Beep. Beep. Beep. That's all that is coming from Melody's hospital room as she lays very still on the bed. Bloom has his chin in his hand as he looks down at his body. Of course, the doctor won't let him in, but he is here. She is sleeping peacefully, and that's a relief, but he can't stop thinking about what happened. Who was that and what the hell did he do to her? She almost died, and the doctors won't tell him anything, but he knows that she would have died if he hadn't brought her to the hospital. She tightens her eyes, stirs, and blinks open. She sighs like she is just getting up from a long sleep and her eyes fall on Bloom. He drops his hand from his chin and walks closer to her. "Hey, Melody, you are okay. " He breathes in relief. " How are you feeling?""Mike?" She squints. " What happened to me?"He stops, wanting to correct her for calling him the wrong name, but then he remembers. He forgot that Duke calls him Mike and that's what she knows him as. His head was I'm

They are in front of the door for a long minute, just staring at each other. Duke is imagining what it would feel like to pull out a gun and fire it at this man's head, at close range. The delight to watch his brain splatter from his head and cover the fine wooden floor, Duke has never wanted to kill someone more badly. "Hello. " The man takes a step closer and looks into Duke's eyes. " Are you okay? I have been trying to get your attention for a while now. "Duke blinks, coming back to reality. He tries to force a smile, but it's hard, knowing what this man did to Melody. " You must be, Duke?" The man grins. " I'm Jace."He offers him a handshake, but Duke just stares at his hand, he doesn't take it. He is not trying to be mean to Jace, he just can't take his hand. He feels a hand on his shoulder, it's Melody. "Hey, Jace!"She sounds excited and happy to see him. She gets in front of Duke and takes Jace's hand as she pulls him into the house. He is grinning, looking around

Melody chokes on her drink and Duke quickly grabs her glass of water. She is still coughing as she tries to get the water down her throat as Duke rubs her hands. Everyone is watching them, with more contempt than admiration, but at least they don't say what they feel. After she has drunk the way, she looks at her grandfather, her eyes squinting. " What did you say, Papa? You want to give him a job?" She asks. " I was talking to him, not you, Melody. " He raises his nose in disapproval. All eyes fall on Duke again. " What do you say, Duke?" He nods at him. " Do you want the job or not?"" The reason why he traveled was to get a job. " She speaks on his behalf. " We don't need your help, we don't. "" You traveled to find a job and how did that go for you?" Her father asks. " Not as I expected. " Duke rubs the back of his neck. " Exactly what I thought. " Her mother raises her shoulders like this was something she was forthcoming about. " So tell me, Duke, you can't be complet

Duke can't believe what he has heard, he is so shocked that he can't even move. The door knob is still in his hand, half open, but he knows that they can't hear him. He can't believe that Melody's grandfather was the instigator of that horrible thing that happened to his granddaughter. So that's just how much they hate him and want to get rid of him? To the extent that he didn't mind that Melody could get hurt? He is such a cancer that if losing him would mean losing a limb, they are ready to make that sacrifice. He can't believe that he thought this was Jace's idea from the very beginning and to think that he made him suffer for it too?".... Look, we are going to think of something else. I know this didn't work, but it could work another way. " Her grandfather says. " I am not that desperate anymore, since she is happy, I am happy too and I don't want to be the cause of her pain. " Jace refuses. " That's bold of you to think that she is happy with that pauper, he doesn't even

Mister Jimmy laughs and sits back in his seat. " What are you looking shocked for? I asked you to work in my construction company, not kill someone. " He jokes. Duke wants to laugh it off, but he can't. This man is offering him a job?" You want me to walk in your company?" Duke questions. "Well, yes. You have done a great job with what I have given to you and I know you will do better here. " Mister Jimmy says. Duke runs his hand through his hair, he wasn't expecting this generosity from this man, he is not used to being generous. " I don't know what to say, sir. " He sighs. " Thank you very much. "" You know that I am doing this because of my granddaughter. " He reminds Duke. " I know that it isn't not easy for her to take all the responsibility herself. She won't complain, but it's hard on her. "" I know, sir. "" That's why I want you to have this job. It's hard, but you need the money after all so I am guessing that you don't mind hard work. " There is a small smile on Mist