Music to my Soul
Chapter VIII
Phoebe was certain that her little provocation had an effect. She was still very miffed at his rejection of her and only wanted to make him regret what he had missed. However, as she watched, the memory of the dream returned to her with a lustful need. Angrily, she shook her head and tried her best to chase away the feeling, but she only partially succeeded as she returned the dress to a more proper position. "Idiot," she told herself as she looked away from Cole.
Cole managed to regain control over his senses and he began to rethink his conversation with Paul. What if she had known? Cole had refused to accept this until now. Not even considering what he thought of women. That was too vile… But what if she really was the one who told Fredo to get rid of the driver? "No," he again argued with himself. If she had an affair, it would have been ridiculous to tell Fredo about it. But still… Cole hated this uncertainty. Everything was so clear cut for him until yesterday. Now he felt like he knew nothing at all. Exasperated, he decided to try asking her directly.
"So…You knew him well, the last driver?" He questioned as casually as he could.
Phoebe was startled by his sudden question.
"What the hell business is it of yours?"
"Just curious," Cole replied, casting a quick glance toward her. "Fredo said he was driving you everywhere…"
"Again, what business is it of yours? You got the job, isn't that enough?"
"No need to become so defensive," Cole said with a hint of mockery that Phoebe didn't miss.
"I'm not defensive. Men like you, I eat a couple for breakfast every morning…" She replied aggressively. His action, or lack there of, the day before weighed heavily on her mind and Phoebe felt the need to provoke him. She knew it was petty, but she didn't really care. However, Cole didn't bite, or at least, he didn't seem to as he answered with the same mocking tone of voice.
"How interesting…" He gave Phoebe a very suggestive gaze and she snickered without answering.
"You know I'm just curious," Cole tried again after a moment. "Fredo offered me this job promising a lot of advancement. I was wondering why the last driver left such a great prospect, that's all…"
"How should I know? Guess he got bored…" Phoebe deigned answering. Then, she added with some mockery of her own, "Maybe you're expecting too much out of this job. Why don't you go back to tuning your pianos?"
"I'm hurt," Cole clowned, still not giving in. "Is my driving that bad?"
He was grinning at her in the mirror, but under this amused appearance, Phoebe thought she saw something else.
"From the way you've been staring at me since we left the house, I'm amazed we didn't have an accident yet," she replied with just the right amount of disdain.
Cole couldn't help being slightly embarrassed at the confirmation of his earlier suspicion. However, rather than giving her the satisfaction of admitting to anything, he kept the grin firmly on his face while answering.
"Don't worry little lady. I know my way around a car…"
"Then maybe you should keep your eyes on the road…"
"You think a lot of yourself don't you, Miss Love?"
"A lot more than I think of you…"
Cole didn't know if he wanted to slap her for her impertinence or kiss her to teach her. Or maybe it was more of the same urge as before, he admitted grudgingly. He was certain that if he replied, she might just sense this, so he kept silent. However, Cole also knew that he was no closer to finding out what role she had played, if any, in the driver's death. After a long moment, he was about to try questioning her again when he realized they had arrived at their destination. They were in front of a small house with white washed walls. A few toys were strewn over the lawn giving the place warmth, a family feel that Cole suddenly longed for. Why today of all days was he regretting what he had missed as a boy? He had no clue but the sight distracted him enough that he forgot about his duty. Phoebe cleared her throat loudly to remind him of it.
Unable to hide his irritation, he got out of the car without a word and brusquely opened the door for Phoebe. As she got out, Cole gave her an annoyed look to which she didn't react, even avoiding his eyes. In truth, Phoebe didn't look at him because his proximity had reawakened the lustful sensation and she feared he would see it in her eyes. It wouldn't do to give the cocky man an advantage over her.
Phoebe's knees felt a little weak as she headed for the house, unsure if it was relief she felt or disappointment.
