Forbidden Melody

I sit up to take a good look at his troubled face. Then putting my hand on his cheeks I say, "You'll be the perfect young CEO."

"So you say," he responds blandly.

Then I notice his tired eyes. "Levi, you can share anything with me, you know."

He doesn't reply. I hear Sofia's dinner call and we both get downstairs. Just then the front door burst open and I see Myria and Nova walks in clumsily, both of them, drunk, supporting each other. They're the ones who are late.

Roland who was cleaning a small dusty vase in the corner comments, "Look at them... Drink and drive is not allowed so they used their legs."

Jeremy laughs out. "Lovers While Drunk—gonna suggest Mister Jordan to write a new song using this title."

Myria's one shoe is on Nova and Nova's one shoe is on Myria. Their hair-a complete mess, lipstick smeared and Myria's one heel broken. Quite a scene! They must have had the time of their life.

Myria's face is just funny from this angle. She raises her index. "Gonna deal with you dickheads tomorrow. I'm...goin' to take-e the b-bed now." She hiccups.

"Babe, come. I wanna sleep," Nova gingerly pulls on her dress as we all watch them toddling off to their room.

If Mr. Morgasson comes to know this...and if his memory performs normally, Myria won't hear the end of it. I guess for now we can seal our lips.

We finish dinner in silence-my head still repeating today's events. Tomorrow will be a typical day-about Finding Nereus. How will we ever find him?

It's half past eleven and I am unable to close my eyelids. And this freaking head of mine...

I tiptoe to the piano room crossing the dark corridors. Might as well practice when I can't think of anything else. I try to relax but I'm mad for some reason. I furiously start hitting the keys so fast and hard that my fingers hurt. A different kind of melody emerges from the cold black instrument.

It's magical—to be able to forge something. The life of an artist is as magical as the moon-scarred yet beautiful. I continue hitting the similar sharps. A fiery raging melody dances on the surface-like an ancient queen dancing on the fire. Without considering the probability of the disturbance of other's sleep, I block all voices in my head and focus on the symphony.

Finally when my fingers give up, I look at the time. 12.02a.m. I feel a familiar goosebump at the presence of him in the doorway behind me. 

"I guess I'm not the only one having trouble sleeping," I initiate the talk.

"How did you know?" Levi walks in.

I chuckle low. "You can be sneaky when you want to and I will play detective when I want to. Remember I found you the other day..."

"That was exhilarating... So high and low, fast and hard...energetic and angry," he describes my piano playing.

"You can be a pretty good critic too."

He comes to stand beside me. Taking his hand I get up, leading him to the balcony. We take a seat on the couch. 

"Look at the moon, Levi. Despite having scars, isn't it beautiful?"

"Then again, all beautiful things must have scars. That's the ultimatum."

"Have you been troubled with sleeping lately?" I ask, unsure whether he'll open up about it.

He takes my hand in his. "I don't feel like lying anymore."

I whisper back, "...then don't."

"That night...in that forest house... I slept soundly even with that terrible headache. Would you like to know why?"

I press my lips nodding.

"Because you were with me..."

Once again the goosebumps creeps their way back to my neck and forearms. What are you thinking Levi..?

"And I feel bad at the thought of burdening you with my troubles." His jaw clenches.

"Is that so..." I squeeze his hand. At this moment I want to give him anything he wants. The moonlight falls on his precious face illuminating his sharp features.

"Loretta, will you stay?"

I smile pulling him up. If I could see my face right now I'd say it's sun soaked peach. He... makes me feel shy and comfortable at the same time. Why am I not cautious around him? In my mind I want him— to sleep in peace tonight. I don't care what anyone thinks anymore. 

I shut the door noiselessly. The time walks fast. It never stopped for anyone, except... I've received a second chance. Never thought I'd care for anyone. Now why can't I recognise this girl? Am I getting a little selfish-for not being able to feel how she felt before her death..?

"Loretta..?" He shakes my arm a little. "What are you thinking? You should sleep now you know, I won't bite."

I stare at his longing eyes. "It's already late. Why don't you try to close your eyes now? They seem tired." Oops did I say that?

His restless eyes are now replaced with tenderness as he glances at me. "Sometimes you are so hard to read Loretta... I feel ashamed to admit that despite knowing you for all these years, I never really knew you." He traces a feathery line down my cheek. His middle and index stops at the nape of my neck. I realize the proximity of our bodies on the same sheets-on my side now it's warm.

"Levi..." My lips utter his name with raw tenderness. "Am I being so foreign to you?"

"Do you not like the idea of a blue rose? Something that doesn't exist and yet we can't help feeling fascinated." He turns this way facing me. "Sometimes things those are foreign, intrigues us, compels us to want to know about them more."

