Chapter 17 - Plan

25th July - Windsor Square - 1:30 PM

Since he had the whole day to do whatever he wanted, Kai headed straight to the music room after breakfast. The air in the room was cool and serene, the faint scent of polished wood lingering in the space. The grand piano stood in its usual place, gleaming under the sunlight filtering through the large windows. For Kai, this room had become more than just a place to practice—it was a haven where he felt in control, where the chaos of his life could be muted.

He spent the morning immersed in practice, letting his fingers dance over the keys as he tested different melodies. His upgraded singing abilities intrigued him, and though he could feel the improvement, he wasn't quite ready to fully explore its potential. After a couple of hours, the strain in his arms reminded him of his physical limitations, and he decided to take an early lunch break. He had to call one of the butlers to assist him back to the dining area, a small but humbling reminder of why he needed the elixir. Yet, the risks of consuming it now were still too great to ignore.

After a sumptuous meal—roast chicken, steamed vegetables, and a warm bread roll—Kai felt recharged. But his mind kept circling back to the music room. His newfound voice, the piano, and the quiet focus it provided were calling to him. Once again, he requested assistance to return upstairs. The butler who helped him was cordial, asking if he needed anything else before leaving Kai alone to his music.

Kai took a deep breath as he positioned himself before the grand piano. It was a calming ritual he'd developed, one Jeff had encouraged during their earlier lessons. 

(Credit - Wicked Game by Chris Issak and Tom Ellis from "Lucifer". Highly recommended as it's a really good song. I'll be referring the later as it is completely in piano. I highly recommend listening to Tom Ellis's rendition of the song as you read, because it'll give you a real glimpse into the scene.)

🎼🎶🎤

The world was on fire, and no one could save me but you

It's strange what desire will make foolish people do

I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you

And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you

🎼🎶🎤

Kai's voice carried through the room, rich and resonant, surprising even himself. He wasn't analyzing it, though. For now, he was just lost in the song, the music becoming his escape.

🎼🎶🎤

What a wicked game you play, to make me feel this way

What a wicked thing to do, to let me dream of you

What a wicked thing to say, you never felt this way

What a wicked thing to do, to make me dream of you

🎼🎶🎤

As the melody built toward its crescendo, Kai poured his heart into the performance. His voice rose effortlessly, capturing the yearning and pain embedded in the lyrics.

🎼🎶🎤

Now I wanna fall in love

I wanna fall in love

I wanna fall in love... with you

🎼🎶🎤

The final note faded, leaving the room steeped in silence. Kai let out a deep breath, leaning back slightly in his wheelchair. His heart was racing—not from physical exertion but from the sheer emotional intensity of the performance. He felt lighter, as though the music had purged something heavy from his chest.

Looking back on his singing, Kai could pinpoint the improvements. His voice was smoother, more refined, and the high notes came naturally to him. It wasn't just the technical growth, though; there was an emotional depth to his singing now that hadn't been there before. He knew that if anyone heard him, they'd be astonished. But how would he explain such rapid progress? He'd need a believable excuse. After a moment of thought, he decided he'd attribute it to overcoming anxiety about the surgery. It wasn't perfect, but it would have to do.

He remained in the music room for hours, breaking only for meals. The absence of his mentor, Jeffrey, gnawed at him. Normally, Jeff would pop into the room at least once, either to offer advice or simply to chat. Kai found himself glancing toward the door more often than he cared to admit, hoping to see his mentor's familiar face. The silence left him unsettled. Was Jeff okay? Had something happened?

By the time dinner rolled around, Kai still hadn't seen or heard from Jeff. He considered asking Albert about him again but decided against it, not wanting to seem overly concerned. Instead, he focused on the problem at hand: the elixir. He couldn't shake the thought of it, knowing it held the key to his independence. But how could he consume it without raising suspicion?

The answer came to him late in the evening, as he lay in bed. It wasn't perfect—far from it—but it was the best he could come up with given the circumstances. The plan would require careful timing and a bit of luck. He couldn't afford to get it wrong.

Exhausted from the day's efforts and the mental strain of planning, Kai drifted off to sleep, his thoughts swirling with music, elixirs, and unanswered questions about Jeff.