Melody's POV

I was admitted to the hospital 24 hrs ago, after I had a breakdown at the concert. My fans have been rallying behind me and giving me well wishes. They have been very supportive of me and I'm hoping when I feel better that they will be there for my world tour.

I hate disappointing my fans, but this breakdown had to happen at the worst time. It's all because Dalton was at the show, showing me what we should have. It was like he was rubbing salt into my wounds.

Mom walks into the room and takes a seat next to the bed. She takes my hand in hers. "How are you feeling, sweetheart?"

Numb, angry, and pissed off. Mostly with Dalton for what he did.

At that moment, Aliyah walks into the room and takes a seat in the opposite chair.

I wrap my hands around the blankets, trying to keep my anger to myself. "Do you have to ask? I'm mad, and I also feel depressed. He was the guy I saw myself with for the rest of my life. I don't know what to do now."

Aliyah moves forward in her chair and looks at me. "I have an idea."

That piques my interest. "What's your idea?"

Aliyah smiles and looks at my mother. "You need to take time off, Melody. Find yourself." She places a hand on my arm. "This is the best thing for you right now. Your fans are going to be there when you return. So, after last night, I cancelled the world tour and changed the dates to March 2025. You will start at the Staples Centre again and then travel the world. During your time off, I hope you can find some inspiration. I want a new album to release before you come back."

I hope I can find inspiration, too. Right now, I'm not able to do anything.

Opening the laptop, I search for something to keep me occupied during my recovery. An advertisement captures my attention.

Chefs and Maids wanted at Chateau

There are positions available for work as Chefs and Maids in the French Alps. We have four positions for both. Experience is preferred but not essential. If you are interested in these positions, please send your resume to [email protected]

Going to the French Alps sounds like a lot of fun. It's been a while since I've been there.

A smile spreads across my face. "I think I've found something."

Mom pulls the laptop over to her and looks at it. "Are you sure you want to do that? You have to keep your identity a secret." She smiles. "We must change how you look, and you will become someone else for a few months."

"That will be a good change, Mom. Being Melody Stryker right now isn't fun. Being someone else will be." I wipe a stray tear from my face. "Being a cleaner at a Chateau is going to be out of my comfort zone, and it will help me see how life would have turned out had I not chosen the path I did.

Maggie walks into the room and runs over when she sees me sitting on the bed. Sitting on the corner of the bed, she looks me in the eyes. "Don't do that again, Melody." Tears begin to fall. "I didn't like seeing you like that. You were on the floor, with a bottle of wine and pills close by."

I'm sorry, Maggie. I didn't want you to see me at my lowest.

Pulling her into my arms, I kiss the top of her head. "I'm sorry, Maggie. After seeing Dalton with his boss, I wasn't thinking properly last night. She's pregnant with his child. That should have been me in a couple of months."

Mom pulls us both into her arms. "You spoke about having a family?"

"Yes," I pull back and look into her blue eyes, which are similar to mine. I want to have a family. I've accomplished everything I've set out to do. Having a baby was the next thing on my list."

Maggie scrunches up her nose at hearing that. "Dalton's an asshole. I never liked him, Mel, and I'm glad he's not part of your life. You'll have a chance to find someone who will love you for who you are and not what you can provide. You were a convenience to him."

I didn't think I was a convenience to him. Was our time together a farce until he could find someone and something better than me?

Mom lifts my chin to look me in the eyes before saying. "You need to stop thinking about him, sweetheart. He's nothing but a..." She gets cut off by Maggie.

"Asshole," Maggie ducks out of the way just as Mom tries to hit her on the back of the head.

I laugh. "Okay, I get it. You don't like Dalton, Mag's." Showing her the laptop, I say. "I was thinking about taking time off and doing this. What do you think?"

She pulls the laptop close to her and looks at it. A smile spreads across her face. "Are you going to the French Alps for this job?"

"Yes," I move around in the bed. "If I get the job, I won't be able to celebrate Christmas with you. So, what do you say about shopping with me before I leave? We can buy whatever you want for Christmas."

"Promise?" She holds her pinkie out, and I wrap mine around hers. I say. "Pinkie, promise."

She slides the laptop back to me and gives me a tight hug. "I love you, Mel."
"I love you too, Mag's." I look at everyone in the room. "So, what name should I use when I apply for the job?"

Without missing a beat, Maggie says. "Keegan, I think that's a cute name for you."

Mom smiles at me. "The name you'll use is Keegan Jennings."

"Okay," a smile spreads across my face. I like that. Now, I have created an email address for that name. That way, when I correspond with that family, I'll know where to find it."

Aliyah looks at Mom and says, "I need to put together a resume for this job. Can I get your help with that, Mrs. Stryker?"

"Sure," Mom moves over to her, and they start working on that for me.

Maggie lies on the bed, and her arms wrap around me. "When you've finished doing this, can you help me with something?"

Looking at her, I say. "Sure, will you tell me what you need help with?"

Her face turns a little red. "I want to write a song for a boy I like, and I want to perform it at school, but I don't know where to start with it."

I would do anything for my sister. Once Maggie knows where to start the song, she will have one great single on her hands.

"You've got the right person on your side, Mag's. Let's work on it once this email has been sent out."

Maggie closes her eyes and falls asleep while I'm working on the computer, setting up Keegan Jennings's email.

After 30 minutes, Aliyah emails me the resume, and I quickly go through it, checking it for mistakes. Once it's cleared, I save it and then start writing an email.

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Date: November 6th 2024
Subject: Cleaning Position

Dear Mr. Westbrook.
My name is Keegan Jennings. I saw the advertisement for a Maid at the Chateau in the French Alps. I want to apply for that position if it's still available. I have attached my resume to this email. I hope to hear from you shortly.

Yours Kindly

Keegan

I attached the resume to the email before sending it.

I hope I get this job.

Closing the computer, I look at my manager. "How are we going to create this identity? I'm going to need documents and a passport."

Aliyah moves over to me. "Leave that with me. I know someone discreet with this kind of thing. You will have everything that you need. Don't let anyone know who you are over there. Things will get complicated if you do."

"You don't need to worry about that happening. I know how to keep a secret." I put my index finger to my lips. I looked at my sister and smiled. I'm starting to feel tired now." Lying on the bed, I wrapped my arms around my sister and fell asleep.