Welcome to Café Luxe

"Oh, and Maddie? Good luck."

I blushed. I put down my violin and places it on the closed grand piano beside me. He could have said it without looking so good right under the light. The way he looked back at me with that stupid glasses on him and with that smile he wore when he caught me falling (see chapter 1).

I could've just told him to mind his business but still, I find him hard to be angry at. Maybe because his eyes are just weirdly hypnotizing or something. Well, anyway, he's VILLA is amazing alright. Every practice room has its own grand piano. Probably so that he could enter here anytime and accompany us or something.

Just a little preview for all of you: his villa is the biggest place I've ever gone to. As expected from the son of Europe's concert masters. The villa has four floors.

The first floor is composed of the huge kitchen (did I mention that the fridge is three times MY size?!); a really big dinning room that can accumulate at least 20 people in one sitting and the table is unusually long so when you try to talk to someone, you have to have the phone just like Richie Rich; the living room where we stayed a while ago has its fireplace, couches and even a billiard table.

The second floor composed of at least 20 rooms where you can get lost to. When you reach this floor, you will be welcome by the hallway with 20 rooms. Of course, Vance gave us the guest room with 5 beds ready and a coffee table AND a huge balcony AND a dressing room AND a huge bathroom.

The third floor is the weirdest floor of all. It only has 2 rooms and these rooms are across each other. The room to the left is Vance's and Marvin's room. I took a peek into it and it was the same as our room except it's bigger with two separate king-size beds.
The room across it is Vance's practice room. He didn't let us it because according to him, it has exact room temperature so that the wood of his piano and his violins (yes, with "s") won't be tampered in anyway. In order to avoid this, he barely lets anyone enter there except him.

Of course, let's not forget the basement: composed of five rooms and each door is made of thick glass. each room is sound-proofed.

There's also something unusual about this villa: we ate our dinner in the veranda..almost made of glass so we could really see the vastness of the garden. The garden has a small fountain in the middle of it and if you stand beside it, you can see all the windows of each room front first to third floor.

"Oh, and Maddie? Good luck."

Not again. I stared up at the wall clock. 3 am already?! Whoa, did I fall asleep again? I left my violin on the violin stand beside me and close the lights as I left. As expected, everyone left the basement since every practice room is empty.

I reached our room and as I entered, everyone was fast asleep. My bed was beside the door leading to the balcony. I sat on my bed and sighed. Maybe if I hadn't disobeyed my mom, I couldn't have met everyone...that would be a waste. Somehow, I'm thankful for this punishment.

Suddenly, I could hear a violin playing. I could have been imagining it but if I ignored it, I wouldn't be able to see something that I have hoped for. I walked briskly as I left the room, down the stairs and to the garden through the veranda since there's a door in the veranda leading to the garden.

The playing stopped as I stared hard at the fountain. Behind the flowing water from the mouth of the statue-fish, stood a slim figure.

"It's amazing," I mumbled, "can I have that piece?" I smiled as I walked towards him. Good thing I was wearing thick PJs because it was a cold night.

He looked back at me, half his eyes covered with bangs, "if you promise to practice it," Vance smiled at me. "What are you doing up so early in the morning?"

Right, it's 3 am already.

"I fell asleep in the practice room," I grinned.
"Lovers' Waltz," he put down his violin. I am gravely disappointed that I wasn't able to seem him playing it. Maybe he knew someone was coming. "It's a good piece."

I nodded, "can you play it for me again?"
He chuckled and lightly pat my head, "I can't let anyone see me playing. Only someone right can see it."
"Someone right?"
He laughed, "you'll understand soon, Maddie." He handed me the piece, "this is the part of the first violin. It's the melody and maybe someday, I can accompany you."

I blushed. Why the heck? I feel as if my heart skip a beat for this guy.

"Go sleep now," he put his violin into its casing. I held onto the papers on my arms. Somehow, I feel delighted just seeing him. I don't know why but I think he's amazingly cool when he smiled as he waved me off to bed.

* * * * *
"Ugh, what's up with you?" Frances laughed as she stared at me who was about to sit down.
I yawned, "couldn't sleep."

I could feel my eyes could drop onto the floor any minute now. "I fell asleep in the practice room. I woke up 3 a.m. only to hear that guy playing violin."

