He blinks in wonder. Then a rueful grin breaks out. "Why are you still a pianist- Miss Detective?"
"I was just..." I fiddle with my hair awkwardly. "Observing."
"And you've caught me." He beckons me this time. "Come with me."
I follow him to his room. There are things scattered on the floor. Paint brushes, dirty palettes, papers and lastly the easel. On it-a canvas- covered with a white, now printed with splatters of various colours, cloth.
I didn't realise when he came behind me.
"Um.. Nero..?" I turn my head back at him.
"You can probably observe my nervousness too." His clear melodious whispering voice makes me shiver.
He's nervous to show me his painting?
"But why?" I walk to it.
"You never showed interest in my painting before. One of the reasons why I hesitated earlier."
All she ever cared about was her ownself.
"Well now I am. Can you show me?"
"Loretta, this is something I never dared trying before." He advances towards me.
"I was at the door of constant doubt and fear. But, after that night when you found me...a voice constantly nagged me to do something I've only ever wished to do. Something about it is strange. So utterly alien. Something about you is different Loretta. So alluringly different."
You too Nero? This means so much to him, isn't it? Artists- they put their soul in their creation just so people find inspiration and something to hope for.
"You have put all your passion in it, have you not?"
There's affirmation in those long drawn eyes.
"Then I'm sure it's marvellous already." I smile.
"Perhaps." He pulls up the cloth slowly revealing the subject of his painting. On the surface I see myself, so perfectly laid out like mirror itself.
"How is it?" He asks tentatively.
"You-you made me!?" I'm so mesmerized by his creation that no expression of his gets in my eyes. I tenderly touch the right side of my portrait, wanting to caress the canvas surface more. The smell of paint is all over the room.
Wondrous! Just thinking about him painting me so delicately... I wonder how perfect an artist's art can be when it comes to making someone they've their eyes set on for a long time.
"You've given me a second life through this painting Nero."
"That's not true..." His eyes glisten in a strangled agony. "How could I when..."
But I don't let him finish and bring his lips onto mine. His lips, mellow and yet so cold—like a soul never greeted by the warmth of love. The right side of his svelte neck grows warm turning the shade of a tangerine peel. I touch the spot making him flinch. Mm... Nero!
Slowly he gives into my fervour by placing his arms around me— returning me a kiss of utter vehemence.
I don't suppose Loretta ever kissed anyone other than Aiden. But here I am... making things more complicated than they already are.
"Loretta," his operose whisper of my name makes me shudder in his arms. "You cannot have an absolute concept of my devotion with which I have finished this painting."
He caresses my upper cheek "Oh how much you mean to me... now."
What does he mean by now? Now that the moment is building and we're alone... Should I ask him about his parents?
"Don't you think you should go back to being the one you love? Once again—officially? Making new pieces, putting them up for exhibitions—working for those who loves seeing your work?"
He doesn't mutter a word.
"I really want to build you an entire gallery this time, Nero. Only you works to be praised, admired and sold."
"You even suggesting something like this embarrasses me enough Loretta. Besides..."
"Why not though? You got many awards for your works previously. I don't see a possible reason why you stopped being driven like you are today. What happened to you Nero?"
He parts his lips to speak but closes them again. A cloud of gloom passes over his eyes making his expression ephemerally blue.
I shouldn't really press further. I close my eyes wondering what would've happened if I was rich and gifted at the same time but as my past self and not as Loretta Knight. No-one was there for him when he disappeared. What if it was Aiden instead of Nero? Would I still have felt this kind of feelings? Or if it was Levi?
"This is what I want for you," I make the assertion.
He walks to the opposite side averting my gaze. "You don't even know what's coming Loretta."
A perturbed silence.
"This portrait of you... Consider it a souvenir from me-for being a part of my life. A calm before the storm."
"I don't understand." I gravitate towards him, half in curiosity half in confusion. "All I want from you is to keep doing what drives you the most Nero." I bring his hand up to my left cheek leaning into the warmth of his palm. "Promise me—you will never stop painting."
"Not everyone is gifted. Don't throw away your blessing."
Suddenly he pulls me tight against his white lapels. A vintage subtle pleasant scent comes from his clothes. Or is it just my imagination? Nero has a very poetically old fashioned taste. Something you don't see often in men of these days. It suits him.
His misty gray locks tickles my earlobe. "I don't recognise you. I don't recognise you at all Loretta." He breathes out so softly that the anxiety I should be be feeling at his words evaporates.
"But maybe— all these years... My prayers have been heard at last."
"Can you promise me then?" I request again.
His lips brush against the skin of my neck like he moves his brush against his canvases. "I promise."
After the dust settles, I'm going to make him a gallery. I have enough wealth now. All the money to put them on good works. To do many good deeds to wash away the smirch of her character. I wish next time she gets a good life surrounded by lovable people.
