Once Melaina went back inside, Leilla rushed by to her side and urged her to look at the drawing. The girl looked so excited with her finished product that Melaina couldn't say no.

"This way, Mela!" Leilla exclaimed as she rushed back into the retiring room in a flurry of blonde curls and green skirts. Melaina smiled and followed in slowly as her mind tried to decipher of what just happened between her and Enjolras. Something special and sweet, but then another argument. Was it really worth talking to him? Shaking her head, the older girl focused on his sister as she pawed through her sketchbook. Leilla passed the sky, flowers, and teapots that she drew and suddenly hid the sketchbook behind her back.

"Close your eyes." Melaina was bewildered and opened her mouth to speak when Leilla shook her head.

"Close your eyes, Mela." Leilla urged her and she obliged. Feeling the heavy weight of the scrapbook in her hands, Melaina gripped it and opened her eyes. On that page in pencil was the moment Melaina and Enjolras had started to bicker. Melaina's hands were on her waist and she had a fierce gleam in her eyes while Enjolras's blue were cold and trying to stop her from talking. His face in the drawing was as impassive as it was in real life. His blond curls clung to his forehead and his sister seemed to make him an angel in a man's uniform. Something was different though.

Her eyes searched the drawing again and she noticed what was different. Melaina's hair was longer, it seemed to brush just right above her shoulder blades and when her green eyes peeked over the paper, she could see Leill studying her face.

"Well? Do you like it?" She insisted that Melaina answer her now. Hearing the door close behind them, Melaina knew Alexander had come back from outside. Without looking at him, Melaina knelt next to Leilla and handed her the sketchbook.

"It's lovely. I just have one question. Why do I have long hair?"

"I didn't think it'd be proper for a lady to have short hair. You're not in that profession anymore, Mela. Is that how your hair looks when it's long?"

"Yes. My hair is straight with slight curls at the end. You did a fantastic job, Leilla." She said as she squeezed the girl who thanked her and ran off to show her brother.

"Lexi! Come look!" She heard her say and Melaina walked around the retiring room, finally realizing that she could relax and look around. There was a small grand piano and her fingers twitched, wanting to play it. She had such a fascination with the instrument when she was younger that her father had taught her himself.

Why spend so much money on a tutor when I can teach her myself? She heard his voice when he and her mama got into their only argument. It would be easier to teach her the flute, Peter. It's such a nice instrument. She wants to learn the piano, not a silly woodwind instrument like the flute. Let's see how she does.

Melaina was a fast learner when it came to instruments and the piano was her favorite. She went on to play the flute and cello, the only instrument her mother objected to since she had to 'spread her legs like a whore'. It's silly how we came full circle with that. Melaina thought to herself and a giggle passed her lips. She looked around to make sure the two siblings didn't hear and when they didn't turn around, she walked over to the piano and sat on the bench.

Tapping lightly at the keys, Melaina listened to the sound fade throughout the room and she smiled. Mama had sold the piano after her papa's death to help with most of his debt. Melaina had mourned over the loss of the first instrument that she had, but soon began to tap out pieces on counters. She remembered asking Madam if there was a piano anywhere and her Madam thought it was funny. Whore shouldn't be good at music. Only in sex.

How silly of me. She thought to herself as her fingers moved over the keys and back. Notes flitted through the air and she dared to do a small and easy piece. As her fingers struck the keys, Melaina felt more relaxed than she had been in a while. Only as the last note echoed through the room did she know that no one was speaking. Looking up, Melaina saw Leilla and Alexander watching her while Maximus and Julia peeked around from the dining room.

"Oooh, Mela that was beautiful! Play it again!" Leilla cooed as she ran over and sat next to the older girl. Melaina laughed and saw Julia wink at her before Maximus nodded slowly. They disappeared quickly and came back with glasses of wine.

"Melaina, dear, you wouldn't mind putting on a show, would you?" Julia asked as she poured five glasses of wine. Passing them out, Julia tapped Leilla on the nose before handing hers to her.

"Of course not. I'd love to, Julia." She said as Leilla took her seat again next to her. Melaina quickly took a sip from her glass before handing it back to Julia who placed it on a table.

"You want the same piece?"

"Yes, Mela! It was so pretty." Melaina laughed before she struck the first note and began to play. Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see Alexander slink his way into the room and lean against the piano. She was going to say something, but decided against it since she might mess up. Her fingers flitted over the keys and the notes flew across the room. The last one echoed once more and everyone clapped. Melaina smiled at them and Leilla poked one key which made Melaina wince.

"That's minor, sweetheart. Here," she said as she moved Leilla's finger to an 'A' and the girl smiled.

"I play the violin. I have small fingers for the piano." She mused and looked up at her brother.

"You play piano, don't you, Alexander?"

"No. Instruments weren't my forte."

"I'm sure Mela could teach you."

"No, Leilla."

"Oh, why not, Alexander, dear? It'd be nice! Plus, she's a great musician." Mumbling a thank you, Melaina watched as the siblings switched places and Alexander was suddenly sitting next to her. Leilla sat on the top of the piano and watched, a giddy smile on her face.

"I'll show you some chords first, Alexander." She whispered as she placed three fingers on the white keys. She counted them off and showed him where to place his.

"Here?" He asked as he pressed down and Melaina nodded.

"Good. Now, move all three up one key." She did her example and he followed suit.

"Now, back one."

"Now, move your ring finger up one." She could see the uncomfortable reaction from him as only one of his fingers stretched.

"It does hurt, but don't worry, it gets easier." Melaina noted and nodded slightly.

"Good, now continue that." She watched as Alexander repeated the steps and he would curse lightly under his breath whenever he missed a key or forget when to move.

"Christ! How do you remember this?!" He spat as he shoved himself away from the piano. Melaina closed it before turning towards him.

"Well, I was taught by my father. I think when I was around five or so, I wanted to play and he taught me. It was the best thing and we had a piano at home, so it worked out."

"It's so nice, Mela," Leilla cut in and squeezed between the two.

"Want to hear me play my violin?"

"Not that monstrosity." Alexander groaned and got up from the bench. His long legs seemed only grow as he straightened and Melaina didn't really like the height difference now.

"I play the violin very well, thank you Lexi." Leilla pouted and Melaina patted her on the shoulder.

"I would love to, but it's getting late. How about tomorrow?" She asked and Leilla nodded vigorously before kissing her on both cheeks, then going to her brother and parents before bounding up the stairs.

"I'm going to bed too. Night, everyone." Enjolras said quickly as he followed his sister up the stairs.

"Don't stay up too late, Melaina. There'll be breakfast in the dining room when you wake up. We're going to work early tomorrow."

"Thank you again, Julia. Maximus," She said as they bid her goodnight. Once everyone was upstairs, Melaina looked around before she drew the curtains and left the piano. Walking up the stairs and into her room, she left the door open and kicked off her shoes. Walking over to the mirror, Melaina tilted her head and she saw the bruises had turned a reddish pink color. Wondering if Julia had noticed, Melaina felt vulnerable at that time. Even if his parents knew what she had done to make a living, Melaina still didn't like it.

Sighing, she slipped out of the dress and hung it nicely before she slipped on her high necked nightgown and undid her corset under it. Slipping off the rest of her undergarments, Melaina put them aside and finally closed the door. Not knowing if she should lock it or not, Melaina left it as it was and slipped under the covers. She tried to shut out the thoughts in her mind about what had happened, but it still took her many hours to finally fall asleep.