They all gasped. The stared at me, "well, how did he looked like?" everyone leaned closer to me. true, they haven't seen him play yet. Unfortunately, I haven't as well.

I shook my head, "I didn't see him. I heard him, though. He was playing 'Lovers' Waltz'." I could see their disappointment in their eyes. I stared at Marvin who was reading a really large volume of the encyclopedia. "Don't read at the table, Marv."

He frowned, "whatever. That was sweet of him to still send you off to bed."
"Huh?" I stared at him with half-mooned eyes, "what?"
"Well," he slammed the book close, "of course, seeing his student still up and almost blowing off his scheme of not letting anyone see him play and yet, he still send you off to bed."

"How did you know he send her off to bed?" Mara asked.
Marvin shrugged, "I saw them. I was still up at that time. I was in the library."
"Oh," I frowned.
"So you saw him playing?" the twins asked at the same time.
He shook his head, "I could only see his shadow moving but the fountain was blocking him." He switched his stare to me, "sister, don't you think it's queer?"

"What?" I asked.
"He still sent you off to bed rather than letting you see him play."
Jeanne smiled, "no one in this room has seen him play, kiddo."
We all nodded.

"Good morning!" Vance burst into the veranda. He came in with our breakfast in hand, "I told my maid to make these for all of us." He put the plates to our places, "eat up."

They all stared at my plate, though.

"I feel as if there's favoritism here," Frances laughed dryly.
I stared at my plate and then, to theirs. True, my plat contains at least 5 times more than their share. "Do you want me to get fatter so you could eat me up?" I asked with a frowned.

"Sleeping Beauty?!" Vance smiled.
"Hansel and Gretel, you idiot," I corrected him without holding back. I smiled down at my breakfast, "thanks for the meal," I whispered.
* *
"How romantic," Marvin trotted behind me as I was going to my practice room, "you two should really end up together. If that happened, I'll have his library here, right?"

I stopped and faced my tiny brother, "Marvin, he's MY TEACHER. plus, what gave you the idea he's sweet?"
"You know," he sighed, leaning on the door-frame as I entered the practice room, "it's obvious that he's having this unrequited love."

"He's gay, Marvin. Plus, he's three years old; PLUS, I'm a rocker, he's a classic dude."
"So?"
"We're in different worlds," I replied impatiently, "so leave me alone!" I slammed the door. Even though he kept talking, the room was sound-proof so I could hear him. He left, chuckling a little and could say he's a little amused.

I finished up the piece assigned to me and flourished it. It took me 2 hours to finish it and I glanced at the clock. It was 8 a.m. and I knew that lunch was to be served later that Tuesday morning. I left the practice the room and as expected, everyone was practicing.

I went up and to the kitchen. The maids were in the inner side of the kitchen as I proceeded to the fridge. I opened it and took my water bottle. Maybe slacking off wasn't a great idea. But just being here, away from the city, makes me want to do that.

I skipped my way to the garden. If you're wondering, I'm still wearing dark clothes even though today's a sun-shiny day. I sat on the grass, staring at the glistening water flowing. The grass is still wet from morning dew and I could hear the birds singing their morning songs. Maybe waking up 6 am to eat breakfast was a good idea.

I lied down on the grass, feeling it's wetness under my hair. The air was fresh and the scent of morning dew was great.

"Slacking off?"
My eyes stretch as far above my head as lied down, "oh, aren't we allowed to?" I smiled.
Vance frowned, "practice, practice!" He sat beside me, "so you like it far away from home? I expected you could at least miss Metal-G or something," he rolled his eyes.

To tell you the truth, I haven't thought about Metal-G. I didn't know what's wrong with me. Maybe I'm turning into one of them: a classical loving person.

"I though of them," I lied. I couldn't possibly let him know what I felt, "rock lives forever." He sat silently as the breeze blew in his bangs. At that second, he looked really cool. It was bad enough that he's gay but am I actually falling for--?

"No way."
"Huh?" He stared at me.
I smiled, "nah, I was just thinking," I smiled, blushing a little. "I was thinking that it's weird that we really are in different worlds. I like rock, you hate them."

He closed his eyes and smiled, "we're not in different worlds," he slowly opened his eyes, "because we're both into music. So music brings all kinds of people together. Even the unexpected becomes a miracle." He stood up, "practice now, Maddie."
* *
He made sense and I couldn't bring it to myself that he was right. How could it be possible to bring us closer even though we're too different? Why am I being bothered by him?

