Diversion

"Is there anything I can do to help Leila?" she asked.

"Nothing," came Leila's reply.

She leaned over to me and whispered.

"What happened?"

I shrugged at her.

"You should go and make friends with people your age instead of spending your time in the kitchen with me," Leila answered her from the stove.

"Or you two should go and work on whatever you need to work on."

"Is there something you need me to work on Sir?"

I contemplated for a split- second.

"Uh, actually there is. Come with me to the studio," I told her and stood up from my seat.

It's probably best to isolate her from Leila for now.

She was not expecting it judging from the look on her face. But she stood up anyway.

"See you later Leila," she called over before following after me.

We entered the studio and I walked straight towards the electric piano.

"As you know, I had been working here alone in the studio for the past two days. Miras aga and Arlan and some friends are usually working here with me but they were not able to come because of the holidays."

I sat down on a cushioned wooden chair and adjusted the notepad in front of me.

"What I need you to do is to comment, criticize, or whatever. I had written a new song and I would like to hear another person's thoughts about it."

She did not respond.

I looked back to her. She is standing behind me, her eyes on the piano.

"Go get a chair and sit down," I told her.

She took a wooden chair from the lounge area. She set it down, about half a meter away from me.

"Are you interested in music?" I asked her.

"I used to participate in piano competitions Sir."

I raised a brow.

"Really?"

"That was a long time ago. I was in primary school."

"What happened? I see that you pursued a business degree instead."

She looked at me, a little wary.

"My mother was against it. She didn't like that I was getting popular," she gave in.

I frowned .

"Why?"

"She uh... she just wanted me to steer clear from popularity."

"Why--"

"Would I be rude if I say I don't want to talk about it Sir?"

I stared at her for a couple of seconds.

"No. Not at all. I was just curious.."

"My mom used to be popular and I remembered us being harried by the media. Maybe that's why."

"Oh. Your mother was a celebrity?"

"Uh.. kind of."

"You were not able to play since then?" I asked, turning to the piano.

"I still play Sir. My father bought me Bluthner iDyllic Piano when I moved in with him in New York."

"Wow. I heard that one is expensive."

She nodded but said nothing more about it.

"Oh right. So I had written a new song. You are my manager, I know but I would still appreciate your thoughts on it. And it's great to know that you have a musical background."

"Did Senti use to do this with you Sir?"

"Of course. That's why I didn't want to let him go, but it all worked out since I now have you who also have a musical leaning. I'm sure Senti told you that he's resigning because he would be working with his wife in her music career."

"He did tell me Sir."

"Okay. So hear the melody first and tell me what you think."

I played my written notes in the piano and her head bobbed slightly with the rhythm. I smiled to myself. She is enjoying it.

"What are your thoughts?" I turned to her when I finished playing.

"I love the rhythm Sir. It's catchy. What is the song about?"

  "Err.. the concept of the song is about Yntizar."

"Oh. That fits the rhythm so well. Would you let me see the lyrics?"

"Uhm.. sure. You are more enthusiastic with this than I expected."

A reluctant smile appeared on her lips.

"This is a bit surreal Sir. I'm sitting here with one of the greatest artists in the world and he's sharing with me a draft of his song."

I chuckled.

"You flatter me."

"You are Sir and it's great to be sitting here with you."

"Well, thanks. So this is the lyrics. I'm not a very good lyricist but I can write."

I handed her the notepad. She frowned as she looked it over and I did my best not to laugh.

"I'm not that used to Kazakh Cyrillic yet so I can't read it Sir," she said, turning to me with a smile.

I laughed.

"You're being polite with me. I have a bad handwriting and it is worse with my song scribbles."

"Oh."

"My lyric drafts are quite raw and it feels personal so I'd rather not let anyone read it for themselves."

"Was I imposing Sir?"

"No it's okay. Would you want to hear it? I could read it for you."

She gave me a polite smile and gave me back the notepad.

"No Sir. It's fine. I don't want to spoil myself. I'm looking forward to the album."

"Thank you. Now I feel even more pressured to create an excellent album," I teased.

"I'm glad to be one of your motivations Sir," she smiled.

I don't know if she is serious or if she is teasing me back.

"Uhh.. right," I smiled back, suddenly feeling awkward.

Maybe it was a bad idea to take her up here with only the two of us.

"I've been meaning to ask you Sir since it was mentioned. As your manager who would be with you most of the time, if not all, would I be handling your privacy as well?"

"What do you mean?"

"Your personal life.. girlfriends.. would I be handling and protecting that for you as well?"

"Girlfriends??" I chuckled.

"Some artists prefer to be private about such things Sir."

Oh she's serious about this.

I cleared my throat.

"First of all Ms. McCrae, I don't have girlfriends or a girlfriend. And I assure you that I know how to be discrete about my relationship if ever there will be in the future so you don't need to worry about that."

"I'm glad Sir. Things like that can get messy."

"How so?"

"If you are at the top, people would find ways to drag you down and scorned lovers would be one of those people. The accusations could be truth or a lie but it doesn't really matter. People would believe what they want to believe and you can't do anything about it."

"You seem to know a lot about such things. But uh so far, no scorned lovers had come back to haunt me."

"But sure, I'll be more careful," I added with a playful smile, hinting it as a joke.

I don't think I had any messy break up with past girlfriends. They were all mutual and we parted with good feelings. On my part, for sure. 

"I trust that nothing will happen but if anything happens, I promise to do my part to protect your privacy Sir."

I can only nod in agreement. Senti and I never talked about these things before. He just let me be. This conversation is uncalled for.

"Sure. Thank you. I appreciate that."

"Is ther—"

"How ab--"

"You go first Sir," she smiled at me.

"Uhm.. how about you? You flew all the way here in Kazakhstan. No scorned lover left in New York?"

A smirk passed by her lips as she held my gaze. I felt a momentary chill.

"None Sir."

"That smirked seemed to be saying otherwise," I smiled at her, feeling bold.

"It's complicated but no. He's no lover of mine."

"Oh, so there is someone."

And I think I know who that is.

"I guess but not in the way you think Sir."

"That intrigues me more. He sounds like a lover but is not."

"Again Sir, it's complicated. I would prefer not to talk about it."

Right. It's too early to coax it out of her.

"I'm sorry," I smiled apologetically.

"Is there anything you want me to do Sir?"

I looked at my wristwatch. It's only 11 o'clock. It's a lot of time to spend in the kitchen with Leila before lunch is served.

"Would it be alright for you to bring some biscuits and tea up here? It's because you know.. Leila would be busy preparing lunch now."

"It's no problem Sir," she said and stood up. 

"I won't be long."

I watched her walk away and disappear behind the door. I also stood up and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Sitting next to her and looking straight into her eyes, that was.. intense.

About 10 minutes later she came back with a tray containing scones and tea. I smiled when I saw two teacups. I made my way towards her as she set the tray down on the table at the sitting area.

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