"Just do as I say, and don't waste my time."
Harley snorted coldly and left.
Nicole felt that people here were all behaving like Elvis. They treated people harshly with bad attitude.
She checked on the rooms, they were well equipped with all sorts of modern household facilities, and
all required ID identification.
Audrey, on the other hand, didn't care much about these things. She quickly found the right pills from
the medical kit and gave them to Nicole.
"Just take them, and you will feel better soon."
Nicole took a close look on the pills. It was indeed for her conditions. So, she took them and washed
them down with some water.
Then Audrey helped her to get on bed and said, "Have some rest before Elvis come back with other
crazy ideas. Take the chance to get better soon."
Nicole nodded.
Audrey was worried and her face turned a little red, so Nicole suddenly asked, "Mom, Do you also feel
unwell in the new environment?"
"I'm used to it. For years, I was transferred among different countries. Sometimes, I went to several
countries in a year, so I was well trained in adapting to new environments. Gradually, my physical
condition was getting better. But you are with child now, and even followed me to such a place. I am so
sorry."
"That's alright. I've never seen my father before. I also want to see him this time, it's like a dream come
true to me. I only hope that Elvis wasn't lying to us."
As she spoke, Nicole felt extremely tired.
Audrey helped her to lie down. Soon, she fell asleep.
She knew that she must stay alert in this place, but she was just too tired.
After Nicole fell asleep, Audrey stood up.
She stood by the window and was pondering over something while staring at the ocean.
Nicole slept well. No one interrupted her or came to interrogate her, it was as if they were forgotten
here.
She woke up and was so hungry.
Seeing Audrey standing in front of the French window and staring at the sea, Nicole knew that she
must be thinking about her father.
Nicole got up and Audrey was pulled back to the reality.
She quickly turned back.
"You wake up, are you hungry?"
"Do we have food here?"
Nicole was a little surprised.
Elvis wouldn't be so kind.
She was sure of that.
Audrey smiled and said, "I just take a look outside, there is a kitchen with all kinds of food inside. I
guess they want us to cook by ourselves. I made some porridge for you, it should be done by now.
After you get better, I'll cook something else."
Nicole shook her head.
"Mom, let me cook. You are not well and maybe don't have your medications with you. I can cook for
us."
"You're pregnant, how could I let you cook. Don't worry, I am still ok. If one day, I got really sick, then
you can take care of me. Now, just lie down, I'll bring the porridge over."
Audrey walked out.
Nicole looked around, she felt that the arrangement here was modern but also a little romantic. So, she
was more certain with her assumption.
Elvis was in love with someone, and he cherished her.
But who could this be?
Was she good or bad?
Could she be the one who had been supporting Elvis for all these years?
Nicole kept on wondering.
Suddenly, the sound of violin came from outside.
Nicole paused.
She leaned against the bed and listened carefully.
The player sounded like an expert, and was at least a level 6 player.
The music was cheerful with a trace of joy and excitement which lighted up people's mood.
Who could this be?
Elvis?
That was impossible.
A man like Elvis would never play violin.
Nicole shook her head.
Audrey came back with the porridge. Seeing Nicole leaning against the bed and was enjoying the
music, she smiled and said, "I didn't expect that such an artist would be living here."
"That's right. I really want to see who this person is. The music makes me feel much better now, and I
almost forget that we are actually imprisoned."
Audrey felt sorry and said, "It's all my fault. I brought you into these troubles."
"Mom, what are you talking about? We are together in this. You are my mother and you came here
because of me. Don't blame everything on yourself, it will drain you. Since we are already here, let's be
ready for whatever is to come. But I do hope that we can reach out and let others to know that we are
here. Is there a phone here?"
"Yes, there is, but it doesn't connect. I've checked, it's for internal calls only, for the communications
within this island. And it seems impossible to make external calls."
Nicole’s hope vanished again.
Are you sure?
This was for sure, but she still wanted to give it a try.
