Beneath the Veil of Shadows

Chapter 14

Sapphire stirred awake, the gentle sound of piano keys cascading through the air like a delicate waterfall. At first, she thought it was a dream, a figment of her imagination weaving itself into her slumbering mind. But as the melody lingered, pulling her from the remnants of sleep, she realized it was all too real. With a groggy sigh, she rolled over in bed, her gaze landing on the clock—early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows in the room.

Curiosity piqued, she pushed herself up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. The music was haunting yet beautiful, echoing through the halls of the expansive house. She couldn't resist the urge to investigate. Slipping on a robe, she padded silently toward the sound, the notes guiding her like a compass through the quiet corridors.

As she reached the doorway to the grand music room, she paused, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. Her eyes fell on Elias, seated at the grand piano, his fingers gliding effortlessly over the keys. The sight of him, so lost in the music, caught her off guard. For a fleeting moment, she hesitated, but then a sudden realization struck her—this was the perfect opportunity to get close to him. She could charm him with her sweet facade, and in turn, hopefully try to uncover the secrets that surrounded him. The thought ignited a spark of determination within her. She would approach him carefully, disarming him with her friendliness, revealing just enough vulnerability to invite his trust.

With a deep breath, she stepped into the room, her heart racing with anticipation. Elias had his back to her, the intensity of his focus evident in the way his fingers danced over the keys. She leaned against the doorframe, admiring him for a moment. The way he immersed himself in the music was captivating, and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration.

Just as he finished a particularly complex passage, he turned slightly, catching sight of her in the doorway. A flicker of surprise crossed his features, quickly replaced by an expression of mild indifference. "I didn't think anyone else was awake," he said, his tone cool and controlled.

Sapphire stepped further into the room, her facade firmly in place. "Well, I can't resist the sound of a handsome man playing the piano," she replied, her tone laced with playful sarcasm. "You should consider adding a 'Sapphire-approved' sticker to your repertoire."

Elias chuckled lightly but quickly masked it with a smirk. "I will take that under advisement, though I have to warn you—my repertoire is exclusive."

"What were you playing? It sounded... melancholic," she pressed, her curiosity guiding her. "Reminds me of something from a movie where the lead has a tragic backstory."

Elias's expression shifted slightly, and she could see a hint of something deeper in his eyes. "The piano reminds me of my sister," he replied, his voice steady yet distant. "She loved music. It was one of the few things that brought her joy. Losing her changed everything for me."

Sapphire felt a pang of sympathy. "I am sorry," she said softly, unsure of how to navigate this sudden shift. "How did she die?"

Elias took a breath, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the keys as if searching for the right words. "Because of my work. There are consequences when you are involved in this life."

Sapphire nodded, feeling the weight of unshared experiences between them. "I lost my parents when I was young. A car accident. One moment they were there, and the next... they were gone. It felt like my world had collapsed."

His gaze flickered to hers, but the coldness remained. "Loss is a part of life. We learn to deal with it or we don’t. It is as simple as that."

She stepped closer, intrigued by the walls he had built around himself. "So your work... what exactly do you do? It must be pretty serious if it led to that."