Chapter 37: Chapter 37

Shaking her head to dispel the ghost of that disturbing thought, Missy looked back at him, surprised to find that he now looked haggard.

- Did something happen? – she asked, anxiously – Did I say something wrong or…?

- No, I'm fine, don't worry. It's just tiredness after a long week at work. – he gave a small smile that didn't reach his eyes and quickly looked away to the stage below them, still looking disappointed about something – The congratulations to the pianist are almost over. – he commented, finally making her realize that they were almost alone in the small community theater, with the seats downstairs and the other boxes almost completely empty, while the orchestra started to collect the instruments – I think we should go.

- Yes of course. – She got up quickly, still worried about his wild expression – You look so down… You should go straight to your house and get some sleep. I can order a taxi for myself and...

- I honestly unlearned to come home without you. – He smiled gallantly, getting up with infinitely less haste than her – Secondly, I would never allow you to return alone and without security, even more so late at night. And, finally... - his deep voice hovered in the air between the two, before his smile widened even more and he offered his arm to her - There is no weariness in the world that would make me refuse your company. Therefore, I would like to take you to my house with me, if you agree. - the way his face became seductive and irresistible left no doubt to Missy that she would agree with everything he proposed.

There were still a few groups of people on the street of the theater when they left, talking to each other next to the parked cars, at the moment when the two got into his car, making Missy give an already wistful sigh towards the small and intimate theater.

- Do you think they will do another presentation soon? – She asked, wondering when she could watch another touching concert like that one again.

- You really liked it, didn't you? Logan wanted to know, clearly pleased and pleased to hear the anticipation in her tone.

- It was fantastic! – she exclaimed, breathlessly – And not only because of the effect the music had on me, but also because this orchestra in particular is so immensely talented… It was simply amazing to watch them! - Missy praised, amazed.

- Yes, they are really amazing. – Logan agreed, while putting the car in motion – Some of them were part of my grandfather's favorite orchestra, including the main pianist. He even got to play with some of them when he was younger, before the musicians retired and... before he started a family. There was so much bitterness in his tone that Missy was surprised.

- He decided to stop playing because of that? Missy asked gently, confused as to why Logan looked so spiteful when he said that.

- Not. He needed to stop. – Logan seemed to be trying to contain a growl, which was not very successful, while his dark eyes remained focused on the road – If you asked him directly, my grandfather would say that it was a choice, but the truth is that he was obliged to do this... For her. – now the growl was clearer than ever – For his wife. The woman he was in love with. For her and for her actions. - Logan said, with disgust in his voice - The truth is that my grandfather... Never really lived a love story. At least not a reciprocal one.

– He fell in love with Ruth when he was young. She was a young woman from humble beginnings and they met while my grandfather was at a philanthropy event. It was sudden, overwhelming... And it brought him to his knees. Completely at her mercy. Blind with love – he whispered, almost as if the words had a bitter taste in his mouth – But she wasn't worthy of that love. Ruth was ambitious. Very ambitious. I don't know much about her background, but if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that she always yearned for a life of luxury. And she was willing to do anything to get it, especially if she could achieve it the easiest way possible: by marrying a rich man. Luckily for her, at that time our family still had considerable wealth and my grandfather was the only heir... In addition to a young dreamer who always yearned to live a love like the one my great grandparents had, before they died. he sighed.

– So she happily married him, as my grandfather simply wouldn't deny her anything she asked, no matter how expensive or extravagant. On one of the rare occasions that he mentioned it to me, my grandfather even told me that, for a while, they were truly happy. And Ruth even fell in love with him. But, as much as their life was already full of luxuries, still she always wanted more. And more. And more... Until she started interfering in the family business: squandering money, selling property that wasn't hers, and destroying everything the Knights had built over centuries. – Logan revealed, full of disgust – But my grandfather was still attached to that curse... To that sick love he had for her... So he remained loving her, doing her will, forgiving her actions and trying to please her. la... Until my father was born.

