Chapter—8 [Lesson]

  'Melt My heart with your tears ' 

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"Seyong-ssi! Here!" Lucy fluttered her hands to grab her best friend's attention. Seyong glanced at her best friend and found Lucy waiting for her with Sana. 

"Lucy-ya sorry for being late, I was just helping Mrs. Catherine," Seyong said as sit down in her usual spot, which is beside Lucy. 

"It's fine Seyong-ssi come" Lucy pulled out a seat for Seyong who smiles and sat beside her best friend. 

" So Sana, you're from Japan?" Lucy asked while placing the special vegan sandwiches on Seyong's plate. 

Sana nods with a smile. "Yes, my family used to be in Japan but Dad wanted to open his new bistro in Calsodonia with Lee so we moved out," she explains. 

Seyong listens to the pairs and bites down a mouthful of her sandwich.

"Wait, your Dad also has restaurants like Jea Youn's family?" 

Sana smiled wide. "Yes, Lee and Aihara are close friends even though our parents have a proposal for our wedding. " 

This recent term of information make Seyong choke on her sandwich, and she gasped for air. Lucy is way more bewildered than her best friend. She pats her back. "Seyong-ssi be careful with the food." scolds her softly. Seyong nods and gulps some water, 

" Seyong you okay?" Sana inquires

Seyong cleared her throat, swallowing a lump of water. "Yeah I'm good, " she assured, "you were talking about the proposal?" 

"Oh well, it's true. One day I and Jea Youn will get married... " 

Lucy's coughs impede Sana from saying anything. "Don't you think it's too early for marriage?" 

"No,  it's not like we are getting married right now. We have time. We have life goals " 

"But what if you find someone else?" 

Sana frowns an eyebrow. "Someone else?" 

Lucy peeked at Seyong who didn't dare to look up, she was silently munching her sandwich. She doesn't  understand why Lucy is pushing so much on this topic it's too personal to ask

"Yeah, like you would meet new people in life, what if you fall for someone...else?" 

It was a simple question, the answer should be no, Sana thought for a second. Her eyes met Lucy's. She tightens her grip on the fork until her knuckles turn white. "I won't," she states. Twirling her gaze to Seyong 'I can't.' She muttered under her breath instructing herself. 

For a brief time, the lunch table drops tight-lipped. Now Lucy regrets, she recognizes the marriage topic is maybe a little too much for both pairs. "That's good to know.  you seem close to your Dad. " 

This query made Sana chuckle lightly. "Of course. I'm close to both of my parents but Dad and I. We're like friends. Hence he is busy with his bistro but still, on my weekend he never fails to spend time with me. We go for movies and sometimes gaming nights  " 

Seyong looked up, she had finished eating. "You're lucky," she whispered. Thinking Sana won't hear 

Nonetheless, Sana did heed it loud and clear. "Why? You're also lucky I bet you are likewise close to your Dad." 

Seyong didn't say anything. She clutches her uniform. Her sights stare at the empty plates. If she thinks about being close to her father. She mostly recalled the time when her father spent with her Not telling her how unworthy she is, and how much money he has squandered on her but never gets a useful outcome. She nervously rubs her palms against her skirt. 

Lucy sees Seyong is getting tense at the question. She holds Seyong's hands and strokes. Instead of her best friend, she puts a smile on her face and replies. "Of course she is. Uncle Chao is a very good father. Sometimes he makes sure Seyong doesn't go to her dorm so she can stay home ." that's it. She can't lie much more than this at least this statement was enough for Sana not to notice the tense girl beside her. 

"Aww, he seems sweet ". 

Lucy snorts. 'Only if you know the truth '. 

Sana glimpsed at Seyong, who is less tense now " Seyong what about Mother?" 

The only thing Lucy wanted to say to Sana's face right now was. 'Stop! Asking her about her parents! Damm why did I bring it up?'

