I find mornings miserable, specially bright sunny ones. They make me feel alienated. Like I belong to the silver clouds. And this life that I am given... Ah Arkan right. I wonder why he... Nevermind. I don't need to know. That's grim reaper business.
The door opens revealing the face of a young man. He's probably younger than me. He has this light brown eyes, brown eyebrows and hair...and he's quite tall. It's been a week and I haven't seen anyone around my age in this mansion, so his sight feels somewhat relaxing.
He has a white mug in his hand from which he takes a huge gulp walking towards me. "How beautiful the morning seems, hm?"
I think of replying something edgy but then choose to keep my calm.
"What? You won't speak anything? Even after listening to the doc for a week; no one talked to you right? That old hawk said that you'd be in shock and stress and that no one must interrupt your peace for at least 7 days."
I don't pay attention to his words, instead I try to find a way to somehow figure out his name. Then I notice he has a signet gold ring in his left hand's middle finger; with an L engraved on it. His name must starts with L. But what? Why that stupid Arkan didn't tell me anything about this Loretta. I'm not diagnosed with Amnesia. A week ago the doctor released me telling me to rest properly and keep negative thoughts away. Don't know what he meant. Since then they're giving me space.
There are only three main people though. A 60 over old man possibly grandfather, his daughter-Myria Knight, the only aunt of this Loretta Knight. She's about the age of 35 and she's unmarried. She's most probably gay-my instincts tell. And somehow her relationship with her father Morgasson Knight during my 7 day's stay here, felt intriguing. Maybe she doesn't get along with him for some grave reason. Other three are just servants and housekeepers-for cooking, cleaning and washing. And now comes this new fourth main character. 'L' shall I call him L? What is his name? Morgasson's name (The old man) was written on the entrance door nameplate along with Myria's. Besides I heard one of the servants calling her by name. I even figured out the names of the servants as I had seven days to explore. Now what to do? Can't see a way out of this young man. His name was not on the nameplate. Is he not a member of this mansion?
Reading my confound state he sits on the edge of the bed. "I see you're taking him quite seriously." He keeps the mug on the bedside table and I notice what he was drinking. Black tea.
"It's been a while huh..." He heaves a sigh.
"A while for what?" My tongue slips.
"Aha...so you are comfortable to talk to this lowly man Miss Knight?" He gives a gentle smile.
I narrow my gaze unable to understand him. How will I ever get out of this conversation? I don't even know his name. I try to fake a cough just so he gets distracted somehow but my plans take an opposite turn. He sides closer to me, his brows now creased. "Are you...alright Loretta? Here drink some water..." He removes the round wooden lid from the top of the silver glass on the table which now grabs my attention. I didn't see this glass anywhere near me in the last seven days. Who drinks water in a sterling silver glass? Who is this Loretta anyway!
I almost pout at him when he holds the glass near my mouth. Consequences of your actions... Now face! I gingerly take a sip and act to be better. He really cares for this Loretta, doesn't he?
I mouth a thank you to him. Suddenly his phone beeps. The name Janet pops up on the screen. He doesn't even try to hide his phone. The frustration is evident on his face.
"What is it now?" He asks.
"Levi... where are you? I know you don't give a shit about your father but he's been trying to reach you for a week now. He needs you urgently."
The matured firm loud voice could be heard clearly even if I tried to stuff my ear with cotton balls. So his name does start with L... Levi. Levi what?
Levi takes a moment to reply. "I have been worried about Loretta and since Doctor asked all of us to give her a week-long space for herself, I restrained myself from meeting her. I was in my garden house. Right now I'm with her. And trust me Janet, I want nothing but a grandeur confrontation with him. But not until he himself begs me for it. Until then, adieu."
Tucking the phone inside his pocket he faces me. "Janet again. Never understands that I want nothing to do with my father and from my father."
I try to apply my IQ to this puzzle and a possibility crosses my cells. Is this Janet his step mother? The silence between us is palpable. He breaks it at last. "You know I asked Sofia to take this out from that old cabinet. This used to be...your favourite glass."
I smile. "You did all that for me huh...why? Were you worried about me?" I ask softening my tone. Now that he mentions the glass I inspect it closely. It is beautiful. The shape is not too long or wide-medium, the bottom small rounded. A round line designed half finger length down from the top, creepers with tiny colored red and green flowers designed on the sides, and a little sun engraved at the inside bottom. I wonder why he said 'used to'. Because something like this should be an all-time favourite.
He was watching me caressing the patterns of the glass this whole time. Now he says, "I see you're liking it again."
He just evaded my question so effortlessly. "Why did I start disliking it anyway?" I mull over.
"Hm? That is for you to know."
I don't even know who gave this glass to me and when... If I want to peep into a small piece of Loretta's memory then I must ask discreetly so that he gets no hint of me having no memory at all. "The design is so unique huh...as if I'm holding it for the first time," I whisper.
"It was Nero's choice after all. A perfect birthday present for a seven years old kiddo," he adds.
Agh! Now my unasked question is answered with a chain of other questions. Who is Nero? He gifted Loretta...me, the present-the silver glass. Where is Nero now?
I, to avoid this disaster of a conversation, give him an all knowing smile. "Why don't you stay for breakfast?"
