Chapter 16 - The pain behind the smile
25th July - Windsor Square - 8:22 AM
"Fu*k."
Kai sat in his room, staring at the small vial of shimmering elixir in his hand. It seemed to glimmer mockingly under the morning sunlight. He knew what it could do—restore his mobility in an instant—but the thought of taking it right now felt like stepping into a minefield. The surgery was just days away. If he suddenly started walking, how would he explain it? The doctors, the staff, and even Jeffrey would have questions, and he couldn't reveal the existence of the system to anyone. The risk was too great.
His mind churned with scenarios, each more convoluted than the last. Could he fake recovery after the surgery? Or pretend the procedure had miraculously healed him? Both options felt far-fetched and exhausting.
"Haaaaaaa," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Why does this have to be so complicated?"
Ultimately, he decided to postpone using the elixir. It was the only choice that made sense right now. Tucking the vial back into the inventory, he rang for Albert to escort him to breakfast.
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When Kai arrived in the dining hall, the familiar hum of activity greeted him. Staff moved efficiently, setting up the table with their usual precision. But something was off. Jeffrey was nowhere to be seen. Normally, the Maestro would be here by now, chatting animatedly with the staff or recounting stories from his illustrious career. His absence felt strange.
Kai's gaze wandered to Albert, who was organizing the breakfast table. "Where's Jeff?" he asked, trying to keep his tone casual.
Albert glanced up from his task. "Sir requested his breakfast to be sent to his room," he replied with his usual calm demeanor. "He also instructed us to inform you that today's session will be canceled as he has other matters to attend to."
Kai tilted his head, frowning. Jeffrey was not the type to cancel plans lightly, especially without speaking to him directly. A few days ago, when Jeffrey had a meeting to attend, he had informed Kai himself. To send a message through Albert instead... it didn't sit right.
"Is he okay?" Kai pressed, his concern evident.
Albert's lips curved into a reassuring smile. "Of course, sir. He simply seemed preoccupied this morning. There's nothing to worry about."
Kai nodded slowly, but a knot of unease tightened in his chest. Something didn't add up. Jeffrey wasn't just his mentor; he had become a figure of stability in Kai's chaotic life. The thought of him being troubled gnawed at him. As he picked at his breakfast, his mind kept drifting back to Jeffrey's absence, wondering if he should check on him.
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Jeffrey's Room - 9:00 AM
Albert quietly opened the door to Jeffrey's room, the scent of alcohol immediately hitting his senses. The sight before him made his heart ache. Jeffrey, the ever-cheerful Maestro, lay curled up on his bed, clutching a framed photograph to his chest. Broken shards of glass littered one side of the room, evidence of a glass thrown in anger or despair. The man, who always carried himself with confidence and charm, now looked utterly defeated.
Albert's gaze softened as he took in the scene. That photograph was Jeffrey's most treasured possession—a picture of his late wife, the love of his life. In a mansion filled with accolades and memorabilia from decades of musical triumphs, that simple framed image held more value than anything else. Jeffrey would often sit with it during quiet moments, a bittersweet reminder of the joy and pain it represented.
Albert sighed as he began tidying up the room. He swept the broken glass into a dustpan, his movements careful and deliberate, not wanting to disturb Jeffrey. This wasn't the first time he had seen the Maestro like this. The first instance had been after the accident that claimed his wife's life—a tragedy that Jeffrey never truly recovered from. For more than thirty years, Albert had served Jeffrey, watching him rise to fame, fall in love, and then crumble under the weight of loss. Over time, their relationship had shifted from employer and employee to something resembling a deep, unspoken friendship. Albert knew Jeffrey better than most, and he understood that the man needed to process his grief in his own way.
After finishing the cleanup, Albert approached the bed and gently nudged Jeffrey awake. "Sir, it's time to wake up," he said softly.
Jeffrey stirred, groaning as he pushed himself upright. His face bore the weariness of someone who had spent the night battling inner demons. Without a word, he held out his hand, which Albert took to help him to his feet. Jeffrey limped over to a drawer, opened it, and carefully placed the photograph inside. The gesture was almost ritualistic, a way of safeguarding his memories.
Albert stood silently, his heart heavy. "Breakfast is ready, sir," he said after a moment.
Jeffrey nodded but didn't respond. Instead, he disappeared into the bathroom to freshen up, leaving Albert to reflect on the man he had come to respect and care for so deeply.
"The most cheerful of men often hide the deepest wounds," Albert murmured to himself as he left the room.
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Kai's Room - 10:00 AM
Kai sat by the window, staring out at the sprawling gardens below. He had spent the last hour debating how to spend his unexpected free time. Part of him wanted to rest—his body still felt heavy from the emotional release of the previous night. But another part of him, the part driven by determination, refused to waste the day. He had recently leveled up his singing skill to Level 4, and the urge to test it out was growing stronger by the minute.
"Screw it," he muttered, grabbing his notebook and heading for the music room.
The room was quiet when he arrived, the grand piano gleaming under the soft light streaming in through the windows. Kai settled himself at the piano, his fingers brushing the keys lightly. He closed his eyes, recalling the melody of "You Are My Sunshine." The song had become a pivotal moment for him, a way to connect with his Nana and confront his own grief. Now, he wanted to see how far he had come.
Taking a deep breath, he began to sing. His voice filled the room, richer and more controlled than ever before. Every note carried a depth of emotion that surprised even him. He could feel the difference—the subtle nuances in his tone, the way he could sustain notes effortlessly. The system upgrade had enhanced his abilities, but it was the raw emotion behind his singing that gave it life.
As the final note faded, Kai leaned back, a small smile playing on his lips. For the first time in a while, he felt a sense of accomplishment. Singing had always been his escape, his way of expressing what words couldn't. And now, it felt like he was finally breaking through the barriers that had held him back.
"Maybe today won't be so bad after all," he thought, his fingers idly playing a soft melody on the piano.
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Jeffrey's Room - 11:00 AM
Jeffrey sat at his desk, aware that Albert had kept his breakfast in front of him but not touching it. His thoughts were a whirlwind of memories and regrets. Hearing Kai sing the night before had opened a floodgate of emotions. But it also reminded him of the accident—the day she was taken from him. He had been driving that night, distracted by a work call, when the car skidded off the road. The guilt had haunted him ever since.
"It should have been me," he whispered, his voice cracking. "She deserved so much more."
He picked up the photograph from his desk, tracing it with his thumb. "I'm sorry," he said, his tears falling freely. "I'm so sorry."
For the first time in years, Jeffrey allowed himself to sit with the pain, no longer pushing it aside. It was a small step, but it was progress. Somewhere deep inside, he knew that healing didn't mean forgetting—it meant learning to live with the memories.
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In two different rooms, two men faced their own battles—one finding his voice, the other confronting his grief. Though their struggles were different, they were bound by a shared resilience, each trying to find a way forward in their own way.