CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 10

Allison shifted her position for the third time. She closed her eyes tight, trying to get herself to sleep but she can't. She found odd. Her eyes were puffy, red, and heavy because of crying but she can't sleep. Before, when she cries, she unconsciously closes her eyes and falls into a deep slumber when she calms down. She groaned before she rose from the bed and got on her feet. It looks like her body isn't ready to rest yet. She walked to the huge drapes and pushed them aside, unraveling the huge glass window that showed the perfect angle of the night sky with the beautiful moon and shining stars.

She stared at the whole view in awe. She has never seen a good angle of the sky like it. It reminded her of the breathtaking view she used to stare through the penthouse's glass walls, but this scene is better. Suddenly, her stomach growled. Allison looked down and touched her stomach and remembered that she didn't eat dinner. After she walked out on Hades, she instantly went to his room, locked the door, and cried to her heart's content.

Hades. That guy had the nerve to announce to the whole world that she's his but she's not. No one owns her. No one. He just made her hate him more.

Allison bit her inner cheek. Why would he do that anyway? She believes she's not his type of woman, timid and silent. Women with curvy bodies wearing red lipsticks and having wild personalities are his type but why did he choose her? Of all women in this world, why her? Why would he tell her parents about what they did? Why did he have to tell them that she's pregnant?

Oh right. He thinks she's carrying his heir and he wants to take responsibility.

She sighed. She remembered what Rebecca last said to her: "Just remember that you can always tell them any time before it's too late."

Should I? No. I shouldn’t. It was my fault for being irresponsible. The world will look down on me if I—

Her stomach growled once again, taking her away from her reverie.

I hope there's food in the fridge, she thought before striding to the door and opened the door meticulously. She took a peek outside to see if there is any person outside but thank God, there wasn't anyone.

Silently, she began to step her foot outside the barrier between the room and the hall. The antechamber was completely dark and cold that rendered her to shiver. The cotton shorts and sleeveless that she was wearing wasn't enough to make her feel warm. She embraced herself and caressed her arm. What a chilly night, she thought.

As she walked through the halls, she tried to remember where the kitchen was. She may be smart but she isn't that smart to have a retentive memory and she doesn't have a good sense in directions. She did find the kitchen once but she couldn't remember which way she took to reach there. She was in the middle of recollecting the directions she took when she heard a series of grunts. In an instant, her head turned to look for the direction the sound came from. It sounded weird and creepy. She heard the grunts once again and realized it was from the door on her left.

She stared at the door as the grunts were getting louder and louder that made her eyebrows meet in confusion. The groans sounded familiar and angry. It sounded as if someone was frustrated and he was throwing his frustration by doing something violent.

Who could that be? She asked herself with full curiosity.

Driven by rarity, she carefully laced her fingers around the doorknob and slowly turned it and applied a diminutive force to push the door open. Little by little, the door unraveled a scene that made Allison's eyes widened in bewilderment and her mouth gape open in awe and horror.

It was Hades.

The room was a gym after all. He was wearing boxing gloves while throwing strong and hard punches at an enormous punching bag that was bigger than his size. She observed Hades' movements. How his bulky arms stretched and his muscles flex, his feet moved and danced in rhythm as he gave jabs at the punching bag that was keeping on coming forth and back and of course, his stunning grey eyes that were smouldering with rage as he glared at the punching bag as if it was someone he hated the most.

His whole viewpoint was slightly skewed which gave her a full exposure of his broad and sweaty body. Allison isn't a fan of colossal bodied guys that have toned chests, broad back, and hard abs but Hades' body just made her one in an instant. She admits, his body is something to drool for. Suddenly, Hades stopped and turned his head that shocked herand made her immediately close the door out of sheer panic. The door closed shut with a loud BANG!

Out from instinct, she ran and made her way to the staircase while praying and hoping that he didn't see her. That was embarrassing! If he did see her, she swears, she'll bury herself alive. She didn't intend to pry, she was only drawn by her curiosity. And curiosity is always deadly.

