Breathtaking Melody

CHAPTER I

Andrew

As I was exploring the mansion, followed by the butler, I couldn't avoid catching a glimpse of a magnificent grand piano positioned at a corner of the ballroom. I could see myself playing there in the next events, even teaching Lady Clark some piece.

The place looked as if it was cleaned spotless, even the excess wax of the candles had been removed. Everything was where it was supposed to be, it was perfect. The big chandeliers filled with candles were so high up the ceiling I couldn't bare to imagine the trouble the personnel had to go through to light them up for the guest of honor, me.

I turned around to face the butler. - If you could excuse me, where is the bathroom? - I asked him.
He faced the kitchen door and raised his voice to say - Francesca! Please take the young man to the water closet - A young lady appeared from behind the door and bowed to salute me. I bowed back and was stricken by a umbrella in the arm.

- Ouch! - I quickly responded. I was met by a familiar yet terrifying face. - A man shall not bow down to the help - Mr. Clark said looking at the young servant.

I fixed my coat as she directed me to the bathroom. I locked myself in there and was suddenly caught up with what was happening at the moment.

What am I doing! What was I thinking! They will recognize me!

I couldn't panic, it was too late to go back with my plan. I couldn't help but to hyperventilate as quietly as I possibly could. I removed my coat and unbuttoned my shirt to remove the bandage that was pressing my chest too tightly. I felt instant relief as air entered my lungs and I took a huge breath.

I was starting to calm down but someone knocked on the door. - Sir, are you okey? - The butler asked.
- Yes indeed sir, I'm coming out right now - I strapped my breasts with the bandage and buttoned my shirt as quick as possible and opened the door.

As I was walking out the door and putting on my coat I could see from the corner of my eye the kitchen door was open and inside was the most beautiful women I had ever lay eyes on.

She was sitting on the counter, barefoot, as her legs dangled and danced swiftly below her. She was wearing a dress too long for her, so she had cut it, this was notable because of the uneven cut it had at the bottom. Her hair was down, as if she had just woken up, and the open window that let sunlight in the kitchen made it look like a caramel warm color. Her soft brown eyes complemented her dark bold eyebrows perfectly, her smile with her rosy lips put together the whole picture of beauty she reflected.

- Sir? Mr. Clark is waiting for you in the ballroom - I snapped out of it as the butler led me to the ballroom and the grand piano that awaited me.

I played to Mr. Clark some of the most beautiful pieces I had learned and he then showed me the room I would be staying in for a month or two depending on the parties he had planned with some important folks of Britain.

- Mr. Clark... - I started to say. - You can call me Nathaniel - He said. - Nathaniel, I may not be around too much in the day due to my family whom I have to visit. But the late afternoons and nights I'll be completely available - I had to clarify this with him immediately. He looked back at me uneasy - I understand. But on some rare occasion I would like for you to have lunch with me and Melody - he looked at me waiting for my answer. - Of course. And before you leave, may I know the schedule in which I will be teaching Ms. Melody piano? - I asked. - From six to seven every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday - He clarified - Tomorrow Sunday you may start, she has been notified - He left in a hurry after checking the time in his pocket clock.

I spent most of the afternoon unpacking my three suits and two pairs of shoes, due to the fact that I had nothing else to do. I felt hungry so I went to the kitchen for a glass of water and maybe a fruit. Ms. Melody was eating an apple and chatting with the young servant Francesca, who as soon as she saw me went back to her duties.

I opened up the cabinet with the cups and poured myself a glass of water. Ms. Melody was watching my every move with extreme caution. I was afraid of doing something wrong or doing something that would make her recognize me.

- So, are you a thief or a detective? - she caught me off guard with that question, which made me choke on my water a little. - Excuse me lady Melody? - I asked looking at her. - I asked whether you are a thief or a brilliant detective? - She seemed to be enjoying the confusion of my face. - What makes you think any of that? - I asked as she got up and closer. - You knew exactly in which cabinet the cups were out of more than ten in the whole kitchen, so I'm asking you again, are you a thief or a detective? - She was very close, so close I held my breath so she wouldn't notice it was accelerating with every centimeter she got closer.

- Maybe luck? - I smiled as my body relaxed with that irrefutable answer. - Maybe... - She made my heart beat faster than it had ever beaten, I was sure she was able to hear it in that awfully quiet kitchen.

- Have I ever seen you before? - She asked and I drank some water so my face would be covered by the glass. - I don't think so, unless you have seen me playing piano downtown - I went to grab an apple from the bowl at the counter. - Your face seems familiar. What is your name? - She pushes the apple away from my face with a finger - Andrew - I said as I knew my cover was blown and my life was over.

- I've never met an Andrew... pleased to meet you. I'll see you tomorrow when we have piano lessons, thief - She left and I stayed some more minutes trying to control my heartbeat.

Her eyes were so close, yet she didn't recognize me? Should I be happy or sad about that? Her face was centimeters away... her lips were so close to mine and... I need to snap out of this now.

I went to the servants rooms to get my pajamas and something moved behind me. - I knew it was you! - Francesca said, scaring me almost to death. - Francesca! Never do that again - I held my heart with my hand. - Of course it was you, with your pianist dreams and your stupid long gazes at Ms. Melody - She said making me nervous. - What do you mean? I don't gaze for too long, I just look at people a respectable amount of time - That was worse than staying quiet. - Oh lord, Amber! Did you think I wouldn't notice how you look at Lady Melody?! What did you think was gonna happen with this new Andrew disguise? You are gonna marry her? She's gonna notice eventually! - Francesca was right, even though I didn't want her to be, she was really smart for such a young lady.

- I have everything under control, I'll tell her when she needs to know. By now I'll just give her lessons, play for her father in his parties and make some money to help myself - I tried to convince myself this was a good idea. - I guess then I'll have to help you, cause you alone... there's no way you'll pull that off without my help - She said before going to our room where I explained my plan and schedule.

- So from the morning to the early afternoon you will be Amber, Ms. Melody's servant, and from the late afternoon to the night you will be Andrew, Ms. Melody's piano teacher and Mr. Clark's pianist for his parties? - She asked me smiling, as if it was a stupid idea. - Yes indeed, and in my spare time I can play piano downtown for some extra money - I was satisfied with my plan, it had taken a lot of effort to think about and perfect.

- What happens when they ask you to have lunch as Andrew and Ms. Melody asks for Amber's presence? - Francesca had some really interesting questions. - Well she barely requests my presence so in that case I will need for you to invent an excuse for me, but only if it doesn't affect your job here - I stated - Now let's go to sleep, we have work to do tomorrow - We laid down at opposite sides of the room and Francesca looked at me with a glare that made her seem even younger than she already was - May I sleep in your bed tonight? Only if it's okey with you - She was still afraid of the dark at fourteen years old. - Of course - I said as she hopped out of her bed and into mine in a second.

I brushed her hair away from her face with my hands for some minutes and she seemed to have fallen asleep, so I did too.