[chapter 19. Music heals]
I suggest you listen to the following songs while reading this chapter:
Tchaikovsky- Valse Sentimentale Tartini Violin Sonata in G minor 'Devil's Trill Sonata'
Selena looked up at him. His words strung a part of her heart. Her chest clenched- why did manipulating him bring her guilt?
She forced a smile, watching people arrange a table full of breakfast. Maxim moved around, picking up a record. Tchaikovsky. "Classic ah," Selena settled on the curved sofa.
Valse Sentimentale played in the background. The classical music paired with high tea and breakfast, she felt as if she was in the periodic era. Like she was a widow whose rich husband had just died and was enjoying a cup of tea reminiscing about her beloved husband, while she was the one who added a drop of poison to his wine.
"Garold," she called. "Tell me about yourself. You accompany me, but I know nothing about you other than your name," she pressed her chin against her hand, leaning on her side.
Garold fixed his gaze on the female Mariano. He had no idea why, but her question seemed to have a deeper meaning. Her olive eyes raised goosebumps on his arms. He gulped.
Was Mariano's princess looking into him the same way he was looking into her? Did she realize he was becoming suspicious of her? He was looking for her instead of the spa. Or how did he know she was sneaking out every other night?
"I used to be a member of the special forces. I left my job after having some disagreements with my boss. Then a friend enrolled me in a security firm, and Sir Wilson hired me. I gratefully accepted it," Garold explained, his hand running through his purple hair.
"The color suits you," Selena said as she noticed him changing his hair again. The purple-headed man smiled as she spoke. Her words caused his shoulders to relax.
"Military was restrictive. I guess that from where I get the urge to keep changing things about myself," he mumbled. That is right. He had to maintain a look to avoid his enemies.
However, he wanted to be himself and live a carefree life as before. So, he left and found a job that suited his nature with Marianos'. Protecting people was his job. It was his nature.
"Music was the one who brought freedom to the military," he prompted. "We all have found solace in music," Maxim said. "We like music-"
"We cling to music, poems, quotes, writing, to art because we desperately do not want to be alone. We want to know we aren't crazy and that someone else out there knows exactly how you are feeling. We want someone to explain the things we can't. Music is the closest means we have to time travel. One piece of melody can get you reminiscing about your past or dreaming up your future," her words left them stunned.
Frozen in her place, Selena left herself shocked. Unknowingly the ambiance had affected her, making her speak the words of her heart. She let out a nervous giggle. "Well, that's just me being stupidly philosophical," she waved her hand.
"It is not stupid," Maxim grumbled. A scowl etched on his face.
But others also felt that music touches our souls so deeply that we cannot deny- the power it holds over our emotions and actions.
"It helps us deal with the unknown. Do you know? It makes us feel connected to the present and the future as well. It is no coincidence that the happiest people are also the happiest to make music," Garold said. His eyes held tender emotions as he looked at the frozen girl.
That's true. People lose themselves in music and forget their troubles. Just listening to music makes them feel better. It calms our nerves and relaxes our bodies. Music gives positive energy to the person. Maybe that is why people love musicians.
Maybe that is why Selena created music. But only her symphonies were screams of her foes. It was the only thing that brought her peace. She wanted them gone, and then she would be gone. Finally, she would catch a breath of freedom.
Selena got up from her seat and nodded to his words. Her fingers trailed over the records. Each one of them is taken care of- making one beautiful collection.
She picked up a familiar record, gently changing the music.
Devil's Trill Sonata'
"Tartini," Maxim mused. "Never knew you were a fan of classical music, too," he commented. "Not per se," Selena shook her head. "I like music with no lyrics," she cleared.
Maxim noted her taste. Thinking maybe he could give her a new collection. Her eighteenth birthday was coming closer.
"Poor thing. We never had the opportunity to hear the 'real' sonata. Tartini awoke struggling to remember what he had listened to, but he couldn't recall everything. When he composed it, he stated- this has been by far the best piece I have composed, yet it's nowhere near as beautiful as what I heard in my dream". Only he understands the true beauty of this song," a sigh left her lips.
"Don't you find it intriguing? How the devil whispered this symphony in his ears. A piece of music to his dream, a solace to his soul," Selena leaned forward, her fork stabbing into the lemon custard. "Just like mine."
"What?"
Selena tilted her head. "Don't you have voices in your head?"
She wanted to be loved.
She wanted to be loved as a person. Not at the Knight, not at the Mariano princess, not as the lost daughter. She wanted to be loved as a person. She wanted to be loved as Selena. She wanted to be able to smile at the world outside the safe place without fear of not being seen for who she was.
The power of music is immeasurable. That is why it helps mend, revive, and nurture one's being just as it did when music was invented. Music heals the wounds caused by our fears and worries.
