Julian waits as I place my fingers on the first chord on the piano.
“The song is called ‘Is This Love?’” I say.
Julian’s lips form a half-smile. “Let’s hear it.”
I take a deep breath and begin singing the first line, beginning on a soft, calm tune that is communicating... expressing my emotions... exactly as he taught me.
Do you hear the harmony?That comes from my soul.It speaks about eternityYou’re my only home.I enter an interlude and sing a short line while humming. I continue with the same chord and note patterns, but the second stanza has a redeeming quality, higher runs, and turns...
Have you ever had that feeling?That you are all aloneJulian closes his eyes briefly to listen to me. It’s a good reaction. It’s inspiring me even more. Playing in front of a composer I admired is an honor. Julian and I had many intimate moments, but this is different. This completes me as a person.
But have you waited to receive?The passion you have longed for?I haven’t completed the entire song, yet I’m completely immersed in it. I’m feeling good, and it’s like I’ve entered another world. Julian and I belonged here...
In music.
With my head on your chest,Your mouth speaks of a start.I’m falling for you so hardIs this love?“Um... This was the end of my lyrics. I still need to complete it this week.”
Julian applauds, his glistening eyes locked on mine. “It’s beautiful.”
My heart flutters. “Really?”
He brushes his thumb on my cheek. “Yes. Congratulations.”
I laugh nervously. “You inspired me.”
“Is that song for me?”
I shyly nod.
“I’m flattered.” He leans over and whispers in my ear, “You’ve rocked my world, Ms. Scott. How the hell can singing turn me on so hard, mm?”
My cheeks flush as I remember my naked self over the piano, being rammed wildly by my gorgeous professor.
“Is that a thing now?”
He lets out a soft laugh. “I’ll sit with you.”
“Yeah, of course.”
He joins me on the bench. “The score needs some adjustments. Can I suggest something?”
I pout. “But no coaching, remember?”
“It’s still your call. Switch the first two stanzas, and your story will flow.”
I hum the song in my head. “Mm. It makes sense.”
He beams at me. “Right? Can I play?”
I shrug. “Sure.”
Julian’s long fingers flit around the keyboard. He remembers every note I played after hearing it once. “I think the bridge needs a violin melody.” He kisses my cheek while playing. “But it’s still up to you.”
“You can’t stop teaching, can you?” I chuckle. As I sing while he plays, new ideas for the lyrics come to mind.
***
I took a shower while Julian and Six were preparing dinner. Then, I put on a dress and sit in the vanity to do some light makeup.
I love this new me. I look bright, healthy, and happy. I’m in college doing what I want to do. I have a boyfriend who loves me back, and I’m proud of myself for making it this far. I’ve worked hard for this. I can finally see a ray of hope.
Good job, you!My phone suddenly rings on the nightstand. Lora’s name appears on the screen.
I answer right away. “Hey, Lors. What’s up?”
“Are you still with the professor?”
“Yes. What’s the matter?”
“Thank God!” She lets out a sigh. “I’ve been calling you for ages. Listen, my parents and Candice are in our apartment right now with their stuff.”
I frown. “Why?”
“They arrived in the morning and asked me to contact Kristoff, but I called you instead to make sure you wouldn’t show up because it’s a mess right now.”
“Alright. I’ll call you when I get back. But how long will they stay?” I ask, biting my nails.
“I don’t know!” she panics. “You know parents own the building, and they found out you dated Kristoff, so...”
“They want to kick me out?” I finish her sentence. Just when I finally got things under control, disaster struck.
“I’m sorry.”
“Wait. Really?”
“Yes!”
“Oh, God.” I slap my forehead. “Can’t we tell them I’ve broken up with Kristoff?”
“I did, but that’s not all! Candice wants to move in here. I really don’t know what else to do.”
“I thought she was studying Berlin? Please, they can’t kick me out now. I’ve been living there for over two years.” I can’t possibly be homeless again. It’s difficult to find a decent place to live.
“I know! I’m not sure what’s going on. Look“Let’s talk when I get back.”
“Yep, see you soon.” She ends the call.
