I stood in the Elthenia estate, the piano's notes drifting through blooming tulips, wrapping around me like a soft breeze. I rose on my toes, my movements fluid and strong, each step deliberate, no hesitation. Nick's music swelled, urging me faster, and I spun like a dancing sprite, caught in the rhythm.
But my body lagged, sweat beading on my forehead. I could feel the strain, my strength not yet what it was. The piano softened, easing up for me. "Nick, keep going! I've got this!" I called, gritting my teeth.
Without missing a beat, Nick's fingers quickened, the music surging. He trusted me completely—not just my face, but the grit that kept me going. I wasn't some delicate flower, and he'd push me as far as I could go without breaking.
I stayed on beat, matching the song's tempo, fini
