Submitting novel Chapter 14

Things were eerily quiet. The record playing P. Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers did nothing to calm my nerves as I was made to sit in the same office for the second time that day after dinner. It wasn't Ivan this time but the devil himself who had his eyes closed and back rested on the majestic chair on the other side of the desk. His fingertips on both hands touching each other in a poise of calibrate relaxation.  I watched on edge as his chest barely rose up and down, making the slightest movement, assuring me that he wasn't a statue nor a figment of my imagination. 

He was very much here, in this room, with no one but me.

I have never been able to understand his actions before or predict them successfully but this time I didn't need much to assess why this present situation has come by. From the moment he found me with Ivan in this room with the closed door,  he hasn't said much except for the general direction of how things should happen which included ordering me to come with him here, after dinner. 

Fear was not the only thing I felt though as I wondered why he went out and left me here in the first place. Did he really go to buy groceries or was there one or more agenda on the list since it seemed very stupid of him to leave for a reason such fickle as that. Especially Ivan, the supposed butler after his loss on the bet, could've done so.

"I want you to start practicing." I could barely hear him over the music but the words came out clear. Confused at first, I decided to not say anything and wait for him to elaborate but of course, being who he is, he wants to hold a conversation.

"Practice what?"  Disrupting the train of my thoughts, he spoke as if he could read my mind and stop it from wandering into an unwanted direction. He sure did succeed as I was caught off guard with the numerous distressing list of things he could ask from me and I, unfortunately, wouldn't have many options. 

"Pianist." I wasn't quick enough to look away when his eyes opened and caught me staring. 

More silence followed as I took my time absorbing the monosyllabic word and its implication. 

It would definitely be an advantage as I would get to get out of the wretched room more and maybe even explore and find more weapons to conceal. Plus playing might help me recollect myself and beat the other worse things he might have planned in his tumultuous head. And yet so many pros couldn't beat the nagging singular con. How was this in his benefit?

Frustration hit me hard when I did the unthinkable and opened my mouth before I could even form a sentence in my head.

"Where were you today?" It came out less like a question and more like a command if that is even possible. His eyes widened curiously as he stared and tried to figure out my mind.

"I was out getting groceries." I did expect that answer but I didn't expect him to answer at all. This sudden change in me was new for me as well. I don't know who rubbed off on me. Ivan or Dimitri.