Still. Quiet. Eyes without life and emotion. If asked to describe the appearance and disposition of the newborn, these words would be the most fitting.
"I have some unfortunate news Mr. Smith... your son.. Ivan..."
"What? I don't have much time until my next meeting. Just make sure my wife is okay."
"Mr. Smith, it's very serious-"
"What is it?"
Mr. Smith has a cold and aloof middle-aged appearance, with a countenance that seems to exude an air of indifference towards the birth of Ivan. He stands tall and straight, with a rigid posture that conveys a sense of discipline and restraint. An aura emitting that of an executive presence surrounded him. Mr. Smith's features are sharp and chiseled, with a prominent jawline and piercing eyes that seem to scan his surroundings with a clinical detachment. Despite his lack of outward emotion, there is a palpable sense of power and control that emanates from his speech.
Pressured by Mr. Smith and Ivan's diagnostic, he doctor is left speechless and unsure how to address Ivan's condition.
"Ivan.. he is diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease and Muscular Dystrophy in his legs. We predict that he is unlikely to live past the age of 20. Furthermore, due to his physical condition, he will never be able to walk for the rest of his life."
The doctor hesitated for a moment before delivering the devastating news to Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith remained completely impassive upon receiving this information.
'Worthless.' "That's very unfortunate, but it seems I have to go. Take care of her. Goodbye."
Mr. Smith's expression remained unchanged as he stood up from his seat, his movements slow and deliberate. He silently acknowledged the doctor's words with a curt nod before turning and exiting the room without a word. As he walked down the sterile hallway, he could feel the eyes of other patients and their loved ones scanning him, curious about the man who seemed to feel nothing at all. But Mr. Smith was used to this. He had long ago learned to build a fortress around his emotions, impenetrable to the outside world. And so, he continued down the hallway, his back straight and his face set in a cold, determined expression, his thoughts already turning to what needed to be done next.
Mr. Smith felt a light vibration in his pocket.
He was receiving a phone call.
"Hello, John?"
"Mr. Smith, what time will you arrive at the office?"
Mr. Smith glanced at his watch quickly.
"I'll be there in 15 minutes."
***
Ivan's fifth birthday arrived on a gloomy, cloudy day. Due to his birth conditions, his family and siblings had never made much effort to celebrate Ivan's birthdays, and this year was no exception. Ivan sat alone in his small room with nothing but his own thoughts. A few minutes later, soft footsteps treading towards his room could be heard. It was Ivan's mother. Although Ivan's father was cold and indifferent towards him, his mother had some level of concern for him despite also exhibiting similar traits of emotional neglect. Though, overall, he was the least favorite child. In Ivan's past birthdays, he has only received presents that had acquired none of his interest.
"Happy birthday, Ivan."
When Ivan's mother uttered the words "happy birthday," her tone lacked any genuine warmth or enthusiasm. Her voice held a distant and detached quality that gave the impression that she was merely going through the motions of acknowledging her son's special day, without any real interest or investment in his happiness.
Ivan's mother had black suited men place a present in front of Ivan before leaving the room.
Ivan stood still for a moment, waiting for his mother to leave before unboxing his new present. The gift was wrapped in shiny silver paper with a bright red bow on top. Ivan's eyes widened with anticipation as he carefully peeled away the layers of wrapping to reveal the delicate instrument. The piano was made of polished black wood and stood no more than a foot tall. The keys were miniature in size, but each one was perfectly formed with a smooth surface that glinted in the light. The white keys were made of a pure, pearlescent material that gleamed in the sunlight, while the black keys were made of a matte ebony that contrasted beautifully against the white. It was as if the piano was crafted by a master artisan with attention to every tiny detail.
Ivan's eyes sparkled with delight as he looked at the small toy piano. This simple yet beautiful toy piano sparked an undeniable excitement within Ivan. As his small hands ran across the smooth keys, producing soft and melodic sounds, he couldn't help but feel a deep yearning in his heart. It was as if he had finally found something that he could truly connect with, something that spoke to his soul.
As Ivan's small fingers moved across the toy piano's keys, a strange sensation enveloped him. Every note he played seemed to resonate deep within him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that each sound held a specific weight and meaning. He had yet to realize that this gift was perfect pitch. Ivan's excitement grew with every passing moment as he tested his newfound ability, playing note after note and recognizing them effortlessly. The piano had become more than just a toy to him; it was a gateway to a world of music that he had never known existed.