The day passed as I have expected and it was fun. I started practicing Lovers' Waltz that afternoon until the evening. I slept late again and found myself taking a long nap on the couch in the living room. It was cold but thank goodness for the blanket...

...which I didn't remember having one. I sat up and found Vance sitting in front of the fireplace. I walked towards him and squatted beside him. He was sleeping while sitting up. Freaky, I know. I smiled since I now knew who gave me the blanket. I put it on him so he wouldn't w\catch a cold.

Do you know those stories where the prince would fall for the princess? except right now, it's the other way around...and I'm not felling for him. But maybe if someone saw us, that person would think that this would be a start of a love story. Now way.
* * *
The next day was Wednesday. As usual, it passed by like a normal day would. Half of that day, I spent practicing my piece but the other half until the evening, I played the Lovers' Waltz. I don't know why but I really loved the piece.

But the weirdest part was, Vance didn't join us from breakfast to dinner.

"Oh, he gets engrossed in his pieces easily," Jeanne chuckled, "especially if it's a new one that he should study."
"He probably needs to pass his exam," Mara grinned.
I sat up, "exam?"
"He's in college of music, remember?" Frances pointed out, "he ought to be studying since he's finals are coming close."

It was the usual dinner. Even though the veranda was filled with laughter, I felt lonely, for some reason. Maybe because the seat across me is empty and there's no idiot sitting there laughing with his mouth full.

That later evening, I stayed up studying Lovers' Waltz. Suddenly, there was a knock on the glass door. The least expected person stood there, and grinning at me. He entered my practice room as I put down my violin, "what?"

"You're improving, sister," Marvin closed the door. "I never knew you were such into this punishment," he pushed his glasses up his nose, "or maybe, you just don't like disappointing him...?"

I crossed my arms, "what did I ever do to you?"
"Nothing," he shrugged, "I'm just guessing that you have a crush on him, that's all."
I blushed, "what?!" I couldn't believe my brother would say that! Yes, my brother who has negative 20 social life points.

"He's gay," I glared at him, "he's my teacher. I should NOT disappoint him and that's natural."
"But, knowing you, sister," Marvin smiled, "you're the least person I expect to respect him."
I was about to throw back some of the curses I know in different languages but something stopped me. True, Marvin did made a point that I'm not the kind of girl who gives a damn about respect...so why do I have to respect him?

"Plus," the little boy added, "in my calculations, a person in his age is expected to have interests...such as love."
I gasped, "you have calculations about that?"
"I'm a boy, you know. I know these stuff." He left the room without another word.

Well, I bet he's an alien, that's for sure.

* * * * *
The next night, Thursday, just before dinner, I practiced Lovers' Waltz for the last time and miraculously, I finished the piece without his help. I was going to brag it during dinner, but the unfortunate thing reached me.

"Not eating dinner?" I repeated, flabbergasted.
Jeanne nodded,"You should have seen him. When I entered his room, he had bags under his eyes. I almost mistook him as a lost panda."
Everyone snickered. I didn't. I wasn't happy at all. What if he falls sick or something?

Being sharp as usual, Jeanne smiled and gave me a pat on my back, "don't worry. Vance is fine."
Usually, I would deny worrying over some idiot or gay, or whatever I would name him. But this time, my eyebrows formed an inverted V and obviously to everyone, I was worried.

"You're unusually quiet," Mara grinned at me as we sat around to eat our grub. Everyone was enjoying themselves but I'm unusually bothered.
The twins leaned to each other and posed, "is it because Teacher Vance is not around?!" they posed as identical detectives.

"Yeah, Maddie's a bit silent tonight," Frances had to agree.
I could see, in the corner of my eye, that Marvin was nodding. As much as my friends are weirded out by the fact he reads encyclopedia like it's a comic book or a bedtime story, he still got along with the twins. Somehow.

"Vance, oh, Vance! Where art thou, Vance?!" Ange pretended to fall off her chair in despair and lands on Fab's arms. Everyone clapped. They really are twins.

I sighed and rested my cheek on my palm, elbows on the table. "It's just so boring here." I lied.
"Here-" Jeanne pushed a tray across to me, "-take this dinner to that idiot up there. He needs to eat too, don't you agree?" she smiled. As usual, Jeanne, his secret wife, takes control yet again. I feel as if the bell in a boxing match just rang. I totally lost.

