Kit's POV

I had forgotten once more that Melanie had been standing behind me until I felt her take my hand and lead me back inside the house. I had been too focused on watching Ming drive away.

James, my butler, who never missed any incidents pertaining to me, discreetly went out to pick up the box of smashed banana walnut cake and cleaned up whatever mess lay on the short flight of stairs leading to the front door.

As I was going back inside with Melanie, I started to feel a little dizzy and my head started to throb with a dull ache. I turned to Melanie.

"Melanie," I said, "I don't feel well.  I don't think I can go back to finish dinner. If you don't mind, I would like to go up to my room and prepare for bed."

"Can I go up with you and help you to prepare for bed?" she asked anxiously, "you do look unwell."

"No, thanks, honey," I said. The 'honey' part  slipped out. I had been so used to calling her that during the time we were together.

"Are you sure?" she insisted.

"If I need anything, James will take care of me," I said.

Her face fell, but thankfully she stopped insisting on taking care of me.

"I guess I won't finish dinner anymore either," she said, picking up her purse from the sofa.

"I will ask James to see you out," I said, trying to sound regretful.

"It's okay, I will see myself out," she said.

She was starting to walk away from me but suddenly she turned around and walked back to me.

"Are you sure you don't wanna talk about it?" she asked, fixing her gaze on me.

"About what?" I feigned ignorance of what she was referring to.

"Kit," she said firmly, looking at me intently, "don't forget I'm three years older than you. Been there, done that. I've been around the block a few times more than you have. I can tell when there's something going on between two people."

"There's nothing going on between me and Ming!" I protested.

"I didn't mention anyone," she said with an 'aha' look on her face, "so that's his name."

"Melanie," I said, starting to feel tired of the conversation, "I swear there's nothing going on between me and anyone. Now, if you don't mind, I would really like to get some sleep now."

I was about to start making my way up the stairs that led to my bedroom when Melanie grabbed me and planted a moist kiss on my lips.

"No, Melanie," I said, pulling away, "I really don't feel well."

"Let me see you to the door, ma'am",  said James who had miraculously appeared behind her.

Like I said earlier, James never misses a thing when it comes to me, and he is always there to come to my rescue.

"Good night, Kit," Melanie said, giving James a pout.

"Good night, Melanie," I said, "I'm sorry that our dinner had been interrupted."

"It hadn't been interrupted," Melanie corrected me, "you chose to interrupt it by chasing after that guy, Ming, was it his name you said?"

I was too tired to argue with her, so without saying anything further, I made my way upstairs to my room, debating whether I should give Ming a call tonight or tomorrow in the morning when my headache had hopefully cleared up.