I run to the attic and start to unlock the drawer. My heart beats faster than before, there are so many fears and worries of doing that. But like what Lily said before, I can see the old manuscript inside this drawer, not only that, but also I find a beautiful pendant inside it. But this pendant is a cut from another pendant of the same one. No, it's not about the pendant, it's about the manuscript. It's a handwritten manuscript by my gradfather, but something surprised me is, the author of this manuscript was not Noah Adelard, but Xavier Rhodes.
"impossible, it's my grandfather's handwritten. But how could the name became Xavier Rhodes?" I mumbled.
Knowing about this makes me realize something about what's happening this right now. I think Valeria knows anything about these all and I have to ask her for some informations, I couldn't believe Lily and her unbelievable fantasy story anymore. So I decide to look for another information from another side. Without thinking, I immediately run to Valeria's place by bringing this old manuscript. Hope Valeria will give me good answer for all questions I wanna ask.
I knock on Valeria's door and immediately get a response from within.
"oh hallo Lucas, do you need something?" asked Mrs. Buckley after opening her door.
"no Mrs. Buckley, I just.... have something to talk with Valeria"
"really, by all means"
"thank you"
Mrs. Buckley looks so happy when she pleased me to enter her house and see that anything inside her house was not changed at all. I remembered that I used to visit this house and played together with Valeria. Even, this family still saved our childhood toy in the cupboard well and it really makes me feel like I returned to the past time and did something fun with Valeria.
"it's memorable, isn't it?" Mrs. Buckley replied and broke my imagination about my colorful childhood.
"yes," I confirmed her words.
"anyway, Valeria is in her room, you can go there directly"
"yes, thanks Mrs. Buckley"
Mrs. Buckley smiles for responding it. I start my step in this stair to Valeria's room when Mrs. Buckley surprised me by her call.
"Lucas," she called me.
And I stop my step to respond her call and look at her gently.
"is there something you wanna talk about Mr. Buckley?" I asked.
"is that really okay?"
"what?"
"you have someone in your room and you're looking for Valeria"
"no, Mrs. Buckley.... actually we have strong relationship, but... it's not like what you thought"
"love?"
"absolutely not, it's more like........ sibling"
"what?"
"it'll be very long explanation"
"I got it, it's okay, you can explain it whenever you want. So you don't have a girlfriend at all?"
I admit that I'm so nervous to answer that question. But I have to.
"actually... we broke up yesterday," I answered.
"really, how sad! So what is the name of your girlfriend?"
"she's Estella Camilo"
"beautiful name"
"I think so"
"she must be so beautiful like her name"
"yes.... wait Mrs. Buckley don't get it wrong, I broke up with my girlfriend, Estella, and she is in the city right now and starting her new life without me. And beautiful woman you thougt about, she's my sister, Lily, and she's in my room right now," I explained these all after I realize Mrs. Buckley's hidden thought from her expression.
"I got it dear, don't worry. Go on, you wanna meet Valeria, don't you?"
"yes, thanks Mrs. Buckley"
"anytime"
Now I can feel my breath when I leave Mrs. Buckley with her many odd and unpredictable questions. I start to knock at Valeria's door when I hear the instrument stopped. She's been playing her violin anymore.
"Valeria," I called her.
"is that you Lucas?" her response inside.
"exactly, may I come in?"
"yes, by all means"
I open the door and something mesmerizing me when I see Valeria standing in front of her window by her soft blue long dress and her violin. She's so great with that dress.
"is that something you wanna talk about?" she asked.
"uhm yes, you gave me my grandfather's key yesterday and you said that it's not kinda door key. Could you explain it?"
"you came here to ask that question?"
"no, you must be know about this manuscript," I replied and showed her this old manuscript.
"I have never saw that manuscript"
"lier"
"where did you find it?"
"grandfather's old drawer in the attic"
"you have an attic in your house?"
"what? You didn't know it?"
"you have never told me about it"
"what? But how could you know that this key is not kinda door key?"
"your door keys have special design from the blacksmitth who was your grandfather's friend. You told me last time when we played together in your yard"
"I didn't remember it, it's almost 14 years"
"yes, and that key is different from other door keys in your house, and it's smaller than they. So that, I thought it's not kinda door key"
"possible, but you're right"
"so what's the content of that manuscript?"
"fantasy world"
"is it the manuscript of novel that your grandfather wanted to make?"
"I think so"
"who is the author?"
"Xavier Rhodes"
"what?"
"why?"
"I have ever read a novel, it's your grandfather's friend's novel, you must be know abour her, the legendary author, Ellie Brooke. The novel's tittle was "Ignatius reincarnation" and the main character of that novel was "Xavier Rhodes". I don't know what connection of that novel with that manuscript was, but it'll be really connected," Valeria's explanation.
"when and where did you read that novel?"
"2 years ago in the public library"
"could you accompany me?"
"exactly. But wait! Why did that novel look so important for you?" Her curious question.
"my grandfather hid great things we haven't ever known before"
"great things? What is it?"
"magic"
I can feel Valeria's unbelievable gaze when I said that silly words.
"I know it's damn so silly for you, it's up to you to believe it or not. But please, help me!" I begged.
"okay I'll help you,where are you gonna go? Public library? There we go! C'mon man!"
I smile at those Valeria's words, is that mean that we get a step closer anymore? Whatever it is, I'm so grateful, Valeria is the most important person I have to save. I promised that thing 14 years ago and I betrayed it many years ago when I went to the city and left Valeria without saying goodbye. And I always blame myself for that crazy thing I did, even until this right now. But looking at her smile and spiritful thing to help me makes me feel relieved. She has never hated me at all and I'm so happy for it.
"mommy I gotta go with Lucas," she souted when we passed fist floor of this house.
"take care honey," Mrs. Buckley replied.
"yes, love you mom"
"love you more"
"so, we're gonna take a bus?" she asked.
"absolutely not," I answerd.
"and....."
"don't forget I have a car"
"great, let's go!"
We stare at each other before going to my garage to take my car and go. I hope I will get the great answer after all. It's too weird but I have to do that for my life here.