" Sana!" Jea Youn called out for his girlfriend softly 

"Jea Youn, " 

'Save by the bell' Lucy cheered in her mind and smiled. "Your boyfriend is here so see you  later" 

Sana turns to her boyfriend and waved her hands. "You guys wanna join us? We are going to dance class. I had given my name for the talent event. "  

Lucy grinned. "Sure. Are you guys performing as a couple?" She implores.  

Sana shakes her head. "No. There is a girl named Danny who said they'll perform as a group together. I wanted to join them, But she said their leader might want to see some of my dancing skills first. " 

Right, Lucy recalls now how yesterday at the dance class Danny was cheering everyone about a new member. she smirks "Well can't wait to see what you got Aihara ". 

Sana stared confused. "Sure? " 

"One more thing about  the leader is that she doesn't  like it when someone comes late so you better hurry!" 

"O-okay. I will head out now see ya " Sana nervously  rushed to Jea Youn 

Seyong glanced at her best friend. Lucy scowls and gives her a look. "Oh come on Seyong-ssi. She would know the truth soon ". 

Seyong rolls her eyes knowing how waggish her best friend can be sometimes. Lucy didn't tell Sana about the group she wanted to join. 

Hwang Lucy is the leader. 

Lucy entangles their hands together and carries Seyong's bags.  " Let's go," she smiled.

Bypassing the cafeteria the pairs walk the Southeast campuses, passing the other students. But before they could go to the dance class Seyong paused 'Shoot my journal!'. At last, she remembered. 

"Lucy-ya I forgot to take my books. I have to go to the locker room. "

"It's fine. Let's go together. " 

Near the Locker room, Seyong gets her books, and her precious journal, a smile lit up on her heart-shaped lips. 'Glory to  God No one has seen it. But When she was about to close her locker something dropped on her sneakers, a small white folded paper. Bending down a little she holds the paper, and unfolds it. 

                ‹ At the Theatre Now, don't be late.

                                                                -A›

The rigorous statements with elegant handwriting make Seyong frown. Confused perhaps 'Who put this here? No, how did someone open my locker?'. Lavender aroma forge smeared Her cogitations muddled, 'A?'.

Thankfully it only takes two seconds for her to know who is ' A'.  Her senses heightened, raising her heart boomed in its cage 

'The lesson! I'm late. How long has it been here ?'My journal did she..!'  So many thoughts and questions are plunging together. 

She goes outside where Lucy was waiting for her  leaning her back against the concrete fence "Lucy-ya!"

"Seyong-ssi what is it?"  Lucy's eyes fall on Seyong's hand whither she had gripped a small paper 

"I have to go." 

Lucy let out a deep breath calming her nerves from cursing the cold bitch who is taking away her best friend. "It's her?" Seyong nods. "Do you want me to come with you?" 

"It's fine Lucy-ya I can take care of it " 

Lucy came closer to Seyong and caressed her cheeks. "Seyong-ssi, whatever seduction shit she tries to teach you or try to do anything you don't wish, don't hesitate to kick her ass because if you don't," lightly squeezing her best friend's cheeks. "I will do it by myself," she confirmed

Seyong groans at her best friend and rubs her cheeks. Lucy did pinch a little too hard. "I know Lucy-ya!" 

Lucy chuckled and placed a kiss on her cheeks. "There you go.is it better now Honey"?

Seyong pouts but laughs as well. "It is. I will see you later. " leaving towards the theatre hall. When she was going she could hear her best friend cheering behind her. "Don't forget to kick her asses!". 

After getting out of the campus; walking on...running almost tripping on her feet bumping against the other students, keeping apologizing for her sightless direction. She finally accomplished to arrive at the theatre, smiling in victory and applauding herself for her sanity.

The theatre hall of Wilmington University is exceptionally used for a particular occasion and as the talent event would start soon so it's open for practice. huffing for air in her windpipes Seyong calms herself 'Okay, Chao Seyong you can do it! '. sparsely she knocks on the door and waits for any hint of permission, maybe a faint 'Come In '. 

