Tempting The Forbidden

Temptation in the Silence

(Elara)

I woke up to the sound of birds chattering by my window. A sign that I was no longer in my family home. Sunlight bounced off the windows and reflected into my face causing me to groan and pull the covers onto my face. For a moment I let my mind drift away to a happy place where all was fair-a place where I didn't have someone threatening me over text. A place I was just…happy.

Then I heard it.

A piano. Soft, low notes almost like a distant memory. It was as though whoever was playing didn't want to be heard but they couldn't stop themselves from playing. The sound emanating through my room was dark, but in a beautiful way.

I got out of bed and pulled a night robe over my shorts and tank top and tiptoed into the hallway. My bare feet crept across cold floor as I followed the sound as if it was calling to me.

The notes became bolder, clearer. Dark, rich and maybe just a little broken. Just like him.

I stopped at the entrance of the living room and watched as Damon’s fingers glided across the piano, like they belonged there. His movement was controlled and graceful.

I wonder if those fingers would be just as graceful inside me,’. I thought to myself.

I shook my head as it was too early to be having those kind of thoughts but I couldn't help it, not with the sight in front of me. Damon’s head was bowed, his hair was tousled as though he had ran his hand through them severally. He was shirtless with his black joggers hanging loosely around his hips.

It was the first time I was truly seeing him. He looked more….human.

A skull tattoo was just above his right breast making me wonder if there was any true meaning behind it.

I stepped forward without thinking. It was as though he was pulling me toward him as he played and my body behaved as though they had no mind of their own.

One board creaked underneath my feet and he stopped playing instantly.

He lifted his head to meet my eyes across the room. “You're up early,” he said in a calm voice.

“I couldn’t sleep,” I replied softly. “I didn’t know you played.”

He stood, the moment vanishing into thin air. “I don’t,” he said, walking past me toward the kitchen.

From the notes I heard earlier, I knew he was lying but I didn't push further even though he played like someone who was pouring out all his pain and guilt onto those keys.

I followed him into the kitchen and watched as he brought out two mugs as the smell of coffee filled the air. I watched as his back muscles flexed as he cracked some eggs and poured them onto a pan.

If someone had told me some days ago that I would be in Damon’s house watching as he made breakfast, I would have called them a terrible liar.

He didn't ask me how I liked my coffee, he didn't need to. I smiled inwardly as he added some milk and two sugars before sliding the mug across the counter to me.

“Thanks,” I murmured, to which he gave me a nod in acknowledgement.

He stood in the corner away from me as he sipped his coffee. I could feel him watching me like a hawk and I shifted under his gaze.

“I can cook for myself you know,” I said, trying to start some sort of conversation.

“I know,”

Silence filled the room once again and you could hear a pin drop.

“You play really well,” I added. “ For a moment, I thought I was in some sort of fairy tale with those notes,”

He simply shrugged, as if it didn't matter. “Playing is just an old habit,”

It was though he didn't want anyone to know that he could create such a beautiful sound.

“So is this what it's going to be like?,” I asked, leaning against the counter. “You brooding and treating me like some sort of unwanted guest?”

I couldn't take it anymore. He was treating me as if I were evading his Space.

“You should have refused when my father suggested I stay with you,” I added.

He tensed up at my words. For someone who had known me my entire life and been at every milestone I have ever achieved, he was acting like I was a stranger.

“What do you want Elara?,” he asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

“A conversation. You could at least tell me what is going on. Who is after me? What did my father do to them? And why me?,” I asked in frustration. “I just need honesty,”

“You don’t,” he said too quickly. “Trust me.”

I tilted my head. “Try me.”

He took a long sip of his coffee and set it down. “You’re here because your father asked me to keep you safe and I agreed because if I had a daughter, she would be around your age. Your father is my best friend and we have been through s**t together and I would give my life to protect him. Or you. That’s it. So no, I'm not saying a word to you.This isn’t a vacation, or some reckless summer fantasy. You stay inside. You stay quiet. And you don’t push me.”

A chill ran down my spine as I realised something.

“You're scared,” I said barely above a whisper.

His eyes darkened. “Of what?”

“Of what this is,” I said. “Of being alone here. With me.”

He didn't say a word to me as he dropped his mug in the sink and walked away from me silently.

“You don't scare me Damon,” I said, stopping him in his tracks. “But you confuse me. This is not who I grew up looking up to,”

He walked away without another word.

I finished up my breakfast and began to explore the house. Damon had disappeared somewhere and I didn't know if that was good or bad. I didn't want to pry but I was curious. About him. About the life he had behind these walls.

I walked into a hallway lined with pictures. Most were of mountains and oceans but one caught my eye.

It was a small, framed picture tucked on a side shelf. Damon looked much younger, maybe early twenties, standing beside a blonde-haired woman. She was elegant, and smiling. He wasn’t smiling in the picture. He had that same unreadable expression.

Was she the reason for all that sadness in his music?

I heard footsteps behind me and turned too quickly.

Damon stood there, shirt back on now, eyes narrowed at me.

“You shouldn’t be in here.”

“I wasn’t snooping,” I said, as I stepped back. “I just… saw the photo.”

His gaze drifted to the photo and then back to me. “Old life.”

“She was beautiful.”

“She’s gone.”

The words dropped like stones. He didn’t offer more, and I didn’t ask.

“Just stay out of this place,” he said, and walked away from me, his footsteps echoing with every step.