Chapter 36: Chapter 36

- Logan! Missy exclaimed, completely euphoric as she flung open the door to his office.

Logan, who was sitting at his desk looking at something on his computer screen with a serious and stern expression, looked up immediately, breaking into a huge smile as soon as he saw her, which lit up his features completely, making him look almost different. men. Still overcome with joy, Missy didn't even hesitate before literally running across her office, throwing herself into his outstretched arms and hugging him around the neck as she fell into his lap, beaming.

- I did it, Logan! Finished my software! Even the smallest adjustments! He is officially ready! she announced in ecstasy.

- Congratulations love. – Logan smiled and her heart swelled when she realized how much he looked not only extremely happy, but also obviously and deeply proud of her – We need to celebrate! – he tightened his arms around her waist with a seductive expression, before returning his attention to the computer screen again – As you can see, I have something urgent to take care of now. If you'll excuse me...

Horrified, Missy finally looked at the computer as well, feeling almost as if her soul were leaving her body as she realized that she had literally thrown herself on top of it while Logan was in the middle of a video conference. And probably a very important one, as all the people there were elegantly dressed, with offices and exquisite rooms in the background. Her expressions, all focused on the scene before them, ranged from surprise, amusement and even contentment, which was the only way to describe the gentle smile of an elderly lady whose window was right in the center of the online meeting.

- God, Logan. Why didn't you hang up earlier? – the lady laughed, happy – Don't keep this adorable young lady waiting to celebrate an achievement. In fact, Fernando and I look forward to seeing you at our party in December. – She gave a mischievous smile, obviously having a lot of fun – It was a pleasure to finally meet the reason for Logan Knight's good mood, including. I know that boy can be quite grumpy, honey. – the lady smiled at Missy, making her blush fiercely – But I promise he's worth it.

- Thanks for the vote of confidence, Raquela. – Logan replied calmly, while moving the cursor to the button that would disconnect the call – Send my regards to Fernando. We'll see each other soon. - Logan waved to everyone cordially, before ending the meeting, turning his neck to face Missy's mortified expression.

- Oh, my God, Logan, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize you were in the middle of a meeting. Simon wasn't out there and I was so glad I just walked in without thinking. I swear I didn't mean to…” she stammered anxiously, distressed.

- Missy, take it easy. – he interrupted her, with a soft laugh – You didn't interrupt anything. We had already finished the important matters, after all. In fact, you did me a favor. – he rolled his eyes – There is nothing more tedious than a marketing meeting, believe me. But it does not matter. – Logan smiled, clearly delighted – What matters now is that I'm more than proud of you, love. I know how much this project meant to you. You don't know how happy I am to know that you've finally managed to make it a reality. So what's the next step? he asked, so genuinely interested that Missy felt the euphoria of telling him of her plans to take her back overshadow even her embarrassment.

- I just sent the news to Megan's cell phone. It's probably going to take some time to show, since at that time she usually records some videos for the channel, but I think the next step is to try to sell it in the technology market. – Missy said excitedly – Honestly, I don't know if many companies will be interested, or what exactly the appropriate market value will be, but, honestly, I'm not worried about that. – she admitted, smiling – I know Megan will handle all this in the best way possible. My biggest wish has always just been that this show could make a difference somewhere after all. I honestly don't care where or how much it's going to be used. She shrugged, smiling shyly.

- I have no doubt that he will make all the difference. - Logan nestled her face against his chest - And, mainly, I'm sure he'll be a success. I know your work, Missy. It's just brilliant. The agency's operating systems, and the technological optimization we had after you installed them, are proof of that. – he smiled, waving towards the computer itself – It's so simple and practical that I doubt anyone from the company has had problems with the system since you got here. And you know it very well. It's not like you're much asked to fix something around here since he first messed with our computers 11 months ago. – he joked, very good-naturedly.

- It wasn't that amazing… – she smiled shyly, but something occurred to her as she stared at the screensaver of the computer in front of them – By the way, that last antivirus I installed really solved your computer's problems, didn't it? – she asked happily – I didn't realize how long it's been since you've had problems with him.

- Oh, yes… - Logan widened his eyes a little, looking surprised, almost disoriented – Yes, that's true. It was a great antivirus, no doubt. – he agreed quickly – But changing the subject, have you thought about how you want to celebrate? – he encouraged her, squeezing her even more against his chest – Do you want to go to your favorite restaurant? To the movies? Dinner with my family? Have a game night? No matter what it is, we'll do whatever you want. he promised, looking as excited as she felt.

Thoughtful, Missy was silent for a second, but it didn't take her long to realize what she really wanted to do together with him that day.

- I want to do something you like. she decided, satisfied.

- What? But… - Logan blinked, not understanding – Why would we do that? We should do something that makes you happy, to celebrate your achievement. Why would you pick something I like instead? he questioned, looking genuinely confused.

