Scheherazade: A Thousand and One Days

Violin

        In a poised yet vacant room, a mellifluous melody played through the room having been sung by a glorious bowed instrument. The bow played back and forth across the waist and upper bout of the small viola. An appealing young lady who had hazel eyes and light brown hair stood in the center of the room, strumming her violin; she performed the harmonious classical rhythm that caused a multitude of men and women to join the young lady in her elegant display of pure art. Her beauty accented the music but clearly outshone the room. Around the young lady, the men and women of the ball began to sway to the beat of the song with grins on their faces. A reflection of the marvelous ball gowns and tuxedos were painted upon the nicely polished floor, though an unsatisfied face was amongst the many joyous appearances. He watched in distaste as the young woman nodded along to the song with both of her eyes closed.

        "She doesn't show any passion in her music. It's bland and simply tasteless... I can't believe people can actually listen to it like it's a masterpiece." He sighed and his eyelids hid the beautiful green gems that had women falling heads over heels.

       He got up from his chair and walked towards the door when he sauntered pass a familiar face who caused him to stop in his place. "What are you doing here, Eric?" Jacob sneered with a stern look on his face.

        "Well, hello brother..." Eric's mouth curved upward, revealing a devilish smile.

        "Half brother." Jacob stated as a frown formed upon his face.

     "Right of course, half brother. To answer your question, I'm here to look at all the gorgeous women who have obviously dressed to impress." Eric chuckled mischievously.

        "You disgust me." Jacob scoffed.

        "That's what I'm here for, little bro. Anyways you should join me, you must be devastated after what happened with Marie, this will take your mind off her or even better, cheer you up. It's not like she can come back; it's best to move on..."

        Jacob's fists balled up and his eyebrows furrowed downward. "She wasn't some one night stand you can forget..." Jacob muttered. It isn't worth it... No matter what he says, no matter what he does, he's right. Nothing will bring her back to earth...

           Jacob sighed and continued his way down the hallway, however because of the intense environment between the two brothers, Jacob had not noticed the loud commotion and applause coming from the other room. He turned right at the end of the hallway and instead of exiting the building, he became lost and wandered around the banquet hall for longer than he could stand, until he crashed into someone and he fell to the floor.

        "Ouch!" A feminine voice and a crashing sound echoed in the pearl tiled and pink walled hallway. "Oh no! My violin!"

        Jacob opened his eyes and saw the young woman who once stood in the center of the room, playing the classical melody with her once intact violin. The woman jumped towards the broken violin that had shattered like a glass vase. When the shattered violin had finally come to his attention, Jacob's eyes widened with surprise.

        "Umm... uh..." Jacob stammered.

        "Are you just going to stand there? Or are you going to help me pick up the fragments?" She whimpered, her hazel eyes were on the brink of tears.

        "No way am I going to bend over backwards because of a clumsy bimbo!" Jacob sputtered.

        Anger and hatred soon erupted from the young woman's heart and her eyes furrowed downward as a huge vein bulged from the top of her forehead. Once the tears caused by the debris of her violin fell onto her cheek, they immediately evaporated.

        "Bimbo? Clumsy?! Who are you calling clumsy? You're the one who knocked into me!" She screamed.

        "No, you knocked into me!" Jacob stuck to his guns and denied the true statement.

        "Quit  lying! We both know that you are the one who knocked into me!" She yelled in fury.

        Fire lit her hair and anyone, in their right mind, would have backed down, however Jacob was a stubborn idiot...

        "Ugh... First a pest and her foul music caused my ears to over flood with blood and now the same nuisance is calling me a liar..." Jacob scoffed.

        The woman looked shocked at his sudden insult. Was my music really that awful? She thought. Then why would they all clap for me? No, this guy is a mean jerk!!

        "Oh I'll show you foul music!" She grabbed the remains of her violin by the fingerboard and proceeded with her, newly found, enemy's demise.

        However the call of her name had caused her to stop in her tracks, "Ruby!"

        Her eyes widened at the sound of the voice and she quickly hid the damaged weapon behind her back.

        "Mr. Witingham! It's great to see you!" She chuckled nervously. "How was the rest of the party?"

        "It was marvelous! Thank you very much for entertaining my guests this evening." Mr. Witingham's white and grey moustache curved upward in the shape of a smile.

        "Mr. Witingham." Jacob bowed to show his repect but beneath the calm exterior was a smirk of mischief.

        "Oh, Jacob. Don't call me by that name! Just call me Dad!" Mr. Witingham laughed.

        "Dad?!" Ruby had a stunned look on her face which meant she obviously had no clue of the resemblence.

        "Ah, Ruby. I've seen you've met my son, Jacob. Jacob, I'm sure I've mentioned Ruby once or twice..." Mr. Witingham introduced.

        "Whatever..." Jacob rolled his eyes and stormed off in a huff, leaving Mr. Witingham and Ruby alone in the empty hallway.

        "Sorry about him, Ruby. He's been through a lot this past year." Mr. Witingham apologized.

        Like what? What would make him such an ass? "It's alright, Mr. Witingham. You should go catch up to him. He looks a bit lost." Ruby giggled as she watched Jacob nervously moving left and right, choosing his path carefully.

        "Yes, I should. I'll see you again soon, Ruby." Mr. Witingham grins.

        "You too, Mr. Witingham. See you soon!" Ruby smiles politely.

        Once Mr. Witingham is out of hearing distance, Ruby muttered under her breath, "I can't believe that jackass is related to my benefactor! He is way too rude to be related to Mr. Witingham." Ruby gathered the remains of her violin and walked in the opposite direction of the two gentlemen.