...
...
...
I see the days go by and still I wonder why
I wonder why it has to be this way
Why can't I have you here just like it used to be...
-Teardrops In The Rain
...
After that night, Musa couldn't stop thinking about Riven. It didn't help that Rhythm was beginning to show curiosity towards his father, and that the date of the reunion was rapidly arriving. The whole time she'd biked to work, she could only think about how she'd act once she saw him again. She'd been so consumed in her own thoughts that she lost her sheet music, and she even misplaced her violin. Shaking her head, she reminded herself that she couldn't get distracted from her work. She would deal with this later; after all, she was still unsure as to whether she'd be going to the reunion or not. She shouldn't stress about it too much.
Looking around the recording studio, she suddenly wondered where Rhythm was.
"Rhythm!"
She called his name, but there was no answer.
"Rhythm! Rhythm!"
Her heart suddenly beat erratically, and she put the guitar back on its stand, running out of the room. "Rhythm!" She scanned the room for a little five-year-old, with reddish-brown hair, and chocolate eyes. She couldn't believe that she was so irresponsible, not looking after her child, and becoming too immersed in her own thoughts. Regretting letting Riven affect her, she walked down the hallway, pushing amongst other workers in her production company, feeling more anxious by the second. She breathed a sigh of relief, however, when she saw him in the arms of a tall, blond man, who was grinning at Rhythm kindly.
"Your son?" He asked, and Musa smiled in relief.
"Yes. Rhythm, next time don't go away from mommy, alright?" She said, taking Rhythm from his grasp and kissing him on the head breathlessly.
"Sorry mommy," he mumbled. "The studio is so boring, though! It's more fun to explore out here."
Musa laughed in relief. He sounded exactly like Riven. "Just don't do it again next time, alright? You really scared mommy."
Rhythm nodded slowly and hugged his mother tightly.
"He's very shy and sweet. Good kid," the blonde man said, stroking Rhythm's hair. Musa looked at him for a while, noticing how he was such a natural with children. He had this handsome glow to him, and she blushed as he stared her in the eye. "Thank you," Musa said, a little flustered at his gaze. The stranger was devastatingly good-looking, with blonde hair that reached to his ears, and warm green eyes. He reminded her of the sea-slightly tanned, with a wholeness that made you feel safe and secure. What was attractive about him, however, was that he seemed genuinely interested in Rhythm. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you-Mr-"
"Kale. I'm Kale Thomas." He put out his hand, and Musa shook it.
"Mr. Thomas. Are you here to visit our production studio? Or are you a manager?"
He laughed, staring at her. "No, nothing like that. I came here to meet you."
Musa blushed, looking down at the floor. Rhythm suddenly snarled at Kale, while Musa's eyes widened. "Rhythm! He helped you, why are you being so mean to him?" Kale laughed, and patted Rhythm's shoulder. "It's okay, kid, I'm not stealing your mommy from your daddy," he said good-naturedly. At the word daddy, the atmosphere became tense, and Musa clutched Rhythm to her tighter. Rhythm's face suddenly lowered, and he looked Kale straight in the eye, without the childlike innocence of a toddler, but rather the maturity of a full-grown man.
"I don't have a daddy," he said.
"I'm sorry about that, he's a bit overprotective, isn't he?" Musa laughed.
"Ah. I'm sorry too, I didn't mean to evoke past memories," he said, sitting across from her at her desk. They were in Musa's office now, and Musa's fingers flew across the keyboard as she typed up his profile for him. "It's alright, I get that a lot anyways. Being a single mom is my priority-everyone here knows that it's my first job. Being a production company owner is second," she said, with a tone of humour in her voice. Kale nodded, holding a package in his hand, and staring at her. He wondered how such a strong and beautiful woman ended up with a child and had to take care of him on her own. He wondered how any man could leave her. She was so fierce and strong, yet vulnerable-she needed someone to protect her. He couldn't see how her former husband married her without understanding that point of hers.
"This is my demo tape, I hope you'll have the time to review it," he said, passing the files to her, and shaking the thoughts out of his head. He needed to focus.
"Ah, thank you. I'll be sure to review it."
Kale nodded, thankful that he'd gotten this opportunity. He was the son of a famous lawyer, and everyone expected him to follow in his father's footsteps. During high school and university, he tried his best to earn the highest marks and study law, but he realized that wasn't his dream. He wanted to enter into music. He wanted to compose his own songs and play his own music. Being famous wasn't necessary-it was just that he didn't want to secretly play his guitar in his room anymore. He wanted everyone to hear him, and he was sure that this woman could help him with his dream.
"Come back next week, and I'll tell you your results," She said, smiling at her.
He nodded, and left the room, closing the door quietly.
Besides getting his dream accomplished, he also wanted to find out this mysterious woman's full story.