- Because we always do something I like. In fact, since we started... Well, all of that... We've never done anything that wasn't what I wanted. – Missy explained awkwardly – If it weren't for you, for your support, your plan, your attitudes... I would never have even gone back to that office again, let alone had the courage to finish my project faster than I had scheduled. . And that's why I want to celebrate with something that makes you happy. – she smiled, rubbing her cheek against his – What do you say? Have something in mind?

Logan remained silent for some time, looking stunned and even a little embarrassed, especially when he finally spoke again, hesitantly.

- Well... As I told you, most of my time is dedicated to work... And, now, to being with you. – he opened one of those magnificent smiles, which completely stole her air – So, I honestly don't have many distractions that are not related to those two things, but… – he stopped for a second, as if he was analyzing his own thoughts - Well, I really like going to piano concerts, from time to time, when I find some space in my schedule. It reminds me of my grandfather and... - he took a deep breath, regretfully, which led her to gently caress his face, in an unconscious attempt to comfort him - I think, to be honest, this type of music ended up becoming becoming a part of me, just like all the movies, series and anime that you love, and that you've been showing me, are an important part of you. – he smiled, leaning his face against her hand – Come to think of it, you're right. You've already shown me so much that you love... I would love to show you something that I love and that's part of who I am. In fact, I got an invitation to perform tonight, but...

- Excellent! - She interrupted him, when Logan seemed about to put some impediment on that program that he was obviously excited to do, as his crooked smile made it very clear - We already decided where to do our celebration, then. – she added happily.

"Didn't Megan immediately plan a celebration just between you two when she found out you finished the software?" he asked in disbelief.

- Well, I texted her, but I knew she was busy, so I decided not to call, and... Well... - Missy shrugged shyly - I was so looking forward to coming over here and telling you , that I didn't even remember to bring my cell phone with me, in case she called...

- Was I the first person you told? He opened a huge smile, clearly ecstatic to hear that, although Missy didn't understand why.

Smiling, she agreed, making his expression become even more jubilant for a few minutes, until his smile fell a little.

-I imagine that, now that you're done... -he massaged the back of her neck, suddenly downcast-We won't see each other in the office so often, will we? There was so much regret and sadness in his voice that, for a moment, Missy was even stunned.

- Of course we will! – She stated, almost distressed that he was suggesting that they would move away – Finishing a project just means that I'm ready to start a new one! And, well... - Missy smiled, biting her lip awkwardly - I guess all the research, preparations and other things I'll have to do to start programming new software will go be done much better if I have an office to work in.

- I completely agree. – Logan's smile was pure delight, before becoming malicious – And, we still have a revenge plan in progress, don't we? One that involves more moments where everyone knows you came into my office in the middle of the day. Like now. – he kissed a particularly sensitive point on the curve of her neck, making her shiver – And, of course, as soon as you leave here, I will make a point of letting every living soul in this agency know that you are going to the recital with me tonight. – he smiled, with a vibrant expression, but still fearful – You know you don't have to go with me if you really don't want to, right? – Logan asked, cautiously – I know that the vast majority of people can find purely instrumental music something very boring. I know my brothers teased me about it for decades...

- Logan… – she cut him off gently – If it's something you love so much, then I look forward to sharing it with you. – Missy assured, happily convinced – You make me so happy… All I want is to be able to give you a little happiness too. And... If it really is something that makes you feel so connected to your grandfather, then I sure want to go. – she smiled, sweetly and sadly – I know it doesn't make sense, but… I feel like… If I share this special moment with you… Maybe I can feel like I got to know a little bit of him too, even if not personally. I know music was something that brought the two of you together, so... You don't have to be afraid that I'm going to find the performance or the music boring, Logan. – Missy hugged him even tighter, putting every ounce of emotion she felt into the words she would say next – Because, if it's important to you, there's simply no way it's not important to me too.

She remained hugging him, her face resting on his hair, until she realized that the silence that enveloped them was taking too long. Worried that she might have said something that displeased him, Missy lowered her gaze to his expression again, and was surprised to see that he looked stunned and delighted, almost disoriented.

- Logan? – Missy called him, more and more worried – Are you okay? Was it something I said?

- Not. No, love, of course not…' He shook his head gently a few times, and when he looked up at her again, there was an emotion there so intense and so unfamiliar to her that Missy felt her body go tense, no reaction – Just… It will be an honor to take you with me, if that's how you feel. – he finally spoke, after another moment of silence, with an absurdly beautiful smile.

- And I'll be honored to share with you something you love. Missy admitted, leaning down to give him what she knew the two of them would soon turn into much more than a kiss.

- Missy, why are you crying?!

Snapping out of her trance with a start, Missy hurriedly wiped the tears, which she hadn't even realized she was spilling, from her face, before turning her attention to a very concerned Logan, sitting beside her in the cabin of the theater they were in. Far below them on stage, the orchestra and especially the lead pianist, an elegant, soft-featured lady, were still being treated to a long and well-deserved round of applause after such a heady performance.

