Chapter 54 - Ch. 54 Something Is Missing

In one of the largest theaters in New York City, an orchestra is playing a masterpiece grandly. However, the conductor was not satisfied with their training results, so he told them to rest before starting again.

The conductor approached Kaylee, who was still sitting on the piano chair while watching the song's music sheet. Just like the conductor, Avan, Kaylee felt that something was missing from this song.

"Roe, what do you think of our recital just now?"

"I think it's pretty amazing," answered Kaylee politely. "But... I feel that something is missing."

Avan snapped his fingers delightedly that his pianist was thinking the same thing as him.

"Exactly. I also feel it, but I can't find any flaw at all. The strings sound perfect, and there was no fals voice, so were the brass players. Their breathing matches the rhythm of the strings' melody, and the tempo also stable. So what's the missing piece?"

Kaylee also thought the same thing and did not know the fault of this masterpiece entitled Wonderful Day.

After scrutinizing every note in her sheet book, Kaylee still couldn't find what was missing. She was still too busy looking for this unknown something missing, so she didn't realize that someone had arrived and entered the practice room secretly.

"All right, it's half-past seven now. Let's repeat this song one more time." all musicians approved the suggestion of the conductor, and each one returned to their respective seats.

After the string players were ready with their instruments as well as the brass players, the conductor raised his hands. After turning to Kaylee to give a signal, Avan lowered his hands, followed by a majestic brass sound as the song's opening.

As Kaylee expected, all the NYA players were professional players and were the best in their respective fields. The way they played the instruments and the stable tempo were so perfect that it's hard to find fault.

But… Kaylee still felt something was missing. She even was not satisfied with herself playing the piano.

Really… what's wrong with all of them? Or perhaps, there's something wrong with the song?

After playing Wonderful Day, which lasted nearly thirty minutes, the conductor decided to end their practice.

Each of them tidied up their own instruments except Kaylee because she didn't have to fix the piano as it would be staying in this room. Instead, Kaylee looked back at the sheet music scores with a probing and questioningly looked.

She was too engrossed in her search to notice that her group members were whispering about someone to catch the conductor's attention. Avan was puzzled by the sight of his orchestra members staring at a corner of this practice room.

When the man in his late thirties turned his head towards the target, his pair of eyes were wide opened.

Isn't that person Declan Black? What are the RSH pianists doing here? Did he come here to spy on their practice?

After all, it's December, and in three months there will be a competition for the position of the best orchestra in the country.

He did not expect that the RSH orchestra was playing dirty so openly.

But why did that man look closely at his pianist? He couldn't possibly want to recruit his best pianist in the world, right?

"Pst... pst..." Avan called Kaylee in a low voice like a whisper to break the girl's reverie. "Roe... Roe!"

Only when Avan called her a little bit louder, Kaylee tilted her head in confusion.

"Yes, sir Avan?"

"Take a look there. We have uninvited spies."

Ha? An uninvited spy?

Kaylee shifted her gaze in the conductor's direction, and her face flushed when she saw Declan smile at her while waving once to greet her.

Declan's small gesture made all of the NYA members, including Avan, gasped in shock. The whispers grew louder as if they didn't care whether Declan and Kaylee would hear them or not.

"The man greets Roe."

"Is it possible he came because of Roe?"

"You think they are dating?"

Kaylee suddenly felt her body being showered with dozens of curious eyes staring at her.

Nervous and trying her best to put on an expressionless face, Kaylee closed her sheet book and put it in her bag.

"Sir Avan, thank you for today, and see you next week." Kaylee immediately walked over to Declan and promptly invited the man to get out of this practice room.

Declan could barely contain his laughter when he saw the blush all over Kaylee's face.

As soon as the two of them exited the room and the practice room door closed tightly, the atmosphere inside became excited.

"They are dating?!"

"Geez! Who would have thought the silent Ice Queen Roe ended up hooking up a man one day?"

"Hmph! They are like Romeo and Juliet." quipped Avan, seemed not to like seeing Roe's closeness to his rival's pianist.

"Aiya, sir Avan. Our two orchestra groups are not hostile to each other until they bleed. Don't pray that the two of them have a tragic romance like that fictional character."

Well, the truth was that Avan doesn't mind if Declan and Roe were seeing each other. But he was annoyed that the rival's pianist had listened to their practice.

The man must have laughed at their unsatisfactory performance, which made Avan very upset, especially when he realized that Declan Black tried to hold back his laughter.

Little did he know, Declan was holding back his laughter because of his innocent lover's funny behavior and not laughing at his orchestra group play.

As soon as the two arrived at the theater's main door, Kaylee stopped walking and turned towards Declan.

"Why didn't you tell me that you arrive?"

"I don't want to interfere with your practice. Besides, I love watching you play the piano."

Here we come, another praise attack that made her heart jumped out of its place. Kaylee lowered her head in a shy manner, making Declan want to tease her by also lowering his head to see her face.

"You don't need to feel embarrassed every time you hear my compliment. Because I like you more and fell in love all over again every time I see you."

Kaylee bit her lip as she glanced at Declan, who smiled broadly at her, making the poor bunny unable to breathe.

She did not know that this man could smile broadly like this. Isn't this guy usually very stingy with a smile?

But as soon as this man smiled at her, Kaylee felt that someone had stolen her breath.

"Come on, let's go before it gets too late," urged Declan while holding her hand.

She didn't know why, but it seemed that man couldn't live without holding her hand, and for some reason, Kaylee was getting used to his touch, so she didn't mind every time he grasped her hand without her permission.

It's just… is it normal for an ordinary friend to hold hands? Could it be that this man thought of her as his lover?

Kaylee wanted to ask, but she was afraid to hear the answer. No. She didn't even know what kind of answer she wanted to hear.

Kaylee was oblivious of what her heart wanted, but she knew she had absolutely nothing against him touching her skin. Whether when holding hands, or when the man gently stroked the top of her head, or when the man kissed the back of her hand, Kaylee couldn't find herself hating all the man's gentle touch.

Declan invited her to have a quick dinner at one of the restaurants, and it was after ordering their food that Kaylee opened her mouth to speak.

Only, she couldn't ask about their ambiguous relationship, so she decided to ask another question.

"Did you hear our practice?"

"I did."

"What do you think?"

"You want to ask my opinion regarding your orchestra group play or your performance?"

"Eh? Didn't I play together with the group?"

"It is true. But my eyes and ears only see and hear your play."

Kaylee nearly choked on her saliva and tried to clear her throat a few times to calm her beating heart.

"Have you been looking for sweet words on the internet lately? You're getting better at uttering those cheesy lines," muttered Kaylee while lowering her head.

Declan chuckled at this. "I just say what's on my mind. I don't find it cheesy. But, if you do ask for my opinion regarding your group, something is missing from your performance."

Exactly. That's what Kaylee thought and wanted to know what other people like Declan thought about their recital rehearsal. Kaylee wanted to ask, but she didn't know if Declan was willing to give a suggestion to his rival group.

However, Declan proved her wrong. The man startled her by continuing his sentence.

"You are too perfect, and you have no soul in your performance. Even you were overthinking in the middle of play so that the sound you produce sounded dull."

"…" This is the first time someone has criticized her playing.

What would Kaylee's reaction be like?