We went to the music studio Luke recommended. I walked with the twins; Artemis was on my left while Apollo was on my right. Reginald was just following us from behind. The studio was just a few blocks from the park which was good. My back was starting to give up, I can’t carry the twins anymore further. Reginald opened the door of the studio so we can enter all at once. I looked at Reginald.

“Can you take the twins for a second please? I’ll just talk to the staff at the front desk.” Reginald nodded and grabbed the twins from me. I went straight to the front desk. A dark skinned woman was behind the desk, wearing a white polka dot blouse, with one side of her deep ebony hair tucked neatly with a hairclip. She gave me a smile.

“Hi, welcome to Golden Music Studios, how may I help you?”

“Hi, I was wondering if you had an available studio room for rehearsal today?” She looked at the computer in front of her and then to the calendar behind her. “Yes, we do have a vacant rehearsal studio. Are you going to rent one for today?”

I sighed in relief. Thank God there was an available studio. I didn’t want to disappoint the twins. So, I rented a studio for about an hour thinking that would be enough for the twins. She also gave me a flyer about the rates and how to set up an appointment should I decide to come back for some rehearsals. I gave her my contact information and email so I can be notified just in case. She led us to the room at the end of the corridor.

The twins were trying to race down the hall to see who could go in first as Reginald and I talked about being a classical pianist. He was a fan of classical music, which always surprised me whenever someone told me that. It’s rare nowadays. The lady at the front desk held the door open as the twins stormed inside the room. She, too, was fond of them. I mean at this point, who wouldn’t be? She looked at me and spoke.

“So, I’ll notify you once the hour is up.” I nodded. “Thank you.” I told her and then she went back to her station.

I looked around and the music studio and I was glad there’s a classic piano in the middle of the room. The percussions were stationed at the furthest corner of the room then the strings were directly on the opposite side. There’s a long-tiered seating beside the entrance. Artemis and Apollo were already tugging my coat.

“Come on Blue!” they both said in unison. I walked them towards the piano as Reginald sat at the tiered seats. I told them to sit by the piano bench. I flipped the cover and fallboard of the Grand piano. It was a Yamaha DCFXE3PRO model which impressed me. It’s one of the notable models of pianos in the world. The grand piano in my apartment was a Steinway & Sons Model A. According to my parents, it wasn’t cheap.

And now that I knew Grand Pianos like the back of my hand, it really was not cheap. Far beyond it. That’s why I always made sure my baby was always in top shape. I started checking if the piano is tuned and adjusted them accordingly using a tuning pin. Surprisingly, the twins sat on their seat and watched me intently and Reginald was doing the same. It made me feel a little conscious about tuning the piano. One thing that I was proud of, I did excellent at ear training during my time in Julliard.

I sat between the twins on the piano bench, Artemis was on my right while Apollo was on the opposite side. I looked at them both. “Ready?” I asked and they both nodded in excitement. As soon as my fingers made contact with the keys, the melody started to fill the room. I looked at twins and they were swaying a little to the melody of the piano but their eyes were focused on my hands as I played the piano keys.

I was playing Claire De Lune by Debussy. As soon as the song was finished, they both stood up from the piano bench and clapped their hands. I didn’t realize Reggie stood up too and clapped his hands. My ears started to feel warm and so did my cheeks. “That was exceptional! Claire De Lune?” I gave a smile but was flattered at the compliment. I gave him a nod.

“Blue! Blue! Teach us how to play please!” Apollo said, jumping on his seat. I laughed. “Hey, I want to learn too!” Artemis chimed beside me. So, I taught them the simplest notes simultaneously. I love how willing they were to learn to play the piano. Suddenly, I felt my phone ring. I looked at Reginald. “Hey Reggie, can you watch them for me, I just have to take this call.” He nodded. I got out of my seat and saw that Luke was calling.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Where are you?” he asked. “I’m at the music studio you recommended, Golden Music Studios.” I looked at the twins who were now pressing random keys on the piano. “Good! You’re near my building! Can I ask you for a favor, Snowflake?” I frowned. “Yeah, how can I help?”

“An important document was left at the front desk of my building. Do you mind delivering it to me at the office?” Sounds like an easy task, I thought. “Of course, do you need it now?”

“Yes, sorry asking such an urgent request.” I smiled on the other line. “Oh, it’s nothing. I’ll go get your documents, just send me the address to your place and then the address to your office. I’ll just call in an Uber.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ll call the Front desk and send you the details.” I nodded as if he could see me through the phone and then hung up the call. I went back to Reginald and the twins. “Hey Reggie, I have to go. Something urgent came up.”

The twins shot me a look of disappointment and that just broke my heart. “Blue has to take care of something, okay? Promise I’ll take you back here.” The twins looked at each other and then held out their pinky fingers. These two adorable kids will be the death of me. I intertwined both of my pinky fingers with theirs. They both smiled and gave me a hug. It was just endearing and warm. In the end, I did enjoy spending time with them.