Nicole took out her phone and there were still no bars. She felt hopeless.
Audrey put the porridge in front of her and said, "Eat something first and try to gain some strength. Do
you feel better now?"
"Much better. But I haven’t gain my appetite back yet. Mom, you can start first."
Nicole felt terrible in her stomach.
"Do you want me to ask Elvis to send a doctor for you? Does it have something to do with your
pregnancy?"
"Perhaps. Elvis is a terrible person. Do you think he will be so kind and get me a doctor? Mom, don't
get yourself humiliated. As long as I'm alive, I won't ask him for help."
Nicole said with a tough tone, and the way she said it was exactly like her father, Xander.
"Xander?"
She whispered, and then realized what she was doing, so she smiled embarrassingly.
Nicole felt sad.
True love was beautiful but parting was always the end of the story. Right now, even the music from the
violin had lost its healing magic.
She patted on Audrey's hand and said, "Mom, it's me, Nicole."
Now Audrey regained her consciousness.
"Sorry. For some reasons, after I come to this place, I miss your father even more."
"Maybe it's because of your obsession, or, maybe you just miss him."
Nicole knew that feeling. She patted on her back and let her cry softly on her shoulder.
The sound of the violin came in with clear-cut rhythm. Gradually, Audrey stopped crying.
"Who is playing it?"
"I don't know, but this is an excellent player."
Audrey slightly raised her head.
"Do you play it too?"
"I play a little bit. I learned a little at school before. Then, I quitted because the class hour for violin and
painting clashed. I guess I am getting rusty, since I stopped playing for years."
Audrey didn't know that Nicole had such talent. She remembered that they used to report to her about
Mr. Bush taking Melissa to find a violin teacher. Her felt sorry for Nicole.
"Does Mr. Bush know that you learned violin before?"
"I’m not sure. Actually, Seuss was my teacher."
Nicole gave a naughty smile.
Audrey paused.
Nicole continued, "Seuss only had one student in his life, so Melissa had no chance to learn from him.
If it was someone else, it might be possible."
It took a while for Audrey to digest these information.
"Your teacher? He must be an excellent player too. Why you never mention him before?"
"I don't play well, and I don't want to bring shame to him."
Nicole stood up.
"Nicole, where are you going?"
"I want to check out who was playing."
Audrey paused and said, "But Harley said that we shouldn't leave this place."
"We're not their pets and are not supposed to stay exactly where they put us. We are their hostages
and were forced to come to this island. In this case, we should decide what to do, not them. Do you get
me, mom?"
Nicole sounded bossy.
Audrey nodded.
"That's right, I was too careful. Let me go with you."
Audrey tidied up quickly. The violinist seemed to be in a good mood and kept playing.
She tapped on the board and sounded extremely pleasant. However, Nicole could still tell that the
player was physically unwell, because he or she had to pause from time to time during the song. The
pauses were short, but people who knew it well, were still able to notice them.
After Audrey finished packing, she saw Nicole was completely immersed in the music. She was
stunned there.
Nicole was as versatile as her father. If she could raise Nicole herself, she could excel in many fields.
However, for her safety, she had to send her away and asked Mr. and Mrs. Bush to raise her up. She
felt she had ruined Nicole's life.
She could tell that Nicole loved music very much and she must played well too. Otherwise, she couldn't
become Seuss' only student.
Then, Audrey felt even worse.
She was her mother!
As her life approached to the end, what would she leave behind for Nicole?
There was nothing. Moreover, she only brought danger to her. She felt terrible deep down.
As one section ended, Nicole suddenly stood up and took Audrey's hand and said, "Mom, let's go now.
Maybe we can catch up with the next one."
"OK."
Nicole pulled Audrey out.
When they left the side hall, they didn't see any guards. Even the cleaners didn't notice them, as if they
were residence from the island.
At this moment, the sound of the violin started again, but it seemed that it was from the main hall.
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