She was running down the staircase, flustering when a strong body collided against hers. She immediately lost her equilibrium and almost fell on the marbled floor but someone caught her by the arm. The person pulled her to stand up.

"Mistress! Are you all right? Did you break anything? Shall I call the doctor? What are you doing here this late at night?" it was Richard, the butler.

She looked at Richard as if he was an alien from outer space. Her head and vision were swirling but she can see him vividly. He was still the same, she observed. His salt and pepper hair was in a clean-cut and he stands primly and graceful like a swan on a lake. Her eyes went down to his fair body. For a man close to his golden age like him and by the looks of his neat, elegant uniform, no one ever think his body's hard and strong. Well, that's what they think. This man has a silver platter of capabilities.

She shook her head a little while her brain was calculating her current position, recollecting her equilibrium. When she was fine, she looked up to face Richard, "Yes. Yes, I'm fine."

The man’s nose scrunched and his brows in confusion, "Are you all right, Mistress?" he asked worriedly and placed his thumb on her wrist to check her pulse, "Your pulse is fast as if you were shocked and you do look shocked, not to mention your face is red. Are you sick? Would you like us to bring you to the hospital or shall we call the house doctor instead?"

She shook her head, "No, I'm okay. I'm just... hungry. I don't know where the kitchen is, can you bring me there?" she explained.

"But Mistr—"

"Richard, I'm fine. I was just running down the halls because I was afraid of the dark," that's a lie.

His forehead creased as his thick brows touched each other, "Are you sure?" he asked doubtfully. Even though Allison is the wife of his Master and he pays him to take care of the woman, he cares for her like a father.

She nodded once again, "Yup. So persistent," she rolled her eyes playfully. He reminds her of Mr. Marshall who was as persistent as him, "Now, can you bring me to the kitchen? I'm ravenous and I don't have a good sense in directions."

Richard sighed in content and nodded approvingly, "Of course, I'll gladly accompany you there, Mistress." He then turned around and began to stride forward. She followed him like a little puppy while remembering the directions they passed. Seconds later, they arrived in the kitchen.

In an instant, Richard was elapsed as Allison's world went in slow motion and her mouth drooled like the way how she drooled at Hades' sweaty, sexy body back at the gym. Wait, what?

With cold legs, she drew to the two-door refrigerator elatedly to find something to heat up and devour. Her eyes instant found their way on a plate of lasagne. She reached for the plate and fished it out from the refrigerator. She walked towards the microwave, plugged its wire on, placed the cold lasagne inside, and set the timer for ten minutes.

A chortle echoed around the corners of the kitchen that rendered her to turn her head and saw Richard who was staring at her with smiling eyes as if he was watching his one-year-old daughter walk for the very first time. Straight away, she flustered and sat on the nearby stool timidly with her head hung low. Through her peripheral vision, she saw him sit on the stool beside hers.

"You know, Mistress..." Richard started, trying to create a conversation, "The Master has changed ever since you came to his life."

Allison turned her head and looked at Richard with confusion, "Wh-what do you mean?" she asked. Did she change Hades? How come? In what way?

Richard smiled at her, "I am the only surviving employee of the Master who was never been fired ever since he took over this mansion," he said, taking a deep breath, "The Master's father, the Lord of the House of de Vries was an influential and powerful man that even his allies envy him. The Lord makes both friends and enemies in a day. When the Master was still young, he was both a jolly and timid person. He used to be kind and a gentle person but then, something happened that changed him."

"What changed him?" Allison couldn't help but ask. She knows she hates him but damn curiosity! She never thought Hades would be that kind of person. A jolly and timid person? By the looks of his face? Nah, he doesn't even look like one. He's better to be described a beast.

Richard's lips shuddered before he answered, "A tragedy."

She stared at him with her green eyes, as if telling him to go on. She wants to know more!

"That day, May 11, 2005. The Master was celebrating his 18th birthday while the Lord was on his way home from a business trip to surprise the Master when his private plane crashed. The investigation said that it was murder. A small bomb was secretly attached to one of the plane's wings and exploded while the Lord was on his way home.

