2

A i d e n C h r i s t e n s e n

The taxi dropped me right in front of the vacation house in Malibu where I used to come here long ago. And here I am…5 years later, I finally stepped foot on Malibu again.

“Welcome back…Aiden,” The owner, Mr Andrews, greeted me politely as soon as I got out my luggage from the trunk.

I put a small smile on my face while taking off my pilot cap, “Thanks, Mr Andrews…”

“Here, let me help you with your bag,” he then offered his help to carry my bag into the house.

“Thank you again…”I thanked him again then followed him into the house. The house was not too big and has a great view of the ocean. It has three bedrooms and an indoor pool right beside of the living room.

The house has so much memories of me and her…we used to come here every term break. Actually, it used to be my uncle’s vacation house, but he sold it to Mr Andrews as he wanted to move out to New York with me.

Besides, I have a café nearby which I asked my best friend, Shawn managed it for me since it was kind of hard for me to manage it myself from far. My family owns it and I made my mind not to sell it since that place kept so much of memories of my parents and Mia.

I stopped in the middle of hallway when saw the black piano in the living room, then slowly walked toward it with some memories started to play in my mind.

F l a s h b a c k S t a r t s

*girl’s laughter*

“That’s sooo wrong, silly,” Mia burst out of laughter when heard the bad sound coming from the piano. “That’s not how you play the song,” she complained while poking my right cheek and shoulder over and over so I could stop playing the piano horribly.

Well, I purposely did that actually since I really love to see her laughing like that. “What…”I tried to hold my laughter by biting my lower lips while purposely made random mistakes with the notes. “I just play the song just like you taught me,”

“No you didn’t,” she protested and even started to make her cute face along with that cutie pout on her lips.

“Yes, I am,” I insisted, continued to play the song while looking at her beautiful face.

“I bet Pachelbel might be really disappointed when heard you play his song right now,”

“Auchh…that’s harsh,” her words made me stopped in instant. I moved a bit then turned to face her properly who was sitting right beside of me on the piano bench with her beautiful pair of chestnut eyes were staring into mine. I admitted that I really….really love to see her looking at me like that. It makes me feel that I am the luckiest guy in the world for having her as my beloved girlfriend.

She suddenly pulled me into a hug then resting her head against my chest. Mia always did that, she said she loved to hear the sound of my heartbeat which made her felt in peace. “I’m so nervous for tomorrow’s audition….”

I hugged her back with my chin resting on her head and as always her hair always smelled so nice. “Come on, don’t be like that. You’re Mia O’Brien, the greatest beautiful pianist that I have ever seen. I know you will pass the audition outstandingly…”

“Silly guy…*giggles*…but still it is a big audition, Aiden, I don’t know if I could do it well…”she looked up a little then stared at me with her puppy-looking eyes.

“Ookay….” I said, releasing the hug from her so I could face her properly again. “Listen, I know you want to get that part in this orchestra so badly…so this is your chance to show them how skilled you are with the piano. Plus, you graduated from the music program in Germany last year as the best pianist student. That was so cool, you know and I am so proud of you.”

“You think so?” she asked me with teary eyes.

“Yes,” I nodded with my eyes never left hers. “So just make it happen….make your dream come true and do your best for the audition. I will always support you, my love, I promise.” I touched the tip of her nose while curving a smile on my lips.

“Thank you, Aiden,” she replied with a smile then wiped the tears filled on both of her eyes. “It really means me a lot. I promise I will do my best…”

“Hey Mia….” I suddenly called out of her name. “This is for your good luck,” then quickly kissed her right on her lips. Well, practically, stole the kiss from her since she wasn’t ready for it.

She looked a bit surprised, but suddenly pulled me closer to her by grabbing my collar, “And I gladly accepted it…” she whispered then leaned closer to me until our lips just inches apart. I could feel her breath on my face then I leaned even closer to her with my eyes closed until our lips were pressed against with each other.

F l a s h b a c k E n d s

“Is everything alright, Aiden?” Mr Andrews broke the silence as I was spacing out.

"...*clears throat*...O-oh, yeah, everything is perfect," I quickly replied him. "Thanks for everything, Mr Andrews."

He smiled, "It's no problem...let me know if you need something. O-oh, I almost forgot. Your bike is still here by the way. I kept it safe inside of the garage just in case you decided to return here again," he continued then patted gently on my shoulder. "I'll should be going now, have a nice holiday, Aiden."

"You too, Mr Andrews," I sent him to the front door then closed it as soon as he was no longer in my sight.

*sound of waves*

I never thought it was the last day I spent time with her. And it was my fault….if I just come a little bit early that day, she might be still here with me.

*sighs heavily*

I really missed you, Mia…

I went to the garage after changed into a casual clothes to check on my bike which Mr Andrews kept it safe for me. “Whoa…he really did keep it well safe,” I was impressed when removed the white cover from my motorbike which happened to be in a perfect condition. It was just the way I left it here 5 years ago and hopefully, the engine is okay.

I hopped onto my Kawasaki and prepared it carefully so I wouldn’t break of anything since it was kind of an old bike. And guess what, the engine works perfectly.

*engine revs*

“Seems like the bike is not having any problem…that’s cool,” I put the black helmet on, then made my way out of the garage carefully from the automatic garage door right in front of me.