 Shipper Queen Hippie Quad
Chapter 17
“Matthaios! You’re home. Look who has joined us.” Melody said with a cheery face.
“I see. Where did you find him?” Matthaios replied. What was he doing? Didn’t he recognize me? Wasn’t he going to take me back home? Wasn’t he going to fight with Melody and Thomas? Why were they acting as if they see each other every day?
“This is Milo and Samantha’s child. They neglected him so he has come to live with us.” Melody replied, sitting back down onto the couch. I fidgeted from one foot to the other nervously.
“When did he arrive?” Matthaios asked casually.
“Last night. Were you able to fulfill your orders?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Would you like some breakfast?”
“I’m fine. Has Elliot eaten yet?” Matthaios asked, looking straight at me. I couldn’t read on his face what he was thinking. It was like he was wearing a mask. I’ve never seen him like this before. It frightened me.
“Yes he has. I was actually going to show him the piano as soon as he was finished. He is a musician you know.” Melody said, starting to get back up on her feet.
“Sit. I’ll show him. I was just about to go in there myself.” Matthaios said. He then gave her a light smile and motioned for me to follow him out of the living room. I reluctantly trailed after him.
As soon as we were out of sight, Matthaios grabbed me by my upper arm and increased his pace. I struggled to keep up with him as he practically dragged me through the hallway. He abruptly stopped in front of a door and I tripped. He still had a firm grip on my arm however, so he swiftly pulled me back to my feet. As soon as we were inside, he let go and shut the door quickly.
Inside the room was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. A plain white grand piano sat in the center of the room. The paint was gloriously shiny and I held my breath in anticipation. I’ve always wanted to play the piano, but to play on this exquisite object was beyond my dreams. In the corner a golden harp sat angelically. I was in pure heaven.
Matthaios however brought me back to reality, as he pushed me toward the piano. I looked up at him agitatedly and I received a glare. “Sit.” He ordered. I didn’t need telling twice. The look on his face was all I needed to get me moving.
I sat down onto the white marble stool and let my fingers delicately touch the white ivory. The simplest touch was making shivers go up and down my back. I was brought out of my daze as Matthaios sat down next to me. He directed my fingers to two notes and looked directly at me. “Middle C, Middle E. Play them repetitively until I stay stop.”
I did as I was told. Low notes filled the room and I sighed with pleasure. Finally, I was playing the piano. With elegant fingers, Matthaios began to play a lovely tune, with me playing back up. It was a lot for me to take in and I couldn’t think of a time when I was happier. Then Matthaios began to speak.
“What are you doing here Elliot. Did they kidnap you?” he asked in a voice a little higher than a whisper.
“No. I came willing.” I admitted.
“Why?” He sounded angry.
“I couldn’t handle living at home anymore. They all treated me like something underneath their shoe.” I replied, my face beginning to warm up from my anger.
“That’s not true.” Matthaios said forcibly. I stopped playing and tried to wipe the fear off my face. “Keep playing.”
I continued playing the two notes into the room as Matthaios went on with his song, and lecture. “Your parents are two of the most understanding, respectable and thoughtful people I’ve ever met. Never speak ill of them in front of me.” He ordered.
Agreeing to his wishes, I began to wonder. If he cared for my parents so much what was he doing here? Why wasn’t he with them?
“Elliot do you know who these people are?” Matthaios asked more gently.
“Melody and Thomas are nice to me. I don’t want you speaking ill of them.”
Matthaios stopped playing at my words and placed two fingers on the bridge of his nose, aggravated. I quit playing also, feeling uncomfortable sitting next to my uncle. He seemed like he was trying to stop himself from blowing up at me. The room grew eerie quiet and the tension was so thick I felt like choking. “Those are not their real names. And they are not the people they say they are.”
“What do you mean? They are nice people.”
Matthaios began playing again before replying. “Those two people out there are dark wizards. They are the reason why you moved a lot as a child. The reason why your father is rarely home, and the reason why your mother is sometimes on edge for no apparent reason. They want to kill them Elliot. You call that nice?”
“What are you talking about? Melody and Thomas don’t even know my parents.”
“Yes they do. They know your father more than your own mother.”
“But my mother tells him everything. You don’t know what you are talking about!” I could feel the angry tears threatening to spill over. This was all wrong. I was supposed to be happy here. Matthaios was trying to ruin this for me.
Matthaios smoothly transitioned into a faster paced song, heightening the noise level and probably making it harder for anybody outside the room to hear the conversation. He let me take in a few shaky breaths before saying anything again. “Has Melody told you about any kids she had?”
“No.” I replied.
“She had three. Would you like to hear their names?” he asked me softly.
“Does it matter?” I asked irritably.
“Very much so.”
“Fine. What are they?”
“Kali, Matthaios and Milo, your father.”
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