"The tragedy left a huge scar to his family and also to us, his servants. But the one who was affected the most was The Lady of the House. She was extremely affected by her husband's death that she had undergone great depression and is needed to be rehabilitated. It pained the Master and his sister, Mistress Hera because of such misfortune that has come upon their family. Mistress Hera left and led her life alone to find comfort while the Master took the responsibility of the business the Lord left since the Lady was not mentally capable.

"Ever since that tragedy, the Master changed. He became... cold, distant, short-tempered and rude. He changed so much that even I, the one who witnessed him flourish don't even know him anymore. The tragedy pained him so much that he wanted it to go away by giving his father's away. He renovated the whole mansion and even hid his father's piano, the only thing that his father is extremely fond of. The Master was extremely short-tempered that he fired every servant in the house who unconsciously does something wrong to him. Before, no employee ever lasted in this mansion for more than a week. It pains me to see the Master that way. He was like a son to me."

Richard sighed and looked at her with a glint of joy in his eyes, "But then, you came."

His words rendered Allison's mind go completely blank. She came? What does he mean?

Thankfully, the microwave made a small sound, pulling her away from her reverie. Instantly, she went on her feet to pull the searing hot lasagne from the microwave. She then opened the dishwasher to get a spoon. When it was already set, Allison stared at the lasagne with full lust. She's extremely excited to eat it.

"I must go now," said Richard before standing up, "Have a good night, Mistress Allison," he said with a bow.

"Won't you give me company?" she hates eating alone.

He shook his head in decline, "I'm afraid I cannot. I must get to bed and be ready early tomorrow morning. Am I assured that you remember where the Master's room is upstairs?"

She nodded in response, she grew up respecting people and she hates to bother people, "Yes, I remember. Good night, Richard."

"Good night, Mistress," he said and bowed once again and left the kitchen silently. He moves so gracefully that even his shoes don't make any sounds when he takes a step!

She gave her attention to the lasagne that was already waiting to be devoured. However, while she was eating, she couldn't help but think of Hades and the catastrophe that happened in his life.

"That was one fine dinner," Allison muttered to herself as she drank her glass of water.

The next thing she'll do? Sleep, of course.

She made her way out of the kitchen and walked down the halls while remembering the directions she should take. She went past the drawing-room to find the staircase when something caught her attention.

She turned her head to look at the thing and assure herself that it was real. The whole place was already dark but it's so vivid, it was scorching with extreme luster. It was the only thing that illuminated the whole area. She couldn't believe her eyes are seeing, she hopes it's real because if it isn't, she'll be damned.

It was a gold piano.

Drawn by the beauty it holds, Allison wasn't able to control herself from walking towards the piano. She needs to get close to it. She needs to touch it. She needs to prove that it's real, that it's right there and it's not a figment of her imagination. Every step she took was heavy and felt extremely surreal. Is this for real? she asked herself.

When she was close, she inspected every inch and detail of the piano. It was shining gold. The trademark Steinway and Sons were carved with imperial black. Allison placed her hand on painstakingly on a name that was carved on the piano below the brand name.

Ouranus Timothy Nikolo de Vries

Ouranos Timothy Nikolo de Vries? Who is he? Whoever he is, surely, he has blood ties with Hades. Slowly, she lifted the cover, revealing the piano's shiny keys. She couldn't help but brush her fingers past the keys. Ouranos de Vries must have been filthily rich to have a piano like this, she thought.

The piano bestowed her desire to play it, and she couldn't resist herself. Allison sat on the chair and placed her fingers on the keys, she applied a small amount of force from her pinky finger that made the piano give off a sweet sound that added coal towards the fire. Allison then pressed her index finger then followed by her middle finger.

She began to play a familiar tune, a piece of music that she loves to play on the piano, Swan Lake by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Allison closed her eyes, savoring every tune that she hears, giving all of her grief and hatred by pressing her fingers gently against the keys, creating a sentimental, wonderful melody.

Her mind was completely relaxed while she was playing, her problems are gone, her worries are gone, even her hatred for Hades was gone. How she wished she could play forever. Allison was in complete bliss, she felt heaven.