••••
I wake up by Sofia's call at 8.30a.m. She's been in my room for six minutes now. "Mr. Fawcett is here already. Nero's at the table too. You should get up now."
But I'm still so tired!
"Let me sleep some more uhh! I couldn't sleep last night."
"Is something the matter Young Lady?" She asks in a worried voice.
"What? No! It was just, an eventful day... And I had a lot of things to deal with." I sit up finally taking a yawn.
"That's a relief!" She starts folding the covers. A teasing smile on her face. "Mr. Jordan has arrived five minutes ago. Mm three handsome men to meet Young Lady ahh!"
"Sofia! Jeez! Don't say it like that..." I put on my slippers. "Can you leave now? I'll be there in a minute."
I watch her leave the door with a pout.
Why he's here in such an early hour? He didn't bother telling me about his dinner with Anne last night...and he didn't come home afterwards nor called. I shouldn't sound jealous but...ugh! I thought I already made it clear in my head that day. Then why does it bothers me this much?
"Sofia-" I shout her name removing the slippers.
A minute later she enters. "I thought you told me to leave?"
"Bring the breakfast here, will you? I would like to eat by myself today."
She crosses her arms with a frown. "See I knew! That something's bothering you. And it's a guy problem."
"Sofia?!"
"Ahhh I'm just worried."
"Just bring it here please."
"Okay okay."
Ten minutes later I get Levi's message. "Let me guess what's wrong?"
"I'll tell you later. But..."
"But?" His text comes fast.
"I'd like to spend another day in that forest cabin Levi. Tomorrow if possible. If it's fine with you..." My fingers kinda shake after sending the message. Am I nervous?
"At all times."
I put the phone away eating silently.
A knock happens on my door. It's been 5 minutes after Levi's final message. Another knock.
"Loretta, can you open the door?" Aiden's voice resounds.
"It's not locked."
I'd like to say No but that'd seem like I'm made at him. I'm not in the mood to see him right now.
He takes slow strides across the room. Then he sits on the edge of the bed. The silence between us takes the form of a entire human.
I take my phone to distract myself somehow but then he breaks the ice. "You probably know what I'm going to talk to you about."
I feign innocent. "I don't think so."
"It's..." I wasn't able to meet you yesterday as promised. I didn't call either."
"You had your reason."
"And I'm ready to tell you the reason." He takes a deep breath.
"You aren't obliged to, Aiden. Not every single thing that goes on in your life."
Sheesh! That was solid hard...
I plant a foot to the floor planning to escape from this awkward tension.
Aiden speaks out, "I was with Anne."
There... He said it. Oh I can't run away from this easily.
"These past few days- she's demanding more of my time lately. And my hands are still empty."
"I know, spending more time with her keeps you open to more opportunities of getting a small chance to discover some of her secrets." I state with surety showing bi interest in what else he wants to say.
I plant my other foot down, now standing.
"Then why does it feel like you're upset..."
I shrug dismissively. "Why should I be upset? I'm just helping you like I'd do if someone else were in your place."
He stands too now in front of me. "You know that's not true."
"That I wouldn't help someone else if it were in my limits?" I give him a disdainful smirk. Though I've said that my mind's unsure of those words.
His eyes reflect visible pain.
"You care about me... Loretta." He takes hold of my hand.
Do I? I shouldn't lay out all my emotions.
"No-one has ever cared about me more than you did. It was always you for me. If anyone else were in your place... They'd do anything to pacify this untamable curiosity of discovering the truth of whether or not the accusation is true."
I become still in my place. Is it the reason why..? Cause I want to know that too. Did he enjoy it if it's true? Would it hurt me if I find out the ugly truth?
Before I could turn around on my heels I hear a swift movement from behind. His warm body now pressed against mine, quivering, begging my attention.
"No matter what you choose," his faint words echo in my hair. "I will always choose you. Without a blink."
It is a confession. Perhaps for her it isn't. But for me... This is new. He's new. And I can't stop the rapid beating of my heart.
I face him locking my arms around his neck. "I'm not upset. I want you to be happy, Aiden."
I was mad at him first. Now, I can't say the same. I'm diverted.
You're young- just like me, standing at the threshold of life Aiden, groping for success. "I couldn't watch your fate be written that way."
Ah..! I did say those words. What is this repressed timidity?
He lifts my chin peering at my lips. His lips are small, a faded shade of red, and pale as if waiting for decades for a kiss.
What am I even thinking?
But he pushes my foggy untold thoughts to clarity by planting a delicate kiss on my lips. I'm still standing straight on my feet. I- I've kissed Aiden Jordan!
This is really different... Not very similar to how it felt when Levi teased you right? Or the torrent of emotions that surged through your system when you held Nero... What is it that truly moves you Morana?
Oh shut up already! Right now I'm not you anymore.