His words are...so foggy and yet they make sense." In reply I don't find a word. The moon peeks at us from out of the window. Let's live for today and let's live for tomorrow. When my eyes finally stop gazing at the moon I notice Levi's sleepy face, reflecting moonlight. Trembling lower lip, messy hair...one hand still resting near my neck. I bring my face closer to his. "I won't let you escape alone anymore." I plant a feathery kiss on his temple. "Good night Levi."

••••

This time I wake up before him. I touch his sleeping face. I draw the curtains so that the rays won't wake him. Why don't I let him sleep more? Then I hear the grumble of my stomach. Time to return something. I recall Levi making tea for me in that forest house and feel my neck warmer. No...these needs to wait. I have less days left. Will I be able to help Aiden? More importantly, is he innocent?

I finish eating and bring his food to the room. Still sleeping huh... Soon Aiden will be here-I better take a shower.

"Stab my heart with a stake/made out of your bones- Even if I die so/I want you to be the murderer..." I start humming Aiden's song again. It's become my favourite. I've never been interested in love before. How does it feel? "Stake my heart with your hands/cruel blood spills..." These lines came from him-but the tune and everything...it gives more like a woman in despair... singing for her cruel lover.

I turn off the shower knob and put the shampoo away. The door opens. Suddenly I lose my voice to even scream, seeing Levi. "Your bathroom is the next one...how many times I told you?!"

He rubs his eyes with a bedhead. He can't see anything right? I'm wrapped in a towel after all.

"Why didn't you lock the door dummy?" He has now a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"I-I forgot!" I try to slip past him quickly but he pulls me against him entangling both of his strong arms around my waist. All I can do now is to stare at his mysterious expression helplessly.

He whispers leaning more into me, "Thank you for making breakfast." I feel his lips moving against my neck. "Don't ever leave the door open like that."

What's with that tone? I quickly rush to my room after he releases me. It's already 10a.m. alright. I slip into an orange dress-a very old one by the looks of it, and come out of the door hearing the honk of a car outside. Aiden's here.

I dash down to find he's already seated. Levi's expression be like-So you're here already.

Aiden ignores him coming towards me. "Here are the records of your contracts." He hands me a leather file.

I'll deal with my issues later. I take it and ask them to follow me.

After taking a seat they ask at the same time, "What are we up to today?"

I take a slow breath. To be honest I haven't planned anything. Ooh I have an idea!

"I have thought about it last night. I suspect Annie but we need proof. I need one of you to keep an eye on her for the next two days."

Hearing that Aiden throws his hands in up in air. "I'm not gonna do that." He cross stops. "I don't ever want to be around they crazy girl again."

"Who's she again?" Levi caresses his jawline in thought. "I mean her full name?"

"Annie Dalton-the wannabe fashionista."

"Noway!" Levi peers at Aiden in surprise.

"Is there something I don't know?" I ask.

"We studied together- High school." Levi sneers. "Even back then... She was crazy, obsessive."

Guess she hasn't changed. "You appear to be the best shot in this case."

"Me?" His gaze falters. "What am I supposed to do in this matter?"

"Like I said, keep an eye on her. You're old friends-kinda. Meet. Talk."

"And leaving you with this weirdo?" He shakes his head. "Not gonna happen."

"Levi... please? It's not like Aiden and I are going together."

"We're not!?" Aiden gasps.

Oh boy... He could just play along for now.

"I could use some help though." I mull over. "All by myself...gonna be tough."

"Right. That's why you need both of us." Both of them say in a unified tone.

I shake my head. "Nope. Levi...only two days. On the third day I'll go with you. Can't you see I find you the most capable here."

He grumbles a little then nods. "Fine. But I'm not gonna stick around her for long. I'll do what I can."

"Fair enough. Try to get something out of her by all means."

Levi already turns back to leave.

"Wait!" I call him again. Aiden looks at me wondering why I did that.

"One more thing. Do you know if Nero had other friends? Except us you know."

Both of them give me a sheepishly obvious look.

"What?" I roll my eyes.

"Loretta- you two practically grew up together," Aiden says. "Many years-in the same house."

"Except he was out for his Art Studies for three years," Levi intervenes. "No one could know him more than you could. 16 years, no joke." Levi looked almost jealous when he said that.

"Guys wait for me outside. I gotta do a little thing."

They leave without complaints.

I take out the keys recalling that Myria can wake up and ask for it any moment. Suddenly it clicks on my head. That locked compact wardrobe!

Without making any noise I go to that room. Thank god she's still sleeping. I find one tiny key separated from the bigger ones. I have to try my luck.

Holy! It opened!

I find another box inside wrapped with a pink cloth. 

"Loretta-

" They yell from outside. "Are you done?"

Okay right now I have no time to go through it. I better keep this with me and return the keys to Myria before she suspects a thing.