Previously, at First Class University Gardens...
...
"Darling!... Congratulations!" Lisa hugged her beloved James with genuine excitement.
He flashed a charming smile that ended too quickly.
The hug also ended a bit too quickly for Lisa. James virtually unlaced her fingers from around his neck and pulled her hands down.
"What's wrong my love?", she asked.
...
"Uhh Lisa, I called you here to let you know that we can't really hang around together in public anymore...", James started.
Lisa's face wrinkled.
"What now?", she asked wondering if she had imagined the BS he just said.
"Uhh... you know, I've been signed by Star Entertainment and my manager says I need to form more resourceful alliances now to boost my fame. I can't have you weighing me down... His words not mine...", he explained.
Lisa was dumbfounded for a moment...
Then she found her voice.
"Weighing you down? If anything, my support helped you get this far. I wrote the song for your audition remember?", she reminded him.
"Yeah, about that... Star Entertainment just assumed I wrote the song. I'll clarify that later and make them give you credit ok?... And I'm not trying to cut you off or anything. We can still be friends. We can still hang out secretly... in my room..., write songs together... you know..."
Lisa couldn't believe her ears. Where did her kind, tender and loving James disappear to?
"But, -but what about the engagement? We're to be married once I'm 24... You-", Lisa stuttered a little from shock.
"I'm sorry Lisa, but I can't imagine that happening anytime soon. There's just a lot going on you know?... And I don't think my contract with Star Entertainment would allow the marriage...", James replied casually.
Lisa's heart shattered to a million pieces.
"So what you're saying is that now that you've become a star with my song, I'm no longer good enough for you?" Lisa could feel intense anger rising within her.
James immediately got defensive.
"No Lisa. Don't say that. Don't be unfair to me. Don't make me out to be an insensitive b*stard. You know I love you. I'm just telling you what Star Entertainment requires of me."
Lisa shook her head.
"Unbelievable.", she muttered under her breath, unwilling to hear any more crap.
"I've had quite enough. Where's my songbook? I want it back.", she demanded with arms folded.
James took a deep breath...
"I'll give it to you later. You know I will. I know how important your music is to you...
Don't worry about the song either. My manager is on it. I'll make sure they give you credit. I promise." he added.
Lisa wasn't buying it. She analysed James in her thoughts.
'I'm not stupid. I know he used me. I know this is a clear breakup. I know he has no intention to let me get credit for my song. I also know he's talking about a secret friendship because he needs me to keep supporting him, to write songs for him, to sleep with him!', Lisa thought completely disgusted.
"How could you James? I gave you my heart. I gave you everything.", tears welled up in her eyes.
"Hey! This isn't my fault. Our statuses' don't match right now. Simply put, you're a nobody. You know your family background is average. Your father's business empire collapsed after his death. You know how sensitive that topic is. The tabloids will make your family out to be failures if you keep hanging around me... Be reasonable. I'm protecting you as well.", James countered deceptively.
"Oh wow! So you're doing me a favour?", Lisa's anger hit the roof.
"No, Lisa I-", James reached out to hug Lisa.
"Don't touch me! Don't you dare!", she yelled, smacking away his filthy hands.
She snapped.
"You're cruel, James! You heartless b*stard! We're over! The marriage is off! Steer clear of me forever!", Lisa stated clearly, then turned around and stormed off.
James was stunned.
"Don't you dare speak to me in that tone! You will respect me! And you can't break up with me, I'm the one breaking up with you!", he called at her back.
"Ugh! I said it first James! Get out of my life!" Lisa called back at him, still storming out of the gardens in anger.
"F****ck You!", she screamed, holding up the middle finger.
...
The moment she left the gardens, all her anger turned into pain and devastation.
The hot tears she had been restraining broke free, running uncontrollably.
The gully in her stomach deepened, killing all the pretty butterflies.
The huge ball of pain in her throat wouldn't let her speak or swallow or even breathe.
'D*mn you James.'
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...
Lisa's weeping frame crouched behind the door of First Class University's music hall. She trembled with the shock of James' rejection, crying her eyes out until she had no strength left in her.
The empty halls echoed her sorrow.
She didn't know when or how she had even gotten there, but somehow this room had subconsciously become a refuge for her. And why not? Lisa was naturally drawn to music. Music had always been her safe place, her means of expression. Music was her life.
Lisa stared at the large music hall with teary eyes.
It was empty.
Beautiful, well equipped, valuable; but empty. There was no one in sight.
The emptiness of the music room reflected the emptiness she felt deep inside; the hollow within her soul.
The entire orchestra of instruments in the room stared back at her. Their polished shine called to her. They seemed to be begging to be played. Begging to be wanted, to be loved.
Lisa could relate.
She gazed at the polished grand piano at the centre of the practice stage. Its gold colour stood out under the spotlight.
Determined to calm her distressed state with the fine instrument, Lisa made her way to the stage.