When she pressed the last key, a loud clap echoed around the walls of the drawing-room, surprising her. She opened her eyes in an instant, only to find Hades looking at her with deep admiration like she's an angel from heaven. She flustered, she didn't expect him to see her play. He was busy in the gym after all. The gym, the word rendered Allison to remember all the scenarios she has seen. Hades' sexy back, toned chest, bulky arms, the abs—

Allison shook her head.

"Did you like my surprise?" she heard Hades' deep, baritone voice ask as he draws close to her with extreme finesse.

That shocked her that rendered him to be answered with her silence. And silence means yes. When Hades was close, he sat by her side. She felt weird tingles when his skin touched hers and her stomach tied into a knot. What the heck was that?

"This piano belongs to my father," he stated as he placed a finger on one of the keys.

"For him, the sound of a piano is his stress reliever. It was his placate when he's frustrated or stuck between problems. When he's angry, a composition can already calm him down..." his fingers began to move and press some keys, playing a familiar tune, "...it can even make him sleep if he gets attacked by insomnia. Especially this one," he said while playing. The feeling of familiarity ignited Allison's veins, the song sounded so familiar. She's sure that she played that song before. The title is already at the tip of her tongue.

"Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel," she stated when she recognized the whole melody.

"This is his favorite," he said with a smile, his fingers still pressing keys gracefully, playing the chorus, "Will you play with me?" he asked, he looked at her with his eyes pleading.

She wanted to say no, but the melody, the lovely music is coaxing her to say yes. How she wished she could resist such beautiful music, but she can't. The piano is her weakness but it can’t stop her from hating him deeply or even have an impression of him. But she’ll forget the ugly deeds he has done, for now…

She looked into his eyes and nodded. She's just going to play with him, nothing more, nothing less. Allison placed her fingers on the keys and played the song that first came into her mind. She couldn't remember its title but she remembers its dreamy melody.

Two lovely songs twisted together turned into a beautiful mash-up. Allison couldn't believe it, such harmony between two songs was made, creating an immensely hypnotizing, stupendous melody. Time began to feel slow once again, her hands moved and pressed the keys lightly with rhythm and refinement, she unconsciously closed her eyes as she listened to the sweet melody, taking pleasure of every single note that comes to her ears, making her oddly giddy. The music was like a drug and it was drugging her. How she wished the music would keep on playing forever.

She finally opened her eyes and brushed her eyes at the man beside her who was playing alongside her, curious of him. There she saw him. Like her, Hades was fully drunk with the music. His eyes were also closed, savoring every note he hears and his fingers. Oh, his fingers moved with excellence, as if he had mastered the song for a very long time. Both of them were in complete bliss.

Finally, the music ended. Their fingers were shaking, breathing hitched, and sweats dropping. The whole mash-up was relishing but tiring at the same time. She turned her head to look at Hades who was looking at her with a burning passion. In an instant, her emotions burst out like a bomb, making her oblivious of every single moment that happened minutes ago. What just happened?

"I heard you were good but I never knew you were that good," he said, his eyes still staring at her with the same passion and intensity.

"Thank you... you weren't bad yourself," that was all she could say.

From her face, his eyes moved past above her and said before standing up, "It's already 4 AM. We better get to bed now."

She stared at his tall frame before getting on her feet. The harmonious melody they played together began humming in her ears. She remembered every note that was played, every emotion that was poured in while playing the song. Allison felt Hades' passion and longing, his constant love for his father, and his yearning to see Ouranus once again.

She looked at the gold piano that was standing before them. Hades' surprise for her. She knows it aches him to see this piano again but he pulled it out from the shadows and made it a gift for her. The gesture made her feel warm and special. She doesn't know why she is given something that is special like this piano but she's thankful. Extremely thankful.

"Hades," she called out.

"Hmm?" Hades asked, his attention given fully to her.

She mustered up the courage went on her toes, slightly pulled him down by his shirt, and placed her lips on his cheek, "... Thank you. I love the piano, Hades."