-It was the first time my grandfather realized that he needed to stop Ruth. Because that was when he realized that not only did she not care about her own son, but that she could also ruin his future, destroying the family heritage in that way. That's when he decided to take action, try to make her change... But of course, Ruth didn't like that at all. She threatened to leave him, which would be the same as a death sentence for my grandfather. So, he kept putting up with everything she did to him and trying to keep the company standing, even with all her extravagances... But he wasn't able... - Logan sighed, saddened - We were a medium investment company and , over time, we lost prestige, partners, capital... And finally, amid the many crises that happened at the time, we went bankrupt.

- That's when Ruth realized he was no longer useful to her. – he continued, while squeezing the steering wheel almost to the point of breaking – My grandfather had to give up all the luxurious life they had, but he was still willing to fight to give her and her teenage son a dignified life, but Ruth had other ideas... My grandfather used to say that she really liked him... That they loved each other, despite everything. At least enough that she would have even considered staying with him at that time, just the poverty... But I can't believe it. How could she, when Ruth filed for divorce because she decided that money was worth more than her husband's unconditional love and her son's side? Afterwards, as much as my grandfather was heartbroken and begging her not to leave him, Ruth took half of what little money my grandfather still had, leaving him and my father with practically nothing. After that, she quickly married another man, some old millionaire who gave her what she really loved: a life of luxury.

- You know what's worse? - Logan gulped, troubled - It's just that, even raising my father with as much dignity as possible, allowing him to go to college and working from sunup to sundown while trying to pretend that everything was fine... My grandfather secretly still loved her. looked for. Even after everything she had done: the betrayals, the loss of the company, the abandonment, the contempt, the bad things... That intense and desperate love still lived inside him. And it made him humble himself in front of her…begging her to come back to him, while she just took the opportunity to spend a few nights with him and then leave again. And that went on for years…decades. – He confessed between his teeth, making Missy's heart sink – Enough time for my parents to get married, for me and my brothers to be born… But he still missed her. Of the terrible woman who ruined him. He might not tell us this directly, but his face made it so clear, every single day, despite the fact that he tried to hide it and fight it... And despite the fact that we all knew that, all it took was one single word from Ruth, and he would return to her. He would destroy himself for her again. Because he just wasn't able to resist. He had no choice. Logan muttered darkly, sending an uncomfortable shiver down Missy's spine, almost as if a needle had pricked her.

- And then, when I was 9 years old... She died. – Logan seemed to be pushing those words out of his throat – The plane she was on with her new husband crashed and… It destroyed my grandfather. His soul died before his body did the same. He just didn't want to live anymore. No part of him, neither mind nor body. In the week of her death, he refused to eat, sleep, speak... And then he started having fevers, epileptic seizures, hallucinations... And finally we had to hospitalize him. – he swallowed hard, his voice cracking – I just couldn't understand... The why. He was the best man I knew. Why had fate made him madly love such a terrible woman? What had he done wrong, that his life had to be destroyed like that, by someone who didn't deserve his devotion? Why couldn't her death be a release for him instead of a death sentence, destroying him like that?

- He still spent a few more weeks languishing in the hospital, completely out of his mind... Sometimes he said something directed at my father, or at me, or at one of my brothers... But, the truth was that... In the most of the time... He called out to her. – Logan growled, disgusted – He asked her to come see him, not to leave him, to continue hurting him, betraying him, extorting him… As long as she wasn't just dead. – With a disturbed sigh, he continued, his voice downcast – My parents tried to protect me at the time. They tried to make me stay away from him, so I wouldn't witness his delusions, but... I loved him. I knew he was leaving and I just wanted to see him... So they would eventually relent and take me to the hospital at least once a week, where I would see him crying, grieving for her even on the verge of death, until . .. – he swallowed hard, visibly trying to hold back his tears – I came home from school one day and saw that my father was crying in the living room… And I immediately knew that he was gone.