He gives me a generous look. "Oh you know... I will be staying at yours for a while now. Your grandpa knows already...and Myria is also excited about it."
"What do you mean?" I ask realising I made a mistake.
"Meaning that I'm gonna stay here, with you in this house for some time," he replies booping my nose. "I did this once before, remember? Though it's been more than a year already."
Levi...just who are you? Since when do I know you and how? To avoid another awkward conversation I get up quickly. "So now that's decided, join me for breakfast." I extend my hand, a gesture that guys do mostly, for him to take it. He looks at my outstretched hand flabbergastly. What..? Did I do something wrong? Is he not allowed to hold my hand... Wait, does he have a girlfriend? Is that it? Aghh...why do I care if he has or not?
It takes him a moment to consider my gesture. He takes small strides towards me then accepts my hand. I happily entangle his arm with mine. "Now this looks good," I grin.
We cross the threshold and come out of my room. His eyes reflect the shine of a concoction of admiration and contentment. I faintly hear a whisper, "Who are you now...Loretta?" but don't dare to question him further.
Myria is already at the table. Seeing us like this she blows a whistle. "Jeremy, pour the finest wine from our collection for this timeless couples."
I look at Levi whose previous smiley face is now replaced with a weird gaping reaction. His hand which felt cold earlier is now warm somehow. It makes me realise my own situation. Umm...Levi... We're not couples, are we? Jeremy, the servant boy takes out a wine bottle from the liquor wall showcase.
Levi takes a seat across from mine, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Myria, don't tease us please."
"Now, now...I'm known for my teasing nature in this household and among my friends, Mr. Fawcett. Why must you be an exception?" Myria laughs pouring more wine into Levi's glass.
Fawcett... Levi Fawcett...that's right. Now slowly I'll have to gather info about all the people Loretta...I mean I ever knew.
After we finish eating I notice Levi getting up abruptly then he leaves as if something urgent came up. During our breakfast he was stealing cautious glances at me. What was he looking at? My eating style? Back then what did he mean by who I am?
Contemplating I come back to my room. What should I do now? Wait...this Loretta was a pianist, wasn't she? Arkan said her death for everyone else was like a suicide attempt...but her death was rather mysterious in real. But no one else knows that except me. Whoever was involved in her death is probably sad, now that he knows Loretta is not dead. But this life already feels like a burden... If I continue living like this, I am bound to get crazy.
I stretch out my limbs then decide to go to the piano room. She was a pianist. Then I guess now I can also play piano. But I never learnt anything about piano...let alone playing a single piece.
When I push the dust coated brown wooden door, a nostalgic smell hits my nostrils like I am supposed to be here, naturally. Sheet music...more like shit music. I don't understand this sheet at all. I throw the thick yellowish page aside. The room has two large windows, both closed. I open them allowing rays to fall on the abandoned piano.
It feels so cramped in here...like she stopped playing for some time. Why? Wasn't she a well-known pianist? This house...all this luxury...
My trail of thoughts wander while my fingers find the keys to press aimlessly. Suddenly I am on the stool and I don't even need a sheet. Woah... A melody starts to float above the thin layers of the dust befriended air. The curtains swing back and forth like pendulums. The breeze tousles my hair and my fingers continue to dance on the array of keys. An unfamiliar melody reverberates through the ceilings. What is this melody? Why it feels painfully beautiful? Loretta...what happened to you? Why this piece of melody sounds devastatingly painful..?
My fingers receive a sudden shock hearing the door open loudly. I turn around to see the glistening eyes of a tall young blue eyed refreshingly beautiful man. His hair jet black reaching his shoulders, temple a little wide with a pair of dark black eyebrows. A defined jawline matched with the sharp nose. His lips are parted in astonishment but he keeps staring at me just as I keep staring at him. His features are mesmerizing but it feels cursed as if, if touched by an equal forbidden beauty, his charms would fall off. I feel at a loss for words for I do not recognise him and this would be another challenge like earlier. But I decide to keep my lips shut for the moment. No matter how captivating he looks, for some reason I feel an iota of discomfort.
"Loretta!" The first word that leaves his mouth is my name. "The Death of a Nightingale," is what he says after.
Coming closer to me he picks up the sheet and puts it on the piano. He stands so close to me that I can't feel my own body. But it doesn't make me unnerved. I stand away from his imposing figure, unsure of what to feel.
"Loretta, you have finally fulfilled your promise." He steps closer but I take a step backward. His expression turns gloom and he seems dejected. But what else surprises me is that his bright blue eyes look lost as if searching for answers. "Are you not happy seeing me?" He walks further towards me.
I don't even know you... What am I supposed to feel for someone I've never met? But I'll never see the end of it if I let this fragile little info slip from my lips.
He is now within my frame's circle. He puts his hands on my tensed shoulders. "I am glad that you have touched your piano again. I know it's given you a shock which is understandable. But this piece...this heart aching beautiful melody must be praised by connoisseurs of music."
I let him speak for I do not know what is he talking about. The Death of a Nightingale..
is this what the piece's name is that I played just now? But what did he mean by fulfilling my promise? Promise of what..?
"I... I want to be alone," I curtly say.