Chapter 1 Rebecca, What on Earth Is Wrong with You?
Rebecca Rodriguez's POV
"Rebecca, dear, stop!" Serena Clark tapped her baton several times against the piano.
I froze, my fingers still pressed on the last note, hands trembling slightly as unease crept into my chest.
"Ms. Clark, I didn't mean to," I said, the words tumbling out anxiously.
She circled around the piano, her gaze sharp and unforgiving as it locked onto me.
"Rebecca, look at all those people behind you. Every single one of them would kill to sit where you're sitting. And what are you doing?"
I dropped my gaze. She was right.
That mistake I'd just made? Even a beginner wouldn't have made it. But I had.
I held out my hand. The baton came down hard against my palm, pain shooting up through my arm.
My skin flushed an angry red.
My fingers trembled from the sting, but I didn't dare pull away. I could only grit my teeth and endure it.
The students gathered around took a collective step back.
They knew how harsh her punishments could be. They'd all been on the receiving end before.
And me? Her star student, getting hit for the first time today.
After the tenth strike, she pointed to a student nearby and gestured toward the piano.
"You. Play it," she said, her tone brooking no argument. "The piece from earlier."
Piano music filled the room. My fists clenched tight, the burning pain in my palm making my chest constrict.
She nodded with satisfaction, then pulled me aside.
Lowering her voice beneath the music, she asked, "Rebecca, what's going on with you today? You've made mistakes on this piece three times already!"
"Ms. Clark, please trust me. I was just... a bit distracted."
Her eyes narrowed. "Oh, that's a terrible answer, dear. If that's all you can explain, I really need to consider replacing the lead performer for next week's banquet."
"After all, I won't allow someone who might zone out at any moment to damage this music class's reputation."
My heart dropped. The performance at the Duke's banquet next week was the opportunity I'd been fighting for.
Regular people couldn't get into that event, and I had reasons why I absolutely had to be there.
I looked up, meeting her eyes with a pleading expression. "Ms. Clark, I'm sorry for my mistakes."
"I got distracted because of Everett. Please, give me one more chance."
She seemed to catch on immediately. "What happened between you two?"
"Everett's my boyfriend. He was acting really strange today. He went out of his way to shower, put on a suit, sprayed cologne..."
Her expression softened. She raised her hand and patted my shoulder gently.
"Oh, dear, maybe you're overthinking it."
"Don't forget, today marks one year since you joined the music class. Maybe he wanted to surprise you."
My mood lifted slightly. The piano music on stage stopped.
She gestured toward the piano at center stage. "Go on, dear. Don't disappoint me again."
I took a deep breath, placed my fingers on the familiar keys, and let the melody flow, each note striking true.
She finally nodded with satisfaction.
I let out a long breath and walked out of the performance hall, half expecting to find Everett waiting at the door in his formal attire, roses in hand.
But he wasn't there.
The sky darkened quickly, clouds pressing down overhead, thunder rumbling above. My mood sank with it.
Rain came down in sheets, pounding against everything. I ducked under the awning at the entrance, calling Everett over and over.
No answer. When the final ring tone ended, I knew I should leave. I wasn't going to see him today.
I held my backpack over my head and dashed into the rain. Water plastered my hair to my face as I stumbled home completely drenched.
The sound of rain drumming against the window eased my disappointment, if only a little.
He must have been held up by something. He couldn't make it.
He loves me. On such an important day, he must have had a good reason...
The next morning, sunlight warmed my face. Knocking at the door made me frown.
Who could it be, banging on my door this early?
I reached for my phone. Everett's messages popped up one after another.
[I'm sorry, dear, I forgot I was supposed to pick you up at the performance hall today.]
[Oh, I'm so sorry, I have this student who's just too slow. Taught her several times and she still doesn't get it...]
[Dear, she was just so clingy, that's why I got held up.]
[Rebecca, please talk to me?]
[I really know I was wrong, Rebecca]
Reading these messages, I felt the tension ease.
Yes, Everett still loves me. After all these years together, he couldn't possibly forget.
I scrolled to the input box to reply when the door was knocked again.
I slipped on my slippers and hurried to the door. "Who is it? Do you have any idea what time it is?"
Everett's hand froze mid-air, his face breaking into a smile. "Oh, dear, you're finally willing to open the door."
"Everett?"
He pulled me into a hug, his tone light. "I'm sorry, dear. Please forgive me. This is all my fault."
His soaked jacket pressed against me. I frowned. He immediately loosened his grip.
I looked him over. He was still wearing yesterday's outfit, now completely drenched.
He looked exhausted, the once-neat fabric wrinkled beyond recognition.
"You stayed outside all night?"
"Oh, dear, that doesn't matter, as long as you're not angry."
I shook my head gently. How could I be angry at someone who loves me this much?
"Go home and get cleaned up first."
He nodded but seemed reluctant to leave.
He paused at the door. "Tonight's performance... will you still let me go with you?"
I pushed him gently toward the hallway. "Go on now. I don't want someone soaking wet accompanying me to the performance."
This time, Everett came to pick me up on time. I rested my hand on his arm, carrying myself like I belonged there.
The fitted dress hugged my figure perfectly, and I couldn't stop smiling.
I hadn't even reached the ballroom entrance when a shrill voice shattered the moment. "Excuse me? Who gave you permission to wear the same dress as me, you little nobody!"
I turned, and there she was: Everett's student, Daphne.
Daphne pointed at me, snapping at the security. "Get this nobody without an invitation out of here. Now."
The socialites nearby heard the commotion and started whispering.
I reached into my bag to find it, but the invitation that should have been there was gone.
Panic swept through me. Where was my invitation?