Forgotten was the irritation as Cole stood immobile beside the car, watching her go while he inhaled the smell of her perfume which lingered behind her. He realized after a moment that he was still holding the door open and hurriedly closed it. "Wake up," he chastised himself anew. When he looked again, Lara was already at the door and a pretty brunette, just a little taller than Lara, was greeting her. There was something strangely familiar about this girl too, but Cole couldn't place her. However he quickly set this aside when after the two girls embraced, the one Lara had come to visit cast a curious look his way. Cole was used to this kind of scrutiny by women, but for some reason, it made him uncomfortable. Mostly, he realized, because Lara noticed her staring as well. It was made obvious by the looks they both gave him afterward as they talked to each other in too low a voice for Cole to make out what they were saying. However, he could very much guess and decided to get back in the car, which he did hurriedly.
"Who's the hunk," Paige asked.
"Oh just the new driver," Phoebe answered casually.
However, Paige seemed to know her better than this, as she pursued.
"Hum, you know, he seems your type." In saying so, she was openly admiring Cole and he went back in the car, as if made uncomfortable. Paige smiled impishly as she returned her gaze toward Phoebe.
"Isn't he?" She questioned.
"He's just the driver…"
"Well, if memory serves, you liked the last one too…"
"Who said I liked this one," Phoebe protested a little too quickly.
"If you don't, maybe you need to have your eyes examined. This one's a big improvement over the last one."
"And he knows it too well," Phoebe answered curtly. Then she pursued quickly, seeing her cousin's grin. "Hey! I got Fredo and I don't need anybody else at the moment. Remember…It's my big night soon."
"Oh yeah, the day you'll become a star, hey…?" Paige mocked gently.
"Laugh all you want, but I'll show you soon," Phoebe replied, no longer upset. Paige always had a way of bringing her back down to earth. However, Phoebe wished that she would drop the Cole subject.
They both went in at this point and after Paige offered her a cup of tea, she didn't lose time disappointing Phoebe in that regard.
"You know, I think the guy would be a much better bet for you…"
"How the hell would you know that," Phoebe replied, unable to hide her irritation.
"Well, for one thing, he looked really interested in you…or maybe it was me he was looking at?"
"Paige, get off this…"
Paige became more serious all of a sudden.
"I'm worried about you, Phoebe. This Fredo's dangerous. It's not worth risking your life to get a career. Not to mention selling yourself…"
"I thought we agreed to disagree on this?"
"I can't help wanting to stop you from making a terrible mistake. Call it stupidity on my part but I love you alive and well."
"You're so melodramatic! Nothing's gonna happen to me. Come this Saturday, I'll have all I ever wanted."
"Every day I read horror stories about the business your lover's in," Paige insisted. "This morning the paper talked about a double murder, gang related. And yesterday, it was a body that washed up on the beach. According to the journalist, the man had been savagely tortured. It scares me thinking that you live among these people." In saying so, Paige picked up a pile of newspapers, intent on showing it to Phoebe to emphasize her point. When Phoebe saw the picture of the first victim, she gasped, reacting much more violently than Paige had expected.
"What is it?"
"Oh my god," Phoebe finally uttered in a strangled voice. "Martin," she trailed…
"Oh," Paige exclaimed in turn. Now that she looked closely at the picture, she also recognized the former driver. "Oh my God," she said again, now almost trembling with fear for her cousin. "You've got to get out of there," she added quickly.
Phoebe seemed transfixed as she stared at the picture. "It couldn't be," she thought uncertainly. "No… it has to be a coincidence. If Fredo knew about Martin and me, he'd have said something."
"Phoebe," Paige called to her. "Don't you see?"
"I see nothing…It's very disturbing, I'll admit… but…" Phoebe hesitated some more, again wondering. Then she looked up at her cousin and tried to convince herself as much as Paige with her next words.
"I think I know what this was. The idiot was a gambler. Fredo didn't even know where he went…I'm sure someone got him for some unpaid debt."
"You don't really believe that, do you Phoebe? Please, reconsider. You could stay here for a while. If we have to, we'll ask the police to protect you against Fredo…"
"I don't need any protection," Phoebe suddenly protested. "Fredo and I are just fine. If this idiot Martin got himself killed for his bad habit, that doesn't mean I should lose my best chance at stardom because of it."
