Unspoken

~ Chapter Six ~

        The next two days were hell. My hours were filled with clothing, etiquette and dance lessons. Every meal, I was yelled at and berated by a tutor on how to eat, and it seemed that I'd become a guinea pig mannequin, dressed and stripped frequently.
         I didn't see Noah at all during the day, and he retreated to his study the moment he arrived home. It almost seemed like he was avoiding me.
         I was made to take another bath, where the little returning stubble was removed from my body. I'd been excited to see it growing back, but now I was stripped smooth again. It was awful.
        For the most part, Ari and Pauline stuck with me through the lessons, giving me tips and advice. They took turns as my dance partners, posing as the male partner. Ari was a little clumsy, and we'd frequently gotten in trouble for giggling too much. She made the lessons easier to deal with.
     I'd finally been released a few hours ago, and I was busy hiding in my room in case they thought up any last-minute lessons. It was past midnight now, so I was beginning to doubt I'd be disturbed.      
       Tomorrow evening, I'd be going to a club style party in Cerulean city. I had no idea what kind of clothes I'd be shoved into, and I was definitely not looking forward to it. I blanched as I imagined the various possibilities, and curled up tighter in my blanket.
        The sound of beautifully alternating piano notes drifted up the stairs. The melody wove and danced in the quiet, so sad it almost made me want to cry. The song was heartbreaking, and so lovely I craved more.
        I slid from my bed and twisted my doorknob, hesitating. I was supposed to be sleeping. I hadn't dared to go down when he was playing yet, so was tonight the night?would I disturb him this time?
         I steeled my will, and pulled the door open. My bare feet shuffled along the chilly hallway carpet as the slowed notes began to pick up slightly, lulling me forward. Goose bumps rose on my arms, and I rubbed them for warmth as more notes were added. It was a lullaby of woe.
        The music continued as I came to the stairs. I hesitated again, wrapping my arms against my stomach to block the night's chill. The main melody began, reminding me of twinkling stars.
        I took the first few steps and hesitated again. Should I go back? I wondered, biting my lip. Will he be mad? Probably. Do I care? I hesitated, taking another step. Not enough. I smiled slightly.
       The notes slowed again, light and lovely. My lip trembled as the song flowed through me, bringing tears to my eyes.
       I walked down the rest of the way, my hand trailing along the railing. I crossed the second floor hallway and slipped down the second set of stairs into the entryway. The music was louder now, still lovely and heartbreaking. It was even sweeter now that I was so close.
         I made my way towards the ballroom, hesitating at its entrance. I could see him sitting at the piano, his fingers working delicately and gracefully along the keys. He wore a grey t-shirt and black sweats.   
         His golden skin shone in the blue moonlight, soft and smooth. An amber hue clung to his nearly black hair. His face was bent towards the keys, and his eyes were closed.
         I walked up behind him quietly, listening as he began the bridge. It now has a desperate and lonely feel to it as it became harder, more powerful. It softened again as his fingers slowed, and he returned to the original melody. I longed to reach out to him and hold him as he played sweet and devastating notes, but I couldn't bring myself to interrupt him.
     Again, it lifted once more into the beginning notes, high with a single, low note fading in the background. His fingers continued to slow, light on the ivory keys. He ended with a final, high note that left the silent air cold and desolate. It left a feeling of an unfinished story, sad and lost.
"You play so beautifully," I murmured. He jumped, and swung around to face me, his dark eyes wide.
"Nevaeh," he relaxed a little. "You startled me."
"Play for me?" I asked. He looked at me skeptically before turning back to the keys. I sat beside him as he settled his fingers on the piano.
       He began to play again, and the melody was sweeter, softer, and slower. It was elegant and refined, using the central and higher piano keys. Mixed feelings of love, hope, and loss surrounded me as the music flowed through him.
       A myriad of intricate notes wove the main melody, more complicated than the beginning. It was beautiful, and I felt tears prick in my eyes again. He was truly amazing and skilled with his hands. No beginner could hope to play this. It was far more than just advanced. It seemed the music came from inside him, bleeding through his fingers onto the keys.
