Chapter 136
How could a place on stage not be the best seat?” Ruth stood behind Serena, admiring how he soft gold gown complemented her.
With a gentle touch, she ran her fingers through Serena’s sleek black hair. “How about some urls?”
efore Serena could respond, Ruth had already called over the stylists and said, “Serena’s look too plain. When the stage lights hit, her makeup will be completely washed out. She has such reat features. You’d better make sure she looks stunning.”
he two stylists perked up with excitement.
Ioments later, Serena walked out with effortless grace. Her long, cascading hair had been yled into soft waves, accentuating her delicate features, while her makeup enhanced her riking facial contours. As she lifted her beautiful eyes and offered a gentle smile, she looked ke a masterpiece straight out of a classic painting.
How do I look?” she asked.
Absolutely perfect! Babe, if you’re willing to step into the spotlight, I could turn you into a iperstar in no time,” Ruth praised without hesitation.
erena tilted her head slightly as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. It had been a long me since she had worn makeup for the stage.
er time with Zach seemed to have made her forget so much–the faint vibrations in her ears hen she played the violin and the subtle sounds of the piano keys as her fingers pressed
Own.
ut now, dressed in an elegant performance gown, those long–lost notes drifted back to her, lling her with an unexpected calm.
Oh, and here’s the mask you requested,” Ruth said as she handed a mask to her.
rena softly thanked her and placed it over her face.
uth led her through the dimly lit backstage area. As she stepped onto the curtain–shielded age, a flood of bright light illuminated her. She took her seat gracefully, just like old times.
st then, someone nearby whispered, “Ugh, my stomach hurts.”
erena followed the voice and saw that the bass violinist was feeling unwell.
You won’t be needed until the second half. Go rest for now and come back in from the back ter,” Ruth instructed calmly.
o one took that minor incident too seriously.
As the curtain lifted and the vocal performance began, Serena’s gaze swept across the audience. Familiar yet unfamiliar faces emerged, and her heartbeat synchronized with the rhythm of the drums. Her long fingers descended, and the sound of the piano flowed like a gentle stream, cascading into the hearts of those listening.
“That’s a new pianist,” Wendy muttered under her breath.
Zach’s eyes lingered on the piano and then on the woman sitting at it. A strange sense of familiarity washed over him as if it were Serena However, the next second, he dismissed the thought.
Serena would never step onto a stage. It had been so long since she last performed.
Furthermore, that was an internationally renowned orchestra’s performance. There was no way she would be there.
At that moment, Wendy turned her attention to Ruth–the woman who had been with Serena at the cafe, ridiculing her. She had seen Ruth from upstairs that day and caught a glimpse of her as she took off her mask while getting into the car. Even with just half her face visible,
there was no doubt.
She muttered, “How could someone like her deserve a place in the Luna Orchestra?”
Just then, a hushed voice rose from the crowd. “Wait. Isn’t that Mr. Larson?”
Instantly, all eyes turned in unison.
Serena caught sight of the disturbance and looked in its direction. Through the sea of audience members, her eyes locked with Hugh’s.
He stood at the entrance, and his calm gaze landed on her immediately.
At that moment, Serena felt as if he could see right through bl
eyes and nearly struck the wrong note.
Their eyes met for only a fleeting moment.
She instinctively averted her
Hugh’s gaze lingered on Serena before he silently took his seat as if nothing had happened. Yet, his eyes never once left her.
As the piec
ached its midpoint, the violinist was still nowhere to be seen.
A bad feeling crept into Ruth’s heart, and the other musicians had no solution. Gritting her teeth, she blinked repeatedly at Serena in desperation during the brief interlude.
