A Musician’s Tale - Chapter 3

-Melodious’s pov-

After mom gave us the tuxes me and Skyler got even more excited about Bella Notte although we didn’t know exactly when it was.

Since was Sunday and every Sunday we had a picnic at the park. “Mom? When is Bella Notte?” Skyler asked curiously.

Mom was silent for a while, “Tomorrow night.” She said looking out to the lake.

“That soon?!” Skyler asked shocked. “Mom, what’s it like?” I asked in wonder.

She looked at me with a sort of sparkle in her eyes and a kind smile. “It’s magical. It’s like you get thrown back in time, in a small place where time sits still.”

“How many times have you been there?” Skyler asked.

“Hm, I’ve been attending Bella Notte since I was 5 years old. My parents, your grandparents, took me there every year. Custodia would be playing beautiful melodies on whatever instrument he felt like playing. Everyone would be laughing, dancing, without a care in the world. So I guess it’s been around 10, 15 years? That I haven’t attended Bella Notte.” She said with a faraway look in her eyes.

Me and Skyler were getting more and more excited by the minute. We could have listened to mom talk about Bella Notte all day. And that’s what me and Skyler planned to do.

“Boys, do you want to hear the story of Bella Notte?” She asked us.

Me and Skyler both shout yes! enthusiastically. “Well, a very very very veeery, long time ago there was a man, but he was no ordinary man, he was a musician. One day, on a blue moon, the man was so amazed by the moon and wanted to share it with others. But the man lived alone and only had one friend who was a musician. He went to the house of his friend that night and gave him invitations, the man told his friend that one invitation was for him and the others were for other musicians that he knew. So the friend passed on invitations to other musicians and they passed it on to other musicians and etcetera the next night the man was so happy that so many people came in response to his invitations. He was so happy in fact that he held a ball every year. This became a big event, a grand party for all who sought out a companion. The ball is held in a secluded mansion in Italy where the man had lived. The name Bella Notte was also given by the man when he met his first wife one fateful night in his garden it was the happiest day of his life, under a beautiful moon on a beautiful night.”

When mom finished her story we couldn’t say anything. We just looked at her with starry eyes.

“It’s about time we head home now, kids,” Mom said getting up.

“Aw, but we want to hear more stories!” Whined Skyler rolling around on the grass.

“Please?” I also pleaded. She sighed and held her sunhat looking to the distance.

“The cafe I work at is nearby here. Do you want to go there?” She asked us smiling.

“Yaaay!” Although Skyler is a bit older than me he acts more childish than I do.

“You mean Jade Fox Cafe? Can I have a chocolate four-tailed milkshake?” I ask getting up.

“Why not?” Then we walked to the cafe. Suddenly mom’s phone rang.

“Ah, could you boys wait a minute? I’ll be quick.” We told her sure then she picked up the phone.

“Hello? We were just heading to the cafe, what is it?” She spoke on the phone.

She flinched then turned to us. “Uh, boys? Where did you hear about Bella Notte?” She asked.

“A boy from school. Why?” Asked Skyler.

“What was his name?” She asked tensely.

“Kai, Kai Suzuki. What is it, mom?” She went back to her phone.

“Yeah, we’ll meet you there.” Then she hung up and turned to us.

“Mr. Suzuki’s son?” She asked with a serious look.

“Yes?” I answered hesitantly.

-3rd person pov-

‘But Takashima Suzuki doesn’t have a son…’ Catherine thought to herself.

She looked at them in worry. “Let’s go to the cafe I need to meet up with Jade.” She said feigning a smile.

The two boys exchange worried looks but nodded and started walking again. Catherine walked behind them then started chewing her thumbnail when they weren’t looking.

When they arrived the kids chose their table and ordered their drinks. Jade came out to greet them all.

“Hey, Sky! Hi Dio!” She hugged the twins tightly.

“Hi, Aunt Jade,” They hug back and laugh.

“Me and Catherine need to talk about something but you guys can stay here and order anything you want. It’s on the house.” Jade said with a smile.

Skyler and Melodious agreed as the two women went to Jade’s office and shut the door.

“Are you sure?” Catherine asked seriously.

“Who do you think you’re talking to? I’m telling you there’s suspicious movement in Italy. Marie told me herself. Even Ingrid was doubting Custodia and the safety of this year’s Bella Notte Ball.” Jade said looking like she had a small migraine.

“Besides that, the information your boys got from ‘Kai’ is already suspicious by its self.” She said putting a file in front of me.

It had the name Kai Suzuki when I opened it it was empty. “It’s empty,” Catherine said confused.

“Exactly, because there is no Kai Suzuki. Catherine, something is up I have a bad feeling about the ball. And a feeling it could be ‘Renaissance’.”

Renaissance was an underground group of rogue musicians who believed that people who aren’t musicians shouldn’t occupy their earth. And whoever is against them, musician or not will be disposed of. People like that have been abandoned by the fairies and Custodia so they can’t use the musician’s garden anymore and aren’t allowed to go to the Bella Notte ball. The Bella Notte ball is a neutral place, the use of powers was strictly prohibited.

“Even so, how are they going to destroy Custodia’s barrier? Custodia won’t let Bella Notte be infiltrated!” Catherine reasoned.

“We aren’t sure about how but we know when.” Said Jade.

“It’s impossible! No one would be able to overpower Custodia!” Jade looked at Catherine gravely.

“Cannon, we can’t be sure about anything right now for now I don’t think we should bring the kids.” Catherine looked hesitant.

