PITA stepped back, sensing that Les was on the verge of anoth
He had seen this poster before, the way Len’s und slackened whenever Elizabeth was involved.
i was as if she had become his anchor, and without her, he was adrift.
But then, as if on a whim, Leo picked up his phone and dialed a number.
BETA watched in surprise as Leo’s
asLeo’s entire deinear shifted, his smire softening as he spoke into the phone.
It’s the f
first day in Sereia City,” Lee said, his time gentle, shred tender.
“How are you feeling? Are you adjusting to everythis
Panther. Leo’s BETA was stunned by the change
The gruff, irritable man who had just thrown papers art
ca different person noor,
Whoever was on the other end of the line hail managed to calm him, to bring out a side of Leo that few ever saw.
Béta stood quietly, unsure of what to make of this transformation.
He didn’t know what the other person said, but it was clear that Leo’s mood had been
form in his eyes receding
The thought filled BLTA with a deep sense of unease as he watched Leo, the man who had once been feared for his cold bloodedness, now struggling with emotions he had long tried to keep buried. He was a little curious.
What had the other man said that bad calmed down soch an irascible Leo?
As I sat there, struggling with the tangle of emotions that Rolin’s words had stirred within me, my phone rang, abruptly cutting through the think charged atmosphere.
A wave of inexplicable relied washed over me, offering a much–needed escape from the intensity of the moment.
Isignaled to Rolin that I needed to take the call and moved to the side, grateful for the temporary reprieve
When I glanced at the screen, I was surprised to see Leo’s name,
to my heart. In this strange place, far from everything familiar, hearing his voice brought an unexpected warmth t
“Liz,” he began his voice steady yet laced with a hint of concern. “It’s nighttime where you are, fint ut? Why arent you asleep? How are you settling How’s the city treating you?”
I felt a little touched by his concern, a softness creeping into my heart,
“Im alright.” I replied, “Just a bit of insomnia, I guess. It’s been a lot to take in
“Get some rest, Liz. You need to be at your best for the competition,” he advised, his tone serious but caring.
There was a pause, and then I heard him cough twice.
Instinctively, I frowned, worried despite the distance
“Leo, you’ve got to remember to cut back on the smoking while I’m away. It’s not good for you” I found myself saying, the w could think twice
slipping out before I
“Alright, alright,” he responded, a soft í
It chuckle in his voice
On the other end of the line, I imagined him picking up his cigarette case, hesitating for a moment before tossing it into the bin with a resigned sigh.
You know what, Liz? He said in a low voice, Talking to you always cales me down, even if it’s just hearing your
Chapter 87
We chatted a bit more, the conven
nversation lighter now, filled with small grass and words of amarapetteet.
When we finally hung up. I turned back to Bolin, who was still u
The soft glow of the
cappear aloinst ethereal, yet undeniably lonely
I slipped my phone back into my pocket and offered him a small, apologeti
“I think I should get he rest,” I said quietly, not wanting to distal the fragile peace that had settled between us. Kolis nodded, his expression unreadable, though I could feel his gaze following me as I made my way back to my room.
There was a weight in his eyes, a silent longing that tugged at my heartstrings even as I walked away.
Once inside my rooms, I closed the door behind
and leaned against it, exhaling a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding
My mind was still whirling from the events of the evening, but I knew I couldn’t afford to dwell on them
The competition was living, and I had worked too hard to let anything distract me now
I shook off the lingering thoughts of Holin and Leo and focused on the music I would be playing tomorrow.
Each note, each phrase, every subtle nuance of the piece played cover and over in my mind as I mentally prepared myself for the performa
This was my chance, and I couldn’t let anything, or anyone, get in the way.
The Serevia International Pianoforte Competition, is one of the most important musical events in the world.