- I know it may seem strange… – he continued, after a moment of silence in which the two seemed not to know what to say – But, even in the midst of the pain of knowing that I would never see him again… I was relieved . Relieved to know that he was free That he would no longer be a slave to that damn feeling. That he would no longer feel the suffering she had caused… That his pain was finally over. Ruth, on the other hand... - Logan growled, possessed - Her, I never forgave. And I doubt I ever will. Especially not after my dad had that terrible accident and I couldn't stop thinking... That it was because of her that we didn't have a single penny of the family's centennial estate or my grandfather to help us out... Because of her ... - he growled coldly - And what he was forced to feel for her. And that completely ruined it.

Even confused by what he meant by "forced," Missy could only listen, stunned and heartbroken, to everything he had said, absorbing every word as if it were a bundle of thorns passing through her throat. Everything about that situation, the suffering of Tristan Knight, of the whole family, of Logan… it made her feel so helpless and agonized. Her body was tense and at the same time weak, trapped in the anguish of wanting to do something to ease that past suffering, even knowing that he couldn't do anything to remedy what that woman had done. Thus, still in total silence, she remained holding his hand on the steering wheel, until she finally found enough strength within herself to be able to speak again, albeit in a very fragile way.

- Could you tell me more good things about your grandfather? – she asked shyly, anxious to get him to talk about happy things and to wipe those fierce shadows from his expression – Like when he talked to you about playing the piano, maybe?

Logan remained with his jaw tightly locked for a few seconds, until he finally sighed and started talking again, although clearly tense - You know, when I was a kid and the two of us used to talk about how it would be when he could finally teach me how to play the piano .. My grandfather used to tell me that one day we would also have enough money for him to bring me on a repair like this... So I could meet his friends, hear a professional pianist play and even play a grand piano myself. really... - he smiled wistfully.

A smile that she couldn't help but realize was more sad than nostalgic, which made her heart squeeze painfully and brought a question to her mind.

- Why… – she began, cautiously, afraid she was broaching a subject that would only make him even more dejected – Why didn't you ever want to learn to play?

- There didn't seem to be any reason for that over the years... Not when my grandfather wouldn't be the one to teach me. – he revealed, with a low voice almost inaudible – I thought about it a few times, of course... I even wondered if learning to play wouldn't be a good way to honor him, to keep his memory and presence still. more alive inside me... - for a moment, those green eyes seemed lost as they looked into the distance, towards the road, before his shoulders slumped again - But, being realistic, I'm too old for that. I would never be able to learn something so complex the right way, let alone get to the level where he certainly wanted to got to, when you planned to teach me. - Logan shrugged, clearly ready to put that conversation aside, something that, strangely, bothered Missy deeply.

- I do not think. In no way do I think it's too late. - she disagreed vehemently, before she could stop herself, bringing his attention back to her. Even nervous in the face of his confused and intense gaze on her, Missy continued to say what she thought, not wanting him to give up like that - I spent 25 years of my life believing that I would never really have much confidence in myself.... And here it's me. - She smiled shyly - I know I still have a long way to go, but now I'm sure that I'm capable not only of liking myself, but also of allowing myself to like myself a little more every day, if I make an effort. So I really don't think it's too late for you to learn something that would bring you that much closer to your grandfather. I'm sure he wanted to teach you to play not for the fame or mastery you could achieve, but because he loved you and wanted to teach you something he loved to do and that was special to him. And, even if he can no longer be the one to teach you that, I really believe that he will be happy and proud to know that you two will be able to share that passion, that connection… – she argued, gently placing her hand over his, who was tightly gripping the steering wheel – In fact, I think it's never really too late. At least not for most things.

For a few long minutes, Logan remained silent and with a completely blank expression, except for the strong crease that had formed between her eyebrows, making it clear how thoughtful he was in the face of what she had said. Finally, it was as if a weight had been lifted from her heart as he smiled gently and watched her through his lashes, looking almost enchanted.

- You're extraordinary, you know? – he murmured, his sweet voice causing delicious shivers on her skin – You may have said that music touched your soul in an unspeakable way today, but for me, your words have that real power. When you talk to me like that I feel... in a way that I doubt there are words adequate enough to describe. – he laughed, delighted, as he continued to look at her in that mesmerizing way – But I know what I feel. And it is... Extraordinary.