“But I already promised them.” She bit her thumbnail again.

Jade looked at her concerned and put a hand on Catherine’s shoulder. “It’s still your choice. But if Kalis comes… What will happen to your kids? He might recognize Melodious, but what about Skyler? What if he misunderstands? What would happen to him?” Catherine thought of this very intently.

“I can’t get any one of them to get hurt…” Catherine said to herself.

“Then don’t let them. But it’s still your choice, you need to go talk to them.” Jade opened the door of her office and gestured for Catherine to talk to the two boys.

Catherine went to the boys and sat next to them. “Hey, boys,” Catherine said hesitantly.

“Hey, mom, is aunt Jade going to attend Bella Notte with us?” Said Skyler while drinking his arctic fox milkshake.

Catherine went stiff and thought hard about her answer. “Yes, she will be attending with us. Come on guys let’s go home.”

“Okay!” Replied the twins.

As they went out the door Catherine took one last look behind her and saw Jade watching, leaning on the doorway to her office with an unidentifiable smile on her face.

Catherine smiled back a determined smile with eyes that seemed to say, ‘I will protect them’

When they got home Skyler and Melodious went to go play while Catherine studied the dress that Jade gave her and wondered what her plan would be.

She couldn’t help but wonder after 5 years… How was Kalis? She had a new phone with a new number. only a few people knew her number.

She thought back on her first Bella Notte with Kalis. When they were happy.

In the other room, the twins had always wondered who their father was but never asked in fear of hurting their mother.

The next day the Evely family did their daily routine. Kids went to school and Catherine went to work.

But tonight they were doing something different. they were preparing for Bella Notte.

“Skyler!!! Go take a bath!” Shouted Catherine.

“Why?! I don’t want to take a bath!” Skyler shouted back.

“Mom, I’ll go take a bath first,” Said Melodious heading to the bathroom.

“Thank goodness I have one obedient son.” Said Catherine with a sigh.

“Skyler!!! Come out of your room. Now!!!!!” Shouted Cathrine angrily stomping upstairs to drag her son to the bath if she had to.

“Nooooo!” Shouted Skyler from his room.

“I didn’t raise a coward! Now. Get. In. The. Bathroom. And take a bath!!!” Said Catherine dragging her struggling son to the bath.

“Seriously, mom, how are you so strong?!” Skyler said trying to free himself from his mother’s strong grip on his ear.

Catherine glared at him. “Because I’m a mother. A disappointed one at that.” Then she tugged really hard on Skyler’s ear.

“Ow! Mom, please let go! I promise I’ll take a bath– Owww,” He pleaded.

“You’d better.” Said Catherine menacingly. After Skyler finally agreed to take a bath Melodious was already done bathing.

“If you need help changing just tell me,” Said Catherine as Melodious passed by.

Melodious hummed in response. After almost an hour of preparing the only one who wasn’t dressed was Catherine, she was still in the bathroom.

“Mom! Are you done yet–” Skyler stopped abruptly seeing their mother.

Seeing Catherine in a tight red dress with black lace, and the big hairpiece covered part of her face mysteriously, her short light brown hair stood out with a black and rose choker and red lipstick. She was also wearing a black shawl covering her sweetheart neckline, and long black  satin     gloves that reached up to her elbows.

It was new for Skyler and Melodious to see their mother like this. Usually, she would wear light-colored, shirts, blouses, and jeans.

“Does it not suit me?” Asked Catherine tucking her hair behind her ear..

“No, not really but…” Skyler struggled to find the words.

“It’s not your usual style.” Melodious continued.

“It isn’t, isn’t it? Well, Jade gave me this dress and told me to wear it but I don’t think you guys are comfortable seeing me in a dress like this right?” Catherine half laughed half sighed.

“No, it’s fine. You look good in everything you wear, mom,” Skyler said not knowing what else to say.

“I agree.” Melodious agreed. Catherine sighed again. “Okay, we should go.” Said Catherine.

“Mom? How are we going to get to Italy anyway?” Asked Skyler.

“A portal,” Catherine said plainly.

Skyler and Melodious’s eyes went wide and starry. “Portal?” They exclaimed excitedly.

Catherine laughed. “Come here, both of you,” She took the hands of Skyler and Melodious.

“Whistle Moonlight Sonata.” The boys did as they were told and whistled beautifully not missing a beat or running out of breath it sounded perfect.

Soon they were somewhere else, in a magical garden with floating lights all around.

“Welcome, dear travelers, to the musician’s garden.” Said a light as it turned to its human form.

“Woah,” Exclaimed Skyler.

“To Bella Notte please,” Catherine said calmly and kindly.

“Of course miss– Catherine,” The fairy almost made a mistake calling Catherine Cannon but she luckily remembered in time.

“This way,” The fairy went to the entrance then waved her hands to open the door.

The door revealed a pinkish, purple portal. “Thank you, Mir,” Catherine thanked the fairy.

“Mhm!” Responded the fairy enthusiastically.

Skyler went in first followed by Melodious and Catherine. Across the portal, they were in front of a giant mansion and a long queue.

“Why do we have to wait in line, mom?” Skyler complained.

“It’s standard checking, love, Custodia will be checking identification. For sponsors and newcomers so that after 5 visits the newcomer can become a sponsor themselves. Custodia never forgets a face.

‘This was it. They were going to attend Bella Notte for the first time!’ Both twins thought excitedly.