Rarely had she been so confident as to perform on a public stage like this. She always preferred to compose and play her music at home, privately. But right now, she needed to release the pain she felt the way she knew best. Besides, there was no audience.
Lisa headed towards the grand piano on the practice stage.
With the piano lid closed, she got into position on the piano bench.
Maroon coloured curtains in the background cheered her on.
She took a deep breath to compose herself before touching the keys.
Her fingers started to move.
She released the gentle sound of her broken heart into the air.
Melodious music filtered through the room, first soothing and then gradually growing deeper, more complex, and more intense...
...
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...
Meanwhile, a private tour of the University was ongoing for a potential transfer student named Theo.
The 27-year-old Theo walked through the University hallways with a domineering air and a disinterested expression. He obviously didn't want to be here.
He was a perfectly sculpted specimen of a man. His blond hair was tinted with soft brown highlights that accentuated his deep green eyes.
Those eyes... They were hidden by a pair of glasses to dim their entrancing effect, yet his look was still lethal. Highly dangerous.
Theo looked too good, too handsome, too perfect, too majestic to be a regular transfer student. Of course, there was nothing regular about him. He was a young master from a powerful family; one of Z City's founding families!
The intensity of his overbearing aura was worsened by his accompanying entourage; 4 bodyguards in black suits and a proactive assistant.
Mrs Jennings found the entire situation a little overwhelming. As the Director-General of the school, the rarely seen Mrs Jennings conducted this VIP tour personally.
She led the visitors through the grand halls of the University, discussing the pros of attending the school.
"First Class University of Z City is a prestigious establishment. We take pride in our serene learning environment, our high standard of education, our modern, high-tech facilities and of course, the ground-breaking research of our scholars and alumni.", she declared confidently.
Mrs Jenning's speech was met with silence and disinterest again.
...
Braving the silent atmosphere, she continued with an anxious smile.
"Umm... Yes, we also have a wide range of courses and programs from which to choose, Young Master. Which might you be interested in?", she asked, hoping for an encouraging response... or just any response at all for that matter.
She was met with more brooding silence. Theo's disinterest seemed to be worsening!
'My God! The atmosphere is suffocating! Why on earth did he request a tour if he's so bored of it? This aura he's exuding is way too intense! This young master is just too intimidating!', she thought.
Mrs Jennings searched Theo's face for some kind of hope. He looked like his patience was running out!
'What a terrifying gaze! Looks like his patience is running out! These overbearing heirs will be the death of me!', she thought, biting her lip.
'...And what's with this array of bodyguards?! He's definitely a superior specimen. I can't screw this up! If he finds nothing of interest in this school, he would probably close it down!! I might lose my life!!!', she trembled within.
On the surface though, Mrs Jennings flashed a professional smile and forged on with the tour. Years of leadership had taught her how to hide her nervousness.
She continued.
"Ahem... um... Maybe you are more interested in the social part of our University? We have plenty of provisions for leisure. We have widely celebrated sporting competitions. As you know, our tournaments are usually the talk of the City when they take place...
We also run social events like our annual Masquerade Ball and the annual Concert which features the best of talent... This here is one of our music practice halls. Students are encouraged to hone their talents...", Mrs Jennings explained, as the visitors passed by the music room where Lisa was.
Young master Theo was no longer listening to the anxious ramblings of Mrs Jennings.
From the corner of his eye, he spotted Lisa through the clear glass windows of the music practice hall.
She was sitting on the piano bench of a grand piano as if about to perform.
The flawless red-haired beauty sparked his interest.
He stopped to observe her a bit more.
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********** TKE Q&A **********
Surrealish: Welcome back folks to TKE Q&A!
Crowd: Wooo!! (Applause)
Lisa: Who is this again?
Ruby: I think she said she's the author or something... Sure.. Surrr...
Theo: Surrealish.
Ruby: Yeah. That.
Surrealish: Now, let's reveal the correct answer to the question in our previous chapter! "What Was Wrong?"
The answer is, option (c)! James lost his mind and stupidly hurt Lisa!
Crowd: Booooo!!!
Lisa: J*rk! (pours her glass of wine in his face)
Crowd Cheers: Yaaaay!!! Wooo!!
Surrealish: And today's question is for our celebrity guests.
HOW DO YOU COPE WITH A BREAKUP?
Mrs Jennings: It's been a while since anyone broke up with me. I have two grand kids ;)
Crowd: Awww (Applause)
Lisa: Play music and cry obviously.
Crowd: Awww (Applause) We love you!
Ruby: (Furiously staring at James) Trash your stupid car and burn down your entire life!
Crowd: (Laughing) (Cheers!) (Applause!!)
Ruby: But seriously, I'll forget him and date a hotter man.
Surrealish: Nice one! Theo?
Theo: ...Who would breakup with me?
Crowd: Ooooooo (Cheers!!) (Applause!!)
Girls : (Screaming) I love you!
...Marry me!
...My love!
...Take me with you!!
Surrealish: Woah! The crowd is getting wild! That's it for tonight! See you in the next chapter!
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