At a beach house miles and miles away from the city, daylight slipped from the sky. The sun beat down on the calm ocean as a gust of wind forced itself into the home, dancing around the sheer, white curtains.
The wind whipped around the man at the piano, cutting through his fine, loose clothing, and carrying the unmistakable aroma of salt. But somehow, he enjoyed it. He enjoyed the faint taste of salt on the breeze that complimented the ambrosial aroma of the flowers around him.
White roses. A favorite flower to the dead.
Very gently, Shen Jue placed a finger on a piano key. The note rose warm and resonant, sweetly pure. He touched another key, and a note rang out, deeper than the other. His white, slender fingertips moved across the piano—its soft, sweet sound so clear.
A few hairs slipped forward to hang over his eyes. A moment later, the pure, soft tempo had turned into something else. Something violent. The sound filled the air more and more, like the waves outside crashing against one another in a frenzied battle.
Leaning his head back, hair slipping past his neck, a smile spread across his rosy lips. His were eyes closed.
It was on the last note that his fingers once again touched the keys in a gentle, delightful manner. The soft melody returned and now ended. Looking out at the open french doors, Shen Jue closed his eyes to fall into the warm, golden glow.
The day had finally come to an end.
He took the white wine resting on the piano and drank it all in one gulp. Licking his pink lips, he stood up, white sleeves fluttering gently with his movements. Stepping barefoot onto the cool, marble floors, he swayed, almost dancing into the bedroom.
Inside, beside the large bed, there had been no other furniture. Just a bed coated in white roses. Laying down, Shen Jue drew in a breath of air. The sweet scent of roses surrounded him. In his pocket, he took out a small-squared photograph.
The image was of a young woman. Bright hair and eyes, a twinkling smile on her precious red lips. She was beautiful, but quietly so—an elegant jaw, and upswept hair showing a slender neck.
With deep eyes, Shen Jue ran a finger along the woman's face. He leaned forward and his lips softly kissed it, landing gently like a butterfly.
"If only we could be together."
Staring at it one last time, he rested it on his chest. He was looking up at the ceiling, the faint sound of waves filling his ears with its song. The corners of his lips curled as he closed his eyes. A lone glistening tear traced down his cheek.
…
When Mimi's phone rang that night, she groaned, rolling over in bed to see that Alec was calling her. The third missed call? She must have slept through the other two.
"Who's calling you so late at night?" Tobias grumbled, pulling Mimi tighter to his chest as he lay behind her.
"Alec."
He grunted, squeezing her tighter. "He probably wants to take you away from me."
"As if I'd let him." Mimi giggled and put her phone back on the side table.
Tobias hummed and slowly kissed the back of her neck. Mimi sighed softly, reaching a hand behind her to pat his head.
"No more. Too sleepy." She could already feel him hard against her. "We did it once this morning, twice in the car, and three times after dinner. Not to mention, we saw your parents."
"Fine." Tobias kissed her one last time and snuggled closer.
Holding back a smile, Mimi drifted back to sleep when she heard her phone ring again.
"Son of---" She sat up on the bed, wrapping the blanket around her naked body and glanced at the phone.
It was from Alec again. This time she answered.
"Big brother, it is four in the morning, you better…"
"Mimi. Something has happened."
Noticing the gravity in his voice, Mimi stiffened.
"What is it?" She felt the bed dip behind her, a large hand resting on her bare back.
There was silence on the other end. She heard her brother sigh.
"It's Shen Jue."
Shen Jue?
Somehow, her heart felt on edge. The hand around the phone tightened. Tobias was watching her, his hand resting gently on her, in comfort. But she did not feel any better.
"What about him?" Mimi's face went quiet, pulling into itself. Bracing. Her fingers tightened on Tobias's.
Alec fell silent for a moment. "…Early this morning, someone found him. Shen Jue…he's dead."
"W-What?" Her tongue thickened in her mouth; her words did not come out straight.
A sense of deja vu swept over her. Her entire body seemed to sink with exhaustion and numbed agony. All the words Alec spoke faded into her ear. The tight hold on her hand, she could no longer feel.
She stood on the brink of something she couldn't describe. The weight of everything seemed to press down on her shoulders, and she struggled to take even a single breath.
"Mimi!"
She felt Tobias's arms around her, cradling her in his protective warmth. She sunk into his embrace and buried herself in his scent.
"What the fuck happened?!" She barely heard him shout into the phone.
Mimi blinked, calming herself down. Reaching a hand out, she smoothed out his furrowed brows. She didn't like it when he was upset. Hanging up the phone, Tobias held her tight on the bed.
"Sorry…" She murmured against his chest. "I just didn't expect…"
"I know. It's okay. You don't have to think about it anymore." Tobias kissed her forehead and caressed her back. "Don't think about it anymore. Rest."
Nodding her head slowly, Mimi leaned closer into his chest and closed her eyes. In the darkness, she saw the lifeless faces of her sister and Shen Jue, their bodies covered in white roses.
Shen Jue...He had never looked so happy.