Usually, I never had the time to come here. By the time I got back from Hezze's piano lessons, it was always too late and honestly, I didn't dare touch the instrument. If this expensive piano broke, I couldn't afford it even if I sold myself.
But today was different. My appointment with Captian was approaching. I wanted to familiarize myself first; otherwise, if I messed up later, it would be mortifying.
I pulled out the chair and sat down. Looking at the familiar piano keys, I took a deep breath and placed my fingers on them. A soft breeze blew through the room, and a C-major melody slowly drifted out from beneath my fingertips. The notes carried through the air, through the wind, and echoed across the entire room so clear that even the people downstairs could hear it distinctly.
I played truly well today, my playing carried emotion, a bit intoxicating even.
"The mistress plays beautifully!"
Even Nanny Alley seemed to clean the table with more energy after hearing it.
Ronan was stunned. "It's really good."
I wasn't satisfied after finishing one piece, so I played it several more times. And so, the piano echoed throughout the entire afternoon. Though pleasant, hearing the same song repeatedly could numb even the nicest ears.
I didn't realize this at all, not until after four o'clock, when I finally decided to rest. Everyone else in the villa clearly felt relieved to be freed from the repetition.
Past five o'clock, Captian returned home. The moment I saw him, tension gripped me. After practicing the whole afternoon, I had been confident at first. But once I saw him, all that confidence evaporated.
Captian was unpredictable like a storm, like madness itself. I didn't know whether he would be satisfied or furious.
I stayed dazed like that all the way until dinner. I poked at my rice with my chopsticks, my small face scrunched up, my brows tightly furrowed. I had absolutely no appetite.
Captian set his chopsticks down. His expression was cold as he examined me.
"Don't want to eat?"
His gaze pinned me in place. My whole body stiffened, and the motion of stirring my rice slowed.
I originally wanted to say I was eating just fine but his eyes were like radar, piercing through every thought, every lie.
I held my breath and forced myself to look up, speaking miserably:
"President Anderson… my heart feels really uneasy."
He clearly didn't expect that answer. His brows lifted, urging me to continue.
I rubbed my fingertips together, my brows knitting tightly, my expression pitiful, enough to stir sympathy.
"Aren't I supposed to perform later? I'm afraid you won't be satisfied."
Captian's deep black eyes lingered on me for a long time, long enough to make my skin crawl before he finally lifted the corner of his lips.
"The Bailey family taught you well. You should play perfectly. Unless…"
He intentionally left the sentence unfinished, making a chill spread across my spine.
Unless I never knew how to play at all.
I knew he would say something like that. Terrifying.
I tightened my grip on my chopsticks and widened my eyes, looking up at him earnestly.
"I was trained by the Bailey family. I'll definitely make President Anderson satisfied."
Captian lowered his gaze. A nearly invisible smile flickered in his eyes.
I quickly shoved a few bites of rice into my mouth fuel for courage because soon, I'd be walking straight into battle.
After dinner, night fell. Moonlight pooled across the floor, and the faint chirping of insects echoed outside the window.
Captian and I went upstairs together into the piano room.
I sat before the piano and inhaled deeply. Captian sat on the adjacent chair, holding a crystal wine glass filled with red wine, one leg crossed over the other with a noble elegance reminiscent of medieval royalty.
Instinctively, I peeked at him. He was swirling the wine with casual grace, his face expressionless.
"Begin," he said coldly.
I drew another deep breath. My fingertips trembled slightly.
After a long moment adjusting my emotions, I finally placed my pale, slender fingers on the keys. A serene piano melody flowed out, beautiful and soothing. The night felt wrapped in mystery, the notes stirring something deep in the dark.
But more entrancing than the melody… was the person playing it.
Under the soft light, it felt like a pure glow surrounded me. My small, clear face, the concentration in my eyes shimmering like water seemed brighter than the night outside. Even I could feel the intensity of it.
Captian swirled his wine glass. His eyes gleamed, hot, sharp.
That scorching gaze felt like it could pierce straight through me. Even with my back turned, I could feel it like a predator watching prey.
Terrifying.
Fear coiled in my chest, but I didn't dare relax. In that suffocating atmosphere, I reached the final note.
As the last chord faded, I exhaled shakily.
I hadn't played badly, not a single missed note. Surely… surely this was enough?
I turned to him and cautiously whispered:
"President Anderson… how did I do?"
My eyes were bright, careful, like a trembling white rabbit terrified of a wolf. The corner of my lips lifted slightly, and in his cold eyes, I thought I saw… softness.
Just for a second.
I must've been hallucinating.
Captian immediately erased whatever emotion had surfaced. His face returned to its usual cold indifference.
I sighed in relief.
Yes, that was the real Captian. He didn't do softness.
"Play another," he said, his cold voice lifting with a hint of wickedness.
I froze, staring at him in horror.
"Another one?"
"Don't want to?" His hawk-sharp black eyes lifted.
"I…"
My face went pale, my heart turning to ice.
This man had to be a demon king reborn. Why else would he be this cruel? The first song was already my absolute limit. I'd learned only one song in two weeks, how was I supposed to play another?
My entire existence in this house felt like walking on thin ice, every step dangerous.
"Can I… not play anymore, President Anderson?"
I fluttered my lashes, letting my voice soften, sweeten almost pleading.
"I walked Becgie today… my legs are sore, my arms hurt… I feel like I'm about to become disabled."