Listen to Me

I slept throughout the journey only waking up by the chirping of the birds from outside. I opened my eyes to see that I'm back at the HQ in my room.

I touched my forehead, "I thought someone kissed me." The warmth on my forehead feels nice. "Must be a dream." I sat up.

I looked down on myself and realized that I'm still in my dress. I have to say sorry to Aaron for having to carry me here. I took a bath to properly remove all the make-up from my face.

I went outside my room roaming the hallway expecting a miracle to happen. I really need to practice the music I'll be performing soon and I'm yet to have a proper practice.

"Sapphire?" A long-haired girl called.

"Stif," I smiled at her.

"Good afternoon," she greeted as she stepped closer to me.

"G-good afternoon?" I checked my phone for the first time today. "Oh, yeah, good afternoon." I need to work on that.

"It seems that you're worried about something?"

"AH…how'd you know?"

"I'm a healer, Sapphire, I feel stress."

"Yes, I am quite stressed. I have a performance next week. The performance is just a week from now and I don't have a proper practice yet. I don't have a piano of my own to practice with either. I can't visit my friend's house to practice because I'm sure she's using it too. I don't think I could go to the university either. I also need to stay safe, Aaron told me."

"Oh, I didn't know you were a musician." She smiled, "How about we go out together and buy a piano?"

My eyes widened at her suggestion. "No, no, I don't even have money for that anyway."

"It's alright. The HQ will pay for it. Wait for me outside. I'll just take a leave for a moment; it's been a while since I went out anyway." She started walking down the hall without letting my object to the idea. Will the HQ pay for it? Does she have access because she's a doctor here? Can she abuse it? I followed what Stif said anyway.

We are now on the road with her red Bentley. She looks really sophisticated. You won't even suspect that she's part of the Special Intelligence Association--Yeah, apparently it's what the whole organization is called. SIA for short. They are still fixing papers to make it official according to the Commander. She parked her car just on the side of the road in front of the shop.

"Why here? This is where they sell expensive instruments. A second hand will be fine for me."

"I came to the right place then. I researched it while processing my leave." She showed me her phone on the map for this place.

"No, please."

"My pleasure." She smiled and got out of the car.

Wow, she's stubborn.

The manager of the place greeted us with a big pearly white smile.

"Bring us to your best piano," Stif ordered.

My eyes widened once more. "Stif," I called her name shyly. "Please, don't."

She stopped on her steps. "Sapphire, this is the first time I met someone who could play the piano. I've been wanting to learn but I have no time for it because of all my duties in the facility. Knowing that you were able to hone your talent, I should not let you waste yours like mine."

I shut my mouth. I feel sad for her all of the sudden.

"This is the grand piano, hand-made by a great artisan. Tuned perfectly for the perfect musician." Explained the manager.

"What do you think of this, Sapphire?" She looked at me with a sweet smile.

"Ah…Okay...it's fine." I realized that I don't sound enthusiastic enough so I repeated but livelier, "It's amazing! It costs a lot so it probably sounds good." I smiled awkwardly. I don't sound musically inclined now.

"You could try it if you want," the salesman offered.

I hesitated but I really do want to try it so I did.

After hearing me play, Stif clapped, "Alright, we'll take it."

"They said that the piano will be immediately delivered to the HQ. Where do you want to go while it's not yet there?"

"Uhmm…what do you want to do?" I think I should return the favor. Not with money though. I lack in that area.

She seemed surprised by my question, she raised her brows. "No one asked me that before."

What a sad life you have, Stif. I said to myself.

"I guess we could go shopping? I don't know. Eat? Are you hungry? Wow, I'm not familiar with this."

My stomach growled. I haven't eaten anything yet.

"Yes, definitely, I feel it," Stif said as if hearing my thoughts.

I enjoyed the day with Stif, if Aaron is dating this woman then it's totally fine. She's really nice, amazing and sophisticated. Quite the opposite of Aaron who's always strong looking and reserved but I guess opposites do attract. We arrived at the HQ just in time when the grand piano was delivered.

"How's your hearing?" she asked.

"Better," I smiled. "I'm able to control it now. I mean a little more training but it is getting better."

"That's good to hear. Unfortunately, I can't watch you play again. I have to go back to work. My colleagues are bombarding me with texts telling me that they need me back." She winked.

"Bye and thank you for this," I waved a hand at her as she left.

"Whoa what is this?" a not-so-familiar voice said from the other end.

"Hi, Sapphire," the Commander greeted.

"Hello, Commander."

"It seems you brought a friend?" he said pertaining to the piano.

"Ah, Stif bought it for me. Or I guess the HQ did."

Some men came by and stopped around the piano. "Miss Stif sent us to help you bring the piano where you want it to be." A guy who's in his teens informed me. Trainees of this facility I guess.

"Ah, where should I bring this, Commander?" I asked. I realized that I haven't really explored the whole HQ and I'm still clueless about the whole facility.

"Playing the piano in a wide hall, large windowpane with shining bright light from the sun is a nice scenery while playing the piano, right? It's perfect to be here," the Commander giggled. This guy keeps surprising me with his decisions.

Aaron appeared behind the Commander.

"It's time to have some music in this place don't you think, Aaron?" the Commander asks him without turning to face him.

Aaron studied me for a moment as if I'm a new fish in the sea, "I guess it is."

"Alright, then. The piano is alright to be here," commanded by him. The rookies saluted and left.

"Piano?" the little kid who I forgot was there asked.

"Yes, piano." I nodded with a smile.

"I never heard of it."

I frowned.

"This is Timothy, my new son." The Commander brushed his brown hair. "Aaron found him just earlier staying outside a restaurant. He saw the kid was using emotion control to make waiters serve him food outside." The Commander smiled at the kid who ran beside Aaron and hugged him, being thankful for saving him. I guess using his talent that way isn't bad plus he was saved at an early age.

"Shall we leave you now so that you can do your thing?" the Commander asked.

"Ah, it's fine. I'm used to performing in front of people. Do you want to hear a short piece?"

"I want to!" Timothy raised his hand.

I played a short piece for them, the one I played last time for the competition.

"That was beautiful," Timothy widely smiled at me.

"We have a new entertainer then," the Commander said. Aaron seems to lighten up a little from hearing me play. He smiled at me a little.

Somehow, it made my heart skip.

No, I shook away the feelings. But my insides can't help but jump in joy by just being in his presence.

"When is this performance again, my dear?" the Commander asked. "This coming Saturday," I said. Then the final examination. A month of vacation after which also means that I have to go back to France and meet my fiancé. Just thinking of it breaks my heart already.

"We should watch then," he smiled.

"Really? I want to see my sister play!" Timothy jolted. He turned around to face me, "I can call you sister, right? And you, my father? Pointing at me then to Aaron.

"Father?" His face showed surprise by the nickname.

"You saved me that's why," Timothy explained.

"What about me?" asked the Commander.

"Grandpa, he's your son right?" pointing at Aaron. Aaron's mouth is still a little open because of the nickname still.

"I'm fine with having a little brother." I smiled. "How old are you?"

"I'm ten."

"Oh, I have a little sister too. Her name is Julia and she's fourteen."

"Is she here too?"

I sucked my lips. "No. She's in France with my older brother." I said sadly.