The Silenced Souls [Editing Process]

Ch. Eight - Assorted

Halfway up the staircase, held tightly against his overwhelmingly strong frame, I struggled to be released.

"Put me down!"

Stopping with baffled eyes, he obeyed, undoing his hands which had mere seconds ago held me in bridal style.

"Hold on here. I know I sort of... Damnit, I know we kissed, but that doesn't mean you can just carry me up here!"

Like a little boy having done something naughty, he pouted slightly.

"I'm really sorry if you thought I meant yes by that."

Liar. What he wants you want. No wait. What happened to you wanting to move out?

"I'm gonna get some sleep, and you should too ... Or I don't know, work on your manuscript. I'm sure you have a few to work on."

Pressing his lips into a fine line, he offered me his hand instead.

I eyed it, and him.

With an inaudible sigh, he wrote in his notepad.

Nothing will happen, I promise. I just want to show you something.

I still had my suspicions, but nevertheless, I agreed.

"Fine. I'm holding you to that."

Jude turned away, walked briskly towards the right, and stood in front of two dark oak doors. He therefore opened them, and I walked into a sprawled brightly lit room.

The ceiling was white, a chandelier hung at the entrance, and I was quick to note that the floor was of wood, not carpet as I'd expected.

Further in, and a king sized bed with navy silk duvets stood at the center of the room, as well as matching curtains to the right, a bathroom to the far left of the bed, and a walk in closet.

Next to the curtains was a wide, well organized light brown desk, with books, a MacBook, and a few stacks of what I imagined was his work.

He sat at the big red, cushioned chair with wheels, and proceeded to check his manuscripts, and open his MacBook.

It was then that something caught my eye.

Further to the right of the desk, was a medium sized plastic pool with water and ornaments. Inside of it resided two turtles the size of my hand sleeping.

I peeked in, and smiled.

"If I had known you two existed, I would have paid you a visit sooner."

Jude pivoted his chair in my direction, and smiled, his hands folded on his lap.

"This what you wanted to show me?"

Notepad out.

That may be half of it.

"Their names?"

Ninja and Venus.

I chuckled. "Cute. Reminiscent of a show I used to occasionally watch as a kid." Straightened up, I furrowed my brow. "Well, spill it. Why'd you bring me up here?"

He breathed in deep, stood, and walked towards the corner of his room; there was a record player.

I watched as he proceeded to put on a record.

Beautiful, piano playing of a classical piece I identified as Chopin Nocturne op. 9 no.2, came out in the most elaborate, magical way I had ever heard.

For a moment, I wondered if it was him, but I discarded the thought.

The hermit writer would never dare, not in public.