Since I Found You
Melodious Song

Vlad ended his conversation with Mykola. He threw the phone on the bed. The handsome man then moved the wheelchair to the window. As usual, he sat there staring out.

The lake still looks the same. The water was clear with weeds all around it. They move softly, like the dance of a ballerina. It was beautiful, but there was no music at all.

Is it as simple as life? It doesn't always have to be perfect to feel complete. However, why does it feel so difficult to rise from the slump. What Mykola said was true. Vlad, he has lost his identity. All the power and greatness of the grandson of Russian magnate Gleb Ignashevich was lost along with some of his amputated legs.

Vlad exhaled a rough breath. He glanced at the wand he rarely used, other than to go to the bathroom. Vlad prefers to sit in a wheelchair. Covering his feet with flannel so that he does not see the sad condition that befalls him. Suddenly, there was a push that felt so strong. It gave off a great roar as if it was about to break out and pull it very tightly.

“What the fuck is this?” muttered the blonde-haired man while shaking his head slowly. He shifted the wheelchair near where the stick was. Vlad waved the cloth that covered the lower part of his body. He forced himself back to rise. The man grabbed the support stick and put it on. Vlad walked around the room with the stick.

All this time, he's never used a stick for too long. There was a sense of tiredness that started to whack. Vlad stood up. He wanted to feel the movement again like before. Get rid of any obstructions that make choosing a wheelchair miserable.

Suddenly, an idea came to his mind. Vlad walked towards the door. He stepped out using the stick earlier. However, after he was near the stairs, Vlad was stunned while staring down. Never had he hesitated when he saw the steps of the stairs. Different than this moment. There was a sudden sense of insecurity enveloping his heart.

“Let me help,” said a subtle voice from behind, making Vlad instantly turn his head. He saw Altea already standing not far from him. The young lady walked over with a smile.

“Let's go down,” take it. He grabbed Vlad's right arm without feeling awkward at all.

“You think I can't do it alone?” vlad protest coldly. However, he did not refuse when Altea held onto his arm.

“I'm sure you can. However, at this time you look doubtful,” said Altea calm down.

“Do not know. I have a much sharper instinct than you, Miss Miller.” Vlad smiled cynically. "I can know everything that is hidden."

“I guessed it even though you didn't tell me that, Mr. Ignashevich,” replied Altea tried to keep looking calm. He began to drive Vlad down the steps carefully.

“Then, why do you still look calm like this?” Vlad glanced for a moment at the young lady beside him.

Altea did not answer immediately. He was too focused on helping Vlad down the steps. "Why should I be afraid or worried? I'm here to be your nurse. Not about to steal the valuables you have," Altea said, helping Vlad slowly climb down the rest of the stairs.

"Who said you were a thief?" fishing rods Vlad. They've been downstairs. Vlad stood gallantly beside Altea, even though he wore a cane as a buffer to keep his body balanced.

"It's okay. You know everything" replied the brown-eyed young lady. He steered Vlad to a chair in the living room. "When did you last get down here?" ask Altea. The young lady shifted the subject.

"A year ago," Vlad said as he circulated his gaze. He smiled slightly when he saw the presence of Elke, who looked like she had a special surprise.

"Vlad's? You're here?" Elke hurried over to her only child. The woman was so eager to help Vlad to sit on the sofa of the cozy living room. “What are you looking for, son? You should have called me Altea or me. We can provide it for you.”

“I did deliberately want to get out of the room, Mom. I began to feel bored there,” Vlad said accompanied by a smile that looks much more sincere.

“Thank God, Son ” Elke who felt moved, immediately embraced his son so warm. “I feel half my soul back again, after some time disappeared,” he said softly while sticking his head on the shoulder of his only son.

“I'm sorry, Ma'am,” Vlad said softly, but it was clearly heard by Elke.

“Sorry for what, Son?” Elke wiped her tears immediately. He looked. Looking at the handsome face of his beloved son.

“For so long I vent my disappointment and anger at you,” Vlad said. His blue eyes looked bitter.

“Nothing to forgive, Son. I understand completely. Anyone who is in your position, do not rule out the possibility will do the same.” Elke smiled gently, then hugged her son again. This time much tighter.

In that moment, the tail of Elke's eyes caught the figure of Altea climbing the stairs secretly towards the second floor. Elke smiled faintly. Two days later, the girl worked there. However, Altea had already brought a positive influence to his son. “I have to thank Miss Miller,” Elke said confidently.

“For what?” Vlad broke his mother's embrace while casting a look of protest.

“I'm sure, it's all because of him. Miss Miller who brought change in this house,” replied Elke. A happy smile does not fade from her face which still looks beautiful even though she is not young anymore.

“No, Mom. It's not because of anybody. Let alone a woman like her,” argued Vlad. “I am the one who is fully aware of the mistakes during this time,”.

“Ah. Whatever's behind your change, it doesn't matter anymore, son. Seeing you come down and chat with me like now, it was already much more than enough.” Elke cupped Vlad's face with both hands, then kissed his forehead gently.

“Trust, Son. Whatever happens, everything must be for one reason,” said Elke softly.

“I understand, Mom,” Vlad replied while wiping the back of Elke's hand. Inwardly, he also admitted the peculiarity of his attitude today. It was undeniable that there were spicy words of Altea that made Vlad feel slapped. However, he did not want to admit it openly in front of his mother.

Suddenly, Vlad remembered the agreement he had agreed with Altea. Not even a month, but the girl had already made her boring days turn into a change.

“I go upstairs first, Mom. There's something I have to do,” said goodbye to Vlad while peeling the back of Elke's hand. He then got up from the sofa. His hand firmly gripped the handle of the stick that he would use to walk the stairs. Vlad must fight back to fight doubt and cultivate confidence in himself that he can do it all.

“Let me help, Son,” said Elke. The woman took a few steps forward.

However, Elke had to undo the intention, as Vlad raised one hand.

“I can do it myself, Mom. Just chill. Your son is not that weak,” reject Vlad while sharing a knotty smile. He began to tread the stairs carefully.

While Elke continued to pay attention from below, until the son managed to reach the second floor. Only then could the middle-aged woman smile in relief.

Vlad turned his head to his mother before continuing his steps towards the room. At that time, he thought of contacting Mykola as soon as possible. Vlad will ask his trusted assistant to investigate Altea's background in more detail.

However, the intention had not been carried out, sayup-sayup heard guitar passages accompanied by melodious chants coming from the room Altea.