Looking for the Light Through the Darkness

Chapter 54: Consider it Done.

"I don't." The words hang in the air and almost make my stomach drop as I realize just how painful this must have been for him. Never having a moment to himself. Sealing himself away in order to do what is best for both his family and his parents. My fingers rest on his stubbled cheeks and I can barely keep myself from shedding tears myself as he continues to speak, his voice low and the exhaustion slipping through every breath he takes. He was trying to manage everything by himself even though there were so many others around him.

 "It's not that I do not like music any more." He states quickly trying to clarify what he is thinking and my hands move to his hands, which I find trembling in my lap. "I still love the piano, but, to be forced to play these songs... It hurts." I hear his voice hitch ever so slightly and I squeeze his hands before gently pulling them around my waist once more. Carefully, I shift forward on the bed gently pulling him closer to me. 

"Victor." I whisper his name ever so quietly as I draw him closer knowing that this pain is hurting him more than he is letting on. Feeling his hands slowly wrap around my waist, I slowly take in a breath of his warm berry and moss scent letting him rest against my frame. "You have to take a break." I whisper gently rubbing my hands up and down his back in a comforting manner. Feeling his shoulders shaking, I tighten my grip on him. "I understand that this is not an easy decision to make. But I want you to be selfish right now. 

"What do you want to do?" I ask. I keep my voice soft and comforting. How much pressure had been put upon his shoulders I couldn't even imagine. To perform songs that he no longer loved must be beyond painful. Taking a slow breath myself, I feel Victor's arms shake uncontrollably against my body as he sinks farther down onto his knees. 

"I want to rest." He whispers his voice breaking and I can feel his head resting in my lap. Slowly running my fingers through his hair, I gently brush his hair out of his head and away from his face. Letting the thought sink in for a few moments, I allow Victor to take a few seconds to himself before responding.  

"Then we are going to do just that." I whisper leaning down and pressing my lips ever so gently against his forehead. I feel Victor shake a little under my touch before I pull away. Carefully, I slip my fingers into his hands and gently tug them motioning for him to stand. "Why don't you gather your pajamas and take a nice warm bath?" I whisper holding his hands tightly in mine.  

"When I get out..." His voice is quiet and fades slightly and I blush softly squeezing his hand understanding what he is hinting toward. 

"I will be here. I am going to go downstairs and talk with Mr. Blackbourne about your schedule. Then I will bring diner up and we can have it in your room before we rest." I state and almost instantly I am wrapped up in a warm comforting hug. 

"Thank you." He whispers and I squeeze his shoulders once more before nodding. 

"Of course." I respond and guide him to the door. I wait in the doorway until I hear the bath water running before I make my way back down the long hallway to the stairs. Trembling slightly, I hold tightly onto the banister as I make my way down the stairs. 

"Pookie! I was just about to get you for-" I hold up a hand cutting Dr. Green off and suddenly I feel that all of the attention is on me. 

"Excuse me Dr. Green... I really need to talk to Mr. Blackbourne first." I whisper feeling my confidence waver slightly and suddenly the scent of Irish Spring Soap washes over me. 

"Miss. Sang?" Mr. Blackbourne's voice washes over me slightly but I don't move from my position on the last stair unsure where anything else is in the room. Hearing shuffling, I soon hear footsteps on the wood floor approaching me. 

"Mr. Blackbourne, I would like to speak to you privately." I whisper low enough so that only he can hear. There is a moment of pause before, I can feel his hand in my own and I am lead down the hallway into what I believe is a back office of some sort. Hearing the door close, I look in Mr. Blackbourne's direction. 

"Miss. Sang what would you like to talk about?" Mr. Blackbourne states easily his voice calm but I can hear the hint of worry behind his voice. He moves around the room, so that we are now directly across from each other. 

"Victor." I state glancing down at the floor for a moment before looking toward Mr. Blackbourne. I needed to be strong in his place.  "You need to cancel his appointments for this week." I state clearly and there is a silent pause. Feeling my anxiety flare slightly, I tense unsure what his response will be to my direct and upfront response.

"Miss. Sang, I am not sure I understand." Mr. Blackbourne states his voice a little lower than before and I assume that he is surprised by my request but also trying to understand why I am commenting. Taking a slow breath, I slowly take a breath to steady myself and look toward Mr. Blackbourne once more summoning as much courage as possible. 

"How often does everyone on your team get a break?" I ask trying to show Mr. Blackbourne my point without having to state it as bluntly as before. 

"Every week they each get two or three days in which they usually have nothing scheduled." Mr. Blackbourne responds and I can almost hear him trying to determine where I am going with my questions. 

"And what do the boys usually do in their free time?" I ask quietly my nervousness getting the better of me and I bring my fingers to my lips playing with them slightly. 

"It is dependent upon the person, Miss. Sang." Mr. Blackbourne responds evenly and I glance up toward his voice once more reading his unsure tone. 

"What does Victor do in his spare time?" I ask waiting for understanding to hit. 

"He is.... He is usually at a performance scheduled by his mother. Miss. Sang, are you here to answer for Mr. Morgan?" Mr. Blackbourne's voice is filled with surprise and I realize that Mr. Blackbourne has already discussed this with Victor as well. 

"Yes." I whisper and I can almost hear the smile in Mr. Blackbourne's voice as he approaches my side. 

"Consider it done."