36 Drifting Apart

"Miss Dana, I would require you as part of your training to bring one of your own composition every week."

She looked at Miss Hoffman's serious face and Dana felt dejected. She regretted telling her that she wrote another piece during the holiday break. After listening to it, she is now given additional tasks. She isn't confident about writing music. She was just playing around when she wrote the first one, and she honestly thought that her homework was just to improve that one, not to compose one every week.

Miss Hoffman saw the unwillingness in Dana's eyes, so she asked her, "Miss Dana, do you trust me?"

Dana was caught off guarded with the direct question, that she blurted the truth.

She was expecting that Miss Hoffman would be angry, instead, she laughed and told her that she believes that she has the talent not just with playing the piano but actually composing her own music. She has the soul and the skills to do it, that's what Miss Hoffman insisted to her.

After Miss Hoffman explained the reason behind Dana's additional tasks, she was left without a choice but to agree.

Miss Hoffman is very strict when it comes to piano, she is way stricter than her piano teacher in Japan and her mother. She would let her play nonstop just like what happened today.

Dana continuously plays for two hours; playing just one composition she chose for her to play. Miss Hoffman wouldn't let her stop until she is satisfied with how she plays the piece.

She is discontented with how things are but thinking about how she wanted to prove to her mother that she can succeed in doing things on her own, she gritted her teeth and persevered.

And it looks like it is working because Madame Bae commented that the way she plays the piano has subtle changes that make it more solid and steady and that she is developing her own technique.

Dana felt proud of the compliment because Madame Bae doesn't usually say anything about her piano skills.

When she finished her class, she sent a message to Bobby asking him if he has the time to go out because she would like to buy him a meal.

She went to an art supply store to place her orders of new paint and brushes while waiting for Bobby to reply to her message.

---

"Reservation under Mr. Wu Bin," she said to the restaurant receptionist.

Upon checking for her name, another waiter ushered her to a table where Bobby is waiting. He has a huge smile on his lips. Dana felt a strange feeling of solace, akin to coming home. She shook the thought on her mind and returned the smile.

Bobby stood up and did his playful bow, pulled her chair for her to sit down, then shook the napkin, and carefully placed it on her lap. Dana chuckles with Bobby's silly imitation of a butler.

When he finally sat down across Dana, she asked, "How was your Christmas? Sorry I wasn't able to meet or send my greetings." she meekly said, for she is guilty that the reason why she tried to avoid Bobby was that she was worried Grand would have his jealousy outburst again, but of course she can't tell Bobby about it.

"It's uneventful." he curtly answered. "How about you? Were you able to reconcile with your mother?"

"I didn't go home for the holiday," she said, scrunching her nose, and releasing a deep sigh.

"I called back home but my mother is still angry with me, and told me explicitly that I'm not needed at home. I ended up lying to Ellise because I don't want her to worry about me to the point of ruining her own holiday," she said sadly.

Dana was astonished that she easily opened up to Bobby about her worries and frustration for the past days. It is so unlike her. With her character who likes to bottle everything inside, sharing her innermost feelings is unheard of, especially to a man.

"Sweetheart, you should have called. You know I'll come running," he said in a mixture of concern and displeasure.

"You don't have to be alone," he added.

Dana just smiled because her throat constricted with the overwhelming emotion she's feeling. She's afraid that if she talks she'd end up crying in front of him.

She flinched when Bobby caressed her hand holding the chopsticks. It was so unexpected that the tears on the corner of her eyes dried up as quickly as she pulled her hand and hid them on her lap under the table.

Bobby smiled as if nothing happened and put more sushi on her plate. She smiled when she realized her action can be offensive and murmurs an apology.

But Bobby just smiled teasingly and said, "Oh I see! Is that the reason why the rascal Wang Wei flew home like ten hours flight is nothing just to see you?"

Dana's brows knitted on her forehead when she heard it from Bobby that indeed Grand came home.

"Did you meet Grand?" she asked carefully.

"Yeah, I was surprised when he suddenly showed up at my place and asked me to have dinner with him and his grandmother," he said nonchalantly.

Dana, bewildered with the information she accidentally found out from Bobby, felt another burst of anger and resentment towards Grand on how he is treating her like a fool. How could he come back home, send her a bunch of withered roses and a box of muffins but never bothered to pick her calls or even answer her messages, yet, he was able to see Bobby.

She asked to be excused to use the bathroom. She needed to escape from Bobby's brooding eyes because she doesn't want to explain to him what's happening with her and Grand without any clear justification from his side.

As Dana hurriedly retreated to the safety of the powder room, she didn't see Bobby's face wincing in guilt.