Stella set the cup down, moved up to the piano, and carefully sat down The piano was ancient, and it
paled in comparison to the high-end beautiful instruments shown outside. An off-key tone could be
heard as she gently placed her fingers on the piano keys, She scrunched her eyebrows, said nothing,
and began to play a simple rendition of “Ode to Joy.” It wasn’t that good because the notes were off-
key. Before she could finish the whole song, Mr. Kennedy interrupted, “Weston said you learned piano
before. How can you mess up such an easy song?” “I’m sorry. I haven’t really mastered the
techniques.”
“I won’t build instruments for those who can’t play them,” Mr. Kennedy scorned. “No matter how
excellent the instrument is, you can’t release its full potential if you’re incompetent on it. People would
laugh if they find out you played on my piano.” To him, the piano wasn’t merely a lifeless contraption,
but a life that contained a soul. He would rather destroy a piano than give it to a performer who couldn’t
perform well. Stella knew that he probably had a prejudice against her, so she put on a humble attitude
throughout the end.
When she was with Weston, they were polite to her but once he was away, they showed her their true
colors. When it came to cheating, the weaker one always ended up taking the blame. She was a
woman and the fairer one in the relationship. No one would care if she was forced or if she did it
willingly. With her face devoid of emotion, she merely smiled and looked at Mr. Kennedy. “The piano is
so off – key; I wonder if something nice can come out even if you play it, Mr. Kennedy.” Kennedy
narrowed his eyes, eyeballing her from head to toe. When he first laid eyes on her, he knew she was
the resolute and unyielding kind of woman. While she played the piano, he could tell that she had good
basic skills, a good attitude, and was very humble. But something was lacking. Her rebuke earlier
showed him her true colors. “Since you knew it was off-key, why didn’t you say a thing? How should I
know whether you’re telling the truth or making up excuses?” “The key is indeed off. It doesn’t matter if
you make a piano for me. I just hope that you won’t misapprehend the next person that comes here.”
Stella stood up. “I don’t really want a piano anyways, since I don’t have much time to play it. I really
don’t deserve one. Even for Weston’s sake, it’ll be a waste if make one for me. It’ll be better to give it to
those who need it more.”
Mr. Kennedy grinned and brushed his beard. He stopped Stella just as she was ready to go.” Hold on!
You said Weston forced you to come here. He’ll raise issues for me if you go away like that.”
“I’ll tell him myself,” she said without turning her head. “You really don’t?” he asked with some apathy. “I
thought about it earlier, and I was going to make a grand piano for you. It’s such a shame that you don’t
want it anymore.” Stella instantly froze in her tracks and gawked at him, shocked and speechless.
It was as though Mr. Kennedy had transformed into a whole new person, one that had way less hostility
toward her. “I don’t care about the matters between you two. I just want an honest person playing my
instrument… to give it life…”
As he spoke, he suddenly became serious. “I don’t know why, or what you have to hide, but don’t forget
your original intention… and don’t lose yourself in material things.”
Stella stood there without saying a word.
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