hate to see it end for you."

  "Nothing has ended but our relationship. I'll find someone that better suits me."

  "Well, I hope you do find someone you want to keep around." Corinne looked at her with a sad sigh.

  Corinne was dressed in sweats and had her curly hair up in a knot on her head. She was a stunning black girl with her smooth complexion and sleek black hair and eyes.

  "So, when are you going to start looking for a new boyfriend?" Corinne encouraged.

  "I don't know. Men are not on my list of have to haves." Melanie sighed heavily. "When Brad and I broke up, we just couldn't agree about our careers. I think I can safely say that relationship is over. But I'm not that eager for a new one, just yet. You know how you feel when you're at that point of breaking it off. You go through a phase where you just don't care if you have one. Unless I meet someone special, I'm in no hurry."

  "I just wish the two of you could have made it work. Sometimes when you love someone you have to give in or give up a lot." Corinne explained.

  Melanie hadn't shared some of their rougher moments with Corinne, so her friend didn't have all the facts, and she wouldn't be sharing them now. She was a bit ashamed to say she even dated Brad, knowing his hidden nature. Some things you just didn't discuss with even your best friends.

  That was just it, she didn't love Brad. And Brad didn't love her either. She realized that late in the relationship, but they had fun together, for a while…

  Brad was such a good catch, everyone else thought, and no one understood why she let him go. But they didn't know everything and she wouldn't be admitting it. Their relationship had been quite rocky those last two months and she saw a side of him she didn't want to see again. It
proved to her that when the chips were down, he wasn't a contender.

  "You're probably right, but we needed a break from each other. We dated all during college. A lot of kids break up after college because they must go their own way. Brad and I are going in two very different directions. He won't give an inch, and I don't feel like I should start a more permanent relationship with a guy who can't bend a bit too. If I start giving in all the time, then it would set a cycle I don't want to think about. Well, if it was meant to be, something will happen to bring him back. But I don't think so, and maybe that's for the best." Melanie sighed heavily. "If not, I can always start a new relationship, if I ever have the time to invest in one. I'm told work at Mercy General can be quite grueling at times."

  "That's a big hospital. You were lucky to get in there. What about that guy you were dating from home, when you first came. Whatever happened to him?"

  "Jesse?" Melanie hadn't given Jesse much thought in a while. She still liked Jesse a lot, they got along so well, but he didn't pursue her here and she took it that he was no longer that interested.

  "Yeah, what happened to him?"

  Melanie tried to remember how it was with Jesse, but she couldn't remember. Jesse wasn't like Brad in that he hadn't known what he wanted to do in life. Last time she dated him her folks were afraid she'd get serious about him, and she did like him, a lot. They were afraid he lacked ambition and that he wouldn't do well. Besides, he never came up here after her, never asked her out again either.

  "Kind of the same story. We still talk every now and then but not about us, we're," she paused to find the right word to describe the non-relationship, "good friends. But when Brad asked me to marry him, Jesse quit calling, naturally, and so our relationship sort of fizzled to no relationship. You know how that is. I don't know, he probably got married or something. It just didn't work out. And I do still like him, as far as looks go, he's twice the hunk. I guess the real thing with him was that we were both so young and really didn't know what we wanted at the time. And…he never came after me."

  "Oh, then you were hoping?"

  "I don't know, it would have been nice if he had. Who knows what might have happened if he had. I never got along with anyone better than Jesse."

  "He was a hunk, girl. You introduced him to me once, when he came up here with your parents. He took my breath away. I mean he had such abs. He was all muscle and brawn." She chuckled. "He was absolutely gorgeous."

  "Yeah, he's a hard worker too, I can tell you that. Jesse was my first real date. But the same with him, he has his life back home, I have mine here." Melanie didn't feel an attachment for either man right now. In fact, men were not on her mind as of late. She was just too keyed up about her new job, and new place to live. She'd keep busy with both, she was sure. But for now, men were not required to make her happy.

  Deep down, she had to admit, she'd been disappointed that Jesse hadn't come up here after her. Who know what might have happened if he had?

  "They say you never get over your first love." Corrine glanced at her pensive expression.

  "Was he her first love? She remembered their first kiss, it was awkward, but she was in heaven. Still, he knew her parents and he never got fresh with her once. At the time she told herself he was just being a gentleman.

  "Oh, but we were so young, and I don't know, I moved here to go to college. I did have a big crush on him at one time. But, you know how it is, we weren't into long distance relationships. My parents didn't approve of a serious relationship at that time and I tried to keep it light."

  "Why not?"

  "I don't know. I guess it had to do with they didn't think of him as marriage material."

  "My God, parents can be so blind. Maybe he's changed? Maybe they were wrong."

  "I don't know, I haven't seen him in a while. I dated Brad longer than anyone. But she just didn't what it took to make it work. I mean, not like you and Jason." Melanie sighed. "Maybe I wasn't as gone on him as I thought, because I don't feel like I'm leaving anything behind in that relationship"

  "And what about with Jesse?"

  She stared at her friend as though in shock. "I guess he really was my first love. But he didn't take chances, he was always worried about what my folks would say. Then when he didn't come up here, I felt he didn't care as much as I did. So I turned him off and quit thinking about him."

  "Woe, you were in love with him."

  "I was young…"

  "Maybe, and just maybe he's the reason you and Brad didn't make it."

