Phillip’s story
- Did you call Annabelle to help you do what?
-I need her, Peter!
- Who, Annabelle, or Miss Maya?
- You know what I am talking about…
- I know… but Annabelle?
- She was the only one available.
- Well, as far as I know, her I bet she already told her about your… thing…
- My thing???
- Oh, come on! You can see from afar that you are in love with her!
- Is it that obvious?
- I was right, wasn’t I?
- What to do now?
- First, it’s good that you admitted to yourself, and second, come clean with her too!
- How am I supposed to tell her that?
- You go in front of her, take her hands in yours and shoot!
- Easy to say…
Never in my life have I been in this kind of situation. So many concerts, so many shows with thousands of people, and now, with just one, my heart is jumping in a million places; with only her presence, my whole being is transforming into one without a will. It becomes one that I can’t control anymore. If sin had a name, Maya would be that name. I wondered how she feels about me.
- Look, man, all you have to do is give her some time. She is quite vulnerable right now. Think about it, she can’t see or walk. Even her memory got affected.
- I know Peter that is precisely why I choose to wait. I mean, she lives in my house; she is not going anywhere.
- For now!
- Come on, practice!
- And practice I shall!
Or at least I was trying to focus on what I was doing. Every time I took the trombone, a sad sound got out of it. It was as if it was feeling my anxiety. What is wrong with me? I never had these shortcomings. If someone who did not know me would listen to me playing for the first time that someone would say I was a damn beginner. Peter felt immediately that something was not quite right.
- Phillip, are you feeling ok?
- I guess I am…
- Do you guess? You never guess you know for sure. So something is off. What is it?
- You don’t know when to give up, don’t you?
- When my friend is out of this world, I don’t. Is it Miss Maya?
Staying perplexed and not moving a single muscle made Peter come closer. He placed a hand over my forehead.
- Do you have a fever?
- Stop that, will you?
With only one move of my hand, I brutally removed his. Peter was gazing at me with his enormous eyes.
- Stop what? You put Annabelle in your house to care for her and you run away here, in the studio, under the pretext you are rehearsing? Who would believe that?
- Well, I do. I need to believe…
- So I am right. It is from Miss Maya.
- Yes, you are, are you happy now?
- Well, because I found the reason, yes I am, but are you?
- I try not to get involved that much.
- But you are, my friend, you are in over your head!
- Oh, my Lord!
- There, I said it!
- You said it alright, so what now?
- You tell me, wise guy!
I feel relieved now that I confessed. But who guarantees me she feels the same? Maybe no one, and that is what I am afraid of. I don’t want to push her let alone leaving her into a world she would not want once she will find out she actually remained alone.
Maya’s story
I don’t really know what is happening to me when he is close. There are moments when he stays so close that I feel invaded by his masculinity. Not even I believe him to be who he says he is. But, despite that, he seems to be a wonderful man.
I still have nightmares from the accident. This evening I went into the kitchen to have a glass of warm milk. Maybe it could help me sleep. I hope…
Phillip arranged the house especially for me so I can use my wheelchair. I descended to the hall that gets to the open space kitchen. I always wanted to see how it looks like. But patience, Maya! All at their time, I keep saying to myself.
One day Annabelle showed me where the milk is in the fridge. All I have to do is go there, open the door, and it is in front of my right hand. Although I can’t see, I can manage. “I can do this!” But when I reached for the bottle, surprise, is not there anymore. The one thing I must do is try to stand and grab hold of myself on the shelves of the refrigerator. “How hard can this be?” But then again, one wrong step and I could fall. I placed my hands on the seat handles and try to stand on my useless feet. But, instead of supporting me, my two feet refuse to collaborate, and the second thing I knew I was in free fall. I closed my eyes in fear and heard a worried voice calling my name...
- My God, Maya, what are you doing?
- I was just…
- You could have hurt yourself…
- I am sorry, I just wanted a glass of milk…
- Here, let me help you!
He placed me so gently in my wheelchair that with his every move his touching becomes painful. Not physically, but emotionally. A chill runs on my entire body when his warmth was no longer. Disappointment replaced desire. I wanted more. It was not his fault it was mine for feeling this way.
- Thank you…
- You are welcome. Now let me give you what you wanted. Warm milk, was it?
- Indeed, again thank you…
- So, are you feeling better at my house?
- I guess…
“When you leave most of the time, I feel lonely.”
- I know I am not here most of the time, I am sorry…
“Bingo, Mr. Smith!”
- It’s ok, I know you are a busy man…
- Not that busy, but you know, there is an event coming so…
- What kind of event?
- Every year there is a gathering of the best musicians here in London. That is why I am here actually. This year we are raising money for sick children… cancer…
- Oh my God… I feel sorry for those children.
- I am too. I know we can’t buy them life, but we do whatever we can. My friend Peter, who you will meet at the gathering is organizing all this.
- I guess it’s hard to… wait a minute! Me meeting who and when?
- You, meeting Peter at the event, in about… 3 weeks.
- Are you saying…?
- Yes, I am! I am inviting you, Miss Maya, to accompany me to this charity ball.
- But…
- I will not take no for an answer. And, besides, we have three weeks to make you walk again.
This last sentence made me realize my dream is one step away from being fulfilled. I always told myself that I will do these things by the book. It is natural that I want to walk and see again. But now I have also a purpose to do it for. This man wants to help me. I am sure he has no hidden reasons, just pure help. I am also aware of the hard times that will come so I have to lean on this man. He wants me on my two feet. When he enters the enormous doors of the event, he wants me by his arm. I will do everything in my power to walk again.
- When do we start?
I know my answer took him by surprise by the silent moment that followed.
- Tomorrow night? It is ok for you?
- It is perfect! And Phillip…
- Yes?
