I Am Yours, Mr Chevalier!
Part 117's
Want to watch a movie tonight?
Mia smiled reading a message from Brandon on her phone screen. The girl undoes her intention to press the doorbell of Ben Chevalier's house, then decides to sit on the stairs in front of the door, and intends to reply to Brandon's message first.
You're not dating your girlfriend tonight?
Mia sends a reply message to Brandon, who is replied by his best friend a few minutes later.
No, I don't. So?
Mia tinkered at her phone for a while to find Brandon's number and call him.
"I have to teach violin first" he said as Brandon's voice rang out across the street.
"Owh, you're in Manhattan."
"Yeah .. I finished teaching at 8pm."
"You want me to pick you up?"
"No need, Brand. I'll meet you at the cinema."
"Alphine Cinema?"
"Good idea."
"Well, see you soon."
Mia hung up the phone and put it back in her bag. The girl immediately got up from her seat and stepped closer to the main door and pressed the bell several times.
Jackielyn opened the door. The woman of afro-American descent invited Mia in. And drive him to Daren's playroom.
Daren who was busy with her favorite jigsaw puzzle as usual smiled happily at the arrival of Mia.
"Hi, Handsome." Mia greets Daren while putting the violin bag she carried onto the sofa. "Ouwh, you almost finish your jigsaw puzzle, how great, Daren," praised Mia as she sat down beside the cute boy. Look at the picture game of Disney character Winnie The Pooh and his friends.
"Yeah, I almosthh finishhh ith," said Daren with his lisp voice.
"That's awesome, Daren." Mia stroked Daren's head gently.
"Mia, Daddy issh prepallring dinner" said Daren. Makes Mia squint her forehead. "Daddy ish cookingh dinner." Daren added.
"Ohya? Nice. Are you gonna have a special dinner with your Daddy?"
"Nooo, he wonth to haaave dinner with you. I heard him talking to Penelope."
Mia rounded her eyes. Surprised by the words of the three-year-old boy. The girl was about to pry further information from him but she saw Daren had moved from her seat and picked up her mini violin.
"I want a new songh, Mia."
"O - okay. Emm . let me choose a song for you."
Mia thought for a moment. Trying to pick a song she remembers to teach Daren. But the boy's words really messed with his concentration.
Damnit damnit!
.
.
"P, can you take the food to the park
the back?" ben asked his assistant, Penelope.
"Sure." said as he took a tray containing two large plates of typical New York food, Pastrami And Corned Beef Sandwich, and two empty long-legged cups.
"I'll bring the wine bottle." Ben grabbed a bottle of wine on the dining table and stepped towards the back garden. Where he had prepared a round table with two chairs facing each other. On the table was a black bowl-shaped candle holder, with a thick candle burning in the middle.
Penelope placed the two plates and the glass she carried onto the table and arranged it in such a way. Tidy it up once more before saying goodbye to Ben.
"P, you tell me Mia's done teaching Daren, okay?"
Penelope nodded. Then it passed leaving his master alone.
Ben tidied up the ash-and-ash shirt he was wearing, then sat down on one of the chairs. Cold air hit his face. The man smiled as he stroked his forehead.
Outdoor dinner in winter, okay Ben, this is a bad idea.
Ben shook his head slowly. His smile was still on his lips. He threw a bottle opener next to him and opened the lid of his red wine bottle. Then put it in his glass.
"Ben, Mia's done." Penelope looked out the back door.
"Owh, okay." Ben swallowed a few sips of his wine, and then walked into the house.
.
.
Mia kissed Daren's cheek. The boy has been taken by Jackelyn the baby sitter. Daren waves at Mia while following Jackleyn out of her playroom.
Mia tidied the violin and the equipment and put it in her bag. Daren's words were ringing in his head. The girl shook her head. Daren must have heard wrong. Mia curses herself hoping Ben arrives and invites her to dinner.
"Maomi ...."
Mia was aghast at the familiar heavy voice. With her chest pounding, the girl turned to the door.
Damn it!
"I'd like to take you to dinner in the back garden. Emm .. yeah, as a sign of gratitude you've taught Daren the violin well."
"Ouwh .. emm .. me, emm .. okay." Mia just agreed to Ben's invitation. But soon after he remembered the promise of watching the film with Brandon.
Ah, Brandon can wait. He won't mind.
"Come," said Ben. Then turn around and step towards the back garden. Mia followed him slowly.
Ben pulls out a chair for Mia and allows the girl to sit on it.
"Emm .. I made you Pastrami And Corned Beef Sandwich, typical New York." Ben chuckles.
"Looks good." Mia nodded slowly. I don't know, he's always nervous when dealing with this frontman The Rebellion.
For a moment the two just fell silent enjoying dinner in silence. Mia really doesn't have any conversation material. Makes the atmosphere feel so awkward for her.
"Thank you for teaching Daren well." Ben started the conversation.
"Ouwh, no need to thank me, Daren's a smart kid."
Ben smiles. Then he sipped his wine glass.
"How's your band going, Lamia?"
"We just finished recording the song."
"I saw your guitarist emm .your boyfriend, quite talented." Ben remembered the figure of the man he saw with Mia at the Linden Center. They look close. "What's his name?"
"Brandon, he's my best friend."
Ben nodded - nodding. "Are you ready to perform at Meadow?"
"Yeah, we have to be ready. Meadow Music And Art Festival is the dream of new musicians to be able to perform there."
"You're right. Rebellion was also in that position. Looking for a prestigious stage to be known by many people." Ben terbahak's.
Mia smiled as she watched Ben who looked relaxed. In the dim light his face looked more handsome many times than usual.
"You're a songwriter, too?" ask Ben.
Mia grimacing. "Author amateur writer."
"It's not true. Your song, Behind Blue Eyes has good lyric."
Mia swallowed her saliva. He remembered. How unlikely.
"When I heard you sing it at Belly's Bar, I felt it was like it was aimed at me. You know, I have blue eyes and I'm also miserable." Ben chuckles.
Mia almost choked on the wine she was just about to gulp. I wrote that song for you.
"By the way ..." said Ben. "Have you heard the new song I sent you?"
"I've heard it. Real nice. This is very different from the Rebellion songs. More depressive, yet calming at the same time. If you add a violin to the song, it will sound very classic. And the lyrics, I don't have enough words to describe it. The whole song, Gosh, you're such a genius." Praise - the praise just slid from Mia's mouth without being dammed.
Ben's stunned. Just this time he found Mia talking quite a lot and fluently.
"And your vocals, why did you choose to sing with the growl technique?"
"Ouwh, yes, I want to try a new atmosphere. O ...."
The conversation both just flowed. Interspersed with laughter - the occasional little laugh. A bottle of sauvignon rouge (red wine) that they enjoy adds to the atmosphere feels warmer.
Mia did not realize her phone was vibrating many times - a sign that there were many incoming calls. The focus is only on Ben who that night looks so enchanting.
***