  "Oh Corinne. No, Brad was the reason. You see, after Jesse, I wouldn't let anyone in that far again. So, on the surface, Brad and I had the perfect relationship. But love, we didn't love each other. We had fun together. We knew all the same people, we went to all the functions, it was fun, until the last. But the pressure we were under if it had been love, we'd have survived like you and Jason. It didn't. Does that make any sense to you? I mean I did date him all through college. But you know how it is, you go with someone in school and its parties and social events, football games and sometimes you don't bother to notice that it's not a 'to die for' relationship. You're having fun, but it's not someone you want to settle down with and marry."

  "Someone will come along when you least expect it. Well hey, Mel, I gotta get packing, please keep in touch. And we'll get together every time I'm up this way." Corinne locked her suitcase and stared at her. "And listen girl, from what I hear in your voice, maybe you should revisit Jesse, because whether you realize it or not, he's the one you had feelings for."

  "He's probably happily married by now." Melanie sighed.

  After a short silence, Melanie looked at her friend.

  "You got everything packed already?" Melanie glanced around and realized that her stuff was gone. She hated goodbyes, especially with Corrine. They had been inseparable through college.

  "Yeah, my Mom came up day before yesterday with a U-Haul, and I got it all packed and ready to take with me. So, kiddo, I guess this is goodbye for now, you take care."

  "Oh Wow, I hate goodbyes." Melanie felt a tear slipping by her.

  "So, do I. So, let's just say until later…After all, real friends don't say goodbye. There's always the internet you know. And you do have Skype, don't you?"

  "Yes, of course, Jason installed it for me but I haven't used it much. You are so right. Let's be sure and keep in touch." Melanie nodded and hugged her tight. "I've got a million things to do before I start work next week too. Tell Jared hi for me will ya, and please keep in touch. E-mail me, or call me. Or text."

  "Will do. You take care of yourself. It's been fun the past four years and I feel like I’m leaving a sister behind. But we'll stay in touch. Love you girl."

  "Me too." Melanie smiled.

  They hugged and Corrine left.

  Strange how empty the place seemed without her, Melanie shrugged slightly and got to work.

  Melanie smiled to herself. She hadn't thought about Jesse in a long while. Most everyone who met Jesse was impressed with his good looks. But there was more to Jesse than most people ever saw. He was a nice person. And because Corinne made her look back, she realized that if she'd ever had a first love, it was Jesse. But back then he had been shy and quiet. It was one of the things she liked best about him. He thought about things a lot, he was smarter than he let on, and he hadn't a vain bone in his body. She had only dated him the last year of high school. And when she realized she'd be leaving him behind, it nearly broke her heart. She thought maybe he'd propose to her, but that never happened. And it was for the best. She went to college and now she was going to be a nurse like she'd dreamed about. She had so hoped he'd ask her, but he didn't. Nor did he come up here to get her and sweep her away. It didn't take long to realize that it was a fairy tale she invented, he obviously wanted no part of it.

  But he impressed Corinne with his mammoth physic. Granted he was cute, but back then he was less than confident about his future, their relationship would have taken years to dev
elop.

  For one, their social status was totally opposite. Jesse unlike Brad was a poor boy, he had to earn everything and that was part of his charm. He was no slacker, he'd do anything to help anyone.

  Not that she was poor, but she wanted to learn to live on her own money, something her parents did not understand, and Jesse did. He admired her for it. Melanie wanted to earn her way in life. One of the strong points Jesse appreciated in her. He had told her she was unspoiled. When her inheritance from her grandparents came along, she told Jesse she wasn't touching it. And come to think of it, that's when their relationship started dwindling. Perhaps he thought she was in a new league of people with that money. But she kept to her promise of not touching the money. She put it in a savings and never touched it. She never felt like it was hers to begin with. Had that money driven a silent wedge between her and Jesse?

  Had it made him realize that they weren't suited.

  Anyway, her going to college changed things and since she became engaged to Brad, she hadn't heard from Jesse very often. She still wondered about him. She shrugged him off though. Jesse liked little towns. She knew her future lay in a bigger town. Although he was talented in that he could do about anything he set his mind to. He was good with his hands, helping his father in the plumbing business. He worked on cars a lot too. He certainly wasn't lazy. But another reality was that her parents though she could do so much better.

  Maybe she hadn't met the man of her dreams yet. If there was such an animal, she laughed to herself. The dorm room looked so empty now and Melanie reflected on that. Nostalgia made her remember all the good times she and Corrine had shared here.

  It was sad to be saying goodbye to college life, but it was time to start a real life now.

  Real life, she contemplated. What did that entail, she wondered? Already overwhelmed at the decisions she'd have to make, she was looking forward to her new adult life.

  Funny, when she thought of Brad she wasn't sad about them busting up. But when she thought of Jesse, there was always a sadness there. What was wrong with her. She couldn't seem to keep a solid relationship. She had almost married Brad, but now she wondered why she had ever considered it. She didn't feel the hurt she knew she should be feeling. Maybe she never loved him at all. But if she didn't, then why did she almost marry him? She remembered the day she gave Brad his ring back, he was mad. She didn't like him when he got mad, he had a violent temper. Well, no more men until she got her life together. She'd been wrong to accept Brad's ring in the first place, but all her friends were getting engaged, she didn't want to feel left out. Now looking back, she knew that wasn't a good attitude. She felt now as though maybe she had used him for good times in college. She had known somehow that they'd never marry.