Whisper Destiny

Chapter 74

~ Natasha ~

"Where is she?"
I tried to keep my voice steady, though my pulse quickened with every second that ticked by.

"She's upstairs, in her room, I suppose," my father replied, glancing briefly toward the staircase.

"Aliah, please call Catherine to join us. Dinner is almost ready," my mother added, give instruction to our housekeeper.

"Sure, ma'am." But before Aliah could take a single step, I interjected, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

"It's okay, Aliah. I'll go get her." Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the subtle exchange of glances between my parents. A silent question hung between them, but I didn't care.

With each stride toward the stairs, my heart beat faster, a thrill of anticipation coursing through me. The thought of seeing her—made my pace quicken. The distance to her room felt both too short and too long, as if time itself couldn't decide whether to rush or stretch.

When I reached her door, I paused, feeling the erratic beat of my own heart. I drew in a steadying breath, then, without delay, turned the handle and entered, not bothering to knock.

The room greeted me with familiarity—a faint trace of her scent lingered in the air.

But, she wasn't there. A pang of confusion mixed with disappointment rippled through me as I scanned the empty room.

"Babe..." I called softly, moving further in, almost as if she might appear from the quiet shadows. My voice was swallowed up by the silence as I glanced toward the bathroom. "Babe...are you in there?"

Each empty corner left me more restless, my mind racing with questions as I murmured again, almost to myself, "Where is she?"

Without another thought, I turned and started toward the stairs, intending to ask my father. But then, a faint sound floated through the quiet hall—a piano, somewhere distant but unmistakable. The melody was soft, each note tinged with a delicate longing that seemed to resonate deep within me. Before I knew it, my feet had carried me toward my old study room, drawn to the music like a moth to a flame.

As I reached the door and eased it open, my breath caught. There she was.

Catherine sat at the piano, her fingers gliding effortlessly over the keys, coaxing a melody that was achingly beautiful. I'd had no idea she could play; then again, I'd never really looked at her—until now.

The music swelled, filling the space with delicate, lingering notes that echoed softly in the silence. I stood there, transfixed, every note pulling me deeper under her spell. She looked ethereal, her face serene, her gaze steady as her hands moved with grace and precision. I couldn't look away; each second only seemed to intensify the feeling swelling inside me, raw and undeniable.

When she finished, the last note fading into quiet, she spoke, her voice slipping through the stillness. "You're staring, Tash..." My heart twisted.

I missed her voice.

"How did you know?" I asked softly, breaking the spell just enough to take a step closer.

She rose from the piano bench, her gaze meeting mine, and smiled, a gentle curve of her lips that did something to my chest.

I missed her smile.

"Because," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, "Without even looking, I know when you're here."

"Oh yeah?" I murmured, moving toward her slowly, as if pulled by an invisible thread. "And why's that?"

She held my gaze as I came closer, so close I could feel the warmth of her breath. "I can just... feel it when you're watching me," she murmured, her eyes locked with mine, neither of us willing to break the fragile line between us.