I don't know how Loretta's relation with this old man has had always been but he loves me, doesn't he? Maybe it's an excuse in my case but calling him Grandpa makes me feel like he's my real grandpa.
"Why are you silent dear? Has someone bothered you? Tell me, I'm going to deal with them."
I edge a bit closer to him. "It's nothing like that grandpa."
"Then?" He removes his glasses then rubs at his eyes.
"Am I a good pianist? A good friend? A good grand-daughter? Am I worthy of having everything that I have?"
His faint smile widens and the wrinkles on both of his cheeks becomes more prominent.
"You're the perfect blend of everything my dear. And I know you're strong. Whatever's troubling you— you'll see light. You're gifted and the ignited hope of Knight household."
I take one of his hands—the warmth from my own hands are almost fleeting.
"Nero... went on a vacation. He couldn't even wait for me to come."
He puts his hand on my head ruffling the middle of my hair. "That boy... ever since I welcomed him in our family, has never asked nothing of me and over time I stopped wondering what else he truly desires except painting..."
He pauses.
I feel a pang of unescapable sorrow washing over me when I think of the portrait he made for me.
"But I realised," he continues, "he's a bit different from the others and that's what makes him special. His quiet serene face, unconditional devotion in art and soft manners—it all fits him perfectly."
"Grandpa I know he cares about you but... Perhaps there is a place that beckoned his soul... for inspiration... a place that could cure his melancholy heart?"
"Now that you mention it..." He ponders, "he did come to me once, before leaving. And that gaze of him... if I didn't know that boy better I wouldn't say this, was empty—like he wanted to unburden his mind but he was struggling."
I find a sparkle of hope in his words. "Grandpa, please try to remember... somewhere he can go?"
Suddenly he laughs out. "Ohoho... Do you remember me the time I took Nereus to a vacation... I told you—Ah he was so little and I, still in my vigour..."
Oh no... Another memory!
I only nod with a smile giving an impression that I remember it—even if it's vague.
"I went to meet one of my old friends and thought of taking him along with me. As it was only a year after I took him in... I wanted him to forget his past and enjoy life to its fullest. That was the first time he ever smiled... and on our way back he said, Hokkaido is beautiful."
His eyes gleam with the rays of nostalgia. "You even complained about why I didn't take you with me as well."
I get up right then with a newfound energy.
I have a feeling that perhaps...
He interrupts my thoughts with, "Nereus... when he wants to disconnect, it's hard to find him. That boy can be stubborn."
I collect both of his hands in mine. "Thank you grandpa... for telling me this."
My heart swells with affection for the kind of relationship they hold for each other.
I know he's afraid of facing me... he probably thinks that I'll question him. Confrontation and someone like him... don't sit together.
"Grandpa..." I beam in delight at the thought of bringing him back. "A vacation, like Myria said, is well deserved. We're going to Hokkaido."
••••
"What?!" Levi almost spills his evening coffee when I tell him the plan. "You know how hard it'll be to search for him without being able to contact him. He won't turn on his phone and even if he does, he won't answer."
He sets down the cup with a deep frown. "Asking for his location is futile. How are you even sure that he's there? Just because..."
"I have a feeling Levi. Can you trust me this once?"
"Haven't I always? But Hokkaido is huge, Loretta."
"It's mercy enough that he didn't leave his phone here. Maybe we should give him some space. It'll be a big surprise. After arriving there we can try to contact him... None of us has tried calling him once yet—which worries me enough as it is but I have kept it under control... I don't want him to feel that we are chasing him, Levi."
"And what if after going there we find out he's already gone somewhere else? Or, what if we're not able to contact him at all?"
"He won't keep it off forever."
"All this just because your grandfather took him there once..?"
At his pessimistic questions, I ask my head again rethinking our future actions.
But then one certainty grips me strongly. Nero never praises just anything or everything. His eyes glisten in admiration for things that inspire him in every possible way. If he ever said 'Hokkaido is beautiful'... a place owning so many memories for him... I will take my chances.
I nod. "My intuition says he cannot be anywhere else."
He asks, "So, us three?"
"Will he be able to accompany us... considering his work..?"
"I thought you already called Aiden?"
"That was when you were downstairs, talking with Myria. Before you even thought of this..."
"Right... My head's pretty distracted. Can you call him again please?" I request.
"Hm. Okay."
"Tomorrow... No, I want to book a flight now." I calculate the time. "From here to Hokkaido—it won't take more than four hours."
He phones Aiden and as it keeps ringing he chuckles.
"What?"
"I'm gonna make this trip worthwhile. Couple of days away from his nuisance and Phoenix... It's going to be fun."
I grin seeing him like that. Levi's back to his self huh...
Aiden picks up after the third ring and Levi starts talking.
"I'll leave the rest to you guys." I wave my hand. "I'm going to the living room."
••••
"Young Lady wake up..! Today I can't let you sleep longer than... Young Lady it's late!"
