Why Lorie? Part II

Chapter 22: Peter Advises Viktor

After finishing Lorie's piano lesson, Peter decided to pay his father a visit. He dressed quickly and walked to Viktor's office, a few blocks away from home. He knocked on the heavy wood door and heard his father's voice invite him in. Peter stepped inside the room where Viktor spent most of his time. It was large and well lit, and its centerpiece was Viktor's giant lion-clawed mahogany desk that sported a Tiffany green glass lamp as its sole decoration. The wall behind the desk was covered in bookshelves, while file cabinets lined the side walls. There was a sitting area under the sole, triple-pane window, consisting of a leather sofa and three armchairs around a square coffee table. The floor was covered with a thick, expensive burgundy Persian rug. When Peter entered, he spotted Viktor sitting at his desk, behind a tall pile of papers. He was obviously trying to catch up with what he had missed over the previous three months.

"Good morning, Father," Peter greeted him as he approached the imposing piece of furniture.

"Peter... what an unexpected surprise," Viktor arched a dark eyebrow. "What brings you by?"

"We didn't get a chance to talk since you've been back... I wanted to hear more about your trip to Mystery Spell," Peter replied.

Viktor set down his reading material and leaned back in his chair, interlacing his fingers in front of him. He scrutinized Peter with his cunning green eyes.

"Right," Viktor finally said after a long silence. "And now... for the real reason?"

Peter sighed and pointed to the empty chair in front of Viktor's desk that was usually reserved for his clients. "May I?"

"Of course," Viktor indicated with a tilt of his head for Peter to sit.

After settling down in the straight-backed wooden chair, obviously not designed for comfort, Peter cleared his throat. "I'm not sure how to start this conversation..."

"Let me guess," Viktor interrupted him. "It's about Josette... and the fight we had last night."

"It is, indeed," Peter nodded.

"Go on," Viktor prompted his son. "What do you have to say about it?"

"I realize you were very upset because Josette didn't write to you about returning to work... at the opera," Peter began.

"Yes. Why didn't she? Did you tell her not to?" Viktor shot him an inquisitive look.

"No. I had nothing to do with it," Peter was entirely taken aback. "It was Josette's wish to surprise you upon your return."

"Well... she certainly did," Viktor said wryly.

Peter sighed again. "Father... she hoped she would make you proud."

Viktor nodded in silence, narrowing his eyes while his son spoke.

"I only wish you could have seen her performance in Tosca," Peter continued. "She was... exceptional."

"I'm sure she was," Viktor muttered under his breath. "I'm also sure every man in the audience enjoyed her... performance," he emphasized the last word and sneered.

"Father... it's not like that... and you know it," Peter tried to appease him. "Josette is very professional. And the Viennese appreciate her for her singing. That is all."

"And how can you be so sure of that?" Viktor raised one eyebrow. "Did you know exactly what went through every member of the audience's mind?"

"No," Peter replied. "But I know what went through Josette's mind. She was entirely focused on the role she was playing. That of Floria Tosca. And she was amazing."