Chapter 34

Sitting up on her bed, Mel carefully typed out a message to . "Thank you for your concern," she wrote, "I'm going to take your advice and rest today." Satisfied with what she had typed out, she hit send and let out a deep sigh of relief.

As she laid back on her bed, and settled into her soft pillows, Mel's thoughts moved to s unexpected act of kindness, she felt a surge of gratitude wash over her as she read the message. It wasn't just the advice that Ethan had given her, it was the way he had done it. She could feel the genuine concern in his words and it made her heart flutter a bit.

Mel made a firm resolution to prioritize her own well-being, determined to take care of herself in the best possible way. As she settled back into her pillows, she knew exactly what she needed - a rejuvenating treatment at the Spa that she had been putting off for weeks. The thought of taking time for herself and indulging in some much-needed pampering filled her with a sense of excitement and anticipation.

*****

-The States-

Maya walked out of her house and locked the door behind her. It was a quiet evening and the cool breeze that brushed against her face was a relief from the hot day she had just experienced. She walked towards Eric's apartment which was located just a few doors down from hers. As she approached his door, she could hear the faint sound of music playing from inside.

Maya stood before Eric's apartment door, her heart beating a little faster than usual as she lifted her hand to knock. Her relationship with Eric had grown closer since she discovered he was the owner of her house. As her physician, he had become an integral part of her recovery from health issues, providing both medical care and emotional support. Today was the first time he had invited her to his apartment, and she felt a sense of excitement and curiosity bubbling up within her.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door, her hand making a gentle thud against the wood. She could hear the soft sound of music emanating from within, a gentle melody that seemed to beckon her closer.

Hey Maya," Eric's warm smile welcomed Maya as he opened the door, and she stepped inside.

Maya returned his greetings letting out a bright smile.

As they made their way through the hallway, Maya heard the faint sound of music again, it seemed to be emanating from one of the rooms. It piqued her curiosity, and she felt compelled to ask Eric about it.

"Is someone playing music?" she inquired, turning to him with a questioning gaze.

Eric's eyes lit up with a hint of amusement. "Ah, you have a good ear, that's just my music room," he replied with a chuckle.

Maya's eyes twitched in sheer surprise as Eric's response sparked a newfound curiosity within her. "Music room?" she asked, intrigued.

Eric's smile widened as he gestured towards a door adjacent to the hallway. "Yes, I like to play the instruments in my free time," he explained, leading Maya towards the door. "Would you like to see it?"

Maya nodded eagerly, feeling a sudden rush of excitement as she followed Eric into the music room, it was unlike anything Maya had ever seen. The walls were lined with shelves, and on those shelves were countless instruments - guitars, pianos, drums, and more.

In the center of the room stood a grand piano, and as Maya looked around, she realized that the source of the music was coming from a record player in the corner.

Eric walked over to the piano, sat down on the bench, and began to play a piece of music that was so beautiful, it brought tears to Maya's eyes. She watched in awe as his fingers danced over the keys, creating a melody that was both haunting and enchanting.

Seeing Mel's reaction, he stopped and asked softly "Do you like it?"

Maya nodded fixing her gaze on him, "I love it, the song, It's so calming and soothing." she said, the music had a tone that ministered to one's soul and it didn't fail to awaken Maya's emotions.

Maya's eyes followed Eric as he stood up from his music stand and motioned her to take a seat on a comfortable couch across the room. She obeyed, feeling a little nervous, as Eric positioned himself in front of her, his eyes locked with hers. "Do you play any instruments?" he asked.

Maya shook her head, feeling a bit embarrassed. "No, I'm not musically inclined," she said, looking down at her hands. "But I love music. It's like a balm for my soul."

Eric smiled, his eyes lighting up with understanding. "I know exactly what you mean," he said. "Music can be incredibly powerful, even if you don't know how to play an instrument."

Maya felt a wave of relief wash over her. It was nice to be understood. "I've always been a fan of music," she said. "Ever since I was a child."

Eric nodded, listening intently. "I know what that's like," he said. "My mother used to play the piano, and I was fascinated by the sound. But when I tried to play it myself, I was terrible."

