Crimson Bonds - ALL GXG VERSION (Hailee Steinfeld X Bridgette Lundy-Paine )

Chapter 26: A Maid's Warning

Annabelle and I were walking as her figure guided me to our destination. "Where are you actually taking me?" I asked nervously as I was still being led blind by her cold hands.

"Now now...You really need to practice trust young one. We're almost there." Within seconds we came to a halt. "Ready?" Annabelle spoke close as I could feel her smile into me. I breathed in deeply, fearing what was going to appear once my eyes were uncovered. I just nodded then Annabelle unveiled my eyes. I looked not in horror, but in absolute astonishment at the sight of a grand piano right beside the staircase. A small smile on my face quickly turned into a baffled stare, Annabelle hugging me from behind.

"Happy Birthday Liza. Do you like it?" She spoke as her head was hovered over my shoulder.

"How did you...?" I asked in disbelief.

"Evelyn told me. Heard you have quite a gift." As Annabelle said this I couldn't hold back the tears. After mother and father died I thought I would never want to touch the piano again, for it would only bring back the grief. Immediately Annabelle came in front of me, yet I put my head down to hide my weakness. Annabelle put a finger under my chin, gently pulling me up to look at her.

"Darling what is it? Did I do something wrong?" I simply shook my head, still trying to avoid her eye contact in my overwhelming state of weakness.

"No it's beautiful it's just I...my mother gave me a love for the piano ever since I can remember. All my parents wanted was for me to continue in it, to see me happy. With them gone playing again would just hurt too much." I finally looked at Annabelle as she was wiping the tears from my eyes, both hands cupping my face.

"I hate seeing you cry Liza. I didn't intend for this to spark back the pain for you. Your family wouldn't have wanted to see you like this either. They would want to see you smile, to continue doing what you love. Can you try to do that for them? For me?" I let off a small weak grin, Annabelle pulling away to head towards the piano. "Now come, play something for me." She said as she sat on the piano stool, patting for me to join her. I was reluctant for a moment, wondering why Annabelle was going to such great lengths for me.

"Liza c'mere. I promise this isn't some trap, unless you want it to be." Annabelle winked, putting a deep pit in my stomach again.  Still I went to sit beside her. I took a deep breath as my hands touched the keys of the piano.

"I haven't played in awhile." I spoke shyly. It was true however. When father started to work more I gave up time to help my mother, not worrying about my dreams or passions. Even then I knew the piano would always be something that was important to me, something that was mine. I realize now that I have been playing for awhile, performing the first professional song I was taught as a child. It felt like my father was with me, watching me play from behind while my mother sat by my side, leading my small fingers along the keys learning as a little girl. Annabelle was watching me intensely, leaning herself with her hand on the side of the piano as I continued to play. I felt the tears starting to fall again as I neared the end. When I stopped I put my head down again, only to look over to Annabelle as she now was slightly leaning forward, one of her hands resting on my knee.

"Your playing was beautiful, and so are you." Instantly my face went rigid as a tense silence now filled the room.

"What is happening..."

Annabelle gazed deeply into my eyes, her own darkening in hue as her other hand ran down my cheek. "So beautiful..." My body was locked in place as she inched closer and closer, as if I didn't want to pull away.