Private Lessons

Antonio

Four performances in and I already grew tired of watching.

I came to find a partner. Instead, I must’ve stepped inside a factory with all of these robots. After hearing good things, I thought I’d find what I’d come for. Disappointment filled me to the very bone. Searching for weeks, I grew tired.

Maybe my expectations were set too high.

Would I ever find someone perfect enough to fit the demanding role?

Sitting up on a balcony, I got a pretty good view of each person playing the piano. Noticed every slip–intentional or not. Having only one goal in mind, each performance left me less hopeful than the last.

Then I saw her. She’d hardly walked up the steps before catching my eye. When she turned to face the crowd, my heart shot up to my throat and I forgot how to breathe.

“What is her name?” I demanded, refusing to look away from the woman who wore a tight smile.

Travis, my manager, stumbled with the program booklet. After a few passing seconds, he cleared his throat. “Chelsea Wilson.”

Chelsea. Moving to my feet, I approached the edge of the balcony. Peering as closely as I could, I wished the distance between our bodies was smaller. Whatever she planned on playing wouldn’t matter.

“I want her.”

Hearing Travis scoff, I ignored his reaction. Sure, I spoke crazy for one of the sanest people here. My feelings wouldn’t change.

“I’m serious. I want her,” I repeated.

“You haven’t even heard her play yet.” Trying to speak sense into me, he continued. “You barely batted an eye at the beautiful performance before this one, and now want someone just like that?”

Finally, I found the strength to look away from the angelic woman to look at him. A frown formed on my lips all too naturally. Of course, he wouldn’t understand. How could he? If I told him why I felt so strongly, he’d call me irrational. Tell me I was making poor decisions.

“If you’re wanting to give the position to a random woman because you’re tired of watching—”

“That’s not it,” I snapped. Cursing under my breath, I looked back down at the stage. Took in the way she sat at the instrument. Stiff posture, like any movement would result in her snapping.

How could she feel nervous? Couldn’t she tell at least one person craved to hear her perform?

“You’re the boss, Antonio. If you want her, I’ll find out who manages her and get in contact.” Used to my bursts, I hardly phased Travis as he pulled out his phone.

Nodding my head, I hardly noticed him moving to his feet to leave and get started on his hunt.

She’d be mine, no doubt about that.

The moment she began playing, her tune held a different tone compared to the others. I wouldn’t lie, I cringed a bit when her notes would come too slow or too quick. But when she tilted her head back with eyes closed, something happened.

My dead heart came to life.

I wasn’t watching a mere woman perform. No, she had to be an angel in disguise. How else could she harness so much power over me?

After a few minutes into the song, something must’ve happened. A slip. I recognized the horror on her face. A panicked look that any performer would fear having. Whatever messed her up caused her fingers to press against notes that didn’t belong in the song. Sadly, it took her a moment to bring everything back in.

What happened? A tune so beautiful formed into a mess. Watching her crumble under the spotlight, my chest felt a pain like no other.

If any of the bastards in the room dared to judge her from afar, I’d come straight down and make sure they wouldn’t have the chance to do it again. From worry to anger, I fought to look away from her.

Chelsea looked absolutely miserable and I wanted nothing more than to swoop her into my arms and carry her away from such a nightmare.

Feeling on edge, I claimed my seat once more. Gripped at the arm seats without caring how deep my nails dug into the fabric. I must’ve been seething because when Travis reappeared with his phone no longer attached to his ear, he didn’t think to speak. Right now, I needed to think. Figure out a way to convince such a sweet girl who had a terrible experience just now to join my side and play in front of hundreds of people.

Something told me it wouldn’t be an easy task.