Captive Angel

7. Black & white keys

I lay awake thinking about dinner. I wonder if Nadir noticed me tensed at dinner? Thoughts run through my mind, like what if I can get to Nadir alone without Erik knowing? I think about the only time I was out of Erik’s sight for a while was when I fell asleep in the library. A plan pops into my head...

                                                                                      ^^^^^

  “Good morning.” Erik says, cheerfully.

  “Mornin’.” I sleepily say. I pour myself a cup of coffee from the French press. Erik watches me pour the half & half in my coffee.

  “Did you sleep well?” He asks. I put a two sugar cubes in my coffee.

  “Yeah, why?” I take a sip of coffee. Yuck! I’ve never really developed a taste for the bitter drink. This morning I feel like I need the caffeine.

  “Well, you don’t usually drink coffee.” He spreads blackberry jam on a croissant. And hands me the croissant basket.

  “How would you know that?” I take a croissant from the basket. "Where's Nadir?"

  “I know a coffee person when I see one.” He answers in his usual way. "Nadir's sleeping in. Long travels for an old man. What’s your plans for today?”

  “I don’t know.” I say, taking a bite of the pastry, “Probably read. Could I by any chance…” He looks me wondering what I might ask next. “Go outside?”

He’s silent for a moment. “Why?”

  “Well, I dislike being cooped up in here. I mean,” I take another bite of the croissant, “I’ve been here for what-like three weeks.”

  “I’ll allow you to go outside,” Erik agrees, “but only accompanied by me, and I also have a surprise for you.” He stands up from his chair and heads to the door. “Follow me.”

I follow him through the hall to the west end of the mansion. He then opens two French that leads into the most beautiful room I’d ever seen in the mansion. Looking at all the wonderful instruments in their places in the room. “It’s gorgeous.” I say in awe. It is.

A smooth-almost cherry wood violin hangs above the mantle over the fireplace. The cello sits beside a fancy chair. Two beautiful guitars hang on the wall on the opposite side of the fireplace.

My eyes drift to the huge windows with a very small platform below it. A stunning black grand piano stands on top of the platform overlooking the rose garden and music room.

  “Do you like it?” Erik asks me taking pride in his music room.

  “I don’t know what to say,” I walk to the piano. Opening it, the white and black keys are in their perfect shape. “My mother used to tell me that the white keys meant happiness and the dark meant sadness. She said the keys meant the good and bad things in life. Together both black and white piano keys bring hope.”

  “She’s right.” Erik smiles and takes some papers off a built-in shelf. “Can you play?” He asks me. I don’t know how to answer him. I can play some.

  “No.” I reply, “My mom only taught me how to read notes and a few chords, but that’s pretty much it.”

  “Good, because I’m going to teach you how to play professionally.” He announces to me all the sudden. “And sing.”

 I can’t believe it. Sing? Play piano? I haven’t done that since mom was alive and well. “No.”

  “Yes, this your wedding present.” He tells me. Oh, there’s something else to this.

  “Listen. All I want is to see my father.” I beg, “Please.”

  “Christine, you know I can’t allow that.” He simply says.

  “Why not?” I ask angrily. “My father’s probably heartbroken now with me not home and my mother dead!”

  “Christine, enough.” He says calmly, but firmly.

I just can’t take it anymore. “Why did you lie to Nadir?” I question. “Why are you so nice to me?”

  “Christine, it’s better if this stayed just between me than to have you upset.”

  “I can’t take it much longer, Erik… please! I would rather kill myself than marry you.” Tears fall down my face. I actually do not want to kill myself, but I can’t tell him that.

  “Christine, don’t you ever threaten to kill yourself again!” He orders, “I’m here to protect you.”

  “Protect me from what?” I angrily ask.

He sighs, “From your father’s enemies.” 

~~~~~

Hey guys! Thanks for the encouragement! I hope to post another chapter this weekend. I've been pretty busy with school lately. Thanks for commenting! :)