Chapter 6 - THE MUSIC ROOM BEHIND THE LOCKED DOOR
The music room was on the third floor.
I found it by accident.
A narrow hallway.
A brass handle.
A door that had been locked when I first arrived.
One afternoon, Rosa handed me a key.
“Mr. Castellano said you might like this room.”
I stared.
“Why?”
She smiled.
“Go see.”
I opened the door.
Sunlight poured through tall windows.
A grand piano stood near the wall.
Violins rested in glass cabinets.
And beside the fireplace stood a cello.
Dark wood.
Elegant curves.
A carved silver leaf beneath the bridge.
My knees nearly gave way.
I crossed the room.
Touched the instrument.
Then began crying.
My mother's cello.
The one Petra claimed she'd sold.
The one I'd believed was gone forever.
Adrian stood in the doorway.
I turned.
“You found it.”
He nodded.
“I did.”
My voice broke.
“How?”
He hesitated.
“Your mother entrusted it to my grandfather.”
I stared.
“She wanted it kept safe.”
Tears streamed down my face.
I looked back at the cello.
Then whispered:
“Thank you.”
Adrian shook his head.
“Don't thank me.”
May you like
He smiled faintly.
“It's yours.”
