Tony drove the car smoothly, heading down the road with the city lights flickering through the tinted windows. Meanwhile, Diana sat comfortably in the back seat. Her posture seemed relaxed, but relaxation was a far distance from her mind. Her gaze wandered out of the window, watching as people moved about_some laughing and chatting, some seemed to be in a hurry, but for her none seemed just like her, the type lost in their own worlds.
She whispered to herself.
"None of these people here share the same fate as me. Obviously, none because... just look at them laughing and chatting away their trouble. But mine isn't even something you can talk about just like that. They're just more lucky in this life than I am."
She sighed softly, her fingers instinctively kept on tapping continuously against her lap. No matter how much she tried to push those thoughts aside, it would never leave as it was already to her a shadow that would haunt her for the few days left for her.
But, Tony, the ever-vigilant and caring, from the driver's seat, took a quick glance at her through the rearview mirror. He already knew that her silence spoke volumes of something fishy about her. The way she was staring out the window but taking nothing in particular, the slight furrow in her brows hidden behind her pretentious look and, mostly, the fact that she hadn't uttered a single word since she entered the car. Just unlike Diana, it all confirmed what he had already suspected... something was troubling his boss. She's obviously carrying something way too heavy for her heart.
Without uttering a word, Tony reached out his hand and pressed a button on the car's music system. A harmonious melody infused the air, and the unparalleled voice of the single took over.
"You are the one my heart calls home... even in silence, I feel you close..."
The music played on; its melodious and heart-soothing tune enveloped the interior space in the car. Tony quietly turned the volume up just a little more, knowing fully well that it would do exactly what he had in mind...of course, pulling Diana out of her own prison.
And just as he intended, it happened.
Diana blinked her eyes, her brows raised lightly, and then she turned her attention to the sound. Staring at the music system for some moments, he muttered, "That's echoes of love by Daniel Winston, right?"
Tony nodded his head without uttering a word, his gaze fixed on the road.
Just then, Diana held up her head with her hand, smiling lightly. She knew her emotions had betrayed her again, and this time, Tony saw it clearly.
"Tony," she called, her voice slow but firm. "Lower the volume."
But Tony didn't obey her this time. Instead, he smirked faintly, keeping his eyes steady on the road.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. But no."
Diana frowned immediately. "Excuse me?"
"It's your favorite song," he replied casually. "The last time I checked, you're still much in love with this song?"
Diana exhaled. "That's not the point. It's fucking too loud."
Tony smiled and shook his head. "No, it's not, ma'am. Besides, you've sat through louder volumes compared to this before without a complaint."
She let out a frustrating sigh. "Ouch. Tony, for Christ's sake, I'm not in the mood."
"Hmm... Exactly why you should listen to it," he persisted. "I know you love this song, Madam. You've played it at least a hundred times before now. And you know the lyrics off by heart."
Diana rolled her eyes slightly. "Keep on exaggerating."
Tony chuckled softly. "Hmm... like seriously, do I?"
Diana waved her hand dismissively before crossing her arms. "Fine... I like the song not loved. But that doesn't mean I want to hear it right now?"
Tony stared at her through the mirror. "Yes, you need to hear it now more than at any other time. But madam, what I don't understand is why you love this particular song so much. The lyrics talk about deep love... like more of feeling connected to someone's soul. But I've never seen you feel connected to anyone before."
Diana stared at him for some moments, knowing that his words caught her off guard.
"That's a weird way to put it," she replied casually.
"Ah... well, I have been wanting to ask you," Tony continued. "Then tell me, Madam. Why do you like this particular song so much?"
Diana adjusted quietly in her seat, and hesitated for some time.
"Well, it's not necessary to be in love before you can love this song, Tony. Music is... kind of universal. So, sometimes a song might speak to you, not necessarily because you've lived the experience... but maybe it sparks something within you."
Tony hummed in response, as if considering what she had just said. "So, you love this song because it sparks something within you?"
She nodded gently. "Maybe. Or maybe I just like how it sounds. But does there always have to be a reason?"
Tony shook his head and chuckled again. "Not necessarily so. But I thought maybe you might like it because it reminds you of someone... or something."
Diana shook her head. "Ah... not really so. And enough of your questions today."
Tony smiled and nodded his head, but his gaze fixed on the road ahead.
Meanwhile, Diana, while listening to the music, the chorus played and something unexpected happened.
Without knowing it, she found herself nodding and singing quietly along with the music.
Her fingers kept on tapping slightly on her laps... not really out of worry but in syncing with the beat.
Meanwhile, Tony noticed the change in Diana's mood, but he said nothing. He rather smiled at himself for helping Diana out of her own prison. At least for her kind personality and treatment towards him and the other workers serving under her.
The car continued speeding down the road until Tony halted the car in front of the grand iron gate of Diana's luxurious mansion, and he honked thrice. Almost immediately, the gate slid open and the Chief Security Officer... fondly called CSO, stood at attention, his chest posed out as if he had been waiting for Diana to return.
Diana stole a glance through the window and saw the CSO's attention with his puffed-out chest, she muttered.
"God, I'm not strong enough for this man's trouble right now."