Not-So-Private Performance

At Z's First Class University...

...

Young master Theo was no longer listening to the anxious ramblings of Mrs Jennings.

From the corner of his eye, he spotted Lisa through the clear glass windows of the music practice hall.

She was sitting on the piano bench of a grand piano as if about to perform.

The flawless red-haired beauty sparked his interest.

He stopped to observe her a bit more.

...

His entourage followed, stoping abruptly like an army.

Mrs Jennings, noticing Theo's keen interest in the rare scene immediately stopped speaking.

Theo watched Lisa pause for a moment to compose herself, and then take a deep breath.

Her slender fingers started to move on the keys of the grand piano.

A melodious sound filtered through the grand music hall and into the hallway to entrance the visitors. They were immediately raptured by the sounds of Lisa's heart.

Theo's ears travelled with the soothing music. His piercing gaze focused on the girl on the practice stage, striking the complex chords of her soul.

Lisa played on, completely engrossed in the music, not noticing if anyone was watching; her chords getting deeper, more complex and more intense the longer she played.

Her teardrops sparkled under the spotlight as she sunk deeper into the rhythm of her soul.

She played with all her heart, all her sadness, all her pain, all her frustration, all her anger. Each note struck carefully expressed deep emotion.

'So beautiful.', Theo thought within himself.

...

...

Just when everyone thought her performance couldn't get any better, Lisa began to sing!

Her voice out-shun the piano.

If the piano was spectacular, then the combination of Lisa's voice with the instrument was extraordinarily phenomenal.

The lyrics of the original song she was singing moved her audience, almost making them believe her words; 'Love Is A Lie!'

...

*******************

...

At the stage door of the music room, a surprise spectator also watched Lisa, almost transfixed.

Ruby who had been there unnoticed right from the beginning was not only watching, but also recording her best friend's spectacular performance.

...

Lisa's heart welled up with the music, gradually building up to a perfect climax.

Suddenly, she de-climaxed to quiet, gentle notes as her peace slowly returned.

Then she stopped playing and got on top of the grand piano for her finale.

Still singing, she lay on the piano, dramatising her music with elegant gestures underneath the spotlight.

Dramatically clutching her heart, she whispered the end of the song,

'Love is a lie.'

...

The group of tourists watched Lisa in silent awe. They were completely captivated by her performance and her unique personality.

The performance was over a little sooner than they would have liked. They kept watching the red-haired beauty.

...

Lisa wiped the last drops of tears off her face.

Satisfied with her expression, she attempted to get off the grand piano. However, on her descent, she lost balance, slipped and crash-landed with a faceplant!

"Aah! F*ck! My Nose!!", she exclaimed.

Her hidden audience burst into silent snickers and giggles.

"Stupid piano! Stupid James, Stupid floor! F*ck!!!", Lisa continued, pissed at everything.

Theo flashed a rare smile...

Ruby caught it all on camera; the phenomenal performance and the embarrassing fall.

"And... Click! Post!", Ruby posted the recording on the internet!

***********

....

"Who is she?", Theo asked, referring to Lisa.

"A minute, sir while I check.", his proactive assistant replied. He drew up Lisa's entire information in under a minute.

"Miss Lisa Hatton. 23. 3rd-year student. Best in the Performing Arts Department...", he read.

Mrs Jennings' eyes popped out of their sockets! 'What kind of superpower is this? Even I don't know those details!', she gasped, amazed.

"...Shall I read on sir?", asked the assistant.

"No need. Sign me up for her course. Make her my tutor." Theo instructed.

Mrs Jennings was pleasantly surprised.

"O- Of course. Right away. Thank you for your kindness, master!", she said bowing low. Overjoyed.

'Wow! That student is a lifesaver. I'll reward her with extra credit!', she thought.

"See you on Monday.", Theo concluded with a smile.

****************************

...

In the car, on the drive back to his office, Theo thought about the red-haired beauty again.

'She has potential. I'd love to see how far she can get in the industry.', he thought.

...

"Uhh... Tutor sir? Are you sure about this master?", Gerrard, Theo's assistant asked the question that had been burning in his mind.

"Do you oppose, Gerard?", asked Theo.

"No sir. Never. It's just, I doubt there's anything she can teach you. You're already the genius King of the entertainment industry and the 2nd biggest business magnet in Z City. If anything, she should learn from you, sir.", the assistant reasoned.

"I think she has a lot to teach Theo.", Theo replied with a smirk.

Gerrard facepalmed. 'Master is so sly.', he thought.

"Send me her information.", Theo instructed Gerrard.

...

Theo looked through the information on Lisa on Gerrard's tablet.

"Hmm, betrothed? Interesting...", he muttered.