       The melodic notes became stronger, and more passionate. His eyes were closed, his fingers moving expertly along the keys. My chest aches from the songs desolate sadness.
       Again, the notes became more complicated, winding first down, and then up the piano. They softened again, returning partially to the original melody. This time, it had a darker twist. The song came to an end a few moments later, and he turned to look at me. His eyes were soft, yet guarded. He wiped a tear from my cheek delicately, cupping my cheek before letting his hand fall. He stood slowly.
        "That was beautiful," I smiled, standing too. He smiled at me sadly. "When did you learn how to play like that?"
        "My mother taught me. It just takes practice," he shrugged, glancing out of the window.
       "I've always wanted to learn," I sighed, touching the keys lightly.
        "Sit," he said. I did and he took my hands, splaying my fingers across the keys. He pressed them down, guiding me through a nursery rhyme three times. "Now you do it."
        I pressed the keys down clumsily, fumbling several times. I turned to him, blushing.
        "Well that was," he paused. "Interesting. Try again."
        I did, though it was just as horrible as the first. "There's no point," I sighed, frustrated. "By fingers keep fucking up the keys."
        "Here," he slid back down on the seat, his legs on either side of me. He placed his hands on the keyboard. "Put your hands on mine. Feel my movements."
I placed my hands on his as his foot pressed into the pedal. "Close your eyes," he murmured in my ear. I did, and he began to play once more.
These notes were soft and light, with a more pleading note to its melody. The music ranged in the higher octaves, net the center. The tune was lovely, and the gentle keys seemed to dance sorrowfully in the air. The music was slow, alternating beautifully.
I could feel his warmth against me as he played, his breath caressing my shoulder. The melody lightened even more, higher and sweeter. It ended with a myriad of pretty high notes, leaving the atmosphere sweet and lonesome.
        "Care to join me in the jacuzzi?" he asked as the notes faded slowly.
        "I'd like that," I smiled slightly. He lifted his hands from the piano and stood, pulling me with him. He took my hand and led me back to the entrance hall.
        "Have you ever played before tonight?" he asked.
        "No," I answered, following him up to the second floor. "My dad had this old guitar back home. I used to play, though I wasn't very good at it."
          "I think Natalia told me that at one point. She never said your name, but she talked about you a lot," he said, pulling me down the hall.
          "Did she?" I asked, looking up at him as he pushed the doors open.
         "Yes. She was always worrying about you," he said. "She thought they'd killed you. That's what they told her. But we both doubted," he said. "We were going to find you and run."
         "Oh," I said, entering the warm room.  He flipped on the lights and the bubbles began to flow in the Jacuzzi. I stripped off my pajama bottoms and turned to face him.
        He was already fully undressed, stepping into the water. I wore only a black cotton tank top and silk underwear, but I didn't feel embarrassed. Not with him.
        I followed him into the water, sitting across from him. The middle was deep enough that we could easily swim if we wanted.
"Nevaeh," he said. "Why are you so far away?"
He swam over to me and pulled me from the bench. The water just barely reached my collar bones, meaning his full chest was out of the water. It was cozy and warm, and electricity seemed to crackle in the air.
"Mr. Ivanov-"
"Noah," he interrupted me. His onyx eyes were soft, a thousand oceans deep. "When it's just us, call me by name."
"Noah," I smiled at him as he pulled me close. I felt so drawn to him now. My heart was pounding steadily in my chest. "Why did you save me?" It wasn't what I was going to ask, but I wanted to know for certain what was behind his actions.
         "Silly, love," he murmured, kissing my cheek. "It's because despite my better judgement, I care about you, Nevaeh. Much, much more than I should," he paused thoughtfully. "And I owe it to Natalia to keep you safe. I made a promise."
"A promise?" I asked.
"When," he hesitated, his eyes sad. "When she died," the world seemed to leave him as sorrow gripped his eyes.
