NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18: Chapter Eighteen
Sophia mocked her previous self. She had struggled so hard, worried and worked like there was no tomorrow because her family said that there was no tomorrow. She spent every moment thinking about them, worrying and trying her d*mned best to support them. And what happened in the end? She was just making a pretty nest for someone else to live. That did not hurt as much as her own family pushing her to abyss and forgetting her.
What's the use of thinking such things? Even if others had mocked her in the face, she would have still remained in the party, pretending as if she didn't realise their meanings. To her, her shame was not worth a tear. Tantamount was her family.
What a pathetic loser she was in her previous life.
Sophia tried hard to come out of her monologue. It was becoming very difficult to not retch in presence of family or breakout in hives. And inspite of her trying, she would remember the past she wanted to forget.
Fine, she was not a Hart. Alright, they used her to the limit to help the real daughter of the family. Go on. Get over it.
Party was on full swing with chief guest doing her best to help the charity. Oh, now she was meeting Nicole and Harts now.
Yes, Nicole had come to attend the concert to show her support for Adam Arlov. But she didn't live music, so she had bypassed that, though she had purchased the seats, and entered party directly. Would a prodigy like Adam Arlov will look for her in the audience? So a small white lie that she was there and listened to his amazing music would be enough.
Nicole had come here solely to show her support to Adam Arlov. Meeting Lexia Windsor was an afterthought, an entirely delightful surprise. Other than her family, she didn't like to mingle with others. None of the families here could help her or her kids. Why should she be gracious towards them? Then again, many people in affluent community made cliques based on similar thoughts. She was not that special to think that way.
Adam Arlov was trying his best to not to be a show off. He didn't dare to. Atleast till Ms Lexia was present. Being humble and modest was so tedious and hard work. But Conte had warned him that he could not longer be as before - brash, unapologetic and overbearing. And Conte was his support using which he was all that. So, he tucked his tail, closed his glossy feathers and tried to be demure. It didn't help that many ladies were eyeing him to climb up the ladder or just to have fun.
Adam Arlov was a sight to eyes. His dreamy eyes, that high brushed hair, those sexy lips, those sharp cheek bones, that arrogantly jutting chin, that tall body covered in custom made fitted white tuxedo with red tie...ah, no wonder ladies were tempted. Even few men were tempted. He would be a real heartbreaker in few years. If he grows into his title of prince of piano, there would no stoppinghim.
However, Adam was having a small existential crisis. Even with trying his best, Adam felt he was losing. He was always self assured and super confident about his piano skills. But few of the performances made him sit straight. It showed him he was still lacking. And he didn't like that feeling at all. In other times, he would have drowned that voice in a bottle of champagne but here, now...it was stiffling. How do other people cope with such feelings?
As he could not act on his basic instincts, he slowly moved towards one end of the hall where most of the academy students had congregated.
Ms Evans was giving few tips. This old hag is good, he thought but he smiled and raised his champagne glass to toast her.
"Ms Evans, it was a spectacular concert. Only you could have pulled off getting so many great players together to create a wonderful symphony."
"Thank you, Adam. You were good too. Your piece of Wrenden's party was really lively and uplifting. I couldn't help but tap my feet to the music."
Adam nodded. Yes, he was very good. This lady had good taste. Okay, he will forgive her for stipulating that his piece should be short and concise.
"I wonder if you met Ms Hailey before?" Ms Evans continued. That single sentence to praise him was too much actually. One of the girls in the background stepped forward to shake hands with Adam.
Hailey was perfect conture for Adam Arlov. Why? Because she was good, good enough to have independent concerts. And she had pedigree better than Adam. She was beloved daughter in family of Hamiltons and her maternal family owned the fashion house of So-Me. And there was not a single praise of her being a Princess of piano anywhere. And she didn't pull strings to come and play in today's concert.
Adam Arlov was not bright enough to feel the slap. He thought he was being introduced to a nice piano student, who was also good looking. Ish! Looks like Adam's family has to baby him for some more time before he is released into society.
Hailey did not disillusion the boy. She was not that free to do good service to the society. And she had handled even worse men than Adam here with ease.
Adam just went on praising her. Her beauty, her charm, her poise. Hailey might have been impressed with his knowledge of old works if not for few things. One- he pretended he thought of those things, he didn't copy it from a person who had died centuries before. Two- he was so narsissistic that he had to praise himself, put himself in higher position every few sentences. Grow up! You are even worse than me and I haven't started working or showing off the talents yet. How great can you be?
This was too much. Hailey decided to bail. She respected Ms Evans but not enough to listen to ....this. Hailey pretended she saw a friend and escaped.