* * * * *
As I walked down the long hallway of the third floor, I could hear the silent reverberation of his piano piece. He had been practicing that same piece of quite a while now, I guess it's for an exam in his school. I never really gave a thought on how his versatile fingers could do those amazing sounds. But I do know one thing: Vance is not an ordinary prodigy.

Like a thief under the moonlight that shone brightly through the thin curtains along the hallway windows, I left the tray of food on the floor and knocked too quickly that he might have thought that it was an emergency. I briskly walked to the next corner near the door and hid there for a while. I took quick glances as he opened the door. I knew he saw me--from the looks of his suspicious smile--but still, I tried to hide again.

I could almost hear his smile creeping it his peaceful face and seeing this, although I wouldn't want to admit it, made my heart skip a few beats.
* *
It was late at night now, but the girls and I were wide awake. Everyone was eating midnight cookies while Mara painted the twin's nails. Jeanne, as usual, was reading a thick book--an encyclopedia?-- while drinking her tea. Frances, on the other hand, sat on the piano seat and ran her fingers lightly on the keys, playing sweet tunes that can make a baby sleep without any problem.

"Where are you heading?" Jeanne's head snapped up as she spotted me sneaking to the door. Even though I thought she was busy reading. I muttered something unintelligible. Drats! I thought that I can finally sneak out without the cyborg spotting me.

I smiled sheepishly, "I'm going for a walk in the garden--" this time, I frowned, "--you guys want to come along?"
Even though my eyes pleaded for them to say no, everyone rose up from their seats except for Frances. "We should get some sleep now unless the reason you were sneaking out, Maddie--" she looked up from the piano, "--was because you were going to practice again..?"

It didn't sound like a question to me. It was as if she had read my mind. No wonder Vance chose her as the concert master...she always resolves things even though you least expected it.

"What's the point?" Mara laughed, "you always fall asleep when you practice at night."
Jeanne took her seat again, "maybe you should stop forcing yourself."
"Fine, I'll the garden. Since it's cold, I won't be able to sleep there anyway." I grabbed my black knitted body-coat and headed for the door again, "I'll be back late. All of you can sleep without me."

"We always do," the twins smiled at the same time. I swear, one of these days, I'll catch them rehearsing those moves.
I frowned but left anyway.

I strolled the garden after grabbing--literally--my violin from my practice room. It was cold and still being stubborn as ever, I brought out my violin. I knew that surrounding temperature will surely ruin my violin but if this is the only way to make me stay awake, I'll do everything.

Feeling the midnight serenade mood, I ran the bow smoothly across the strings, playing Lovers' Waltz with all the thoughts inside my head. Everything flashed like a fast-forwarded movie as I closed my eyes. It was a serene night and I should treasure it.

As I played the part where there was suppose to be the duet, another violin came with me. I never heard the whole piece yet and the first time I heard it was the time I heard Vance playing it. Somehow, I could tell that as the other violin was playing, our sounds were blending.

My eyes ran across the lawn and suddenly, to my surprise, he stood across me.His eyes closed but I could tell he was in his satisfied mood. His slim figure, straight back with a proud-smile across his smooth face. He didn't have his glasses though, but on the very second, I realized that I'm already staring at the Vance PLAYING THE VIOLIN.

When we finished the piece--I didn't bother stopping in the middle of playing-- he turned to me as his eye color changed from blue-green to his usual big blue eyes. He stared back in surprise..as if he was surprise with himself.

He turned away, his left hand covered the lower half of his face--blushing?-- as he scowled, "what are you staring at?" he asked.

I took one step closer, wind blinding me a little, "you played in front of me,"I pointed out the obvious.

"I can't let anyone see me playing. Only someone right can see it."
"Someone right?"
He laughed, "you'll understand soon, Maddie."

"So?" he finally said, scowling.
I smiled, "your eyes changed colors."
"I know that." He faced me, probably secretly thanking that it was dark so I won't see his face color, "what are you still doing up so late?"

"Practicing,"I replied as if it was an obvious answer. "You said that you would give me the piece if I practiced it so I'm keeping my word."

His eyes widened a little, surprise of what I said. For the first time, I saw another expression he had been keeping from us. Suddenly, he said something even my mom haven't told me for the passed 17 years of my life.

"I'm so proud of you."