I collapse onto the bed, my knees trembling. I immediately think of my benefactor. I guess I’ll have to tell him this. I can’t ask for his help again, but he said I could tell him anything in his last email. If anything goes wrong, I’ll ask Mr. Melnard if he knows of a place with the same lease rate. Lora’s apartment is less expensive than the others I’ve looked into. I just can’t ask my benefactor for more money.
“I will.” She ends the call.
I guess I also can’t tell Julian about it yet. It will ruin our wonderful vacation. Just before I go down, I rehearse a million-dollar smile.
Downstairs, the aroma of their cooking fills the air. Julian tastes something with his thumb and nods to the pretty teenage girl holding a ladle.
I lean against the door frame, admiring Julian in his preoccupied state. He’s chopping something when he notices me.
“Anya.” He lets out a slow, sexy smile. Both Six and the girl look my way and smile warmly at me.
I walk up to them. “What are you cooking?”
“I’m just assisting them. Grace can cook delicious Mexican food.”
“Grace?”
“Yes. She’s Six’s daughter.”
Julian places the bell peppers and minced onions in a bowl, and then Grace takes it. She pauses for a moment to greet me. “Hello, Ms. Anya.”
“Hello, Grace.” I smile back. “How old are you?”
“I’m fifteen,” she murmurs.
I nod. What a lovely face and skin she has. “I can’t wait to try what you’re cooking. It smells fantastic.”
“Thank you, miss.” Her grin reaches her eyes, and she continues her work.
“Mr. Sebastian,” Six calls. “Please join Ms. Anya. We can take care of this.” He lifts the bowl he is holding.
“Are you sure?” Julian says.
“Yes. We’re here to make your favorite, after all.”
“Thanks, Six.” Julian takes me to the spacious living room. “I’m going to show you something.” He picks up a book that looks like it was published in the early twentieth century from the coffee table and sets it on my lap.
“What is this?” I carefully open the cover, fearful of tearing the paper. On the first page, there is a handwritten lyric.
“I found that in our old stuff. They were my grandfather’s songs.”
“Benjamin Sr.?”
“Yes.”
I read the sentences, and even though I don’t know the song, I can feel the songwriter’s heart in the sincerity of the lines.
You’re the lover I’ll never have.Come to me from across the oceans.Loving you will not be enough.I tried to be just friends.But this is real, so let us not pretend I flip the page, and I find more and more scribbled songs. Raw and comes from the heart.
Someone calls out to me, but it isn’t from home.It’s from a thousand milesI’ll bring my guitar and sing for youGirl, I hope you’re listeningI’ll cross that bridge to find you “Oh my goodness, Julian. These are priceless!”
“And that includes a disc.” He flips over the lyric book and opens the back cover. He then carefully takes out a CD. “When I was fifteen, I burned this with my grandfather. This has the songs in that book. You can listen to it.”
He hands it to me, and I hold it with care. “I can? This is too valuable.”
“Of course. You are valuable to me too.”
“I’ll handle it with care. Thank you.” I pause, thinking. “Your grandfather founded the label, right?”
“He did.” He brushes his thumb against my chin, drawing my gaze to his stunning face. “My grandfather urged me to pursue music. He knew right away that I had a knack for it.”
“He was right. Hey, I heard he died a few months ago. I’m sorry.”
“He was one of the reasons I came back.”
Silence. He drapes his arms on my shoulders.
“Anya.”
“Yes?”
“I’ve considered what you said... about going back to songwriting and producing music.”
“Really?” I straighten up. “That’s good news. Julian, you really didn’t have to stop.”
“I realize you were right. I was driven by hatred and turned away from who I truly am.”
“Then when are you planning a comeback?”
He wraps his arms around me and rests his chin on my shoulder. “Not yet. I just found you, so I’ll enjoy this for now.”
I giggle. “We could have done this before if you just told me it wasn’t one-sided. So, what were you waiting for?”
“You were off to college, and I was off to get my Ph.D. I didn’t want to bother you.”
“I admire your patience.” I curl up in his arms. It’s the best feeling in the world.
“Anyway, you could use the CD and the book as a reference.”
“You trust me on handling this?”
“Why not?”
“Okay.” I hold the lyric book against my chest, against my heart. “Thank you. I’ll take care of it and treasure it.”
Shortly after, Grace enters the living room and tells us that dinner is served.