"It's alright," I touched his cheek gently. "You can talk to me."
"Alright," he nodded stiffly, suddenly seeming determined as he met my eyes. "After she was shot, she begged me to find you. To protect you. She was...choking. From the blood, I mean. But she managed to get that out."
"What are you going to do, now that you've found me?" my heart stuttered in my chest.
"I'm going to put you somewhere safe, where no one can hurt you," he pulled me closer, his fingers gripping my waist.
"And if I try to run away again?" I smirked, wrapping my arms around his neck. My heart was racing in my chest, though I couldn't understand why. He smells too damn good.
"I'd follow you anywhere, love," he murmured, tilting his head to the side. His eyes. Butterflies flitted in my stomach. They're so beautiful when he's unguarded.
"What does that mean?" I wondered. Without another moments pause, his lips met mine. My body filled with a burning heat, and my heart began to race. I could feel his beating quickly against me, too.
        "Nevaeh, you came into my life like a hurricane," he said simply, leaning his forehead against mine. "But the storm that follows you may lead us both to freedom."
       "What?" I asked, my eyes catching his.
       "You have no idea, do you," he smiled crookedly. He seemed humored.
       "Of what?" I scowled defensively.
       "I suppose you can't see the storm raging behind your eyes, can you?" He asked.
        "You're talking nonsense," I shook my head, feeling confused.
        "It's alright if you don't understand yet," he murmured, kissing me again. I wrapped my arms around him, accepting his warmth as it spread through me again. It was hard to breathe as my heart tried to escape.
       "I thought you said you didn't kiss," I said breathlessly. "So why do you kiss me?"
       "Oh, Nevaeh," he smiled sadly, releasing me. "You really are oblivious."
       "Huh?" I asked, gripping his arm so he couldn't just leave again. He gripped my wrist suddenly, pulling me to him.
         "Careful, love," he murmured against my ear. "You shouldn't do that."
         "Says you," I rolled my eyes.
"Did you just roll your eyes at me?" he chuckled softly.
"I did. And?" I asked, glaring at him.
"You drive me crazy," he smirked cupping my cheek. I leaned into his touch as he pulled us to the bench. He pulled me against him, wrapping his arm around me.
His lips met mine again gently, so sweet it could have triggered my sweet tooth, if I had one. Fire raged through me, strangling my heart as he leaned into me, his fingers lacing through my hair.
        He was so gentle with me, his every move delicate as he pulled me into his lap. His lips began to move passionately against mine, intoxicating me to the point of incoherency.
       All I was aware of was the feel of his body against me. The brush of his lips, his embrace, his warmth. Truth be told, I'm starting to care too much about you, too.
He pulled away all too soon, and he was guarded again I touched his cheek gently, trying to read him. His fingers wrapped gently around my wrist and pulled my hand away.
"Don't," he murmured, his lips brushing my cheekbone.
"Why won't you let me touch you?" I wondered, catching his dark eyes.
"It's not safe," he said simply. "These stolen moments are as reckless as they are deadly. I think we ought to get some sleep. We've got a long drive to Cerulean in the morning."
"Well that was ominous," I scowled. "Alright, Noah," I sighed, pulling myself out of the jacuzzi. Water streamed down my body to the floor as I watched him stand.
"I'll walk you to your room," he said, tossing me a towel. I dried off and wrapped it around myself before joining him at the door. He wrapped a towel around himself and took my hand. His thumb rubbed against my thumb as he entwined our fingers and led me from the room.
Noah stayed silent as we walked. He looked as though he were deep in thought. He led me to the third floor and down the hall. We came to a stop at my door and I turned to face him.
       His expression caught me off guard. His eyes were trained on my face, his brow furrowed in thought. He lifted his hand to cup my cheek and leaned forward, pressing his lips to mine again.
         "Goodnight, Nevaeh," he murmured. And then he was gone, disappearing down the hall and up to the fourth floor. I stared after him for a long while before returning to my room and climbing into bed.
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