Forbidden Melody

He takes a deep breath. "Third time we met in my concert-three months ago. The one you couldn't attend as you know already, Mrs. Colins wanted you to join her in a meeting regarding your piano concert."

No I don't. So Lloyd's companion woman that day is Mrs. Colins.

"You never missed any of my live concerts Loretta. I still remember how mad you were at Mrs. Colins. Anyway... Levi and Nero were there instead of you. But guess who else was there in the crowd?"

"Annie?"

"Yes. I had no idea about that. After the concert, I came to the back room to grab some sparkling water. Guess who brought me the drink-Annie. I thought she was just being friendly. But she mixed something in my drink. Things started spinning. The last thing I remembered vaguely was her lips on mine." He stands up abruptly.

"Then what?"

Without answering he tries to leave but I pull his hand. "Then what Aiden?!"

"I don't remember!" He spits out the words. "When I woke up I saw Nero's smirking face. He said, 'What have you done, my dear friend? But I guess Loretta won't even know, unless I tell her...which I probably wouldn't.' "

My grip on him tightens but I manage a straight face. For some reason it starts bugging me. Aiden cheated on Loretta... kind of. Even though he didn't want to. It was a trap. A big nefarious game. I turn him towards me. "What does it have to do with last night? Say it Aiden! We've been together for more than..."

"Two years, I know. I didn't tell you because— back then...you used to be so uptight. Possessive... busy and moody."

"And now?"

"I don't know...but now it feels like I can tell you anything..."

I huh him. He whispers, "Someone I can rely on. I don't know when and how-but, you are different, Loretta."

"Then tell me everything."

"Annie's not anything which I previously told you about. Educated, yes but never more beautiful than you. And kind? The word itself will scorn her. She's...jealous, evil minded and possesive"

"Then why did you say those things?"

"To see if you get jealous... But you didn't, Loretta."

I smile in my head.

"She said...she's pregnant." Just like that he drops the bomb.

Pregnant! What?! "She's what?"

"You heard me. Now her condition is, I have to marry her. If I don't, she'll destroy my reputation. I'm utterly hopeless, Loretta. I can't even remember anything from that night. What did she do to me!" He grips his head devastatingly.

"You sure you don't remember anything at all? You didn't feel anything afterwards?"

"I can swear on my life."

Then she's plotting something bad. I know girls like her-I've had a lot of experiences. But wait... Aiden said when he woke up he saw Nero's face. Could it be that Nero knows it all? Did he also have a hand in this?

"What are you thinking, Loretta?"

"Aiden..."

"Hm?"

"Do you have any idea where Nero could be?"

"Negative. It wasn't the first time that he disappeared suddenly. But this time he's taking too long. She has given me 10 days, Loretta and I feel like everything's going to end very soon."

"Aiden...do you trust me?"

"I do...Loretta. More now for some reason."

"I'm gonna help you," I say taking his hand.

"Why?" I detect a strain in his voice. His eyes are full of untold feelings.

"Well...the reason can't be revealed right now Mr. Jordan," I smile playfully.

"If you say so..."

"Only if you co-operate with me too," I add.

"What do I have to do?"

••••

The morning comes to evening and I'm still searching details of Nero on the internet. His full name -Nereus Augustus; 23, a young passionate artist and a diligent connoisseur of impeccable art, with noticeable features -slightly wavy silver hair, gray-green eyes, a tiny brown mole on the bridge of his nose, height-170.18cm. Graduated from Theodore's Organic Art Academy. Although there's not much article about him...these are three years old. I guess I can't blame him. People these days lack patience and a good pair of eyes to understand real talent. Over time they're losing interest in art. Still, these paintings are intriguing and thought provoking.

Nero was nominated the second best illustrator of year 2000. And I also saw some awards in his room-when Roland does the cleaning, once in a week. I have come to know a few things about him without asking anyone. I can be pretty observant. He was an orphan and Mr. Morgasson took him in at a very young age. The thing is, I didn't find any of our childhood photos in this house. I have to start looking for them.

