sticking by this crusty old fool and feeding the muse. You are an angel walking among us.â
She gave him a small smile and went upstairs to her room, closing the door behind her. Flopping on the bed, she took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling, watching the fading daylight catch the crystals on the chandelier, casting a kaleidoscope of colours on the wall. A wave of pity swept over her. All Eduardo ever wanted was time to create the music that brought joy to many and a chance to honour a promise heâd made to his own mentor. Eduardo needed her help to get him through the rough stages of the disease, to calm him when fear paralysed him, and to support him when he felt all was lost. After everything heâd done for her, she couldnât deprive him of his wishes. She didnât want another man to suffer like her grandfather because someone couldnât be bothered to help. Eduardo was right. The decision had been made.
* * *
The door clicked quietly behind Louisa as she stepped into the cool evening. Hurrying down the dark street, she crossed the deserted road and ducked into the shadows of the park. She didnât need light to guide her through the twists and turns to arrive at their bench seat. She sat and waited. The cold metal bit through her winter jacket and froze the backs of her legs and buttocks. It hardly matteredâsince Eduardo had delivered the news of their imminent departure, a deep chill had settled on her soul. Pulling the jacket closer to her body, she stared into the darkness as the minutes dragged on.
Stones crunching beneath solid boots drew her attention to the parkâs entrance. Roberto stood for a moment, as if allowing his eyes to adjust to the blackness. His slow, deliberate steps left her desperate with anticipation for his strong arms to wrap around and cocoon her from the world once again.
He drew close and held out his hand and she took it, his warm fingers entwining with hers. Louisa stood, looked into his eyes and dissolved into tears, burying her head in his woollen jacket. Roberto gently stroked her hair, his fingers occasionally catching a curl.
âMy love, we will find a way.â
She pulled back, hot tears obscuring her vision. âHow? Heâs already made up his mind.â
âI know.â Roberto gestured towards the bench. They sat and she snuggled into him, breathing in his familiar sandalwood scent.
âWhat do you want to happen?â The words came out before sheâd realised the implications of hearing an answer she didnât want.
âWhat do you mean?â
âEduardoâs told you about looking after his affairs, right? And how heâll let you perform once he leaves.â
âYes. He says my performing is like a legacy he is leaving for the Argentines while he is away.â Roberto puffed out his chest.
âSo youâre his replacement.â
âNo one could ever fully replace Eduardo, but yes, in a way I am.â His tone held excitement.
âYouâll get to live your dream and make a name for yourself.â Louisa looked into his eyes. âYou deserve this.â
âIâve worked hard, yes, but it means nothing if I canât share it with you.â
âBut he needs me and I have to help.â She desperately wanted to elaborate but sheâd given her word to Eduardo.
âI need you, too, but ...â Roberto paused as if searching for the right words.
âItâs your dream.â
âItâs our future.â He trailed his fingers down her face and around to the nape of her neck.
She stared at her turquoise heels. âI have no idea how Iâll get through my days without you.â
âSo stay with me.â
âI canât.â
âYouâre not his possession, Louisa.â Roberto shifted away and a shot of cold air slapped her side.
âIâm his muse,â she said, scrambling. âHe canât perform without
She gave him a small smile and went upstairs to her room, closing the door behind her. Flopping on the bed, she took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling, watching the fading daylight catch the crystals on the chandelier, casting a kaleidoscope of colours on the wall. A wave of pity swept over her. All Eduardo ever wanted was time to create the music that brought joy to many and a chance to honour a promise heâd made to his own mentor. Eduardo needed her help to get him through the rough stages of the disease, to calm him when fear paralysed him, and to support him when he felt all was lost. After everything heâd done for her, she couldnât deprive him of his wishes. She didnât want another man to suffer like her grandfather because someone couldnât be bothered to help. Eduardo was right. The decision had been made.
* * *
The door clicked quietly behind Louisa as she stepped into the cool evening. Hurrying down the dark street, she crossed the deserted road and ducked into the shadows of the park. She didnât need light to guide her through the twists and turns to arrive at their bench seat. She sat and waited. The cold metal bit through her winter jacket and froze the backs of her legs and buttocks. It hardly matteredâsince Eduardo had delivered the news of their imminent departure, a deep chill had settled on her soul. Pulling the jacket closer to her body, she stared into the darkness as the minutes dragged on.
Stones crunching beneath solid boots drew her attention to the parkâs entrance. Roberto stood for a moment, as if allowing his eyes to adjust to the blackness. His slow, deliberate steps left her desperate with anticipation for his strong arms to wrap around and cocoon her from the world once again.
He drew close and held out his hand and she took it, his warm fingers entwining with hers. Louisa stood, looked into his eyes and dissolved into tears, burying her head in his woollen jacket. Roberto gently stroked her hair, his fingers occasionally catching a curl.
âMy love, we will find a way.â
She pulled back, hot tears obscuring her vision. âHow? Heâs already made up his mind.â
âI know.â Roberto gestured towards the bench. They sat and she snuggled into him, breathing in his familiar sandalwood scent.
âWhat do you want to happen?â The words came out before sheâd realised the implications of hearing an answer she didnât want.
âWhat do you mean?â
âEduardoâs told you about looking after his affairs, right? And how heâll let you perform once he leaves.â
âYes. He says my performing is like a legacy he is leaving for the Argentines while he is away.â Roberto puffed out his chest.
âSo youâre his replacement.â
âNo one could ever fully replace Eduardo, but yes, in a way I am.â His tone held excitement.
âYouâll get to live your dream and make a name for yourself.â Louisa looked into his eyes. âYou deserve this.â
âIâve worked hard, yes, but it means nothing if I canât share it with you.â
âBut he needs me and I have to help.â She desperately wanted to elaborate but sheâd given her word to Eduardo.
âI need you, too, but ...â Roberto paused as if searching for the right words.
âItâs your dream.â
âItâs our future.â He trailed his fingers down her face and around to the nape of her neck.
She stared at her turquoise heels. âI have no idea how Iâll get through my days without you.â
âSo stay with me.â
âI canât.â
âYouâre not his possession, Louisa.â Roberto shifted away and a shot of cold air slapped her side.
âIâm his muse,â she said, scrambling. âHe canât perform without
Similar Books
