Chapter Seven: First Impressions
Chapter Seven: First Impressions
Lydia Moore's eyes widened in astonishment as she instinctively covered her mouth. Was he truly indifferent to everyone's opinions? Or had he grown so accustomed to such emotional games that a kiss had become inconsequential to him? He seemed so utterly uninhibited.
The staff watched the dramatic scene with flushed faces and racing hearts. The kiss beneath the phoenix tree, Aaron King's perfectly chiseled jawline, the faint blush on Tina's cheeks, her delicate, tiptoeing stance, and the shimmering blue dress all created a dreamlike, almost comic-book-like beauty. But this was quickly interrupted by a scream. Nina Wells, trembling and unable to contain herself, shouted at Aaron King, who was now gazing up from the kiss, "Why? Why?" She couldn't understand how, after he had kissed her just last night, he could now kiss someone else so casually right in front of her. How could he be so cruel?
"I have no feelings for you," Aaron King replied coldly, releasing Tina, who was still in a blissful daze. "Don't make me dislike you more."
His gaze was intensely captivating. Lydia Moore watched his eyes with a shiver in her hand that rested on her music score. Although she couldn't hear their conversation clearly, she could guess from the kiss and Nina Wells's desperate expression what had transpired. She had no intention of meddling in their affairs; after all, it was their choice. Perhaps falling for someone like Aaron King, who treated relationships so lightly, was a mistake from the start. However, she was curious about what kind of girl could make the notoriously aloof Aaron King fall in love.
As Nina Wells's heartbroken figure disappeared from Lydia Moore's sight, she sighed inwardly, feeling a pang of sympathy for her.
The girls who had watched the drama returned to their seats, chattering excitedly about the recent events. Their conversations were filled with ridicule towards Nina Wells and adoration for Aaron King. Meanwhile, Aaron King summoned the director, gesturing towards the music classroom and speaking with a frown.
Lydia Moore took a thin sheet of music from her bag and focused intently on the notes, occasionally flipping through the pages.
Before long, the door to the music classroom was pushed open. The director, sweating profusely, glanced around the large room before asking, "Who can play Vivaldi's pieces?" His tone was tinged with urgency. After the disruption caused by the girl earlier, Aaron King had declared he was no longer in the mood to continue shooting today. But the commercial needed to be released on schedule. He had finally managed to persuade him to continue, but on the condition that someone played Vivaldi's pieces on site. With the music classroom nearby, he hoped someone here could play.
Vivaldi? The girls fell silent. They had only heard of Vivaldi in their basic music classes, knowing her to be a 24-year-old rising violinist who won the top prize at the Classical Gramophone Awards this year. Beyond that, they knew nothing about her. They shrugged, unable to help.
"Really no one?" The director asked again, frustrated. He couldn't believe that a prestigious academy like Sakura didn't have anyone who could play Vivaldi's music.
The girls shook their heads again. Although they guessed the issue was related to Aaron King, they would be familiar with pieces by composers like Clairo or Bach. Unfortunately, no one among them could play Vivaldi's pieces, and they watched with disappointment as the chance to get close to Aaron King slipped away.
"Then, I'm afraid we'll have to leave," the director said, dejected. It seemed today's shoot was doomed to be canceled.
"Wait a moment." A light voice called out, stopping him. The director turned abruptly, seeing the unremarkable girl who had stood up. All eyes shifted to her. Elena Rivers looked at her with a smile, her clean eyes brightening with a tiny spark of hope.
Under the tree, Aaron King waited in silence, glancing at his watch and deciding to wait another minute.
"Why Vivaldi?" Tina, now his new girlfriend, asked curiously. She couldn't understand why Aaron King, who was usually obsessed with basketball, suddenly had an interest in classical violin music. As his new girlfriend, she wanted to learn more about him.
"I've heard her live performance; it was quite good," he said, touching his prominent nose. "She's beautiful."
Tina found this amusing. If that was the reason, it explained why he chose Vivaldi's music. Despite knowing that he only dated beautiful women and treated relationships as a game, she had fallen for him at first sight and found herself deeply entangled.
"We found someone who can play Vivaldi," the director said excitedly as he approached. Although he doubted the girl's appearance would catch Aaron King's eye, she was the only one who could play the piece. At this point, he could not afford to be picky.
Her? Aaron King's gaze shifted past the director to Lydia Moore, who was walking towards them under the glaring sun with a violin. Her loose green T-shirt and simple shorts, coupled with her plain face, seemed familiar. After a moment, he remembered her as the noisy girl who had asked him for help with her luggage a few days ago. His heart sank slightly as he narrowed his deep-set eyes.
"We can start shooting," the director announced. The staff, who had been waiting in the blazing heat, quickly returned to their positions, eager to complete the shoot and go home. The 35°C temperature was unbearable.