The Beautiful Pianist

. . .

Since it was already nighttime, they all headed to the hotel. Grandiose was flaunted all over the place.

Zeirenne gazed at the golden chandeliers above before noticing the wall-to-wall paintings. Just from a single glance, she knew Miura Takumi owned this hotel. The whole place showed his unique description of artistry and luxury.

Unlike the executives who requested to eat inside their own rooms, Zeirenne and her supportive doctor had to accompany Miura Takumi in his meal. They entered a huge dining hall with rows of tables meters apart from each other. In the middle, there was even a ballroom. The people eating inside wore extravagant clothing. But she didn't really notice the wardrobe—just the food.

To her demise, she sat in front of the table with an empty plate. Once again, she was left drooling over sumptuous feast served in front.

After guessing the situation, Dr. Gomez glared at her before trying to convince Miura Takumi, "I hope you won't find this wrong, Miura-dono. But if you really want Miss Lin to function at her best, then I recommend a proper meal."

Miura Takumi, who was in the middle of slicing his favorite raw and bloody steak, brought his gaze up to glare at Dr. Gomez. "Such a pesky doctor you are," he then turned his head towards Zeirenne who was pouting on her seat, "You..."

She rolled her eyes, gazing into the other side of the room without sparing Miura Takumi a glance, "What is it, Miura-san?"

Miura Takumi waved his knife before pointing something behind her. From her peripheral vision, she followed his knife's focus. There she saw a grand piano. With a professional pianist playing some Russian folksong, he blessed the hall with the subtle sounds of Russia.

"What do you want me to do? Make him stop? He's playing nicely though."

"Play that song for me."

Zeirenne furrowed her eyebrows, "That song? As in that one he's playing?" she scratched her nose, "Yes, sure. But can you spare me a minute? You might kill me if I sight-read the notes and mess up."

"No. You don't need practice. I'm talking about the song you were playing last night. Play it for me."

Jin raised his head from hearing this—intrigued by their conversation that was completely new to him. That he couldn't relate to what the two were talking about ticked him off. He accidentally clanged his fork on his plate. This caught Miura Takumi and Zeirenne's attention.

"Sorry," he mumbled before glaring at Zeirenne.

Her forehead creased with lines and her lips parted from an unspoken, "What?"

Miura Takumi tapped his plate with his fork to grab her attention once again. "If you play that for me, I'll let you eat."

Zeirenne contemplated for a while before standing up. She limped her way towards the pianist just to walk back to their table. "Can you ask him to stop for me? I don't know how to speak Russian," she said—or lied.

Miura Takumi snapped his fingers, and Willy did the task.

Everyone inside the fancy dining hall halted on their meals as the music stopped. All eyes were on Zeirenne as she sat in front of the piano. Jin, who had no idea what piece she'll be playing, was also in great anticipation. But when a familiar melody started echoing around the stained glass walls of this dining hall, lines started appearing on his forehead.

He darted his gaze on Miura Takumi who was too engrossed in watching Zeirenne play Librovien University's Hymm—Aux Diamants, or To The Diamonds.

He didn't appreciate the stares he was giving her, but the first thing he noticed was his attachment to the song itself. He asked the same question Zeirenne had in her mind.

"How does he know this song? Who in the world are you, Miura Takumi?"

The mouths that were supposed to chew on the delicious food inside the hall gaped admiringly at Zeirenne instead. Like a goddess playing such a melodious tone, she drew all their attention to herself.

After finishing her performance, the hall was in complete silence. Everyone had their mouths open. This beautiful pianist, however, was quick on her feet—as if she didn't sprain her left foot. She headed towards their table to fix herself. Prayed her thanks to the food before starting her meal.

Just when she was about to have her first bite, she was startled from the loud applause that reverberated around the hall. It was only then she took notice of all the eyes pinned at her. She groaned from being interrupted (adding the fact that she hated attention) before bobbing a half-curtsy in front of everyone.

The first bite was heavenly—but when she turned her head, she saw the devil instead.

"What? I played it for you. You said I may eat."

Miura Takumi wiped his mouth with the table napkin he later on threw down on his plate before walking out of the hall—Willy following him behind.

"What's his problem now, tsk."

Just when she was about to continue in satiating her hunger, a chill pricked through her skin. She turned her gaze towards Dr. Gomez, who obviously had Jin's terrifying stares. He was now, undoubtedly, Jin.

"You have a problem with me too?"

"What happened last night?"

Zeirenne furrowed her brows, but her hands continued on stuffing her mouth, "What do you mean 'what happened?' What kind of conclusion did your genius mind make up in a short while?"

"How does he know that song? The way he spoke earlier sounds as if there had been a confrontation between you two last night," he gripped his knife tightly, "Did you sprain your ankle from that?"

Zeirenne had her eyes rounded from this. Just after shallowing her food, she gulped. There's no way she'd let Jin take her away from that place. But once he's mad, her chances of winning against him becomes slim. If he decides on using brute force just to take her out, no matter how many bodies he'll step into, he'll definitely succeed.

"Uhm... "

"Don't lie to me, Zeirenne Lynn," he said, enough to make her shiver, "Did he, or did he not cause you that injury?"

Zeirenne bit her lips. She closed her eyes in surrender before muttering, "He did..."

"That's it... I'm taking you out of this place."

. . .