"Phoebe," Paige exclaimed incredulously.
"I'm telling you, there's nothing to worry about."
Paige shook her head dejectedly. Phoebe was so stubborn. "What if I'm right?" Paige shivered at the thought of the horrors that monster could inflict on her cousin. Yet, Paige knew that Phoebe would be very hard to convince of that. Even impossible… As usual, Phoebe would do just what she wanted. Paige remembered the day, only four years ago, when she found Phoebe in New York. She had tried to convince her to change her ways then...to no avail.
At the time, Phoebe had just dumped a club owner who'd lost his business when he stood accused of bootlegging. Paige had been visiting New York with her husband of only a year. Walking down the street one late afternoon, she almost fainted when she recognized her cousin coming from the opposite direction. Without hesitation, Paige pulled herself away from her husband and ran toward Phoebe. Then, choking on her emotions, she hugged her cousin tight before remembering all the troubles this one had caused.
"Phoebe Halliwell! What the hell were you thinking?"
"Well," Phoebe said then, "I see things didn't change much. You sure can run hot and cold."
"Why did you disappear like that?"
"How could you ask me that," Phoebe replied without any apparent remorse. "I was the one stuck in that prison for another three years. I couldn't take it Paige."
"We'd have helped you…" Paige tried again.
"You know you tried and it didn't work…" Phoebe answered. Then her eyes caught sight of a man coming toward them purposefully. "Do you know him?"
"It's my husband," Paige answered softly, as she looked back. "I can't wait for him to know you."
"Paige, my name is Lara Love now. Please don't tell him my real name…" Phoebe added anxiously.
Paige looked back with an appalled expression, but when her husband rejoined with them, she presented Phoebe as Lara Love to the obvious relief of her cousin. Paige didn't have any picture of Phoebe as she had regretfully not thought of getting any. Therefore, her husband accepted her explanation that Lara was an old friend of hers rather than the cousin she'd talked about so often. Since then, Paige was convinced that Greg figured it out, but he never questioned it. She was very grateful for his discretion, but she was miffed at Phoebe for forcing her to lie to him.
That night over a girls' dinner without Paige's husband, Phoebe explained to her that she had started a new life with a new name and said good bye forever to Phoebe Halliwell. Paige found it hard to accept, but in the end she was only happy that her cousin was back in her life. That wasn't to say that things had gone smoothly at first. After Phoebe's escape, the police interrogated both Paige and her mother at length. It had been an ordeal that she didn't remember fondly. Phoebe apologized profusely for the trouble she caused her cousin, but she wasn't remorseful about her escape however.
"But Phoebe… think about it. What if they ever catch up with you? You could've finished your sentence and be free to live your life without the fear of getting caught."
"No one will come for me. I was a little worried at first, but I guess they didn't think I was worth the trouble. I'm building myself a new life and you should be happy for me…"
"What kind of life is that, Phoebe?"
"The kind that's gonna give me what I really want. I'll sing just like you wanted me too, Paige. And I will become a star; I guaranty it."
Paige had wondered to no end about how this would come to pass considering that Phoebe was a fugitive. Much more than this, after some more insistence on her part, Phoebe told her some of the life she led in New York and Paige found it increasingly unbelievable. How could the sweet girl she used to know become such a cynical being? Phoebe was talking about men as if they were only stepping stones on the way to success. After some resistance, Phoebe told Paige of the few she had already put behind her. In the end, Paige almost felt pity for some of them. But much more for Phoebe, who knew no love and never intended to. Paige was so happy herself that she couldn't understand why her cousin denied herself this joy. Maybe if Phoebe loved someone, she would be tempted to change? The mere mention of the word had made Phoebe cringe.
"Paige…you may think you're very happy… and I wish that I didn't believe what I'm about to tell you, but unfortunately I do. Your husband's just one of them. As soon as he tires of you, he'll go for some fresh meat like they all do. Men are disgusting and they don't deserve any consideration."