- Does that mean you're going to think about the possibility of learning to play? – she smiled, happy with that possibility, even though she was deeply blushing because of his compliments.

- Yes I will. – Logan laughed at his reaction – In fact, I promise you that I will remove this project from the paper as soon as possible. – he said, determined, making her smile even more – You're absolutely right. There's no reason to feel guilty about learning piano from someone else. Not when I know how happy my grandfather would be to see me play...

- And how much you'll enjoy playing too. – Missy completed, excited – I'm sure that would be the part that would make you the happiest. Seeing that something he loved makes you happy too.

- There you are... Righteous again... - Logan laughed, taking her hand and kissing it softly, averting his eyes from the road before them quickly, just to smile at her - How could I be able to to disagree?

-I'm so happy… – she celebrated softly, trying to keep her composure as an idea formed in her head. There were only two days to go, but she would certainly be able to provide... And then she would have one more gift to add to what she had been planning for weeks and which, by the way, was already well under way. She expected to receive a message from the seller maybe that same night, with pictures of how the ideal gift she had spent days looking for was looking...

- May I know what is going on in that mischievous little head? Logan asked, teasing and also obviously curious, pulling her out of her thoughts.

- On your birthday present. – she gave a conspiratorial smile, trying to keep a low profile when imagining what his reaction would be – But that's all I can say. The rest is secret. You won't find out for two days, at your party.

- Oh, Missy... – he laughed, embarrassed – Don't worry about it. I'm serious. I already have everything I need right here. – he looked at her for a minute longer than necessary, making her blush with the message implicit in that gesture – My family has these parties just to make fun of me and also to keep the family tradition of getting together every little opportunity that arises. – he shrugged, good-humored – The gifts are the least. Especially for me.

"But I really want to give you something special…" She smiled shyly, unable to contain herself.

- Well, if it makes you so happy... – he he caressed his face for a long time, almost as if he wanted to feel the shape of his smile – Then you can give me whatever you want.

She celebrated by giving him a gigantic smile, which only made him laugh even harder, in glee, as he parked the car in front of his own house.

- You know what I just realized? – he questioned her in a conspiratorial tone, as he opened the car door for her.

- No what? she asked back, deeply happy to see him so light again.

- That I committed the sin of never taking you in the whirlpool. – he purred, wrapping his arms around her waist as soon as they were face to face – so I want to correct this mistake immediately. What do you think?

"Sounds perfect to me…" She only had time to sigh in contentment, before he took her in his arms, taking her inside at an almost inhuman speed.

In utter delight, Missy just giggled as he set her on her feet in the huge bathroom, mumbling about having to install some device to make the tub fill up on its own so she wouldn't have to drop it that way again.

Taking advantage of that moment of distraction from him, which, from her own experience, she knew would not last long, Missy discreetly pulled her cell phone out of the bag that was still slung over her shoulder, almost jumping with joy when she realized that the salesperson had already sent her the pictures you asked for. More than happy, she ran her eyes over each of the images, appreciating every little detail of the gift she would give Logan... Until her disbelieving eyes fixed on a very specific thing that was in one of the images, making her heart accelerate from pure emotion.

She had done it!

- Missy? – she was brought back from her trance of pure happiness when Logan called her, looking curious – Did something happen? You seem so...excited. he said, though her smile indicated he might have thought of a different word.

- I received news that made me very happy! – she revealed, with a euphoric smile, literally jumping into his arms, which quickly reached out to welcome her – That was really a more than perfect night!

- You don't know how happy I am to hear that... - he purred, gently moving his hands to the row of buttons on the back of her dress - And what do you suggest we do to make a night like this even more perfect? – he murmured, nimbly starting to get her naked, while the steam from the hot and inviting water slowly filled the bathroom.

And, with a smile, Missy pulled him in for a kiss, preferring to show him what they should do rather than talk.