Dusk & Dawn

Chapter 24

I dabbed at my teary eyes with the delicate napkin resting on my saucer, finding comfort in the sight of the magnificent grand piano. Its ebony and ivory keys beckoned to me, whispering secrets of music and escape. With a light touch, I grazed my fingers along the smooth surface, savouring the elegant craftsmanship.

I couldn't help but think of how I could repay Jimmy for his boundless kindness. He had a knack for taking in anyone in need, but I knew deep down that he, too, required support from time to time.

With a playful experimentation, I tinkered with a few keys until I found the chords that resonated within me. As the music flowed, I unleashed the floodgates of my emotions. Tears streamed down my face, as if my soul itself was breaking apart while I sang, my heart heavy with thoughts of my parents. All my life, I had strived to please them, yearning to be enough in their eyes. But in that very moment, I felt like I had failed as their daughter. I wasn't pretty enough, smart enough, godly enough, or selfless enough—the weight of my inadequacy crushing my spirit.

Collapsing my head onto the piano, I allowed myself to weep, reverting to a childlike vulnerability that consumed me in my bedroom.

A soft voice, barely a whisper, reached my ears from behind. I lifted my head, my tear-stained cheeks betraying my embarrassment as I met Mason's gaze. Shame washed over me as I covered my face, convinced I must have looked utterly pitiful, crying my heart out like a baby. I was a mess, and he had caught me in my most vulnerable state.

But Mason didn't hesitate. He settled beside me, drawing me into the safety of his embrace. His strong arms embraced me, and I clutched his t-shirt tightly, seeking comfort in his presence. I didn't know what else to do—I simply longed to be held, to be cradled by someone who made me feel safe. And Mason did just that. He felt like home, like a place  I had longed for since childhood, when I first learned to find peace in the pages of books.

"It's okay," he whispered, his voice a balm to my shattered soul. His lips brushed against the top of my head in a light kiss. Held in his tight embrace, I sobbed until my tears subsided, until there were no more tears left to shed. He eased his hold, allowing me to meet his gaze as he wiped away my tears gently. His touch was tender, his fingers lingering on my cheek as he tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. In his eyes, I glimpsed a fierce fire, a determination that refused to let me believe the lies of my own inadequacy.

But I couldn't help but confess my deepest fears.
"I wasn't enough for my parents. I'm not enough," I whispered, my voice quivering with the weight of my insecurities. The words felt dangerous, as if speaking them aloud would make them even more true.

Mason's response was immediate, his voice unwavering as he tilted my chin upward, forcing me to meet his unwavering gaze.
"To me, you're more than enough," he said, his words searing into my soul. A surge of warmth coursed through me as he continued,
"You are perfect, flaws and all, in my eyes."

He took my gloved hand in his, his lips pressing against the fabric, igniting a fire within me. I closed my eyes, exhaling a sigh laced with relief and longing. Mason's words filled a void I hadn't even known existed, a void that yearned for acceptance and genuine affection. In that moment, I wrapped my arms around his neck, embracing him not out of obligation or fear, but out of a genuine desire to connect.

My family had never offered me the embrace I craved, dismissing physical affection as a weakness. According to my father, longing for such touch would pave the way for sinful desires in the future. But in that moment, I couldn't care less about the rules that had governed my life up until that point. How could something that felt so right be so wrong?

I inhaled Mason's intoxicating scent as I held him close, his arms encircling my waist, offering reassurance with gentle circles on my back.
"You don't have to change a single thing, AmicaMea," he reassured me, his voice laced with sincerity.
"I cherish you exactly as you are, beautiful inside and out."

Leaning down, he pressed a tender kiss on the tip of my nose. Every nerve in my body tingled with his touch, and a chorus of butterflies danced within my stomach. I bit my lip, attempting to steady my trembling, and felt the tell-tale warmth of a blush creeping onto my cheeks.

Was this what it truly felt like to be beautiful in someone's eyes?

"Can I play you a song?" Mason asked, straightening up on the piano stool. Words failed me, but my silent nod conveyed my eager consent. And as he positioned himself closer to the keys, our connection grew stronger, the music serving as the language of our souls.

He played the piano, stealing glances at me between chords, his eyes brimming with meaning. Every time those blue depths met mine, my heart surrendered willingly. Sitting close to him, I felt a magnetic energy buzzing through my veins, my gaze fixated on the sinewy tendons beneath his skin as his fingers caressed the keys. The juxtaposition of his masculine presence and the delicate instrument only intensified my attraction to him. With each lyrical note he sang, my defences crumbled further. Why was I even bothering to fight?

A comfortable silence settled between us before he spoke up first.
"Wanna ride back home?"
"Nah, it's alright. I ran here, so I don't mind jogging back to the dorms," I replied, fiddling with my gloves.
"Come on, let me give you a lift. I'd feel better knowing you're safe, especially with those jerks Chris and his gang still roaming around. The cops haven't caught up to them yet. Plus, Lexi would have my head if she knew I left you alone," he quipped, making a face at the thought of Lexi's wrath.
"Lexi? Did you talk to her?"
"Yeah, she gave Zach a call earlier and spilled the beans about what went down. She was worried sick about you. I came here to finish up some stuff for Jim, and voilà, you were here," he said, sneaking a sideways glance at me.

"All I wanna do now is crash in bed," I remarked, stretching my arms out in front of me.
"Sounds good. Lemme just give Jim a heads-up that we're bailing," he said, darting off to the back while I trudged toward the front doors, burdened by the weight of the past month.