"Phoebe, are you insane? Not all men are like your father…"
"Don't ever mention him again," Phoebe exclaimed. Then after calming down somewhat, she pursued, "it wasn't only my father, Paige…"
"I know about those boys… but Phoebe, they were only boys…"
"No…they were what they are. Beasts who believe they can take us and throw us away… or put us in a corner for usage at their convenience. No man's ever gonna do that to me again!"
"I'm so sorry, Phoebe… So sorry you had to live through this."
"Don't be. It made me stronger. I'm not delusional anymore…"
"And I am," Paige questioned irritably.
"I'm sorry…maybe he's not too bad… but if he ever hurts you, I'll take care of him myself."
"Leave him out of this. Greg and I are very much in love. He'd never hurt me."
At this, Phoebe stared at her cousin without a word. Paige knew what Phoebe was thinking and she preferred not to pursue the subject.
****
Phoebe interrupted Paige's reminiscence with a surprising suggestion.
"Let's go shopping!"
"What? Phoebe! After what you've just learned, you wanna go shopping?"
"What did I learn? That Martin got what he deserved for not paying his gambling debts? This has nothing to do with me," Phoebe uttered in total denial. "Let's go…I wanna have fun today. No more depressing thoughts."
Paige watched Phoebe in astonishment for a moment and then she thought she understood what her friend meant. Phoebe had come to her in the hope of finding some peace and Paige only managed to make her nervous. Maybe later she would try again to convince Phoebe…
Cole was getting antsy in the car. This gig didn't fit his need for action. He wasn't one to stay in one place for very long, lost with his own thoughts. Until now, that had not been a problem. However, he was starting to see a pattern in himself and it was unpleasant. Introspection was actually something he had avoided for many years he realized. Now, he couldn't seem to stop and he was getting tired of it. He looked in the rear view mirror, more to distract himself than for any real need and noticed that a car he'd seen earlier was still parked down the street, while the driver was sitting in it. That made him curious and as an added distraction, he decided to check up on it. After all, he was also supposed to keep Lara safe, and this looked strange to him.
As casually as he could, Cole climbed out of his car and started walking slowly toward the suspect vehicle. When he got about ten feet from it, he knew that something fishy was going on. The man he knew as Robbie was sitting in the front seat and when this one saw Cole approaching he came out of his own vehicle. In fact, it was obvious that Robbie wasn't too happy to have been found out.
"Hey," Cole called cautiously, as his right hand moved slowly toward the gun stuck in his belt. "Did Fredo send you here?"
"Saul did…," Robbie answered very seriously.
"I don't see why. I can protect Lara on my own…"
"I don't think Saul is worried about Lara," Robbie uttered with a hint of sarcasm.
"Are you saying he's worried about me?" Cole asked with as much incredulity as he could fake.
"You haven't proven anything yet…" Robbie replied.
"I see," Cole said, while staring directly at the young gangster.
He felt thoroughly uncomfortable with the man. Cole got the distinct impression that Robbie only waited for some provocation on his part. What was Saul up to, he wondered anew, even as he gave Robbie a cocky smile.
"Well, you're welcome to waste your time for as long as you wish." Then, he slowly turned his back to Robbie and started toward the car. In spite of his apparent carelessness, Cole was paying close attention to any sound coming from behind, while he still kept his hand near the gun at his belt. When he heard the footsteps behind him, Cole understood that Robbie had elected to follow him and Cole pretended he didn't notice.
As she and Paige were heading out, Phoebe worked on herself to forget what she had seen in the paper. However, it was difficult to ignore. What if Fredo truly did it? A shiver coursed down her spine at the thought and again she rejected it forcefully. No, this couldn't be. Fredo had been nothing but sweet to her lately and not at all jealous. However, that also reminded her of her stupid move of the previous day. In a way, she began thinking that Cole's rejection was almost a blessing. If he had taken her offer, she had the feeling that they wouldn't have gone much further than the study, so strong her urge had been. It could have been seriously dangerous for her, and she admitted, surprising herself, dangerous for Cole as well. Maybe it was this momentary lapse, or the renewed frustration she felt then, but when she saw Robbie coming toward the car behind Cole, Phoebe got another urge. It didn't help at all that Paige started again on how handsome the driver was from the moment they got out of the house.