As if on cue, the lady at the front desk notified us that the hour was up. Right on time. We were outside the music studio when Reginald pulled out his phone and made a call. Not long after, there was a slick black car stopped in front of us.

“This is our ride.” Reginald said. I nodded. “It was a pleasure meeting you Reggie.” He shook my hand. “The pleasure is all mine. Thank you again for helping out Artemis and spending time with her and Apollo.” I waved my hand dismissively. “I had fun with these adorable kids.”

I knelt to the two twins. “I’ll see you soon okay?” They both nodded. “Be nice to each other.” Earning me another nod from them both. They both gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. The driver helped the twins enter the car. “Are you headed back home?” I shook my head. “I need to pick up some documents at a friend’s place.”

“Do you want a ride? We could drop you off.” I pondered on the offer. I realized it would be faster if I took it. “Why not?” As soon as the twins knew I was riding with them, they were ecstatic. I gave the address to the driver who was in complete uniform and sunglasses and stopped by in front of Luke's building.

I gave Reginald my contact information just in case he needed some help with the twins and so I can let them know when I can bring them back to the studio. I promised to teach them to play piano again. I bid my goodbye and thanks to Reginald and twins as their car drove away. I went inside Luke’s building and headed straight to the front desk.

I was able to grab the document with ease, it was placed inside a brown metal clasp envelope. I called for an Uber using the address Luke gave me and sent him a message that I was on my way. He told me that he’s going to meet me by the lobby of the office.

❅     ❅    ❅

As the car weaved through the city, I noticed the buildings were becoming taller and taller. In the middle of the concrete jungle was the tallest of them all. It pierced through the sky and the tip of the building looked like a tip of a sharp knife. The walls were made from mirrored glass that reflected the gloomy grey sky which made the building look like a giant dagger placed in the middle of the city. I realized that the car was headed towards the building I could not remove my eyes from.

I guess that’s the place.

The car stopped in front of the tall, modern building. Up close it was even more beautifully designed. It gave off a sense of power for some reason. I went up the steps and headed towards the entrance. I noticed people in business suits coming in and out of the building, the men with their suitcases while the women with their expensive purses. I have never felt so out of place in my life. I held the envelope in between my arms as I went straight for the entrance.

The building had an extreme security checkpoint. It felt like I was back at the airport and being scanned from head to toe. As soon as I was cleared to go inside, the interior was even more immaculate than the exterior of the building. It looked too pristine, clinical almost.

The interior was spacious and modernly designed. There were large beautiful chandeliers hung on the ceiling. There were monitors in almost every pillar of the building. People were going back and forth and the buzzing talk about business rang around me. I can’t even believe Luke worked in such a notable place. Their front desk consisted of what looked like six people working behind it.

The word Van Allen Industries written in cold steel behind the front desk. I grabbed my phone and called Luke. “I’m here,” I said as he picked up the call immediately. “I’m on my way down, one sec.” I sat by what looked like the reception area of the building and waited. I was watching one of the monitors as it flashed several advertisements about the businesses the company owned. Something flashed on the screen, flashing a familiar face and then it disappeared. My heart skipped a beat.

Did I just-

I shook my head. I must have imagined it. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I hadn’t imagined it. I tried to calm myself down.

Now I’m hallucinating. Great.

“Snowflake!” Luke called loudly which caught my immediate attention. I was embarrassed as people started looking at us. I stood up and met him halfway. He just passed the security turnstiles.

“Here are the documents you’ve requested.” I handed out the envelope to him. He grabbed it, opened it immediately and looked at the content. A sigh of relief came not long after. “You’re a lifesaver and he pulled me into an embrace.” I laughed. Suddenly, a familiar voice rang in my ears. My laughter died down, replaced with shock.

“Lucas!” the voice called out from behind me.

I froze.

My heart was stuck at my throat. My hands were balled into fists and my legs were starting to feel weak. I felt Luke’s arms around me loosened. “Killian!” Luke replied.

I hear the footsteps getting louder and louder. Luke looked at me, his green eyes gleaming. “Snowflake, let me introduce you to my business partner and a good college friend of mine.” At that moment, I felt time slowed. The memories started crashing down on me like a tsunami. I felt a little lightheaded and I think I forgot how to breathe.

Luke’s eyes waited for me to face the owner of the voice but right now, I wanted the ground to magically open and swallow me whole. Lucas held both of my shoulders and turned me around. The man in front of us wore a beautiful structured tux which fitted him like a glove. His hands were inside the pockets of his beautifully crafted slacks. As soon as our eyes met, he was as surprised as I was.

“This is Killian Van Allen.”

There he was, standing tall, exuding authority. His eyes never left mine. Suddenly his gaze shifted from surprise to distaste. I can feel him seething in his place. I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat.

The man I saved from the brink of death, left in bed and whom I shared almost everything with was now standing in front of me.