- It was nothing, it's just that... It was so beautiful... - she sniffled, anxiously drying her tears with the back of her hands - I had never seen anything like this live... I never imagined it would be so... Intense. – She sighed, ecstatic, as she watched the musicians in the orchestra – It doesn't make any sense, I know, but… While they were playing… They seemed to be telling me a story, only using musical notes instead of words. It seemed that each melody was talking directly to my soul and telling it something that I don't even know how to define... Just feel. – Suddenly, she came out of her reverie when she realized that Logan was staring at her intensely, which made her feel embarrassed – Sorry. I'm just babbling nonsense, aren't I?

- No, Missy, of course not. – he vehemently denied, still looking equally delighted and… even disturbed – It's just… the way you described the performance… – he gasped slightly, before swallowing hard – They were the exact same words as my grandfather used to use it to describe how music made him feel. – Logan finally revealed, turning his green and regretful eyes to the floor, making Missy's heart clench with anguish.

- I'm sorry... - she placed her hands gently on his shoulders, trying to comfort him - I'm sorry I said something that made you feel like that...

- Oh, love, you don't need to apologize... - he smiled sadly, returning to face her with with those heavy, almost regretful eyes – I just reacted like that because… I just thought I would never hear someone talk like that again, that's all… – he sighed – It was like… As if, suddenly, I was listening to talk again about how music touched him in a unique way... - after another sad moment of silence, in which he remained with his shoulders down and slumped, Logan finally looked up again, staring at her affectionately - He would have just adored you, you know? I think hearing her talk like that would have made him cry with joy to have found someone who felt the same way he did.

- Do you really think? – Missy smiled, feeling touched to know that he believed that Tristan Knight would have liked her; in a way that was hard to define, after everything Logan had told her about him, Missy had the strangest feeling that she, too, would have loved to be friends with his grandfather – Because I don't really understand much about music or playing instruments...

- If there was one thing my grandfather taught me… – he interrupted her, wrapping his hand around hers in a gentle grip – It's that music isn't just about sheet music and tuned instruments. It's about feelings, about life... It's about the human heart. - He lifted his gaze, staring at her with a burning glow that she couldn't name - And everything that's stored inside it. Therefore, each musical note is absorbed differently by each person. Or, at least... - Logan laughed weakly - That's what he always told me.

- Is that you? – Missy asked after a moment of silence, sincerely wanting to know the answer to the question in her mind – What does the song say to you?

- She... keeps him with me. – he revealed, with an almost inaudible voice – Do you remember when I told you how irritated I was when I realized that some memories about him ended up disappearing, even if I tried my best to keep them with me? Well, when I hear a piano... It's like I can feel them. – he placed his hand on his own chest, exactly over his heart – They may not be on my mind anymore, but, in an inexplicable way, I feel them in my heart. I feel the joy I felt when he was with me. The fascination that always gripped me when he told me how much he loved playing the piano. The hope I had of, someday, being able to become at least half the great man he was... I feel... - he swallowed hard - The love I felt for him. And I still do. I think, in the end, the song makes me feel like he's with me again. – his melancholy tone makes her lean over the chair she was sitting in so she could hug him, wanting to do whatever was necessary to wipe away that old sadness from his face – As if he was still by my side somehow, even if I can no longer share my life with him as I would like. - Logan concluded, with his eyes downcast staring at the dark wood of the cabin floor, but without seeming to be really seeing it.

- I'm sure he's very proud of the man you've become. - She smiled, distributing soft kisses all over his chin - Because you have exactly all the qualities you always use to describe him. You're a great man too, Logan, never doubt that. Missy's sweet smile widened even more when his eyes flicked up to stare at her, dazed, but also visibly emotional.

'Missy…' He panted softly, sounding almost suffocated.

- And maybe your grandfather is no longer physically in your life, but deep down you know that he is still taking care of you, even from afar. And that he still loves you more than anything in the world. – She sniffled, smiling shakily – Just like me and my father.

Still looking as if he were in a trance as he stared at her, Missy watched him remain in that petrified posture for several silent seconds, until finally his eyes closed for a moment and, in surprise, she noticed a lone tear trickle down his cheek. But, as quickly as that had happened, soon his hand was already wiping the small drop, while the green irises looked at her again, now with an emotional smile.

- Yes you are right. Deep down, I know he loves me. That's the biggest of all the connections music has with me: it makes me feel my grandfather's love for me. – Missy's heart sped up when he looked into her eyes, with that same breathtaking intensity – And, more than ever, I know he's taking care of me. I know that somehow he brought me to you so that I could be happier than I ever thought possible. His smile was so deeply affectionate and loving that Missy felt herself blush from head to toe, especially at those last words.

- You also make me very happy. – she returned his smile, shyly – Happier than I remember ever being. I don't know where I would be now if it weren't for your friendship. And, well... Everything else we're sharing. – Missy blushed, looking away, suddenly feeling a little strange as she realized that that “everything” definitely involved more than just a great friendship and sex. It was about complicity, about understanding, about feelings...

Although she didn't know how to define very well which types of feeling.

Or, being very honest, maybe she didn't want to know what feelings were inside her chest.