She was sick, I'm sure she was but she was trying so very hard to hide it especially from her sister. Actually Erato didn't just look sick but almost deathly it was a bit concerning, even to me someone who didn't know or care about her. My best guess was that her sister wasn't even aware of her condition. Should I have said something, should I have involved myself more than I needed to and let Euterpe know or was it not my business. I don't think it was. Just as my love life wasn't Erato's business. 

I think back to the way she said sorry. It was so soft and gentle, it made me feel bad. It felt like I hurt her even though it was quite apparent that I was in the right. I was the professor, I was the one being bombarded with request. I was the one who was working hard to maintain the life I had led before they infilitrated my thoughts within a twenty four hour time span. 

I move my hands across the piano keys. I just finished my first class and was playing the piano in a practice room. I was practicing a new song that I had an idea for but more than anything I was procrastinating. I really didn't want to prep for my next class especially since the girl that tried to pursue me will be in that class. 

I try not to think about it as I continue to move my fingers up and down the keys, practicing scales with the repetion that was instilled in me. 

Mother liked the piano, she liked the songs that I wrote but for some reason she didn't like me pursuing this career. She was such a walking contradiction, she wanted this, she wanted that, she wanted me to be famous, she wanted me to make my music, she wanted me to date but she wanted me to force a contract onto the one I date. 

My finger slips and I pull my hands away from the keys with a sigh. 

These Goddesses, they were too burdensome. Forcing me to date, forcing me to go to a ballet, forcing me to play the piano. Okay that last one was a choice but I felt like I was just surrounded by women who weren't even real human women. They all wanted to use me for their own benefits. I can see that even Euterpe seems to be concucting some kind of deal for me to agree too. I wonder what her face would look like I told her my mother is Aphrodite and she would kill if I entered a lifelong contract with a Muse. 

What was the benefits of having a contract with a muse? I wonder what they have the ability to provide and how their powers vary from one another. Most of all how did they stay so well hidden. Even mother had to change her name hundreds of times through her life in hiding. Some of her clients had even openly claimed that she was a Goddess of love and she had to quickly shut them up before they exposed her. So how was it that these two goddess could go millenia without being exposed. 

I tap my finger against a piano key. 

I know I should stay away but the more I think of those two the more intrigued I am. Especially with Erato. She's hiding something and for some reason it seems shes trying to disappear quietly.

I suppose I could ask her but then she would know that I'm Aphrodite's son then that could lead to a whole mess of things that I rather not be involved in. It was best just to ignore it.

I stand up and begin to leave the practice rooms. 

I was overthinking things. It seems like I was doing this more and more within the past twenty four hours. I mean with my mother's threat, the looming anticipation of the maybe Goddesses asking for a deal with me, and now being part of the philharmonic orchestra that had a performance in two weeks there was just so much to think of. 

I needed a breath maybe even two. 

I leave the music room and head to the courtyard where a group of students are conversing with another professor. The professor who ran the jazz band in fact. 

"Foster." Two of the students say right after the other. 

I smile and nod my head. "Hello," I reply. 

The professor named Harlow Keys stands taller. "How was the curriculum I suggested to you?" He asks. 

I hold up my briefcase. "It was great this semester. You'll have to suggest me more."

"I'll be sure to." He turns back to the students and continues talking while I head to the lecture hall across the courtyard. 

I look up at the tree leaves that hang over the courtyard and stare through the leaves. It was getting warmer and soon enough it would already be summer. I still worked during summer but not here. During summer I picked up a part time job as a music teacher at a local music store.

"Professor Foster," A voice calls from the entrance of the lecture hall. 

I lower my head and notice that it's one of my old students from nearly three years ago. Chris Catchingfiel. As soon as he graduated he joined a major city orchestra becoming the concert master and to my knowledge he was doing relatively well. To see him here standing in front of the door was more than surprising. 

"Chris," I answer slowing my stride as I close the distance. "What a pleasent surprise." I sling my briefcase over my shoulder. "How are you?"

He gives a half hearted smile. "Good good, well okay."

That means something was really bad so I do what my mother taught me best. I probe. "How's the orchestra?" 

He takes a breath. "I actually came because I wanted to ask you for some advice."

"About what?"

He takes a breath then smiles. "Music composition."

"Oh," I glance at my wrist watch and then the empty lecture hall. "Go ahead and come in." I clear my throat and gesture to the nearest desk. "Are you trying to compose?"

"Yes," He takes a seat and I sit across from him. "I remember that you composed a whole piano album when I was a freshman."

I nod. "This is true." I reminsce for a moment on the album I composed for someone who no longer cares for me. 

"I quit my job." Chris admits. I open my mouth but Chris continues. "I'm returning to school for my doctorate but I also would like to make an album to add to my career as an independent artist instead of an orchestra member. I want to make a name for myself."

"I see," I nod. "I'm happy that you decided to visit me but why are you telling me all this."

"I'm not new to the idea of composing but compared to your album my ideas need some help. I'm not asking you to help me make a whole album but I would like to ask for your help in revising it and maybe even doing a duet song with me."

I rub the back of my neck as I consider the idea. It wouldn't be a bad idea to help him then I can also add it to my resume and maybe even move to a more prestige college in a few years with more teaching experince. 

I tap my finger on my neck as I ponder on the idea and then I decide to ask the big question my mother always taught me to ask. What was I getting from this deal. 

"If I do this," I meet his eyes. "Will I be recieving compensation of some kind?"

He quickly nods his head. "Of course. I'll be happy to give you a small percentage of the earnings if your help is to my satisfactory"

I slowly nod my head. I had nothing better to do between my classes and with summer coming so might as well.

"Okay Chris, I agree."  I pull my phone from my back pocket and hand it to him. "Go ahead and give me your number. Text me when your first composition is done and then I can revise it. I don't want to change anything you make because this is your art and your emotions but I will do my best to make sure what you make is what you can also be proud of."

He gives a small chuckle while he types his number in. "I trust your input Foster I saw how well your album did and still does even years after you released it."

I smirk. "It's not that great also you're not my student anymore you can just call me Canan."

"You're being modest."

"I'm being honest."

I stare at him for a moment then sigh. "I'll accept the compliment." He hands my phone back to me. "Please send me any compositions you already have planned and I'll give you my opinion."

He stands up. "Who knows Prof- I mean Canan, maybe this will be the beginning of something great."

I nod. "Maybe," I tilt my head. "By the way why did you leave the orchestra."

He starts to walk to the doorway. "I made a deal with one of my friends."

"Oh?" I turn in the chair to watch him walk through the doorway.

"Actually she's one of your past students, her name is Euterpe."

My mouth drops open as he leaves through the  door.