Kiss Me Not

Olivia heaved a long sigh and shifted her gaze to one of the flowers in the garden.

"I have confirmed from a professional last night that a person with amnesia does not lose his motor skills. Cedric loves music and he is very good at it. As a kid, he learned to play all kinds of instruments, as in all and I even joined him in some of his lessons with Will, but music was not for me or Will.

Unlike Cedric, who seemed very talented at it, playing the piano in particular. So I wanted to put him in a spot and ask him to play today but he left and I heard he will be very busy in the upcoming days." Olivia explained before turning to look at Brione once more.

"Can you do me a favor, Brione? Because I know Cedric will no longer see me once I return to our country. I hear there's a dispute between our fathers, so most likely my father will also prevent me from seeing him.

Do you think you can check it for me? I'm sure he will see you first, so would it be possible for you to ask him to play an instrument? I know this can be awkward, but would it be possible for you to do it and update me on how it goes?"

There was a moment of silence. 

"What if he can play these instruments, Olivia?" Brione whispered.

Instead of answering, Olivia asked, "Does Gavin know how to play any instrument?" 

Brione shook his head and whispered, "Gavin is not good at music and neither is he interested in playing instruments."

She had urged Gavin to take lessons with her when they were younger and Gavin did try it, but only for a day and then quit after saying it's too boring for him and he would rather go play a sport.

"If he can play instruments then he really is Cedric and I must erase any hope from my heart because he clearly told me he loves you deeply," Olivia weakly whispered.

"How about you, Brione? What if he can play an instrument? Will that finally convince you that he is Cedric and not Gavin?"

"Yeah, it will but I would still need to check his birthmarks. If there are no birthmarks then I will accept that he is not Gavin." Brione confessed.

"Well, I understand. If I were you, I too would do the same. But what if you and I are both wrong? What if he really is Cedric? What will you do, Brione? I know this is something personal and I have no right at all to intervene. But as Cedric's friend, I am hoping he will get fair treatment in this situation. I hope you know what you're doing, knowing all these possibilities."

Brione sighed and replied, "I understand what you mean, Olivia. You are the second person who has said that to me. Will said the same thing and trust me I know… I understand you both. Like I told Will, I will take full responsibility for my actions."

"Then, can I take it as a confirmation that you will stay with him even if he really is Cedric? What if the real Gavin suddenly appeared? Last night, it looked to me as if you have deep feelings for Gavin," Olivia asked. She wanted to be sure that Brione would not hurt Cedric no matter what truth was revealed. Now, she had doubts about Brione's intentions. 

Yes, Olivia had seen the way Brione looked at Cedric and knew what she felt for him, but that was before she found out about Gavin. What if those eyes, those loving looks Brione gave Cedric, were not really for Cedric but for Gavin, who had the same face as Cedric?

"Yes, I will stay with him for as long as he wants me to," Brione answered, surprising herself as well, on how confidently she was saying those words to Olivia. Her words were full of conviction and it could only mean one thing, she had fallen in love with Cedric in the small amount of time they had spent together.

"That's good. I will hold you to your words, Brione. I love Cedric so much but I'm willing to let him go knowing that he is happy with you. But if you dare make him cry or hurt him because of your past with Gavin, then I swear Brione, I will destroy you." Olivia threatened without batting an eye because she truly meant what she said. She would do anything for Cedric.

Brione, not the least bit intimidated, chuckled and said, "You're scary, Olivia. And I appreciate that you are saying that to my face instead of mumbling behind my back. But I must let you know that I am not someone who can be easily destroyed, Olivia."

Olivia chuckled too and added, "Well then we will see. In the meantime, I will conduct my own investigation in this matter, and like I said, I will appreciate it if you will keep me updated because I know you too will be comparing Cedric and Gavin even though you deny it."

"Honestly, I just want to look for the birthmarks. But I will also check if he can play any musical instruments, as you suggested. And afterwards if it is proven that he is Cedric, I will stop insisting that he is also Gavin. Because I have no plans of treating Cedric unfairly for such a long time." Brione whispered.

The two women talked a little more about a lot of things and Brione started to believe that they could become good friends if it were not for such awkward circumstances as they found themselves in at that moment. Olivia soon left because she had to fly back home.

Instead of going back inside, Brione walked down to the beach shore not far from the palace. She pulled out her mobile phone and dialed her brother's number.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, big brother, but I want to stop now…" she whispered.

"I don't get it, Brione. What do you mean?" Noah asked on the other end.

"Stop investigating Cedric. Let's let it rest…" Brione said. When the call ended, she exhaled loudly. She will just check his motor skills and birthmarks, then she will stop and be with Cedric without any doubts in her heart.

'But what if Cedric can't play any instruments and happens to have birthmarks too?'