My Best Friend's Dad

Unveiled Harmonies

Elona's POV

I rushed down the stairs and went to the kitchen in a chirpy mood today. I was going to see Tristan. Even though the plan was to spend time with Cris at her house, I was going to be in Tristan's presence. I took an apple from the fruit bowl.

"You are chirpy today," my dad entered the kitchen, giving me a suspicious smile.

"Well, I am going to be at Cris' today. She wants to work on her assignment for journalism. It is like a test of some sort. I found the perfect agency that I want to get into with hard work and dedication," I said with excitement.

"And what is that?" he asked, folding his arms over his chest. Eager to know what it is that I am about to tell him.

"Well, you know that show that we always see on TV when it's New Year's Eve? The Velvet Secret Fashion Show?"

"Yeah, I'm aware of that."

"I want to be one of them." I was so excited.

"So you really want to parade around in front of the world half naked?" he asked.

I became uncomfortable about it, especially talking to my father about that, "Well, it is part of modeling, so if that is what will be required of me, then I guess I have to. I don't think I have a limit except for n^dity. I don't think that I want to go that far." I replied.

He nodded, "I'm just looking out for you. Some industries can be full of men preying on women. I just want you to be careful, but I won't be stopping you."

"Thanks, Dad. I love how supportive you are," I moved closer to him and placed a kiss against his cheek. I pulled away, "I'm going to Cris now, I will see you later," I sunk my teeth into the apple and chewed.

"Have fun, not too much fun though," he warned.

I chuckled, if only he knew that Tristan and I were dating. As I walked out of the house, the sun hit me like an oven. Luckily, I was dressed in denim shorts and a slightly cropped top. My hair was tied up in a messy bun.

I was still eating my apple when I stood in front of the door to Tristan's house. I knocked. I took my last bite and threw the rest of the apple in the garden. They always grew apples and other fruits. Well, that is what was advised to me by Cris. Her mother loved the garden, she always used to sit in the garden and read a book.

"Come on in, I have plenty to do, but daddy will entertain you," Cris took my hand and pulled me inside, closing the door behind me. I chuckled, as it sounds so wrong.

"So, where will you be working then?" I asked as I followed her into the kitchen where Tristan was sitting. Documents spread out on the dining table. He looked up, and smirked at me, " Hi, Elona," I returned the smile, my heart was beating at a rapid pace.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Crane," Cris poured us both some apple juice, and then she walked towards me.

"Why are you so shy today? My dad won't bite," she gave the glass of juice to me. Tristan's eyes were still on me, but this time he took in my appearance. He looked away before Cris could see, as he tried to focus on his work. I took a sip of the juice," Daddy, please entertain her," she said, and Tristan looked up at me, smirking again as Cris left.

"So, I have to entertain you," he leaned back in the chair. "What am I going to do with you?" his eyes moved over my body again and heat creeped up in my cheeks.

"Well, there are plenty of things to do," I shrugged as I moved closer to the dining table.

"I have an idea," he stood up from the chair, he rounded the table and I placed the glass of juice on it. He stopped in front of me. He held out his hand and I placed my hand in his. He led me out of the kitchen and towards the bigger section of the place where they didn't use it after Aunt Estelle's death. There was a bigger lounge and in the far corner was a piano. There was a large window that overlooked the view, and we stood in front of it. He never let go of my hand. "Do you still remember when you and Cris used to run around in here when you both were little?" He asked, his gaze burning into me.

"I remember," I took in the lounge again. This place was huge and gorgeous, some parts in this section looked ancient but beautiful. "It looks as if you have inherited this place," I said as I walked towards a bookshelf. I traced the spines of the books and there was dust. Most of the furniture was covered with white sheets.

"It wasn't inherited. This was a place that Estelle loved. She was good friends with a woman that used to live here. She was Estelle's Professor. Estelle was adopted by an older couple when she was young. They showered her with love and they were wealthy people. They moved to Germany. Sadly, they both passed away due to natural causes. She had inherited her parents' house, and the one in Germany, and this one. Her professor left it for her because she didn't have any kids. Estelle used to take care of Professor Roberts. She was very old. Estelle wanted us to live in this place. I just couldn't find the courage to step foot in this part of the place because all of our memories were here. The Christmas tree....everything."

"I remember that tall Christmas tree that was filled with lights. It was beautiful." I smiled. "These books must be Aunt Estelle's books?" I said.

"Yeah, I didn't want to touch anything that was last touched by her, I didn't even want to move anything." he turned away as he looked out the window again.

I walked over to the piano beside him. "Whose piano is this?" I asked.

"That is mine," he replied. I looked at him in surprise.

"Really? Is this piano yours? I have never heard you play the piano since I have been friends with Cris." The air seemed to hum with an unspoken energy, a subtle tension that wrapped around us like a delicate melody.

Tristan's eyes flickered toward the piano, and a thoughtful expression played on his face. "You know, Elona," he began, "there's something about music that has always resonated with me."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? I never knew you were into music."

A faint smile graced his lips. "There is a lot you don't know about me."

With that, he moved towards the piano. He sat down on the bench and his fingers hovered over the keys as if contemplating whether to unlock the secrets they held. Then, with a decisive nod to himself, he began to play.

The first notes filled the room, a soft and melancholic melody that wrapped around us like a gentle embrace. I stood there, utterly captivated, as the room was filled with the tones of the piano. Tristan's fingers moved gracefully, each note resonating with a depth of emotion I hadn't expected. The pain he had inside of him.

My eyes widened in astonishment. "You play the piano?" I took a seat beside him on the bench.

He continued to play, the music weaving a narrative that seemed to transcend words. "I have been playing since I was a young man. It's something I haven't shared with many."

The beauty of the music held me in its grip, and I found myself drawn closer to him. The harmonies, both haunting and beautiful, created a connection between us that went beyond the spoken word.

As he played, the air seemed to shimmer with the unspoken stories and emotions that only music could convey. The piano became an extension of Tristan's soul, revealing a side of him I hadn't known existed.

When the final notes faded into the quiet ambiance of the room, I just sat here, awe-struck. "That was incredible. I had no idea you were so talented."

He met my gaze, his eyes revealing a vulnerability that was rare to see. "Some things are meant to be kept hidden until the right moment."

He leaned in closer to me as his gaze fell onto my parted lips. His hand cupped the side of my face. My heart was beating wildly, and my core was throbbing. As slow as it was, I closed my eyes, his lips finally pressed against mine. This was it, we are finally kissing. He held his lips against mine as if to never pull away, as if not to wake up from a dream. He pulled inches away from my lips before pressing them gently against mine again. This time savoring each moment of the kiss. Before it got passionate, he pulled away.

"I wanted to do that for a long time," he smiled "It's a bit risky with Cris in the same house. So we have to be careful," he returned to the piano, but I was dumbstruck that we finally kissed. I couldn't believe it.

The piano, once silent and unassuming, now held the echo of shared secrets and the beginning of a new understanding between us. The music lingered in the air, a reminder that even in the quietest moments, there could be symphonies waiting to be unveiled.