Forbidden Melody

"Your instincts told you to spend a night with Levi?!" His voice raised this time. "You didn't even like him. You often had disagreements with him about...things. What changed it all?"

My death. But I don't answer.

"So it's killing you... I guess you liked me holding onto the leash of yours for you to wag your tail around me?" Oops did I say that? It sounds a bit harsh and cold.

He opens his mouth with a puzzled look. "What?"

"That's what my so called blonde girlie said this morning... What was it again? Oh right, 'Is Aiden the mundane still around? Wagging his tail near you?' Something like that." I say blonde cause I don't know her name.

He now looks serious. "Stella said that?"

So her name is Stella? How boring. It should be Steel faced Bella.

"But I thought you didn't mind anything they ever said," his unsatisfied eyes rove over me. "What changes a person so massively?"

"Maybe a lot of things. But sometimes it's just one massive thing," I answer dismissively.

The next few minutes pass without a mere whisper. Suddenly Myria barges in. "Uh oh, so you two are here."

"What is it Myria?! A simple knocking is appreciated."

"I know Lori darling. But you know what? I don't care. I've come to fetch both of you. Food's getting cold."

"Just one minute I need with her, Myria. We'll be down there quick," he requests.

"So Aiden...did you..? Tonight mm..?" Myria gestures to Aiden moving her lips silently.

"Can I have a moment here please? I'll fill you in later if you really are dying to know," Aiden shoos away a pouty Myria and I quickly realised that Myria was asking Aiden about asking me out tonight.

I sit straight waiting for him to speak. "I..." He swallows hard then tries to talk again. "Loretta, do you feel something for Levi?"

Now it's my turn to swallow. Err...do I feel something for Levi? Why is he asking that? "Aiden...I really want to focus on this new piece of mine. My head could use a bit of peace."

"That doesn't answer my question. But would respect your decision anyway. I really came to ask you about going out tonight but since you have decided to..."

"Wait," I say seeing his sunken face. From this angle he doesn't look bad either. Somehow I can't find those previous dominant features. Now that he said he'd respect my decision, it feels so... unexpected. He's mature in thoughts too and gestures. It's just a night out right? Doesn't have to be a romantic date. I can also take advantage of the situation and get to know my surroundings better.

"You know what?" I bring an optimistic smile to my lips. "Let's do this Aiden. It's only an evening out after all." Now his face isn't gloomy anymore.

"It means a lot...that you took your time to answer me, Loretta. And I'm glad." Suddenly he embraces me. It's so sudden that I couldn't protest. "It's been so long..." He whispers.

"So long what?"

"He doesn't reply instead keep holding me still for some more minutes. When he releases I can't seem to feel those odd vibes from him anymore. 

He turns to leave when he says, "I will pick you at 7?"

"Alright."

I waste some time wandering in the backyard garden. I see Jeremy watering the tulips. Those tulips are kept separately from the others. His eyes fall me and he keeps them downward. I wave at him. "Hey Jerry."

But without minding me he turns to leave. I trot to him. "Wait!"

He stops still but remains quiet. "Jeremy.." I call his name.

He faces me with a stoic expression. Did he not like the nickname I gave? I consider the possibility of Loretta's 'doings' on him. I don't know what she did...maybe I'll never know it all but I can try to make things better. I take a deep breath. He watches me warily.

"I apologize for everything," I say closing my eyes. Then I open one eye to peek at his now surprised gape. "Miss Lori, I..."

"Jeremy, I said I'm sorry...for whatever maybe I did in the past."

"I don't know...what to say Miss."

"Then say nothing. Just don't be so frozen around me," I smile at his encouragingly. "Ok?"

"Then I can say whatever I feel like saying? Teasing and laughing and..." He throws bunch of ridiculous questions.

"Why not?" Ok why-why would anyone ask something like that?

He continues, "It's been so long...Miss Loretta. You forbid me to talk needlessly or tease or laugh when you're around because I used to be a bit childish back then. Now it feels so.."

"Oddly nice?" I smirk. Why did she ever..? What kind of sicko was she?

"Thank you Miss Lori, for listening to me."

"Same to you Jerry...for accepting my apology and the short version of your name. I hear him humming while watering the rest of the plants. One bridge is repaired. More to go I guess?

Half of the day is gone and I'm still thinking about the outcome of today's evening. What should I wear? Why Aiden want to spend the evening with me? I toss a few dresses on the bed unable to make up my mind. For some reason I want to tell Levi about this. I really don't know what I'm feeling but he's someone I'd like to have as a friend close friend, with whom you share every word...feelings. I call him. The phone rings but he doesn't pick up. I decide to leave a message. "An evening with Aiden. (He practically requested.) I don't know why but I felt like telling you. Btw I enjoyed our forest house outing."

Just then Sofia enters with my afternoon tea. "Having troubles to decide?" She sets the cup on the table. "If you want my suggestion I'd say, something you never quite wear."

