Chapter 194: The Taste She Couldn’t Forget

Leitana quickly rinsed the toy under the running water, her hands still shaking. The rose-gold device glistened, still warm from her body. She looked around the cubicle frantically, unsure where to hide something so intimate.

Arabella stepped closer, voice soft but amused. “Give it to me. I’ll hold it for you.”

Leitana blinked. “Really?”

“Yes,” Arabella said with a small, understanding smile. “You can’t exactly walk around with that in your hand. I’ll keep it safe in my violin bag until you’re done.”

Leitana hesitated for only a second before handing the slick toy over. Arabella wrapped it carefully in a clean tissue and slipped it into her violin case.

“Thank you,” Leitana whispered, voice full of relief and embarrassment.

She quickly fixed her panties and dress, then unlocked the door.

The moment it opened, Marita rushed inside, eyes wide with worry. “Leitana! Yu okay? Why you lock the door? I heard strange sounds. Yu no breathing well again?”

Marita’s gaze flicked suspiciously to Arabella standing quietly to the side.

Leitana forced a smile, still flushed. “Breathe, Marita. Mi fine. It’s just morning sickness. Normal for pregnancy, eh?”

Arabella’s eyes went wide behind them, but she stayed silent, studying Leitana’s stomach with new curiosity.

Marita still looked unconvinced. “Yu sure? Professor Markov is calling your name. It’s your turn now!”

Leitana’s eyes widened in panic. “Let’s go!”

As Marita dragged her toward the door, Leitana turned back quickly. “Thank you, Arabella.”

Arabella blinked, surprised, she hadn’t told Leitana her name. She gave a small nod. “You’re welcome… Leitana.”

Leitana gave her a small, grateful smile before Marita pulled her away down the hallway.

The moment they disappeared around the corner, Arabella stood still for a long second, staring at the empty doorway.

Then she reached into her violin bag, pulled out the still-damp rose-gold toy, and brought it to her nose. Her eyes fluttered closed as she inhaled deeply, greedily breathing in Leitana’s scent even after it had been rinsed.

A low, shaky breath left her.

When her eyes opened again, they were no longer green.

They glowed a bright, unnatural amber.

She pressed the toy to her lips… and slowly licked it, tongue dragging along the smooth surface with unmistakable hunger. Her body shuddered hard, a soft, needy sound escaping her throat.

Something inside her liked the taste.

Very much.

Leitana rushed down the hallway, Marita’s hand tight in hers as they half-ran toward the audition hall.

“Who was that girl?” Marita asked, breathless but curious. “Why yu thank her like that? And why was the bathroom door locked? Leitana, talk to me!”

“Not now, Marita,” Leitana whispered urgently, face still flushed. “Please. Later.”

They burst back into the audition room just as Professor Markov was looking around with mild concern.

“Leitana? There you are. We were about to move on. Is everything alright?”

Leitana bowed her head, still trying to catch her breath. “I’m so sorry, Professor. Mi… mi had a small emergency. It won’t happen again.”

Professor Markov gave her a gentle but curious look, then nodded. “Alright. Take your seat at the piano. We’re ready when you are.”

Leitana hurried to the grand piano on stage, legs still shaky. The theater student, a tall, elegant girl with expressive eyes stepped forward, script in hand. She gave Leitana a small, encouraging smile.

Leitana sat down, placed her trembling fingers on the keys, and closed her eyes for a brief second.

Then she began to play.

It wasn’t just the Chopin Nocturne she had planned.

It was something deeper.

She played an original arrangement she had worked on in secret during those two trapped days in the bedroom, a haunting fusion of a traditional Vanuatu lullaby the reverend mother used to hum and the emotional depth of Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major. The notes started soft and tender, like a mother singing to her child in the dark… then swelled with raw longing, pain, and quiet strength.

Her fingers moved with surprising power and emotion despite how little she had practiced. Every note carried the weight of everything she had been through, the orphanage, leaving Vanuatu, her sickness, Ravial’s overwhelming love, the fear of losing herself, the joy of the life growing inside her.

The theater girl began her monologue beside her, a scene about a young woman saying goodbye to her dying mother. Her voice cracked beautifully with emotion, perfectly in sync with the music.

The entire room fell completely silent.

Leitana poured her soul into the keys. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she played the final, aching crescendo. The music swelled, heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time, like a prayer and a farewell wrapped into one.

When the last note faded, the hall remained silent for several long seconds.

Then thunderous applause erupted.

Professor Markov stood up, visibly moved. “That was… extraordinary, Leitana. Truly beautiful. One of the most emotional performances I’ve seen in a long time.”

Leitana wiped her tears quickly, breathing hard, cheeks still flushed from everything that had happened in the bathroom. She gave a small, shy bow before stepping off the stage.

Marita was beaming with pride from the audience, clapping the loudest.

But Leitana’s mind was elsewhere, still buzzing from the intense orgasm, the toy, and the overwhelming performance.

“Yu did so well, Leitana!” Ethan said warmly as the group gathered around her outside the hall.

Theo grinned. “That was insane! The way you played… it felt like the whole room was crying with you.”

Lila hugged her tightly. “I’m so proud of you!”

Leitana smiled softly, still catching her breath. “No… not just me. Y’all did so well too. Everyone was amazing.”

Mia crossed her arms but gave a small, genuine smile. “Yeah, guys. We all did well. Not just her. Let’s not inflate her head too much.”

They laughed, the tension from the auditions easing as they walked down the hallway together.

“I wonder when the results will be posted,” Mikey said excitedly. “Do you think they’ll pick more than one pianist?”

Kai spoke quietly, “Probably two or three. The showcase needs variety.”

Theo threw an arm around Marita’s shoulders. “Whoever gets picked, we’re celebrating anyway.”

Suddenly, a voice called from behind them.

“Leitana!”

Leitana turned and saw Arabella standing a little further back, violin case slung over her shoulder.

She quickly told the group, “Guys, wait for me. Mi coming.”

She hurried over to Arabella, cheeks warming again at the memory of what happened in the bathroom.

“Thank you,” Leitana said softly, sincere. “For… everything.”

Arabella smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. “I heard you did so well in the audition. The whole hall was talking about it. That piece was beautiful.”

Leitana blushed. “Mi tried.”

Arabella glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then discreetly slipped the small black pouch containing the cleaned toy into Leitana’s bag.

“Here. Safe and sound.”

Leitana hurriedly zipped her bag, heart racing. “Thank you again. Really.”

Arabella gave her a small wink. “Anytime. Good luck with… everything.”

Leitana nodded quickly and rushed back to her friends, who were waiting curiously.

Marita raised an eyebrow. “What happened?”

“Nothing, just thanking her,” Leitana said vaguely, still flushed.

As they continued walking, the toy now safely back in her bag, Leitana couldn’t shake the feeling that today was far from over.