I call Aiden in the meantime. When he picks up I ask, "How's the plan advancing?"

"She showed me the report. She's pregnant for real," Aiden replies grimly, "Four weeks. I'm walking towards my own grave, Loretta."

"Does she have proof that it's your child?" I interrogate.

"Well...the moment I asked her this exact same thing, she bagan crying. I didn't want to create a scene. At this point..." He sighs loudly. "Abortion is risky. And I hate the very thought of it. Loretta...if I'm being framed then no one can save me."

"What about a DNA test?" I ask feeling irritation bubbling up inside me.

"It can't be done before the foetus is atleast seven weeks." I feel the fear of uncertainty in his voice. "I really want to be innocent, Loretta...but fate is not really on my side," he says again.

"Aiden..." I ask, "Nero's the only one who knows what really happened that night. But did he give you each and every detail..?"

"He...no I didn't want to know. How could I? After everything..."

"Oh Aiden... He was being vague, wasn't he? He never gave you the details." What would Nero gain out of all this? If he saw Annie slept with him...why didn't he stop her? "I see a faint light Aiden."

"But..."

"No buts. I need to bring Nero back. Only then there's a chance. If anyone can be of any help right now...it's him."

••••

I spend the rest of the night in a state of half asleep half awake. What a mess... I was supposed to solve my own puzzle and now I'm intertwined with those three guys life. I was awake when the door which I didn't lock last night bursts open. The face I see first thing in the morning is unfamiliar.

"Heyya Loretta morning!"

Oh no...not again. Who's it this time? She's around the age of Myria—brown complexioned, long single black braid, big hazel eyes and a wide pretty smile. I get a real good whiff of perfume from her body. 

"Hello," I say, still anxious about her identity.

Myria enters. "There you are. Why did you wake her highness up so early, Nova?" She gives me a crooked grin.

"No I didn't. She was already awake."

So this is Nova -Myria's girlfriend. Mr. Morgasson doesn't like her. But I guess when you have found the one, who cares about the rest of the world?

"What's with your eyes?" Myria asks quirking her eyes.

"A little trouble with sleeping nothing too much."

"If you say so. Breakfast's ready."

"Will see you there," I say. "And it's nice to see you again, Nova. Keep being her love birdie," I say to her with my fingers directed at Myria who blushes when Nova winks at her. I said 'again' to be safe. Cause certainly Loretta met Nova before. They leave and I follow them to downstairs.

Just the lovebirds and the servants...no Levi no Aiden. Somehow their absence bore me. I eat while watching the two of 'em talk and sometimes feed each other. Nova and Myria both seems to love each other a lot. Will I ever be able to feel this for someone? But right now is not the time to think about those things. Most of the time Nero's room stays locked and I hardly ever had a chance to properly check it. But he wouldn't possibly leave a clue if he wanted to disappear intentionally.

Myria stirs the soup asking, "What are your plans for today?"

And my thoughts receive a struck. "Err... haven't thought about it yet. Why?"

"Nothing. If you have no plans for today you can stay in. We won't be home till evening and your grandpa..." She refers to the test reports that came yesterday. Morgasson Knight has Alzheimer's.

"Don't worry. I'll check on him every now and then in case he needs something. He's taken his medicines already right?"

"Yes. And oh... you can invite your pretty boys over, if it gets too lonely," Myria grins naughtily.

"Hey Myria...can I ask something from you?"

"Um yes?"

Nova gets up. She's a fast eater. "I'm done with breakfast sweetheart. When you're finished come outside. I'll waiting in the car," Nova says then leaves the table.

"So I was saying... You have the house keys right?"

"So?"

"Leave the keys with me today."

"Why?" She suspiciously looks at me. "You mean all? Rooms, closet and cabinets too?" She asks again.

"That's right."