"I was going to raise that subject, sir. Shall I call off the tutelage? We can find a better-", Gerard asked.

"No. She must be my tutor.", Theo cut him off mid-sentence.

"Of course sir.", Gerard replied.

'Oh, God! I can sense many problems arising from this in the future. What is master thinking?', he wondered.

"...And I won't be needing bodyguards on Monday.", Theo instructed again.

"Are you sure sir?", Gerard asked, surprised.

"You guys will just give me away. The whole point of this is to be as regular as everyone else." Theo explained.

Gerrard looked exhausted.

'Now he wants to be regular as everyone else? That's impossible! Master always gives me impossible tasks.', he thought, weeping.

"Please sir, reconsider. It's not safe to leave you unguarded. The stealth unit can watch you from a distance... Or at least take Vincent with you. Your safety is of uttermost importance, sir.", he begged.

Theo raised an eyebrow.

"Vince? I'm more powerful than he is. That makes no sense... But, I could use a friend at school. Fine. Sign him up for the course...", the master instructed.

'I think I just got Mr Vincent in trouble! Now he's going to be signed up by force! Sh*t! I'm dead! Am I cursed or something?', Gerrard physically trembled.

Theo continued to issue directions.

"... You may assign the stealth unit. Fire anyone who gets spotted at school."

"Certainly, master.", replied Gerard. He sighed with relief.

'Oh thank goodness! One problem solved...

This is going to be a hard year.', he thought, completely overwhelmed.

...

Riiing! Riing!, Theo's phone rang.

"Sir, it's your grandfather.", Gerrard informed Theo.

"Ignore it.", Theo replied casually.

"Yes sir.", Gerard did as instructed.

...

Riiing! Riiiiing!!, Theo's phone rang again.

"Sir, it's your grandfather again.", Gerard informed, getting uncomfortable.

"Ignore it.", Theo commanded.

"Sir, is it alright to ignore him this many times? You haven't spoken to him this entire week.", Gerrard tried to reason with his master.

"I said ignore it.", Theo repeated, his gaze darkened.

Gerrard could sense his master's cold and intense aura seeping from the owner's corner to the front seat where he was seated.

He shivered.

"Of course. Pardon me, master."

'I sense trouble.', he thought, distressed.

...

Riiing! Riiiing!!!

This time, Gerrard's phone rang!

"Sir, it's your grandfather. He obviously wants to speak with you.", Gerrard informed, completely exhausted.

"Tell him I'm busy.", Theo instructed the assistant.

Gerrard picked up the call with reasonable apprehension.

"Umm... Goo- good afternoon, President sir, H- he's busy...

"Give Leo the phone right now!", Theo's grandfather's voice thundered.

Gerard immediately passed the phone to Theo with shaky hands.

'My job is way too dangerous.', he thought tearfully.

"What do you mean busy Leonard!? You've been avoiding my calls! I had to call Gerrard to get to you. How dare you abandon your own grandpa?" The President of the Hughes Group of Companies and No. 1 Business Magnet in Z City was furious.

"I saw you 2 weeks ago.", Theo replied, unflinching.

"Do you hear yourself? I'm virtually on my death bed! Come see me right this instant!", grandpa commanded and angrily ended the call.

Theo pinched his forehead, wearily.

"Huff... Cancel my next meeting. We'll make a stop at the hospital.", he surrendered with a sigh.

**********************

**********************

...

...

********** TKE Q&A **********

Surrealish: Aaand we're back live on?:

Crowd: T! K! E! Q &A!!! Wooo!! (Applause)

Surrealish: That's right! Now, our question for today:

LISA HAS A NEW STUDENT UNDER HER WINGS! THE SUPER HOT THEO! HOW DO YOU THINK LISA WILL REACT TO THE NEWS?

a) Jump for joy

b) Reject him

c) Kiss him

d) Not show up to school

...Gerrard?

Gerrard: The answer is obviously (a). She should jump for joy.

Ruby: I think (c) looks interesting. What do you think girl? (*wink*) (nugging Lisa with her elbow)

Lisa: (blushes) I- I dunno...

Crowd: Ooooooo

The show phone rings.

Surrealish: We have an incoming call on the show... It's from your grandfather Theo...

Theo: Ignore it.

Surrealish: Uhh... I think we have to take it. I can't ignore your grandfather. He'll end my show! (weeping). (Picks up the call) Hello sir. This is TKE Q&A...

Grandpa: Leonard! Get off that show and come visit me at once!

Theo: ...

Surrealish: Alright! That's it for tonight! We have to end the show here. Please show your love and support for our characters! See you soon! ;)

Crowd: Applause!!

********** _________ **********