Plans for the Academy

In the zoo, Ava, Daniel, and Nina were walking happily and having a very good time. Nina was tired and her feet were hurting from all the walking and running, so Daniel picked her up and started to walk as she curiously watched the animals. Ava was walking a bit slowly behind them.

The moment she walked out on Oliver, her heart was a mess. She has been distracted and lost in her own world. Ava turned back but she couldn't see Oliver and his son, which was expected but still she didn't know why she was disappointed. Was she expecting him to follow her? That would be crazy. She was the one who has always been running away from him then why would she want him to follow her?

Daniel was walking holding Nina in his arm and talking to her, he didn't notice Ava was far behind them. He turned to say something to Ava when he saw she was walking a little distracted. He stopped and asked Ava with a gentle smile on his face, "Ava, are you tired? We can take a short break if you want." Ava's face was covered in haze. Daniel could tell just by looking at her that the little encounter with Oliver and his son was bothering Ava. However, like the patient man he was, he didn't ask anything.

Ava suddenly started to feel very dizzy, She looked at Daniel and said, "Danny, I am not feeling well, let's go back today. We will come back another day." Ava rubbed her head she was having a light headache. She has been suffering from this weakness and headaches for a while now, it has started after the accident three years ago.

Daniel was aware of Ava's health condition, she couldn't tolerate heat for long. Either she would get heatstroke and faint if she stayed under the direct sun or she will get terrible headaches. That's why when they were in the US, he wouldn't let Ava go out on any hot summer day.

"OK, let's go home." Daniel took Ava's hand in one hand and still holding Nina in his arm, he led them to the car.

As soon as they all got in the car, Nina asked anxiously, "Mommy, are you ok?"

"Mommy is okay, sweetie. "Ava smiled lightly.

Daniel turned on the air conditioner and Ava instantly felt better. The hot sun was making her dizzy but her heart was in chaos seeing Oliver and his son. She didn't know why she was feeling this grief deep inside her, she was feeling suffocated. Ava leaned on her seat and closed her eyes for a while. When the dizziness was gone she opened her eyes and looked at the handsome man in the driving seat. She said in a gentle voice, Thank you."

Daniel smiled and asked, "Feeling better now?"

Ava nodded and said, "A lot better. Danny, have you found any Piano teacher?"

"Well, yes a few actually with good Piano knowledge and over ten years of experience," Daniel replied solemnly.

Ava has always been interested to open her own Piano academy. It was her dream since she was a child to find talented children and train them to be professional Pianists. There were so many talented musicians who never get a chance to show their talent, Ava wanted to find them and bring them in front of the whole world. She didn't want to do it for money, she just wanted to give equal opportunity to every talented student.

Daniel and she have been already working on her dream for a while. They have planned to appoint some teachers who will teach the students every day and every Sunday she will take a free special class. She wanted to help the piano industry to grow more.

"Why are we looking for the experienced one only? We could find some fresh ones too, don't you think."

"Yes we can but I think to teach piano you need a lot of patience, and only experienced teachers could have that with years of practice."

"Danny, don't look down on the fresh people just because they don't have a lot of experience." Ava joked.

"I am not but young pianists are more interested in a career as a musician rather than being a teacher. How many fresh pianists do you think you will find who is actually interested to teach others?" Daniel asked thoughtfully as he drove the car steadily.

Ava thought about it carefully, and realize what Daniel said was true, she never thought so deeply. In some cases, Ava was really impulsive but Daniel would think very deeply and consider everything. That's why he was such a successful businessman. Ava once again admired Daniel for being so insightful.

When they got home, it was a little past lunch time so the family had lunch together then Ava asked sister Li to give Nina a bath and put her for an afternoon nap. Ava and Daniel went to the study to discuss more about the Academy. They are planning to inaugurate the Academy by next week, so they have very little time to finalize the Piano teachers.

Daniel pulled out a confidential file from his drawer and handed it to Ava "These five teachers I have found are the best so far among all the resumes we found. They have an outstanding reputation around the city and they are very experienced. I have already met them personally and interviewed them once. If you want I can arrange for another interview so that you can make up your mind."

Ava heard Daniel and look through the file. She was very impressed; indeed the people Daniel chose were the best. "No need for any more interviews, I can see the profiles you have chosen are the best. Danny, your eyes are really good. Thanks" Ava said with a bright smile.

"I've always had a good eye, you just didn't know it." Daniel joked but his eyes were looking at Ava intensely.

"Who said that? I already know." Ava put down the file and looked at Daniel when she noticed Daniel's intense stare. Ava's heart missed a beat.

"Ava, do you still love him? Seeing him, is it making things difficult for you?" Daniel suddenly came to Ava and asked hesitantly.

Daniel and Ava have been together for the past three years, they were married for two years but Daniel knew Ava didn't regard him as her husband, she still take him as a friend. But Daniel was tired of that. He has been waiting for her for years, he hoped she will give him a chance but she was still in the same place. Daniel has been patient all these years but after coming back his patients seem to wear off. He wanted to validate their relationship and become a real husband and wife.