Time Is The Key To Everything

Chapter 24: Secrets and Lies

Whenever Paul finished playing, Cassidy always felt strangely conflicted. When the music ended, so did the illusion and all the realities of life came rushing back at her. But when the music ended, there was Paul, turning around to give her a small smile.

"Did you like it?" He asked.

She returned the smile. "Yes. Is it new?"

Paul frowned slightly. "It's something I've been working on for quite some time. It's not finished and I'm not sure how to end it."

"You're saying you wrote that? You never mentioned that you're a composer! That's amazing!"

Paul blushed, embarrassed by her praise. "Would you like to see it?"

"I don't really know anything about music." Cassidy admitted as she joined him at the piano. As she stared at the piece, all she saw were black notes scattered haphazardly across the page and she wondered how something so wild looking could create such a beautiful sound.

"What are these?" She asked, pointing to a group of three notes.

"A triplet."

"And this?"

"A staccato."

"Why do some notes have little dots over them and some not?"

"The notes with the dots over them are to be played staccato, which means separate or detached." Paul saw the growing curiosity in Cassidy's face and for some reason, he found this both amusing and attractive.

"There is about an hour until lunch. If you would like, I can teach you a few things about music."

Cassidy beamed. "Really? That would be wonderful!"

"You may take one of those chairs and bring it up to the piano." Paul said. "We'll start with the basics."

"Which are?" Cassidy asked as she set the chair down, excited to begin.

"Music theory."

It wasn't until Faizan knocked on the door that Paul realized that they had missed lunch. He had not expected to get so absorbed in teaching, but Cassidy was an eager student and he was happy to see her smile. She learned fast, having already memorized which notes were where on the piano and had been practicing a simple scale exercise when the door creaked open.

"Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Lee." Faizan said. "Amatullah was wondering if you would still like lunch." In truth, Amatullah had sent Mavridis to deliver the message, but the older brother had refused, having been scolded one too many times for barging unannounced into the music room. It didn't help that he never knocked.

"I'm so sorry." Cassidy said. "I didn't mean to take all of your time."

"Nonsense." Paul replied. "This was more important. Faizan, you can tell Amatullah that we will take lunch now."

"Yes, sir."

"Um, if you don't mind me asking.." Cassidy whispered after the door was closed, "Why is he wearing a dress?" It was out of sheer curiosity that she asked. She was barely acquainted with the boy but she already found him charming and adorable.

Pau winced. "It's…a complicated story. I can tell you over lunch if you would like."

There was another knock on the door and Faizan poked his head through the opening. "Mr. Lee? Everything's ready."

"Thank you, Faizan. We'll be right there."

"Can you tell me about the rest of them?" Cassidy asked as she followed Paul out of the music room. "When you said you employed helpers, I was honestly expecting people less…" She trailed off, not quite sure how to finish.