When she didn't hear anything, sighing she opened the door. Her eyes wandered around the theatre hall, but there was no one, in the end, she arrived before the Queen Bee either Her Master.  

The hall is enormous enough to accommodate all the students under the same roof. not knowing what she should do. the younger walked around. Her bizarre eyes twirl, delighted by the decor. Soon her gaze occurred on the lavish Model 290 Imperial piano manufactured by the Bösendorfer. 

She stands flabbergasted, fortuitously her feet move forward upstairs to the middle of the stage, where the piano is placed. The piano is her mother's prior passion. Well, not only her mother but her too. Her mother was a pianist.

Since she was a kid until her mother left her Seyong always watches her mother practice; playing the keyboards, making songs humming with the melodies, teaching her chords, and laughing together when she would make a misstep, but still facilitating her not to give up. 

Closing her eyes Seyong inferred how it would feel if she were the one performing in front of the others, how it would feel when they cheered for her, clapping their hands. Though, she only can imagine it because her father doesn't like the piano.

She thinks back to the time when her mother left the house and her father was in a rage. He didn't think twice before taking out his iron golf stick, smashing the keyboards, not hearing the pleading wails of his daughter. He did look at her after smashing the piano and her dreams, with disdain just to say. 'Never In your Life, Yong don't you Dare to think about Mother!'

Tearing her stare from the piano she glimpses at the door 'No... no one is here. Can I? Should I? 

Breathing heavily the Younger sat down at the piano bench, laying her bag down. Her hands hesitantly moved over the keys playing an extrinsic hymn. She grinned ear to ear, taking her spectacles off, she placed them on the stretcher bar. 

Shutting her eyes she moves her fingers again but with the familiarity of the cords. In the silence of the theatre hall, the audible notes of the key cords filled her ears. She continues to play until her hands get drained. Opening her eyes, and cracking her knuckles, she places her hands by her side with a smile 

" Don't stop. " 

The most alluring voice of Seyong's dreams sent a chill down her spine. She recognises it yet didn't dare to turn around; her body is frozen solid, muscles harden, legs shivering in fear 

"I said don't stop. " 

Again, but this time the tone of voice is altered from calm to demanding, dominating...impatient. Her hands loosen and reach for the keys. She plays the cords but mixtures of the wrong notes 

"Correct it. " 

The voice instructed sternly as she acquainted with trembling hands. Seyong barely has control over her body right now even if she tries her best to play she can't because her heart and mind are hazy in fear. She just gets caught, and her secret is known to someone, or worse her secret is known to the Queen Bee. 

However, Ariana didn't expect this from the younger, yes she was late because the teachers were instructing them and the other monitors.

She was exhausted for a second. She assumes the younger won't come to the theatre hall, yet she did appear, and not only appear but she found herself mesmerized by this little piano performance. Ariana could sense the anticipation within the younger 'Interesting. Very. Interesting.' 

she tilt her head smirked and swayed closer to the younger, holding both Seyong's shoulders in a firm grip making the younger stop her trembling movements  

Leaning down closer to her ear. "Clam down Chao Seyong, " gently whispers.  "This is your lesson, " brushing her hair behind. "How can you seduce someone if you get distracted by others' presence, " scolded softly. Her hands caress the younger shoulders. "Don't let my presence distract you," she orders, pulling herself from the younger stand beside her 

Seyong didn't know if it was the Queen Bee's order or the gentleness of her tone but her nerves calmed down, and her fear ceased. Still, she could feel absurd eyes mended on her. Plucking up herself she gathered her thoughts 

'This is the lesson you can do it 'She begins to play the notes of 'Primavera' by Sir Einaudi.

The song that always makes her recall memories :

"Mommy!"  Little Seyong cheered for her mother, earning a chuckle from her. Her mother gives a sign for her to come in. "Mommy it's not fair you always play alone " little Seyong grumbles  

Her mother smiled. " Honey come". She held Seyong's waist and made her sit down on her lap. "See now you can play with Mommy too".

