Chapter 9 Piano Playing
1018 Words
The couple were seated at a table by the window, overlooking the city of Rome. The table was decorated with flowers and candles, and they were given a complimentary bottle of wine. The waiters hovered nearby, ready to serve them at a moment's notice.
The table was laden with food, all of it foreign and unfamiliar to Megan. There were dishes of pasta, meat, and vegetables that she couldn't even identify. It all looked and smelled delicious, but she felt out of her depth. She sat at the table, feeling awkward and out of place. Her gown, which was comfortable and beautiful, suddenly felt too tight and constricting. She tugged at the fabric, trying to make it feel less confining.
The man sitting across from her barely even looked at her. He was absorbed in his meal, eating with relish.
Megan gazed at him feeling annoyed, he ordered the food for the both of them, trying to make it seem romantic. She was very hungry but she didn't know how to eat the food in front of her. Right from childhood, she hated pasta, she preferred not eating anything to have it. She was getting upset, and it was galling to be ignored like this. She tried to catch his eye, but he was oblivious to her.
She stood up angrily from the table, her chair scraping loudly against the floor.
Bryan looked up at her feeling annoyed at her drama, "Where are you going young lady?" He asked, displeasing was heard in his voice.
They are presently at one of the well-known restaurants in Italy. La Pergola, Rome, a Michelin-starred restaurant, with a terrace overlooking the city. He wanted them to be seen in an open place enjoying their honeymoon. Not like he fancied all this nonsense, it was just necessary.
Megan didn't answer, just crossed the room and walked out the door, closing it behind her with a decisive click.
'Grumpy old man ' she muttered angrily.
She woke up from the couch this morning to have him say they were going on a date. She wasn't even prepared for it, he brought in a stylist and a makeup artist to dress her up as they would have to meet some of his business partners.
She strode down the hallway, her heels clicking on the marble floor. She felt a rush of freedom as she left the room behind her. She didn't know where she was going, but she didn't care. All she knew was that she had to get away from that old man, from the situation she was in.
She tried to locate the restroom when something caught her attention, she turned to a corner and found herself in a grand ballroom.
The room was empty, except for a grand piano in the corner. Megan walked over to it, drawn to the instrument like a moth to a flame. She sat down on the bench and placed her hands on the keys.
As Megan began to play, a few people started to trickle into the room. They stopped and stared at her, entranced by her playing.
"Who is that?" one person whispered to another.
"I've never seen her before,"
"I think she is the wife of Mr. Albert," the other person replied.
Bryan was at the table done with his food. He was sipping his whiskey while glancing at his wristwatch from time to time. It's been close to 30 minutes but she was not back yet, he reluctantly stood up to look for her. He made a mental note to caution her with the way she ignored him rudely earlier.
He got to the hallway, with his feet colliding hard on the ground, showing how pissed he was at the moment. He began hearing whispers and a piano tone, his curiosity leading him to follow the sound. He saw people gathered in a grand ballroom, he turned to see his wife playing a piano.
She was here playing a goddamn piano while he was looking for her. She has some guts now, first, she walked out on him and kept him waiting just to play this, he was irritated at the thought.
People were stuck by her beauty and the emotion she conveyed through her music. Megan pressed the last key with her eyes closed, it's been so long since she last played piano. Maybe when she was still in high school, she couldn't remember. It was her grandmother that taught her how to play it.
She heard the roar of applause behind her, which made her jolt up, and saw people, who were scattered in the hall, clapping for her.
She gave a shy smile and was about to leave when she saw Bryan, she flinched instantly. She doesn't understand why his presence always intimidates her.
"Mr. Albert," the voice made her look away from him, she saw a man, cladded in a six-piece navy blue suit. He looked to be the same age as Bryan.
"Mr Smith," Bryan called out respectfully as he shook hands with the man.
Megan was surprised he could be this respectful, she walked to stand by his side and the man began talking.
"Your wife is truly gifted," Mr Smith complimented with a bright smile on his face as he shifted his gaze on Megan. She wanted to thank him but Bryan was faster.
"Yeah. I must say, your opinion of my wife's playing is, well, surprising," he said, choosing his words carefully. Just a piano playing, he was calling it gifted, he snarled inwardly.
" Haha, you shouldn't be surprised," Mr Smith chuckled as they began to walk out of the ballroom.
Perhaps, Mr Smith didn't notice it but Megan did, how can he give such a ridiculous reply to a compliment?
They went back to their table, Megan ordered for another food and Bryan and Mr Smith engaged in some business talks.
After what seemed like forever, their meeting ended and the couple left the restaurant to head back to the hotel.
Bryan kept all the words inside him till they reached their destination.
- Writer
