A Musician’s Tale - Chapter 5

All the children went pale from seeing Melodious. “He’s your twin brother?” Asked Miya skeptically.

“Uh, yeah? Is there a problem?” Skyler asked confused.

“Ah, no, he just reminds us of a kid who used to attend The ball.” Said Rob calmly.

“…” Evelina just stared at Melodious pale and in shock. “Hey, it’s nice to meet you, Melodious, I’m Michael, nice to meet you.” Michael shook Melodious’s hand with a smile.

As the others relaxed they introduced themselves one by one. “So, should we play hide and seek in the gardens now?” Asked Himari.

Everyone agreed and went out into the gardens to play hide and seek.

In the ballroom, Catherine was talking to Ingrid and Jade. “It seems pretty normal right now,” Said Catherine calmly.

“Yes, but there’s still a lot of time, Catherine, you have to understand that something could happen tonight.” Said Ingrid rigidly.

“Ingrid is right, Catherine, we need to be careful about this.” Jade agreed.

Catherine sighed, “Enough of this. We’re at Bella Notte we should be enjoying ourselves right?” Said Catherine feigning enthusiasm.

“Catherine is right! We should enjoy this night!” A woman wearing a flamboyant light pink ballgown, a ruby heart necklace, and white satin gloves.

She had a heavy French accent, light brown hair cut in a bob, and sparkling ruby eyes.

“Marie~” Jade ran to Marie and did ‘la bise’.

“It’s been a while since we’ve all been together!” Said Jade excitedly.

“Oui! How long has it been?” Agreed Marie. “About 7-8 years?” Said Ingrid.

“Has it really been that long?” Laughed Catherine. They all laughed. “So, Ingrid, what have you been up to?” Asked Catherine.

“Ah, nothing much, but I did visit my home in Germany just a few weeks ago, I actually also ran into Liam when I was sightseeing in Russia.” She said calmly.

“What was Liam doing in Russia?” Asked Marie. “I don’t know, Marie, he’s your ex-boyfriend,” Ingrid said in a nonchalant matter.

Marie laughed, “Ah, yes, a sweet boy he was. Such a shame we didn’t like each other all that much,” Said Marie.

“Oh, I’d love to hear about your love life while we lost contact,” Said Catherine slyly.

“Ah! Well, I did have a few breakups, around…. 25 or so? I do not remember but my current boyfriend is from Switzerland! He’s such a gentleman and gives me many gifts! But of course, I told him I don’t need them but he insists! He does not give up easily and that’s what I like about him!” Giggled Marie.

“The question is, is he the one you want to stick to?” Jade asked holding a glass of champagne.

Marie turned red, “Ah, we will see now will we not?”

“How many do exs do you have, Marie?” Catherine asked shocked. Marie just shrugged her shoulders and took a sip of her red wine.

“You’d be crazy to try and count them,” Shrugged Ingrid.

“Hey! At least they were all mutual breakups!” Defended Marie.

“Mostly.” Corrected Jade. “I think there was a reason everyone called you ‘Queen of hearts’” Laughed Jade.

“That’s right! I remember now! You had 12 exs at 14 and 20 at 15!” Laughed Catherine.

“Hm, what about you Cathrine?” Asked Marie. Marie was never bothered by these kinds of comments anymore.

“Ah, well, I raised two boys, I work at Jade’s cafe, and that’s really about it,” Shrugged Catherine.

“Really? No love life?” Asked Marie dramatically. “Not everyone is like you, Marie,” Commented Jade.

“Jade? Anybody special you want to tell us about?” Pressed Marie. “Sorry, Marie, you know me, don’t need one, don’t want one, I really am not interested in that.” Said Jade taking a sip from her champagne.

“Ugh, not even a slight crush?” Marie was trying her best. She had been trying to get a boyfriend for Jade but had never succeeded because Jade had deliberately raised her standards to someone who didn’t exist. The only boys that Jade had ever shown interest in were virtual ones.

“Sorry, Marie,” Jade said tauntingly. Marie sighed then looked at Ingrid hopefully, but Ingrid shook her head, and Marie’s hope was crushed.

“Ugh, ces filles. L’une ne sait pas comment passer à autre chose, les deux autres ne savent pas comment apprécier l’amour des hommes!” Marie excaimed in french.

“What did she say? Did she swear at me?” Asked Jade confused. Only Ingrid and Catherine were fluent in french.

“She said and I quote: ‘Ugh, these girls. One doesn’t know how to move on the other two don’t know how to enjoy the love of men!’ End quote.” Said Ingrid bluntly.

“Ahhh, I just don’t want a boyfriend. I really don’t see the problem in that!” Said Jade taking another sip of champagne.

“Imbécile.” Sighed Marie. “Hey! I understood that!” Shouted Jade. Then the four girls burst out laughing.

After the girls talk for nearly 30 minutes Marie had been reminded of something. “Oh, Catherine, I just realized I haven’t met your children! Where are they?” Asked Marie.

“Well, I told them to play with the other kids.” Said Catherine.

“Oh, so they must be playing hide and seek right now.” Said Ingrid.

“Huh? How do you know, Ingrid?” Asked Catherine curiously.

“Hm? Oh, they do that every year.” Said Ingrid bluntly.

“Oh, I also noticed the topiaries outside.” Said Catherine walking out to the gardens to get her kids.

“Ah, yes, Custodia did that. Apparently, it was a tribute to someone.” Said Ingrid.

“I still believe he did that for a woman~,” Said Marie dreamily.

“Who do you think?” Asked Catherine. Just then Jade laughed. “For some reason, Jade does know who she is but she won’t tell anyone!” Marie whined.

“Do you really know, Jade?” Catherine pried curiously.

“Of course I do. You could say she’s a close friend of mine.” Said Jade slyly.

“Oh!” Suddenly Marie ran towards a rose bush.

“You must be Skyler!” Marie pulled Skyler out of the bush and hugged him.

“Uhh–” Skyler started but was interrupted.

“Found you, Skyler!” Shouted Himari. “Ugh,” Skyler was caught.

“Ah, Je suis désolé,” Marie apologised.

“Oh, C’est bon.” Said Skyler. “Speak English for goodness sake!” Complained Jade.

“He said it’s okay.” Said Ingrid.

“Still!!!” Shouted Jade as the other kids ran out from their hiding places.

“Marie! Jade! Ingrid!” Miya was first to come out from her hiding place and hug the three women.