Little Seyong smiled greatly and tried to reach the keyboards with her tiny hands but couldn't. It was a little far for her. So her mother moves closer. Seyong looks over her shoulders ." Come on Honey you can do it. Don't let my presence distract you. "

The little girl nods and hits her fingers over the keys but instead of a delightful song, there were only loud chords tapping sounds they were malicious to hear. She glanced at her mother and pouted. "I can never play like you Mommy. " she sniffs "I-I c...-can't do it" 

Her mother cares for her head." Oh My Yong Honey no one learns in one day practice makes everyone perfect, " slowly she wipes the tears. "One day you will play better than Mommy in front of everyone and they will cheer for you. " 

"Really?" 

Her mother grinned. "Of course and for now how about you help Mommy with a song?" She asks 

Little Seyong's cheeks flushed red. "Sure, but what is the name ?" 

"Hmm, the name is…Primavera.''

Ariana frowned her brows watching the teardrops sliding from the younger lower eyelid down to her cheeks,  who was playing the piano with closed eyes. She goes close to her only leaving a small gap to pass the air 

"Chao Seyong?" Seyong jolted from the call. She looks beside her where the Queen Bee is staring at her in amusement. 

For a second time, Seyong did something that would be her worst mistake. She wraps her hands around the Queen Bee's waist, resting her head over the elder's stomach. Implied with the fact that the Queen Bee would probably push her away right now and slap her for this or worse...nonetheless, she did it.

Ariana is still bemused from the sudden warmth, she doesn't like the physical affection. Nevertheless, here she is letting the younger clutches her. like her whole life depends on the elder. Not to mention Seyong's grip is tight.

Bringing one hand on the Younger's head she caresses her soft smooth hair. Her other hand draws an orbit around the younger back. She could hear the  small whimpers stop with her soothing touches 

"Let go Chao Seyong, " Ariana ordered 

The sudden change of mood makes Seyong whimper again mentally, she doesn't want to leave the warmth. But she pulled back to meet those Almond hazel orbs, they were a darker shade within them, looking at her with  An emotion that Seyong never saw in the Queen Bee anger...no it wasn't anger. 

She takes out an elegant delicate handkerchief from her blazer pocket and wipes those tears from the younger. Seyong let the Queen Bee do her slight motions. "I... I'm sorry, m-Master". 

Ariana hums. "It's fine, " she shrugged. "just don't touch me again without my permission" 

"Okay" 

"Here, take this " mentioning the handkerchief she edict. Cautiously Seyong hold the cloth, their fingers flickering jointly 

"I think you have enough lessons today .so... Leave." 

Seyong looked at her perplexed,' is this what seduction lesson means?' She asked herself 

"Leave. Chao Seyong. "

That's it. There's no way Seyong is asking this question to the Queen Bee. Nodding her head, bowing down getting her things, her spectacles she jogs outside 

Ariana looked at the back of the Younger. Sitting down on the piano bench. She brought her hand to her chest. Her heart is breathing heavily 'Chao Seyong what the Fucking Hell you're doing to me! ' 

Surely, Seyong didn't predict her best friend would arrive at her dorm door in the night wearing her Pikachu onesie while holding a pillow in her arms. "Are you going keep looking at me or let me in " 

Seyong cracked up a smile. " Of course how can I say no? " 

Lucy grinned and plopped on the mattress, tapping beside her. "Come on ". Seyong did the same, she indeed need a cuddle today. Maybe Lucy has seen how much her best friend didn't sleep on previous nights.  It's Lucy's friendly therapy to erase Seyong's anxieties. 

"Thank you Lucy-ya. " Seyong muttered holding her best friend drafting to sleep

At the Wang Kin estate on the balcony, Placing her legs on the coffee table wearing her robe Ariana watches the stars. Today was undoubtedly dramatic for her but no matter what happens in the daylight. The night is often similar...

Sleepless.