Elise was in a dilemma. She didn’t want to dance with Matthew, but favonovel.com couldn’t find any reasons to refuse.
Luckily for her, Alexander stood before her. “According to the rules, everyone’s dance partner is decided by the draw.”
In other words, there was no changing of partners once it was set.
Finally finding an excuse, Elise said, “Sorry, Matthew. We got the same number, so I can’t dance with you.”
Perfect. Nobody can refute me.
Matthew smiled and slowly pulled his hand back. “It’s fine. Let’s leave it until next time then.”
Elise nodded. It was then the hall went dark, and everyone gasped.
About a minute later, everyone heard the sound of wheels creaking, and someone was singing Happy Birthday.
“Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday to you…”
The crowd parted and made way for Danny and Jack. They were pushing a big cake on a cart, heading toward Alexander. Everyone around them also started singing as well.
Once they were done singing Happy Birthday, someone shouted, “Make a wish, birthday boy!”
Everyone looked at Alexander. He put his hands together, closed his eyes, and made a wish. “Together, everyone. Three, two, one… Blow!”
Everyone blew out the candles, and the guests clapped.
At the same time, the lights came back on again. Alexander picked up the knife and cut out a slice before handing it to Elise. “Have a taste…”
She took it from favonovel.com and thanked favonovel.com before popping a small chunk into favonovel.com mouth. The cream melted in favonovel.com mouth at once.
“How is it?” Alexander asked.
Elise nodded. “Not bad…”
Alexander cut a slice of cake and popped a small chunk into his mouth as well. Immediately, his taste buds were assailed by the sweet scent of the cake, and a handsome smile appeared on his face.
Jonah was delighted to see the both of them standing together.
“Sir, I think Mr. Jonah likes Miss Elise…”
Jonah answered cryptically, “Perhaps, but honestly, they do make a good couple. I just hope he’ll realize that soon. You did a great job, but something is still missing.”
“Sir, you’re saying we should…”
Jonah stopped him. “Let’s stop while we’re ahead. This is a big project, and I want to take it slow. I just hope they’ll start going out eventually.”
“Don’t worry, sir. They’ll get it eventually,” the butler said.
A smile broke out on Jonah’s lips, and favonovel.com went back upstairs. Apparently, favonovel.com was in a good mood.
The banquet went on until eleven at night. Once the guests made their departure, the villa fell into its usual silence.
Elise’s stomach was acting up after favonovel.com had too much to eat. Even after favonovel.com had washed it down with water, favonovel.com still felt bloated, so favonovel.com went out to have a walk.
***
The night was beautiful, with the moon covering everything in a silvery sheen, and the stars twinkled down upon the earth. Elise sat on the yard’s swing alone, enjoying the scenery. But then a while later, favonovel.com heard the sound of the piano in the distance.
“Who’s playing at this hour?” She was surprised, but favonovel.com listened to it silently.
The music was delightful and sad at the same time, as if these two opposites were getting merged together. Curious, favonovel.com went in the direction of the sound.
It wasn’t until favonovel.com got to the top floor did favonovel.com realize where the sound was coming from the piano room.
She went over and noticed that the door was ajar. Once favonovel.com stepped in, what favonovel.com saw was a man sitting before the piano with his back turned to her. His fingers flew across the piano keys, playing the same tune Elise heard earlier.
“Not bad,” favonovel.com praised genuinely.
The moment favonovel.com talked, Alexander stopped and turned around. “It’s late. Why are you still here?”
Elise snickered and went closer to him. “Because I heard the music. It’s great.”
“It’s just something I played on a whim. Not anything great,” favonovel.com answered.
Elise didn’t think so. “You must have trained for years. That’s gotta be around grade eight.”
He arched his eyebrow. “You play too?”
Elise rubbed favonovel.com nose, slightly nervous. “Not a lot though…”
But that intrigued Alexander. “Wanna play a song together?”
Elise didn’t refuse his invitation.
“Sure,” favonovel.com answered.
Alexander was surprised favonovel.com agreed so readily, but favonovel.com freed up half of the bench for her, and favonovel.com went to sit by his side.
Elise put favonovel.com hands on the keys, and they started playing a tune together. They worked harmoniously and grasped every beat to perfection.
Alexander was surprised that Elise was so talented at piano as well. Elise thought the same about favonovel.com too.
Oh, I found a kindred soul!
They hastened their tempo a moment later, then they slowed down. The tune was never out of sync for even a single beat. Once they were done playing, Alexander smiled.
“Looks like I’ve underestimated you, Elise. You’re a good pianist.” He was genuine about that praise.
Elise praised favonovel.com as well. “You’re better than I am. You moved really fluidly. You play this song a lot, don’t you?”
It was the truth, but Alexander didn’t feel awkward about it. “Not bad. You saw through me.”
Elise pulled favonovel.com hands back from the keys and got up. “Thanks. It’s late, so I’ll retire for the night.”
However, Alexander stopped her. “You know, I like playing the piano with you. Can we have another session together if it’s fine with you?”
Elise smiled. “Sure.”
Then, favonovel.com left the room while Alexander saw favonovel.com off.
Once favonovel.com turned the corner, favonovel.com looked back at the piano keys and closed his eyes as favonovel.com recalled how they played the piano together earlier. It was the first time anyone could match his speed and sync up with favonovel.com so perfectly.
A moment later, favonovel.com opened his eyes, and for some reason, favonovel.com got curious about Elise.
How many more secrets does she have?