- Really, thank you!
- You already said that…
- I know but… it is a lot of effort you will have to put in…
- Actually, the part with the effort is on you, Miss Maya!
- You know what I mean.
- I do. It would be a pleasure for me, I mean it. Do you want me to help you get in your room?
- Don’t worry, I can manage!
- Ok, talk to you tomorrow, Miss Maya.
I heard Phillip’s footsteps moving away. I took my glass of milk in my room. Climbing into my bed is the hardest thing I have to do. I can hardly wait to begin my recovery.
Maya’s story Just a knock at the front door made me almost jump in my chair. I am nervous. But what if this is not temporary? I guess Phillip saw my anxiety because I felt his scent close to me. - Try to calm down a little, Miss Maya. Dr. Stevens is going to help you. He is the best there is. - I’ll do my best. It’s just that… Suddenly he took my hand in his. It was so warm and comforting. Tears formed in my eyes, numbed by the darkness they have condemned me to live. - It is going to be ok! I know it will. Trust in your healing will and your doctor. - I trust in you too, Phillip! - I know you do, and I will be with you every step of the way. I promise! When Annabelle opened the door, Phillip broke his embrace and a wave of coldness went through my complete body, leaving me alone and unprotected. He left me with my hands up, looking for the only man that could make me feel safe and whole. - Welcome doctor! Please make yourself at home! - Thank you, Mr. Smith, you are too kind
Maya’s story It is already 8 o’clock, and I was ready. A hard knock on the door made me shudder. This session will be very interesting as now my vision is not that damaged. All week I was so happy to discover new things. Phillip was always there when I needed him. Sometimes I wonder if he tired of it. What I meant was that I was an incapacitated woman and it must be hard to deal with me. He did not once complain. - Are you ready, sunshine? Oh, and yes, now I am “sunshine”. Not Miss Maya anymore. That was so formal. The first time he called me sunshine, like two weeks ago, I thought I did not hear well. My heart skipped a beat when hearin
Phillip’s story Her question came like thunder on a stormy day with the odds to hit only me. “Just great, Phillip, how will you get out of this?” I asked you to stop asking stupid questions and what do you do? That's what you're asking - Well, when I came to the scene you were the only one in the car… Half of the truth, I hope she believes me… - I was unconscious… - Yes, you were Miss Maya! - And alone… - I was there on time and took an enormous risk to get you out of the car. I knew that maybe by moving you I could do you harm, but I had no choice. The car was about to explode.
*** -Why is she not dead? Why is she still breathing? - I don’t know, really… - I am not paying you to find excuses! I need her out of the picture. Where is she now? - My last connection told me she is iAn the house of the great conductor, Phillip Smith. - Are you kidding me? - I wish I were… - Lord, that man is more guarded than the president himself. - I will try my best to find her, to lure her out somehow… - And how are you planning to do that? - Actually, Phillip Smith has no
Phillip’s story It was a dream come true going with Miss Maya shopping and then for a cup of coffee. She doesn’t know it yet about the coffee. I had many excuses to be alone with her, watching her do normal things, like brushing her long red hair or just staying with her at the table in the morning serving breakfast. Me, who quickly grabs something and storms out the door to the recording studio. Now I take my time to have a decent morning meal with her, the woman that changed my way of seeing simple things, even breakfast. Today is going to be a busy day. I don’t have other plans, so I will spend it all on her. I make my way to her room and knock slightly. A soft voice comes from inside. - Come in! - Miss Maya? - Yes… - Do you think you can be ready in fifteen minutes? - Of course. - One more thing… - Yes, please! - Are you afraid of speed? I could see her eyes going from surprise to wonder. She didn’t expect it because she did not know what to say. That was when it hit me.
Maya’s story His serious and harsh tone scared me a bit. What could we possibly need to talk about that it cannot wait? - I am all ears, Phillip! - Do you remember how you told me the other day about some woman, Sarah Johnson? - I do, she is my best friend, and you added she was the Marketing Director of my company. Am I mistaken? - No, you are not, at least regarding her job. - What do you mean by that? - Miss Maya, in the past you fired this woman from your company! - I did what? Everything was spinning. How was I capable to do this to my best friend? It j
Three months later The ball was postponed due to some organizational issues. It was better that way. My feet were more reliable right now. I made so much progress. I finished the physiotherapy a week ago. And also I got rid of the wheelchair. I wanted to do that for some time now. What can I say, this postponing of the charity event kind of ruined my plans of leaving? But at this time I find myself an apartment to live in and set up a fashion company. My memory was still a blur but it turned out that I had enough money to do all that. And of course, I did all this without Phillip knowing. As for my eyes, they were still broken. I haven’t regained completely my sight. I can distinguish shadows as I’ve done so far, but I can’t see faces and places. Even so, my plans still stand. Once the ball is over I will leave from Phillip’s life. - Miss Sinclair, the headquarters of your new company is quite near Mr. Smith’s place. Do you need to reconsider this? - No, I don’t Mr. Sm
Maya’s story This week had passed so quickly. My walking abilities have improved. I am so happy that I can finally walk without support. Well, not all the time anyway. It was also quite interesting. I got so close to Phillip Smith and I felt that he did too. I have reached the point where I can feel I can tell him everything. Today he invited Annabelle to help me get ready for the ball. He left early this morning to finish his last rehearsal and told me he should come to pick me up at 7 PM. - I can see you are nervous, Miss Maya! Am I right? - A little Annabelle. I have never been to such a formal gathering until now or at least I don’t remember. - Don’t you worry Phillip will be there with you - Are you going to come with us? - I am, but with my date. - You are bringing a date? It’s nice. - Well, he is not a date...date. He is more like a close friend. His name is Peter. - Phillip’s best friend? That Peter? - Do you kno