Time To Rise
This morning I decided to call Damien Lanchace, after thinking about it all night. Maybe I'd be better off living with my dad, even though I'd never met him and it would have been really awkward.
However, it's still better than me having to endure alone. Especially, considering that he had three butlers. You can be sure, Dad is a rich man.
"Hmm..." I muttered, suddenly my enthusiasm tripled.
Of course, if he is indeed a wealthy lord, this will be good luck for me. I don't have to think about living expenses and I can go to school in peace without fear of being expelled.
"Okay, maybe I should stay with Dad. Yes, even though we have never met and it will be awkward, but surely as time goes by we will get along," I said to myself after being upset a few days ago.
My hands were shaking, waiting for Damien Lanchace to pick up the phone. It felt so embarrassing, after yesterday I had balked at going with him to Paris. But now I even beg to be met with my father.
"G-good morning?" I greeted nervously, hoping it would go smoothly.
"Good morning, who am I talking to?" Asked a man, sounding like Damien's from his voice.
"This is Lea Bichsel,"
"Miss Lea? How are you?"
"I'm fine, um...that's how about my dad? He's fine?" I asked. What am I saying? What am i talking about? It's so embarrassing.
"He's fine, what are you decision, Miss Lea? Has it been thought about?"
"About that, I've decided to meet my dad," I replied, even though I was hesitant at first, I didn't think I'd finally decide to live with a dad I'd never met.
"Thank God, in the end you chose to live together. Mr Pierre must be very happy, then I will pick you up on Monday,"
"Ah...that pendant-"
"The pendant? Did you find it?"
"Yes, I have found it. Apparently, it was my mom who kept it,"
"Thank goodness it was found, it's very important. I beg you to keep it and take care of it. If that's the case, I'll pick up you on Monday, so from now on you has to prepare transfer documens and for other documents, I'll help later."
"Thank you very much."
"You doesn't need to thank you, this is my job."
After contacting Damien, I'd better tell Uncle Gabriel and Aunt Marily about my move. Either way, they have to know.
"Are you sure about your decision, Lea?" Uncle Gabriel looked at me, a hint of worry in his eyes, so did Aunty.
"You better think about it first, Lea. You can still live here with us, for food and other expenses, you don't need to worry. Even though me and your aunt are not as rich as your father. But we can still take care of you."
"No, not because of that. I just remembered that in the past, my mom promised to take me to meet dad. But, until shevdied, that promise never happened. I thought, maybe now is the time for me to meet my biological father."
"I understands, but life in Paris and in this village must be different. Are you sure you can adjust?"
"I don't know because I've never been abroad before. But, you has never worried about that problem. I can handle it."
"How about your violin lessons? Aren't you going to have a musical next month?"
"In that case I'll be resigning-"
"Resigning? Are you sure? Aren't you very happy to be in the same school as your mother?" Asked Aunt. It seems that she still remembers how enthusiastic I was when I was able to enter the music course.
"Yeah, but I don't think I'm as talented as my mom. I don't have the same abilities as her,"
"Why are you talking like that, Lea? If your mom hears it, she will definitely be sad. You have the same talent as her, you just need to practice harder!" Aunt tried to advise me, I felt really bad and sad.
"But-"
"If you really want to stop at Madam Doris's music course, please stop. But don't stop just because you can't play like your mother. Lea, your mother used to feel that she had no talent, but she practiced hard every day. So, Don't give up, you still have many chances."
"I understand, when I'm in New York later, I will take violin lessons there. Dad will definitely support me, right?"
"Of course."
Little by little, my anxiety disappeared. After deciding to stop at music lessons and meet Madam Doris in person, I think this will be the last time I hear her very scathing criticism.
"You want to stop?" Madam Doris stared at me hard, it was scary every time I had to stand in front of her like this. But it doesn't matter, I just need to endure a little more.
"Y-yes," I answered while holding my breath.
"It doesn't matter if you want to quit. Do you think I will persuade you?"
"I don't think so,"
"I know you thought that I would talk you out of quitting, very confident, huh?" She said while showing that cynical smile.
I really don't know what to say? This witch doesn't understand that I want to quit not because I want to be maintained.
"I already said it, so excuse me!" I said, it's better for me to leave this place. I don't know how mom could stand someone like Madam Doris.
"You useless trash, it's good that you stopped. This school doesn't need someone like you!"
"Impudent, being silent keeps getting worse and worse. Ugh...be patient, Lea! Be patient!" I thought. I almost screamed in front of her wrinkled face.
"I think your mother must regret having a daughter like-"
"It turns out, facing someone like you, one can't just stay quiet and be patient, right? Look, I didn't expect to be cajoled or defended at all, my decision to quit was due to other reasons. So, stop making fun of me, because it's an act of very embarrassing, especially for someone who is old like you. Excuse me!"
I walked out, looked at the place I always went to for 10 years. When my mother was alive, she taught me to play the violin. However, a few months before she died, she brought me here because she taught the violin here. And after you're gone, I like coming to this place because I can still feel your presence. The last song that she played, until now I can still remember it clearly.
"Mom, I'm going to meet Dad soon. I'm sad because we can't see him together. But I promise, I'll make lots of memories with him. I'll be a good girl, a girl that Dad can be proud of. Mom, I'll go first! Keep an eye on me from up there, okay?"