"At this point I do want your suggestion," I say. Because all these dresses look very girly and vanity...like a princess chewing bubblegum... Most of them are pink and pastels. Even the one I'm wearing right now is magenta and I hate this. I will have someone to change my wardrobe collection.

"I have a sister and she's a lot like you. She liked pink and girly stuffs. Then I suggested her something different and now she's wearing them everywhere," she adds.

"Um...I'd like to have a change of taste then," I slump down on the couch.

"Is it a date or casual outing or friendly meeting?" She asks.

"Not a date...I'd like to convey the message by my dress code that I'm a girl who needs no one. I'm strong, reckless and boundless."

"Uh huh" she nods as if she understood every bit of my words. "And who is it Young Lady?"

"Can I not tell you that?" I ask making a reluctant face and she says, "Alright. You wait here. Let me go fetch it for you."

It's been twenty minutes since she's left. I look at the time. 6.20p.m. I keep walking back and forth when Sofia enters with a carrier bag. She hands me the bag.

"What's in there?" I feel something soft inside.

"Your reckless outfit," she winks. The minute hand is now at 25. Okay whatever this dress looks like I'll trust her on this whether it fits me properly or not cause Loretta's choice...Yuck!

Hearing a vehicle's honking I almost stumble down the stairs. I see Jeremy opening the door. "You look good Miss Lori," he says after noticing me.

"Have you seen Myria?" 

"I know where she's," he whispers, "At Nova's place."

Thank God. She doesn't have to know...plus it's not a date. I come out of the house. Aiden's waiting in front of his bike. By his expression I can tell he's intrigued. I guess Sofia's taste in fashion isn't bad. I walk straight to him.

"You look different," he says in a seemingly lost manner. As if he never saw Loretta in anything like this before.

"Uhm...black looks.."

"Bad?"

"Alluring on you," he compliments my cool leafy black shirt and I feel confident. "Black flannel jeans leather belt and black high heels...like a she-devil." He then asks, "I thought of taking my BMW but then I kind of changed my mind. Is that okay with you?"

I also thought it's a car...not a bike. But I love bikes too. "No problem. I love a speedy driver though," I smirk. Woah woah what is wrong with me? What is this rush? This daring blood running through my veins...I feel like being bad for one night. "You look good too Aiden." I offer him a smile.

"Thanks Loretta. To be honest I wanted to put the effort to be noticed." Though he says it casually I notice a faint blush on him.

"Let's not waste more time hm?" I suggest holding the handle.

"You look like a rider now," he chuckles softly.

"Does that mean I get to play the role of rider?" I wink at him.

"Ehh...did you learn?" He uncertainly looks at me.

I close my eyes for a moment. There was a guy who taught me when I was in high school. I used to love his motorcycle. It was like a giant-black and red, big and fast, like a bullet. Back then how happy I felt, even for a short-very short while. Everyone knew that he used to like me. But I was only able to make him a character of my story. You can take a character and put him in a story but once he's in the story he can't be in real life anymore. That way the immortality of the character dies...both in life and in mind.

Aiden puts a hand on mine. "Where have I lost you?"

"Huh...oh...right. Yeah I can. Let me prove it to you if that's okay," I reply absent mindedly.

"Well I am not worried about my bike but if you think..." He gives me the key hesitantly.

Putting on the helmet I start the engine. "Hop in Mr. Jordan." His father is a businessman and he, a musician-mostly a singer and songwriter, recently came to limelight. Girls are crazy about him... I still can't figure out whether it's his dashing looks or his fame or his father's money..? Because it doesn't make me starstruck.

The bike is smooth and I'm controlling it like a skilled master. I feel Aiden's hands tight around my waist. "Ah, mm aren't you going too fast?"

I laugh out heartily. "Don't tell me you're scared of speed Aiden."

"Who are you Loretta..." Aiden's whisper carries the wind with it. This is the third time I'm hearing this. Guess I'll have to adjust myself.

"Just give me directions okay?" Aiden nods as I speed up again.

"When did you learn by the way?"

"Uh...long ago. Can't remember."

"And how? As far as I've heard you never bought a bike nor did you ask for any guidance from Nero. Who taught you?"

I tilt my head at him. "You're being a terrible detective. For the record, I learnt it on my own with a bit of help from my school days' friends."

"You never said so... yeah it's surprising for me."

We don't talk for the rest of the ride. I pull the brakes near a big oak tree. Not far from it, I see a small red bungalow house-kind of a reservation place for small occasions. There are flower beds and long grasses around the house. In the front yard-tables and chairs all set with different types of dishes, beverages and candles. There's even a hammock attached to the tree. I remove the helmet and turn at Aiden. "I thought we just decided on an evening out?"

"And it is evening and we are out...out here, this open beautiful place," he gives me a sheepish grin.

"You know what...you're not mundane. You can put efforts when you want to," I pat his head and he pouts. Then I notice an old couple coming out of the bungalow. They smile at us then gives Aiden the room keys. "For the next 3 hours this place is yours Mr. Zordan," the man says. "Your companion is lovely Aiden," the old woman says while leaving.