I ignore Sofia's wails.
"You're ignoring me... fine. I'm sending your boyfriend."
Who's my boyfriend?
I hear the door being shut. She's left. Gosh how can anyone sleep with her screaming like that?
Few seconds of silence pass before I hear that familiar voice which takes my worries away like a breeze.
"Loretta?"
I reluctantly peek from under my tired eyelids. He's all set for the day.
Crap... Levi..!
I scramble to my feet and they get tangled in the cover which I flung across the floor just a second ago.
"Woah woah... easy." He helps me. "I thought you forgot about Hokkaido."
Wait... I was in bed? I remember practising after dinner...
Surprise ripples from my face.
Levi turns his head on the other side. "You must be wondering how... when you were in the piano room, right?"
He chuckles but it's without a sound. Almost like he pities me.
"Miss Loretta," he puts a hand on his forehead. "Must you always push yourself?"
Hearing him addressing me Miss gives me sudden goosebumps.
"I... must have fell asleep while..." I lower my head imagining how he carried me to the bed.
His hands drop by his sides as he looks straight at me. "Aiden's gonna be here in an hour."
"Right... I'm gonna get ready." I slide past him hurrying to go to the dressing room.
What a day!
But I should be thrilled. I am getting a break. The bad point is, it's right before my concert and I won't be able to practice there. But hey, chances like this rarely comes. We'll show him, our friendship is not that brittle. I will make sure that you talk Nero. Your silence burdens my heart.
••••
When I come out of the shower I hear Aiden's car.
I rush to open the door.
"You're all dressed up I see."
"Come inside. I still need to pack a few more stuffs."
"Oh I thought Mr. Jordan was a busy man. Seems like he's got a lot of useless time on his hands," Levi remarks from behind me.
"Oi what do you mean? You're the one staying with her mostly... neglecting your business."
"Ooh I'm smelling jealousy in the air," Levi remarks again.
I grimace. "Guys! Don't start now. There'll be time later. Let's have breakfast first. Then we will be... wait when is the flight?"
I let them handle the ticket booking. And since I fell asleep I have no idea what they did.
"An hour from now," says Aiden. "It won't take long before we reach Noboribetsu."
"You ever went there?"
"Once," Aiden answers to Levi. "Was twelve then. Ah it feels like yesterday when I think about it." There's a fateful belief in his words. "As if we were destined to meet in this life."
"I can't help feeling that too," says Levi.
"Right... Nero was seven when he went there with grandpa. And you went there were twelve years old. What about you Levi? Have you also..?"
He shares an odd smile with Aiden but Aiden seems a bit confused.
"What? Don't build up the suspense please!"
"Back then we didn't even know each other. We crossed paths one time... as tourists."
"So... that was you huh..."
"Now that I recall—your spiky hair was ridiculous Aiden. That's how I suddenly remembered you."
"Bullshit! Don't believe him Loretta! That was.. uhm," he stammers, "I kind of persisted to get that hairstyle. It was so trendy back then."
"See?" Levi laughs out. "Mr. Singer was already preparing himself to get the ladies' attention."
A fateful meeting turns out as friendship years later... Have I met them somewhere before too? Maybe I don't remember?
A sense of peace grasps me hearing them bickering.
"Seriously though... it can't be just a coincidence. Maybe Aiden is right..." I fondly look at the two of them. "Maybe we were destined to meet."
Is that the reason..? I also feel like I saw Nero even before I got this life. But it's so vague... I hope the clouds get clear oneday.
••••
The flight takes off finally.
My seat is beside the window.
Just five minutes ago Aiden and Levi had a small fight about the entitlement of the seat next to mine.
Now both of them are behind. Yeah, I made that happen.
Nova and Myria came to see us off at the airport. I can still see them from the window. They're smiling.
Anyone will notice how much they're in love with each other. Maybe grandpa's having a hard time adjusting with this era of ours—but I don't think he hates his daughter.
I feel surprised at my ownself for being so understanding and observant. I've begun to feel at ease with them—as if this family belongs to me... or better, I belong to them.
••••
I don't know how much time has passed. I must have taken a short nap. No doubt you can get bored in flights just by sitting and sitting.
When I turn my head back, a smile forms automatically on my lips.
Aiden is snoring softly and Levi's head is turned at his left—he's dozing too. How peaceful they look.
I try to drink the beauty of the vast sky through the small glass of the window. Would all of these have happened if I never woke up in the first place? Noway. What if we both remained dead?
The very thought horrifies me in this moment. How ironic it is to feel horrified by the thought of death when I didn't even feel anything when I myself...
"Loretta... we're about to land."
"How long have you been awake?"
"For a while now. You seemed to be in deep thoughts—your eyes, forlorn and distant. You looked so... nostalgically melancholic."
"Wow... you are an exceptional observant Mr. Fawcett," I say to excuse myself from his questions, "And you find the right words too."