"You don't plan to rob our own house right?" She laughs awkwardly. "Why do you need them anyways? I don't want my stuffs to be touched."

"I won't touch any of your stuff I promise... Please Myria?"

"Fine...just for today." When she finally agrees I feel one problem is settled. I couldn't possibly tell her that I wanted to check Nero's room.

They've left. Now the house is all mine. Only Grandpa in his room. All the servants are off till evening too. I'm alone with Aiden's problem and my own. Don't worry Morana, you can do this. I pat myself holding the box of keys. Fuck this! My head's a mess. I still have the whole day. Maybe a little piano time would calm me?

The piano room gives me an unknown comfort. As if I was supposed to be a pianist all along. "Even if I die so... I want you be the one I see last" I song Aiden's song in the piano room picturing Levi sitting beside me. He said he'd be staying in this mansion for a while... But now he has escaped somewhere and he's trying to bury himself in his problems all alone. "No one ever found me when I escaped, Loretta." Levi's words keep nudging my unconscious mind. Fuck everything...I want to see Levi, right now. But Myria told me not to leave Grandpa alone. I dial Aiden.

"Hi Loretta, how are you doing? You got any solution?" He asks worriedly. "I'm working on it Aiden. Can you do me a favour?"

"Tell me.

"Can you please stay at my house today until Myria comes? Something came up and I have to go. Honestly I feel bad asking you this but..."

"How long?" He asks.

I look at the time biting my lips. "Probably for 2 hours? I'll try to be back asap."

"Alright...but only because you said so."

Fifteen minutes later Aiden arrives on his bike, with another cute looking guy holding a guitar. He's probably one of his studio members.

"Aiden... you're here," I say removing his helmet.

His eyes roam over my body. "Wow...you look all set...and perfect."

"Thanks Aiden."

"Miss Loretta, are you going somewhere? Alone?" The cute looking guy asks. "I didn't mean to pry..."

"Yeah. I have to go, alone. Let's just say, I'm going to take my first step towards being someone I was not before." I caress Aiden's bike's front looking at him with puppy dog eyes. "Can I take your bike Aiden please? I promise I will bring it back safe and sound."

He skeptically peers at me then grins. "I'm not even worrying about my bike, Loretta. You're going alone. I want you to come back in one piece as you promised." He holds me closer to his body. "Don't be late. Will I be selfish if I want to come with you?"

I take his face between my hands and the other guy hides his face behind his palms. "Then I'll think you don't trust me with this."

Aiden pouts but lets me go. He fixes the helmet on me then whispers, "I'll be waiting for you."

"Boys... drink, practice music, have fun... do whatever you two want. But don't forget to check on Grandpa once in an hour." I start the bike then drive off.

But where should I go first? I stop, calling Myria.

"Lori, what is it now?"

"It slipped my head earlier but... I haven't heard from Levi for a couple of days now. "You have any idea where he is?" Why did I even decide to bring him back when I don't even know where he's? He certainly didn't plan to disappear like Nero, did he?

"I'm not sure. Maybe he went back to his house?"

It can't be that easy... Specially when he didn't want to meet his dad. "That can't be. Do you have his dad's contact?"

"Lucky you. I do have it. After all I worked for him many years ago."

"Send it quickly."

"Suddenly you're worried about Levi...it's weird," she says on a suspicious note.

"Just do it Myria."

"Alright alright."

After she gives me his contact and after several minutes of consideration I make the call. After the second ring it gets picked up. "Hello, who's this?" A dark manly voice speaks.

"This is... Loretta Knight. I'm talking to Levi's dad, right?"

"Yes you are talking to his dad, the one and only Norman Fawcett. How are you doing Lor

etta? It's been so long," he asks joyfully.

So she knew Levi's dad too. "I...uh I'm fine Mr. Fawcett. I was wondering..err... Is Levi there?"

"No? I haven't seen him for quite a while myself. Is something the matter?"