Bits

Cabin Fever

RUEN

The melody flowing off the walls as she played her violin was one of the earliest memories I'd had of Ria. I had to be extra careful not let her find me hiding in the room with her when she expected me to be sound asleep. I was in awe of how she played. However, her tears at the end of her piece made no sense.

But now as I played this happy fast-paced melody in a charity event–and from every other event I landed and any other times I played after I was sent away, to be honest, I understood.

Music was the best way to cry.

All these times I was praised at how great I played, I can't help but wonder how people tended to gravitate towards the broken. Graciously, I made music with strings, a bow and a jagged heart–all that's left of it. I was bawling my heart out in front of them but they can't see even as they watched. They won't see behind the mask.

I stole a glance at how Mim played with me and I wished I could play like her. Hers were emotions and depth befitting the piece. I was ashamed to be standing on the same stage as her and marring her performance with mine. Claps and cheers erupted as we ended our piece and left the stage.

Why?

An over-enthusiastic audience, an older man, caught up with me in the hall where I tried to get to the comfort room to wash the tears that dried at the corners of my eyes. I was pressed against the wall as I tried to sidestep him and be on my miserable way. But that only made him use the opportunity to corner me. I contemplated punching him in the face but his blood on my hands and the reporters covering the event will make things messy. I don't want that.

Because I made a promise to live as quietly as I could and not make waves.

All that flew right out the window when Amelia came and engaged in an altercation with the man. Verbal tirades and a little shove between them I ended up a little scraped. Simon came and broke the tension then had the man escorted after telling him he was banned from the Vasquez' establishments.

I had a few minutes of peace then it was broken when John came with a horde of camera-wielding reporters hot on his heels. Amelia was their target so she had to escape.

I was not the subject of the paparazzi attack but why did I go easily as I pulled her with me to the exit?

Amelia grazing the covers with yet another scandal could spell my grandfather's wrath. That would involve me too since we're married. He wanted to keep me out of the news and he was paying a load of cash to ensure it but he decided to marry me off to a scandal maker.

What went inside his brilliant mind? I'll never know.

So run, I must.

Mim was there at the most opportune time and provided us the getaway vehicle. Muted, I sat as Amelia and her people worked a way to get out of the city without being tailed and lie low.

Mim, my great Mim, offered to drive them up. The choice was pretty much made so I just got comfy.

I didn't know when I had exactly fallen asleep but I sure woke up in the twilight zone in front of a cabin in no man's land.

"It's Amelia's cabin. They're inside." Mim said. "You ok?"

"I'm ok. The broken pieces are still broken. Nothing damaged." I'm a pathetic poor girl once my sleep has been interrupted. My smile hid the twisted play.

"Let me drop these off inside and we'll drive back." She was carrying plastic bags of food. I took the others before we headed inside. We got in unnoticed as they were preoccupied.