Cole saw them coming and grudgingly, he went to open the back door for them. However, Phoebe passed him without a glance and she went directly at Robbie.
"Hey Robbie," she uttered languorously. "What are you doing here?"
Robbie's eyes widened in surprise at Phoebe's warm greeting... He had hoped for something from her, but never really expected it to happen. Yet now she was looking at him in such a manner that he felt a delicious chill coursing through him. Maybe, he would get to taste her after all, he reflected, barely containing the urge to touch her right then and there. Phoebe didn't resist this however. She cast a rapid glance toward the driver and then put light fingers on Robbie's shirt collar, moving down toward his chest languorously.
"Huh," Robbie began hesitantly as her touch was all he could think about. "Saul wanted me to make sure everything was ok…"
"Saul," Phoebe questioned dubiously.
Robbie feared that she would turn away and he quickly added, "well, I wanted to make sure too…"
Phoebe flashed another big smile at the young man, to which he responded with an almost timid one.
Cole watched this with a mounting discomfort that was totally foreign to him. He only knew that this wasn't pleasant at all. When he understood what this feeling was, he wished he could have slapped himself with the hope that it would go away. He was jealous…something he never even thought possible. Yet, right then, he hated that man with all the fibers of his being. It took him all of his self-control to stay where he was as he flashed angry looks at the couple. Lara's friend helped him in that she was watching him closely and Cole realized that he must have been really obvious because she was grinning mischievously. This only added to his total confusion and anger. At last, he couldn't take this anymore.
"Did you wanna go somewhere," he questioned irritably.
Phoebe turned very slowly toward him, as if she couldn't be bothered by a mere employee but deigned answering anyway.
"As a matter of fact, we were going to shop," She finally said, giving Cole what he thought was a disdainful look before she returned her attention to Robbie.
"I assure you Robbie. I'll be just fine… but I'm so grateful for your concern," Phoebe said sweetly. "Why don't you go back to the house and I'll be back in a few hours," she added with a suggestive caress on his arm.
Robbie, who thought himself blazed actually flinched like a college boy at this.
"Yeah, of course," he answered with a stupid grin.
"Later," Phoebe added in the same lascivious voice before she turned toward their car and signalled for Paige to get in as well.
Cole couldn't help glaring at Robbie before he closed the car door a little too hard. He was so upset, he even forgot to be worried about the reason why Robbie had come here in the first place as he climbed into the driver seat and started the engine. Only when he engaged on the road did Cole think of checking up on what Robbie was doing. However, this one was still standing on the side of the road, making no move to go to his car. At least, this reassured Cole that he wouldn't be following them all day.
After he lost sight of the gangster, Cole's anger turned toward Lara. He knew it was stupid on his part but he couldn't help feeling irrationally betrayed. Behind him, the two women were giggling at something and he was convinced it was about him, this only irritating him more. He began paying closer attention to their conversation while pretending he didn't care.
"I'm telling you," Paige was saying barely above a whisper. "He's got it bad for you…"
Phoebe chuckled at what she thought was her cousin's naivety.
"Oh come on, he's just like all the others. Men all want what the others have. Must be some atavistic remnant from the cavemen..."
"Well, this caveman still seems really into you, Phoebe." Paige said then, the last word a little too loud for Phoebe's taste. Indeed, she thought she noticed Cole's slight movement of surprise at the name.
"Paige," she grumbled irritably, "don't call me that."
"Oh right," Paige replied covertly. "Sorry. But I gotta tell you, I don't understand why you'd play these games with him. Besides, I really don't like that other guy. He looks shifty to me."
Phoebe shrugged in annoyance and didn't answer this.
Cole hadn't heard anything but the name Phoebe. Although it surprised him a little, he reasoned that Lara Love was certainly a professional name. He still thought that it might be useful information. Who knew what else he could learn? This new possibility helped him calm down a little as it reminded him of the reasons why he was there in the first place. Cole chastised himself inwardly as he questioned Phoebe on their destination as flatly as he could manage. This one answered almost distractedly and it annoyed him anew.