----
Selena sat at her desk- the phone pressed to her ear as she listened to her big brother's voice on the other end. She had always looked up to him, and he had always been there for her, offering advice and support.
"So, how's the business going?" he asked in Russian.
"It's going great," Selena replied, continuing to speak Russian. It rolled like her mother tongue. The Knight was flourishing and growing faster than ever. "I just landed a big contract with the Indians, and things are starting to take off. I will be entering the textile industry soon."
"That's fantastic news," her big brother said. "I always knew you had the drive and determination to make Knight a success." A smile bloomed on her face.
"Thanks," Selena said, feeling a warm glow of pride. "I couldn't have done it without your support." He helped her have a call with the textile tycoon Mr. Shetty.
"Of course not," her brother said. "You've always been one of the hardest-working people I know. But remember, even when things are going well, you can't let your guard down. People will be envious, like vipers- they would try to poison your hard work. Keep an eye out. And I will keep my eyes on you, little one."
"Don't forget 'they' are keeping a watch on you. One mistake, one fucking mistake, and they will take you down," the big brother said, his voice downright grim. His voice was thick and gruff with raw emotion. The man would go unhinged if someone touched his little Selena.
"I know," Selena said. "I always try to stay one step ahead. But it's good to know you've got my back."
"Always," her brother said. "You can count on me, no matter what."
Selena smiled, feeling grateful for her brother's unwavering support. With him by her side, she knew she could take on anything.
----
"You took her without my permission," Theodore grumbled, watching Maxim's dull expression. "Her security would be compromised-
"Don't make a justification. You were simply envious of 'my' little sister spending time with me," Maxim left him speechless. My little sister. First and foremost, she was 'his' daughter.
This insolent brat. Theodore took a deep breath in an attempt to relax.
"Hah, me jealous. You have grown bold, boy. Don't forget I am your father." T
"Then why are you not looking at me, father," Maxim smirked, watching Theodore scoff and slump into the chair. "What did you guys do?" Without me. He wanted to add that but was shy to do that. He was 'not' jealous.
Maxim smirked as he brushed the strands fluttering in front of his whisky eyes. His silver rings glistened, casting rays of light on his chiseled jaw.
"Our princess is not as ordinary as she portrays herself," he said with a smile. "She has grace. She is a 'trained' father."
Wilson frowned and raised his glasses. In perplexity, the secretary tilted his head. "Lady Liliana, on the other hand, had been teaching young miss those for the past two months. She has mastered the abilities," he indicated. Maxim's head shook.
"There is a distinction between learning etiquette in three months and learning from birth. The air of elegance Selena exudes is unique, as if she was born with it. Purely effortless. She has that allure."
Maxim's words of praise astounded Wilson. The eldest son spoke the fewest words and never for anyone's admiration. The secretary cleared his throat. "Means?" he questioned.
The eldest's lips tightened. Maxim remembered how the maid came to serve the high tea but placed the cup holder on the left side when it should have been on the right and how Selena- while talking- gently nudged the table to notify the maid.
Her eyes twinkled as she looked at the French pieces in Retro as if she knew about their origins. She manipulated Garold into telling his details with a subtle smile on her face while tasting the astringent tea and savoring the classical pieces.
Her eyes radiated with knowledge and cunningness. Did Selena know how powerful she looked? Like a queen looking from above playing with her chess pieces.
"I heard her speaking Russian," Theodore said, to which Maxim nodded. He had overheard her speaking to a man she addressed as 'big brother' while feeling a pang in his heart. Maxim wanted to play that part but lost the chance. He missed the little girl who babbled incoherent words the first time he saw her.
Could he make amends? He aspired to be her older brother. He wanted to give her everything.
Who was big brother? Is he Russian? And how did Selena know who he was? Theodore raised an eyebrow. Selena had lied to him. She claimed she had never left the orphanage, so how did she learn of these activities?
The story did not add up.
Theodore sat in deep thought. He had always known that his daughter was hiding something from him, but he had never been able to put his finger on what it was. He had always just assumed- that it was a teenage rebellion or something like that, but now he wasn't so sure.
He picked up a photo of Selena attached to the file when they first found her, a smile plastered on her face. She looked so happy, but Theodore couldn't shake the feeling that something deeper was beneath the surface. He had always been a protective father, and the thought of his daughter being in pain or danger tore into his heart.
He sighed and stood up, walking over to the window and looking out at the quiet garden below. He wished he knew what was going on in Selena's life, but Theodore knew he couldn't force her to confide in him. All he could do was be there for her and hope she would eventually open up to him.
Theodore hesitated, wanting to ask her about her past but not wanting to push her away. But it was time they knew some answers.
"Call Selena in. It's time we question her of the past."
~~~~
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