My Better Half

Chapter 15- Business Partners

Maria Third Person POV

They both finished playing their instruments and the song ended. A moment of silence fell over the room. Maria stared at Jack and he stared back. Maria wanted to praise Jack, she wanted to tell him how beautiful his singing was, how mesmerizing it was... but it was like she couldn't form words properly... She had heard a lot of people sing before, but no-one was able to leave as deep of a mark as Jack did with his singing. Not only that, but his composition was also incredible, the lyrics were so perfect that it could easily make someone tear up. She was taken aback... she never could have imagined a guy with piercings and tattoos and all, who looked like a delinquent, could sing like an angel of the Lord.

Maria blinked a few times before finally stuttering out: "I... I didn't know you could sing... I mean I am really surprised... I-in a good way of course!! Umm... I-it was beautiful!"

Jack chuckled and gave Maria a smile, which made her feel a bit embarrassed and her heart pound in her chest. Still, she smiled back.

Maria sat back down on the couch (quite far away from Jack). She tried to convince herself she was feeling this way because of the beautiful song and nothing else, but she still tried not to sit too close to Jack or she would feel her blood rushing through her veins again... her heart rate increasing... she didn't like this feeling, she didn't like it at all...

Maria tried to break the silence: "So... how long have you been writing songs? I bet you got a lot of albums by now, judging from how multi-talented and good you are."

She still couldn't bring herself to look Jack in his eyes.

Jack Third Person POV

Jack couldn't help but smile a little from the praise. It made him unusually happy that Maria thought he was that amazing. But additionally, her words reminded him of the dream he set out to make come true. If she believed he could make it, well, maybe he could.

Jack, with a trace of a smile still stuck to his lips: "Nope, no albums yet, if you can believe it. I know it's kinda silly but I moved here to try and make that happen though. I know it's an unrealistic dream, and that's why I'm going to school as well, the best I could afford, but I still kinda hope it could... work out, somehow."

Wow, Jack really was spilling his guts here. Even though he didn't know Maria all that well, it seemed easy to talk to her. He wanted to tell her all this stuff, and he wanted her to tell him all this kind of stuff about herself too.

Jack, diverting his eyes and rubbing the back of his neck: "So... yeah, even though it's kind of a stereotypical pipe dream, I still believe in it a little... I wanted to escape my hometown anyways, I'm the first of my family to manage it... I'm trying to compile some songs together and hopefully in a few years, I'll take it from there. Besides, the songs sound good because of your amazing violin skills anyway."

He chuckled quietly as Maria quickly looked away, clearly not expecting the compliment after his long tangent. He grabbed another apple from the fruit basket while he quickly found a vase and some water for the flowers. He set the vase back down on the table.

Jack: "But really, this fruit is amazing! Thanks, Maria. You know, I feel like most people in the city have some type of far-fetched dream they're chasing at least a little... Are you? Is it something with your violin? You're certainly great enough."

He looked into her eyes, genuinely curious as to what her answer was.

Maria Third Person POV

Maria was listening to Jack keenly. Wow... she never knew Jack had struggled so much to get to where he was. Then... that would also mean that he hadn't seen his family in a while too. That made Maria sympathise with him. She really wanted to help him. And knowing what a talented singer-songwriter and composer Jack was, Maria really felt bad that Jack had to go through so much to be where he was now.

When Jack asked about Maria's goal and her reason to come to the city, she was a little hesitant to tell.

Maria, stuttering: "Oh, I am glad you liked the apples. I figured you should eat healthy now. And ah- well yes, my past is um... something I would rather not talk about but yeah, I want to become a violinist, that's my goal in life, as someone very dear to me couldn't fulfil that dream of theirs... but as you said, these dreams are pretty far-fetched and unrealistic, so I am also trying to get a uni degree to help me get work in the future."

Maria couldn't take her eyes off of those blue orbs that were staring at her. She felt bad about Jack, about how he worked so hard that he landed in the hospital. For some reason she cared about his dream way more than hers. She wanted to help him any way possible, because in a way, she believed that Jack could actually make it. With the amazing, captivating talent he had and how much of a hard worker he was, she was certain that Jack could fulfil his dreams. She knew it for sure, and she was determined to help him.

Maria had gotten an idea, her eyes sparkled, her face lit up at the thought, and she gave Jack a big smile: "Hey! I know how we can help each other! You write such beautiful songs, and sing so well, not to mention your instrumental skills, we should work together to compose more of your songs, and record them, then... who knows, maybe someday your dream might not be all that unrealistic anymore!! Although, with your skills... I might just be a burden instead of help."

She said the last line a bit nervously.

Jack Third Person POV

Maria wanted to work with him? Jack didn't know what to say. That was so goddamn nice of her, he wanted to give her a hug right there and then. But he respected that might be crossing a line, so he held back. And how could she think she'd be a burden? She was a fantastic violinist!

Jack: "No, no, I'd love to have you work with me! I mean, we can't right now 'cause I'm not supposed to be working yet, but yeah!"

He sounded a little over enthusiastic at the idea, so he cleared his throat and lowered his voice a little. His excitement surprised Maria, but she looked quite pleased. To be perfectly honest, his excitement surprised him as well, he usually liked to work alone, especially on his music. Before this, the thought of anyone helping him would have been somewhat mortifying. But the thought of Maria helping seemed so appealing right from the get-go. She might make a friendly guy of him yet.

Jack: "Who knows, maybe if we help each other out, we could both manage our dreams eventually."

The violinist's smile widened, and Jack couldn't help beaming in return. They decided for now, the best thing to do would just be play some random songs together since it was so fun. Jack got lost in it, they didn't seem to be in his little flat anymore, instead they were on a planet of their own, playing away for no one but themselves. They didn't even speak much, they didn't have to, when it came to music it was like they were a finely tuned machine, perfectly synced, knowing exactly what the other was thinking. They were stopped by the clock though, as hours had passed without either of them even noticing.

As Maria packed up and Jack bid her goodbye at the door and his gaze lingered on her as she left, all he could think was how his life would be complete if he could just feel what he felt playing by her side every day.