After the meeting with Bugle, Mary was handed a copy of the signed document while she submitted her mother's approval letter to work for Smith. Mike announced to her that James was waiting for her outside to take her to the penthouse. He had been instructed to assist her in packing her luggage, then bring her to the apartment. Mary went through it all like an ordeal as she kept reminding herself to stay focused. She walked out of the building with James beside her. She had managed a smile at him when they met at the reception where he escorted her to the car parked outside. As she was lowering her frame inside the car, she thought she saw a familiar figure.
She held the door open to have a peek. Her instinct was correct. She saw Smith standing closely with a lady beside a parked convertible. She placed her right palm on Smiths' chest while her left arm was around his neck. Smith casually tucked his hands in his pant pockets. The lady appeared to be sophisticated; from her hair to her toenails. Before Mary could look away, she saw the lady bringing Smiths head to hers as she kissed him on his lips. Mary quickly averted her gaze as she shut the car door.
They got to her apartment in less than thirty minutes, as there was no traffic congestion on the road. Mary had a suitcase and a small travel bag which she had packed over night. James helped her with the suitcase while she carried the small bag to the car. In no time, they made their way to Smith's apartment. Mary could not hide her surprise at the beautiful environment. By the time they finally got to the penthouse, Mary was drooling. Inspite her foul mood, she could not stop admiring the building.
They used the elevator to Smith's apartment. James took Mary's bag in. Patty had been informed of Mary's arrival, so she prepared a room for her. Mary expressed her gratitude, while she asked after Ella. Patty, may of course gave her direction of where to find them in the musical room where the duo were having a session. Mary went in search of them. With Patty's direction, she was able to locate the room upstairs. She knocked gently, as she waited for a response before going in.
"Yes, who is it?" Mary heard a tiny voice ring out
"Hi, it's Mary", she replied
Juliet and Ella exchanged glances trying to recall if they were expecting a guest, which seemed impossible. Juliet stood up and went to the door, signaling Ella to stay put. She opened the door a few inches. She knew there was no cause for alarm since whoever was standing behind the door would have being cleared by the security team before gaining entry into their apartment. Juliet immediately remembered Mary's face from yesterday. With the cold reception Mary had received from her brother, Smith, Mary was not sure of what to expect from Juliet either. So, she decided to take a cue from her.
"Oh, it is you, Mary!" Juliet called out excitedly, opening her arms as she pulled her in for a hug.
Mary quickly hid her surprise behind a smile as she returned her hug. Ella had tiptoed to the door, hearing Juliet's happy shrill. She kept herself partially hidden, as she checked Mary out. She was not particularly the type to jump at strangers with open arms. She always take her time to adjust. Mary sighted her behind Juliet. She gave her a reassuring smile as they all went back into the room.
"I did not mean to disturb you from your lesson. I just thought I would say hi, before checking into my room. I arrived few minutes ago". Mary announced, trying to explain herself.
"That is fine Mary. You are welcome", Juliet replied before directing her attention to Ella.
"Ella, Mary is here to take care of you. You do remember her from yesterday, don't you?" She asked her.
Ella nodded, affirming her question.
"But why do I need another person to take care of me? I have you and big Patty", She replied with a worried expression on her face.
"Yes you do, baby, but you do know I'm only here for a visit. In fact, I will be heading home to Granny later today. And big Pattty has got her work cut out for her. So, you need someone to look after you". Juliet explained
Juliet would be leaving later that day to honor her Mother's request for visitation. Unfortunately. She had planned to have at least a week to herself before she would be dragged home by her mother's skillful manipulation. She is a queen when it comes to that.
"I want to go with you to Granny", Ella cried.
Juliet knew Ella would be throwing a tantrum soon if she didn't come up with a suitable response. She was rummaging her mind for a way to redeem the situation. Mary noticed the uncertainty on Juliet's face and she thought she needed help. So, she dived in for a rescue mission. She went to the keyboard and pressed a key. It got the attention of Ella who eyed her with care as she pressed another key. Then she casually put some notes together, pressing the keys to produce a common rhythm. She didn't spare the little girl any look but she could see she had her full attention as she seemed interested in what she was playing.
Few minutes later, Ella was standing beside Mary by the keyboard, watching with keen interest how she constructed her notes. Mary took a seat, as she went in for a full musical show. Ella, had taken a seat beside her, eagerly following the movement of Mary's fingers with her eyes. When the music ended. Ella was the first to applaud Mary, looking truly impressed by her performance.
"Wow! You play so well", Ella praised, her earlier argument with Juliet, forgotten.
"That's a beautiful performance", Juliet chipped in, applauding Mary.
"Thank you", Mary replied happily.
She had stopped taking her music lessons after her mother fell ill. She remembered how she had won an award after representing her school in a competition against five other best candidates. There was an opportunity of scholarship to pursue her musical career. She had come home that day to share the news with her mother, only to meet her almost lifeless body on their kitchen floor. She had immediately abandoned all thoughts of music and scholarship afterwards. Having only one goal in mind; getting her mother treated. She had even kept that piece of information from her so that she would not feel burdened.
"Will you teach me how to play like that?" Ella asked, looking hopeful.
"Sure, why not!" Mary replied with a smile
Ella jumped in joy, giving Mary a hug. She had been asking her father to get her a music teacher since she was three but he had come up with one excuse after another. He had only obliged her when she clocked four and that had come with some restriction. She only got to learn at the Island but not here at his house. His excuse had been that there was no music instructor he trusted with her safety here. In truth, Smith had said that, knowing he would be exposing his daughter's existence to the world. He knows what the media can do to a child if they come after her. He had a first hand experience of that and he doesn't want Ella's face on every paper, t.v station and internet. He would not subject his daughter to such torture.
"Perfect! Now dad's got no excuse. Since he can trust you to take care of me. When do we start?" She asked beaming with joy.
"Well, I can run you through the basics now, if you don't mind" Mary informed her.
"I know the basics", she replied
"No shit!", Mary exclaimed. "Why don't you show me"
Ella adjusted herself well on the seat as she began running her fingers on the keys to warm up. Then she started with the primary notes, putting her little knowledge on display for Mary to see. Juliet had been watching from her seat but after a while, she left the two to their lesson as she buried herself in her phone. She surfed the internet, going through the latest gists and fashions in trend. Those are what excites are more than anything else. She has a great sense of fashion and an excellent taste. She saw on one of the trending news, pictures of Smith with a lady who Juliet immediately identified as Melanie, Smith's best friend.
There was a caption on one of the pictures speculating whether the two friends are back together for good and ready to take their relationship to a next level. Juliet saw how Melanie pulled Smith in for a kiss in one of the videos uploaded on the website. Her eyes immediately went to Mary. The picture had been taken today. Juliet wondered how Mary would feel if she got hold of the news, with all the affection she and Smith displayed yesterday. She hoped her brother was not just leading Mary on.