Free Fire - Betrayal by Amelia Grace Page B

its driver slowly accelerated down the street.
    After that, I saw them no more.  Obviously, their curiosity had been quelled after they had handled the fruit.  The black car and the men in black had made me very nervous. More so because Ben wasn’t here with me, he was away interstate, and had been for some time.
    After the visitation of the Terreans, I found I had gained enough courage and confidence to return to Grandy’s drawing room again.
    I opened the sash windows, and stopped to look at the photographs of Grandy on the mantel piece.  How I missed her.  We did have such a close relationship.  I loved her like my own mother.
    Then beside the photograph of Grandy, I spotted the locket that Grandy had left to me.  It had a golden mid length fine simple chain, with a heart shaped locket on it.  Inside the locket was a miniature photo of Grandy and Poppy, when they were young.  I treasured this gift from Grandy, and I decided to wear it again, with pride.
    I sat on the sofa in front of the open fireplace, and then I let my eyes wander over the old wooden coffee table just in front of me.
    I visually examined the strange teal rock with purple bits that jutted out of it - the memory storage rock. I did not want to touch it again, especially while wearing the seven jeweled ring.  The memory of the connection with the mind scanning and the magnetic pull, and Ben leaving me after I gained knowledge through the memory storage rock was still too raw.  I knew that it would partially open an old wound, and I did not want to go there.
    I peeled my eyes away from the ‘rock’ and let them wander around the room, settling them on the black baby grand piano. It had been such a very long time since I last played it.  I could feel it beckoning me over.
    I sat comfortably on the piano seat, and lifted the lid to the ivory keys. The black baby grand piano was glorious with its shine and its flowing curvy outline.
    Gracefully, I positioned my fingers ready to play Moonlight Sonata, my favourite piece of music that I knew off by heart. It always moved me to the core of my being, and would take me off to an unknown, but peaceful place, making me unaware of anything happening around me as I played.  I loved it. I loved how it made me feel.
     
    ***
     
    I skipped up the steps to the portico more than excited about seeing Cate again after being away for six weeks. I hesitated before I opened the front door, focusing on the piano music flowing out of the house, unfamiliar with the sound. As I entered the house, I thought that Cate had a CD on. It wasn’t until I reached the open door to Grandy’s drawing room, that I realized that it was in fact Cate playing the piano.
    I leaned against the door frame, mesmerized by her.  Although I had known her for a few years now, I had never heard her play the piano.  She was good, very good.  Her skill level was high, and she played with precision and feeling.
    My heart quickened.  I wanted to go over to her and touch her, and kiss her, but I could see that she was totally lost in her music, and I should not interrupt her.
    I delighted at her perfect posture as she sat at the baby grand piano.  I admired her beautiful blonde curly hair, which was starting to grow long again.  I watched as her elegant fingers moved up and down the keys. And then I took a short sharp breath, hardly being able to believe that she had chosen to love me.
    Then she finished playing the piece of music, and took her fingers from the ivory keys and placed them into her lap.  She took a deep breath, before she turned to leave the piano.
    And then got the shock of her life.
    She gasped, jumped and put her hand over her heart.  I had unintentionally scared her.  But then, as soon as she realized it was me, she ran to me her face pleased.  I smiled coyly at her as she wrapped her arms around me.
     
    ***
     
    Ben held me off the ground, and then slowly let me slide down his body until my feet reached the floor