Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 76915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
And then he did something that shocked me. He took me to BAM. Of course, it was not open. Not yet. But somehow, we were not only allowed in, but escorted onto the stage itself.
I walked around, taking in the sight of the empty theater, from the perspective of the stage. When I turned around, Anton had something in his arms.
A black faux leather case, curved to shape the instrument hidden within.
“My violin?”
“You don’t have to play… But I thought you might want to experience playing on a stage of this caliber. I am sure it will be the first of many.”
I stared at him in awe. He was so arrogant. High handed. So… thoughtful. Creative. Imaginative. Kind.
“You want me to play for you.”
“No. This is not for me. This is for you,” he held the case out, saying solemnly “I would like to play for me someday. But this is not that. In fact, I will step outside if you prefer.”
I exhaled, suddenly feeling shaky. I did want to play. It was such a generous offer. How could I resist?
I nodded quickly, before I could chicken out. I swallowed any insecurity that threatened to rise. Now was not the time.
He turned to go but I stopped him.
“Anton…” he glanced at me, something vulnerable in his eyes. “Please, stay.”
He nodded, then moved backwards to give me space. He looked happy. Hopeful. Even joyous.
Desire to play rose up in me. I knew instantly what to play. The audition piece I had been practicing endlessly. It had been days since I touched my violin, but it settled into my arms like an old friend.
Lights clicked on heavily above me. With another loud noise, the house lights dimmed. I heard footsteps and looked around. I was on the stage alone. I had no idea where Anton was, or if anyone else was there, but it did not matter. Everything faded away other than the warm wood in my hands. I lifted my beloved instrument to my shoulder, closed my eyes, and began to play.
It felt like flying. It always felt magical when I was in the zone. I knew the curves of the wood like the shape of my own body. I knew this piece of music inside and out. I didn’t have to think about my finger placement, or the tempo. I just left the music come through me, and soar out into the theater.
Playing in a space like this, even with my eyes closed, felt different. It felt magical. It felt profound.
And then it was over. The music had ended too fast. It was much shorter than I remembered. Or was it a full half an hour later? I had played the piece in its entirety. At least I thought I had… I realized I lost any else of time and space. I had forgotten myself in the music, in a way I never had before.
I exhaled and opened my eyes.
Strong slow claps rang out from the side of the stage. I heard footsteps approaching. Then Anton was beside me. I turned to look at him. Joy was streaming from me in every direction. But it was the look in his eyes that surprised me.
I knew in that moment that I need not doubt how he felt about me. He loved me. There was no way he could manufacture the look of adoration and awe on his face.
This was not merely lust. It was not merely love. It was a forever love. The kind that existed outside time and space.
“My God, Mishka” he breathed as he stared at me. “You are brilliant. Remarkable. A true artist, my sweet.”
I let his words sink in, instead of thanking him, or minimizing my talent. I was not a fan of false modesty. I was talented and I knew it. But for the first time in my life, I’d felt the spark of genius while playing. It was not all the years of tireless work. Something else had happened. I felt… changed.
Perhaps it was the alcohol giving me a sense of grandiosity, but it felt like I just graduated from promising schoolgirl to true artist.
He took my wrist and turned it slightly so he could press a kiss to the back of my hand. My entire body felt lit up and alive. My heart swelled with something. Love, most likely.
The lights clicked on. The spell was broken, but a sense of pure magic still lingered in the air. I was smiling as Anton led me down the aisle through the dark theater to the lobby. I saw that workers had gathered outside the theater doors. As we passed through the crowd, they turned to stare. They started to applaud for me. My cheeks reddened. I was not used to this.
“Better get used to accolades,” he whispered to me with a grin. I ducked my head but turned to give a small wave of thanks to the group, still applauding my performance. I was walking on air as we climbed into the limo. This time, Champagne was waiting for us on ice.