Through the afternoon, Phoebe pretended that everything was fine but so many things bothered her now that Paige could see it as plainly as if Phoebe had said so. However, every time Paige tried to talk to her, Phoebe quickly changed the subject and this until they came back at Paige's house a few hours later. There, Cole helped carry the packages inside and he finally heard something of interest.
"Phoebe," Paige started, certain that Cole wasn't really paying them any attention at this point. "You've gotta listen to me."
"About what," Phoebe questioned, even though she knew what her cousin wanted.
"You know perfectly well. What happened to Martin is bad. I can't help fearing for you."
"I told you. He got killed by his own fault… It had nothing to do with me, I'm sure of it." Phoebe replied.
Cole passed them on his way back to the car and Phoebe stopped talking, hoping he hadn't heard any of their conversation.
"Look Paige," she said after she was certain that he was out of ear shot, "I want you to stop worrying. Nothing is wrong. Saturday, I want you in the front row seat, you hear me," she added with a sweet smile.
Paige stared at her cousin with the same obvious worry but she nodded in acquiescence, albeit reluctantly. Smiling anew, she indicated Cole and added, "Meanwhile, why don't you give some thought to a change in partners. I really think you could have something there."
"Stop talking crazy, Paige. He's only an ambitious man who took this job with the hope of finding riches. I don't need another one of those in my life…"
"I don't think," Paige started, but Phoebe interrupted her.
"I know…Just worry about being there Saturday. It wouldn't be the same without you Paige. You know you're the only person that really matters in my life."
Paige smiled softly at her cousin before they hugged for a long moment. Reluctantly, Paige let go of Phoebe and watched her go with renewed apprehension.
All Cole retained of the last bit was that Lara knew about the former driver's death. Uncomfortably, he wondered what it meant and how long she had known. As they went on their way, he glanced at her in the mirror and he thought he detected some nervousness in her. Was it about the former driver? The mystery of this woman only deepened for him. However, far from helping him distance himself from her, he realized it only served to increase his interest in her. By now, he had almost managed to forget about the intense jealousy he had felt earlier, but the need for her was only growing for every moment.
"Something the matter," he questioned as he saw her grimacing unhappily in the mirror.
"None of your business," Phoebe answered too quickly. Cole got the distinct impression that she was afraid.
"It's just you look jumpy…"
"One would be for less. You should know better than anyone. What with Fredo getting shot at and all," Phoebe voiced then. It wasn't really her main concern, but she suddenly felt the need to talk. Talk about anything rather than torturing herself about Martin.
"I won't let anything happen to you."
Phoebe looked up curiously when she heard the accent of sincerity in his voice. Did he really care? No, that couldn't be, she thought again.
"Of course you won't. If something happens to me, Fredo'll have your head."
"Right," Cole answered irritably.
For the rest of the ride, they kept silent and Phoebe realized that she regretted having said what she did. She almost wished she could believe he cared.
Robbie had spent the afternoon doing some research on Cole Turner and he was now telling Saul what he found out.
"There's nothing special about him. The little I gathered, he lives large… Maybe a little too large for the kind of business he has, but other than that, he doesn't seem to have any connection with another gang."
"What do you mean large?" Saul asked suspiciously.
"Well, he has a very nice apartment. The car he owns is paid for in full…but other than the piano tuning and some war stories, none of his neighbors knew much about him. Except maybe that he receives a great number of female visitors."
"A gigolo," Saul immediately assumed with a smirk. "Well now that I can believe…Still, if he has such means… why accept Fredo's offer," Saul mused for himself.
"Beats me," Robbie replied, garnering an irritated glare from his boss. When he saw the mood Saul was in, he excused himself and left Fredo's office where they had been discussing this. He got out just in time to see Phoebe and Cole returning, the driver burdened by a number of packages. Phoebe had obviously been extravagant. Robbie looked around cautiously and then he smiled at her when he was certain no one was observing them. Her response seemed colder than earlier and he began to wonder if he had read her right. However, she still came to him and Robbie didn't notice Cole's angry glance as this one put down the packages. Without waiting to see what they would do, Cole stomped toward the study, determined to finish the work on the piano. He couldn't stand to look at them anymore. His tool bag was still besides the double doors and he grabbed it angrily. Once inside the study, Cole chastised himself again for the jealousy he felt but to no avail. All he could think about was what she might be doing with that man right now. He found himself standing still in between the doors and the piano, uncertain what he should do. After a long moment of indecision, he went and sat heavily at the piano.