Maya laughed, feeling more relaxed now. "I can relate to that," she said. "I've always wished I could play an instrument, but it never came naturally to me."

Eric leaned forward, his eyes sparkling. "Well, I could teach you," he said. "If you're interested, that is."

Maya's heart skipped a beat. She had never felt so excited about the prospect of learning an instrument. "Really?" she said, feeling a smile spread across her face.

Eric nodded, his expression warm and encouraging. "Absolutely," he said. "It might take some work, but I think you have what it takes. And who knows? Maybe one day you'll be able to play just like me."

Maya laughed, feeling a sense of hope and excitement bubbling up inside of her. Maybe, just maybe, she thought, she could become musically inclined after all.

Maya listened intently as Eric spoke about his passion for music. She could see the joy in his eyes and the enthusiasm in his voice. He picked up his guitar and was laid on the couch as he began to play a melody. Maya sat back and listened to the beautiful sound that emanated from the strings.

As he played, Maya felt herself relaxing into the music. It was as if the stress of the day was melting away, leaving her with a sense of peace. When he finished, she applauded him and said, "That was amazing. You're very talented."

Eric's lips curved into a warm smile as he looked at Maya. "Thank you," he said. "Music is something that brings me a lot of joy, and I'm so glad that you appreciate it too."

Eric's passion and love for music was something that deeply resonated with Maya, and drew her towards him. As they conversed about their shared interest, Maya felt a growing sense of admiration and fondness for him. She found herself captivated by his words and the way he spoke about music. With each passing moment, Maya felt her feelings for him intensify, and she couldn't help but fall for him even more.

****

-Later that Afternoon-

Lisa sat up on her bed ruminating on her last encounter with Ethan. She felt bad about the way she was been treated the last time but her feelings for him didn't fade away. She had hoped that by showing Ethan her anger, he would reach out to her and apologize, but it had been a week since they last spoke, and she hadn't heard a word from him.

An idea sparked in her mind, causing her to ponder on it for a moment before a gleeful nod of agreement. With newfound excitement, she rose from her bed and made her way to the bathroom to freshen up. The warm water from the shower revitalized her, and she emerged feeling invigorated. Putting on a stunning Gucci silk dress that fit her curves perfectly, she couldn't help but feel radiant.

Lisa checked herself in the mirror and smiled with satisfaction. She knew she looked good, and that always gave her a boost of confidence. She grabbed her phone and sent a text to her friend Layla, asking her to meet her at the Spa salon in town.

With car keys in hand, Lisa strode out of her apartment and climbed into her car. Texting her friend Layla to meet her at the Spa salon, she drove off towards their destination.

Arriving at the Spa, Lisa ignored the receptionist's greeting. She quickly made her way to the changing room, desperate to get changed and start her day of relaxation. As she emerged from the changing room, she noticed that the line at the reception desk had grown considerably. She scowled, annoyed that so many people were now in the line.

Lisa marched up to the front of the line, pushing past a woman who was standing there. "Excuse me," Mel reacted indignantly. She had just arrived and was looking forward to a stress-free day at the spa.

Lisa didn't bother to apologize. "I was here first," she snapped, glaring at Mel.

Mel raised an eyebrow, taken aback by Lisa's rudeness. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize," she said, stepping aside to let Lisa take her place at the reception desk.

Lisa didn't move, her eyes locked on Mel's. "You should pay more attention next time, if you were, perhaps you wouldn't be occupying spaces reserved by others especially mine" she said, her voice dripping with disdain.

Mel bristled at Lisa's tone. "I was just trying to check in like everyone else," she said and Lisa rolled her eyes.

With her jaw clenched, Mel watched as Lisa made her way to the reception desk. She couldn't believe the entitlement in the woman's tone and behavior. Mel had come to the spa to relax and unwind, not to deal with rude people.

As Lisa checked in, Mel took a deep breath and tried to let go of the incident. She didn't want to ruin her own mood and relaxation by letting Lisa's behavior get to her. Finally, it was her turn to check in and she approached the receptionist with a forced smile, determined to enjoy her spa day despite the rude encounter.