Vetto bit his finger.
"What on earth is that D'Carter up to now.." he looked up and saw Kurv walking right up to him.
' Ugh. Not her again. Is she stupid? I clearly just ditched her. Maybe I should make myself very cle--'
Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He reached in to grab it. The caller was a very important personnel, so he had to pick up and ignore Kurv.
The stage was lit, with various photographers taking their best shots of the award winners like their lives depended on it. Each time a person was called up, they would trip over themselves to get a very clear shot of that person.
Sammy was the centre of attraction, she was the best freshman in linguistics and overall best in her department. Soon enough, everyone was talking about her.
"I heard she was was the topper of last year's College Entrance Examination. 99.92 out of 100!"
" That means she beat Tim Heeal?"
" And Ada Wiljer??"
" That's incredible news "
" Guess this Malvin University isn't a hype after all. So many talents,"
" Hurry! Quickly, there's more!" Mary Evans, a news reporter said, rushing her crew to the centre stage. "Just how much of it have we missed!"
When all was set, she stood bold and victoriously on the ceremonial ground, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I stand here live at Malvin College, where the Awardees and Nation's best students are being honoured for their hardwork this past year.."
" They are really going out for that now. Aren't they?" Elr took a sip of his cold coffee.
" That's the only decent drink you've had since today." Wyatt teased him.
Elr squeezed his face. The coffee was just too bitter.
"If you don't want to drink it, then don't force yourself," Leon said, wishing he had the coffee instead.
" It's so easy for you to say.." Alfred said, mixing his juice with a table spoon. He'd been doing that for almost an hour now. His eyes directed towards the lady seated right behind Elr
" ..When she's right there."
Kath D'Carter sat on a swivel chair right behind Elr. Her silk black hair was packed tightly into a curvy ponytail. Out of four of them siblings, she was the fiercest and most respected. Go against her rule, and you earn a slap behind your head. Elr especially feared that more than a debit transaction.
"Psst.. someone distract her, while I exchange our drinks," Leon said
" You really have a death wish. Leo." Elr took another sip, regretting ever coming here in the first place.
Two minutes earlier.
'That guy is really getting on my nerves lately..' "One pitch, please" Elr said to the bartender who quickly returned with a tumbler and two bottles of wine.
Elr filled the first glass, and just as he was about to take it, someone beat him to it. His tone darkened as he turned around to confront this person.
"What? Got a problem? " Kath's gaze was sharp, with that devil-like aura forming around her.
'Of all the people.. She just had to show up?!' Kath handed him a glass of coffee. And that is how he wound up here.. along with the rest of her captives.
Now.
"Tess Worles, huh?" Alfred pointed to the stage "She must be pretty popular with that useful talent of hers."
" The only useful thing she has, " Elr said, rolling his eyes.
Leon and Alfred pierced their gaze on him. " Ya know her? "
"Never thought you'd be into those kinds of girls. Quite a shocker. Tff "
" Apparently. I'm not. Leo" Elr sighed." She's not the distinguished lady she poses to be." He leaned back on his chair,
" But she has good lead voice." Leon commented, seeing no one had anything nice to say about her.
"That poses much as a red flag,"
Elr stopped talking. Something in the crowd caught his eye. Someone particularly...
Kurv went straight to the bartender right after taking pictures with Sammy. Maybe a drink or two would help her cool down.
'Why is she--'
"Tell me, Elrin, " Leon's face popped right up in front of Elr.
"Am I really that unattractive?!" He asked, pointing to his face.
Elr smugged and placed his hand on his chin. He took a deep stare at Leon like he had never seen him before.
"Dude, you've been like that for 3 minutes now," Leon said impatiently, squinting his eyes.
Elr shrugged. "I mean.. Alfred calls you an unfinished work of art. I'm trying to figure out a nicer way to say it.."
" You little.."
Kath watched her brothers,
'They're getting along pretty well these days. I'm so glad.'
This might have been a good chapter cut. That is.. If Leon wasn't punching Elr's guts.
* * *
I quickly grabbed drinks from the counter and went over to my seat with Sammy.
Just then, the lights went off from the back road to the centre stage. Then, a single Spotlight appeared just a few tables from where I was seated.
'A Piano?'
The Pianist was unmistakably a man. Dressed in an elegant suit with wavy black hair, his face was hidden behind a mask so no one could recognize him. This party crasher was ''A rare occurrence''
Of course, there are three types of Party crashers:
• The Quiet ones who blend in smartly and go unnoticed. Like agents and spies.
• The Crazy ones with the sole purpose of ruining everyone's mood. Like Fans or Haters.
• The nice ones who tend to grab all the attention, improve the atmosphere, and put everyone in a good mood. Like this Pianist right before us.
He gently pressed a key.. Then another, and before we knew it, his hands danced from one keyboard to another swiftly and in a redeeming movement. The melodies that were formed through his action were one I had never heard.
Everyone paused, eyes fixed on him. No one even dared to make a single sound. My heart flustered like I was going through an ocean wave on a pink cloud. All my nerves calmed down, and all I could hear was this soft music.
It felt like this song was for me. But that was probably what everyone else was thinking, given the way they held their hearts and paused their breaths. I let the music wash over me, fill my emptied heart, and cleanse my Bittered Soul
He played and played like he would never stop. And then..
There was a soft chime. Soft enough that it rang through my ears.. Loud enough that it awakened my spirit.
Then I felt that sudden beep, like it was time to go. And just as I feared.. The music was over.
The masked pianist slid the piano shut And stood up to leave.
For a moment, everyone paused.. Hoping he would stay.. Trying to believe that he hadn't really stopped. Then, after he had walked about halfway towards the Hall's exit.. There came a loud round of applause. So loud it almost deafened me.
And there grew my greatest Curiosity..
''Who was he?''