He was about to begin working on it when a flash of his childhood came to him.
Cole's mother was sitting by his side, as he was only four years old. She had been the one who initiated him to music. He remembered her soft features and how she always smiled at him even though she was already very sick by then.
Cole didn't know why all those memories and sensations were coming back like this. All he knew is that it was very sudden. Until the day before, he had buried all of this under a blanket of cynicism that suited him well. Now, he couldn't stop the memories. He remembered also how his mother in her last few weeks couldn't even sit on the bench with him, but would lie still on the couch beside him and listen to him practicing for hours on end. This had been a bittersweet period for Cole as even at this tender age, he had sensed that the end was near. His mother used to love a particular melody. It was only a lullaby, the one she'd taught him first and before he knew it, Cole began playing it hesitantly on Lara's piano.
Phoebe was doing her best to be pleasant to Robbie. Now that she had started this, and even though she almost regretted it, she wasn't ready to back off. Yet, she couldn't help a few glances toward the study, as she wondered if Cole cared. She had almost convinced herself that he didn't when she heard the first hesitant notes of a lullaby and she turned abruptly toward the study, startling Robbie. Hadn't Cole said he didn't play at all? Yet, within a few seconds, the melody began to take form and it was obviously played with skill. Slowly, she walked toward the study, ignoring Robbie's reproachful stare as he followed her.
Cole seemed totally taken into the music, oblivious to anything around him, as if he was in another place, Phoebe thought. For the first time in years, she simply enjoyed listening. A strange peace was invading her at the sounds. Only when she remembered the last time she had felt like this did she shake the feeling away almost angrily.
"I thought you didn't play," she called curtly at Cole.
This one seemed startled and instead of turning to her right away, he stopped playing and looked at his hands with what seemed astonishment. It only lasted an instant before he turned to her with a smirk.
"It's only a lullaby. Anybody can play this on a piano," Cole answered, wondering why he was defensive inwardly.
"Right," Phoebe answered, unconvinced.
Their eyes met then and Cole could swear he saw pain in hers, as if the music had awakened some regrets in her just as it had in him. Cole tore himself from this moment and, forgetting altogether about the repairs, he grabbed his tool bag and stood up abruptly. As he passed Phoebe on his way out of the study, he said aloud.
"Well, if Fredo wants me, he knows where to find me. I think it was a full day's work." Then, after flashing a glaring look at Robbie, he bent defiantly toward Phoebe and whispered in her ear.
"Phoebe suits you much better…"
Cole didn't even know why he said that as he hurried toward the front door before anyone could protest and he didn't see the startled look on her face.
Cole was tempted to go directly to Paul's again but he decided against it when he realized he didn't know how to talk about the conflicting feelings he was now having. Why were all those childhood memories back? Deep down however, he had a good idea of why. Phoebe's beautiful face was floating constantly in his mind. He could still see the pain in her eyes and wondered what could have been so painful in the music. After all, she was a singer and heard music all the time. That brought him back to his own dilemma and the amazing yet disturbing fact that for the first time in twelve years, he had played music. Moreover, he understood that all this was in fact related to the feelings Phoebe had awakened inside of him.
As he got back inside his apartment building, Cole distractedly picked up yet another note, obviously from Rita again.
"Cole…since you haven't come back yet, I fear that there's no hope… Unless you come to me now, I guess it's not worth continuing without you…"
The note was unsigned but it wasn't needed. However, the implication of the message sent a shiver down his spine. Cole became convinced that Rita was about to commit the irreparable and he turned around abruptly, practically running out of the building, as he caught himself praying that he wouldn't be too late.
Rita sat in her living room, staring fixedly at the front door while she held the gun in her lap.
"I'm waiting for you," she uttered darkly…