Bound to You

Chapter 45: Pirates!

She was aware she was exposed to the whole audience now, exposed to him. Her heart was thumping in her chest as she gracefully moved her fingers across the black and white keys, reading the intricate notes, playing them with tenderness. 

It ached to remember how it felt. The chords worked in harmony with the swiftness of a myriad of single notes. This masterpiece was getting to her and she closed her eyes, putting her heart to it, unconsciously playing from her own mind. 

She was suddenly not respecting the sheets anymore. Her eyes blurred slowly despite herself and she blinked the tears away, focusing to keep herself on track, elegantly going back to the composition, making it sound more emotional than anticipated. 

She glanced down towards his seat, searching for him. He was not there and yet, she could feel his presence, close...far...but still here with her. She turned back to the keys, her foot pressing on the pedal beneath, gradually decreasing it to a quiet and slow embrace, almost inaudible, as if speaking to everyone before she broke the trance, with a staggering forte, telling them to wake up into the present.

James was captivated at that fluency, at that variation of tones, at that breathtaking melody that she was playing. Seeing her like that...he didn't know what to think anymore. She was perfection. She was grace. Her shoulders and her brown hair moved in harmony with the music, the earrings scintillating. Her fingers flew over these keys magically fast. 

In that long moment, he forgot the many things he had to do only to focus on her. She was the woman he wanted in his life. The one who was hiding so many things from him. He only wished she would open up to him, trust him with everything. 

She again looked up and this time she found him instantly, standing high on the stairs, his eyes yearning for her as she longed for him. It was enough to know what she was silently telling him. The words that she was so afraid to voice out. 

He wanted to reach her, to kiss her again and again but he resolved himself to go, knowing he couldn't afford to stay a minute longer. The beautiful chords sustained, marking the end of the intro and the beginning of the main music.

The band walked on the stage under Anthony's guidance and he briefly made eye-contact to Sierra, telling her how wonderful she was. He raised his baton and along with the piano, various instruments joined in, capturing the emotional moment of the intro and prolonging in into a much happier tone.

Ileana was shaking as she and Sam were peeping all this time from the backstage. She couldn't believe her eyes. Sam hesitated, putting an arm around her shoulder, feeling a knot in his throat, "You're crying? You'll wet your eyepatch, stupid!" 

She wiped the few tears away and said, "I don't know... It was so beautiful." 

Sam agreed, fidgeting with his sword, "Yes, it made me think of my grandpa..." He found it fascinating and hard to acknowledge that music could bring back intense memories. 

While the orchestra was playing a jolly air, he turned and could see a lot of people, trying to recover from that melody. Even Ms Driscoll seemed stunned. Sam chuckled, "I think your aunt is the most amazing teacher, Ileana. She's the best!" 

Henry exclaimed with an exaggerated sigh, "She stole my heart, kids. I'm pretty sure she played this to declare her affection for me." They grimaced as they heard him and then broke into a laugh. 

Sam mocked, tapping his shoulder sympathetically, "Down to earth, Mr Stone! You'll dream later. We have to focus now because we're going next!" 

Henry exclaimed, feeling energetic suddenly, "Hell yes! Get your bearings, pirates and the props! I'll help roll the ship in! We need to be quick after they're done!"