Chapter 5 A Longtime Love

• Ariana Sutton's POV
• I sobered up for a moment and met Stefan's gaze. Then, my mind faltered. I thought he was sleeping. His face shone golden under the rays of the sun, softening his usually hard features. He was so dazzling, I couldn't shift my eyes away.
• I was drawn to his looks. Every time I looked at him—even when I was a kid—my heart would flutter.
• "I thought you were a cardiologist. Why were you in the OBGYN department?" asked Stefan suddenly.
• I wondered why he would ask me that. My exhaustion slowed even my mind down. And then, everything around me turned a little dark. Stefan huddled closer to me, but I scrambled to escape his grasp. Then I held the handrail. "We'll talk later. I need to sleep. Exhausted." I shuffled into my room without looking at him.
• My alarm clock woke me up later that afternoon. Reluctantly, I opened my eyes. I could still feel the clutches of sleep on my mind. And I would've slept in if I could, but that was not possible. I had a piano lesson to attend later, and it paid me well. It was one of the jobs that could make me money fast. I wouldn't miss it for the world.
• I got up, put some light makeup on, and descended the stairs silently. When I realized Stefan wasn't at home, I started walking like normal, trotting to the lounge. Every time he was around, I would try to be as careful with every movement I made as possible, worried he might be upset. But my existence alone upset him. My efforts to cheer him up were futile.
• And so, I hailed a cab and went all the way to the house of my employer. It was my first time going to the neighborhood, and the journey alone took half an hour. Eventually, I came to a neighborhood of villas. Whoa. Everyone here is rich. No wonder they're paying me well.
• I went to my employer's house and pressed the doorbell. A moment later, a house servant around the age of 40 took the door. "Ah, you must be the piano instructor. Come in."
• I followed the servant inside. Vaguely, I could hear the sound of someone playing piano. It was a bit horrid. Oh, a newbie. Guess I need to spend more time teaching her the basics. I almost laughed when I saw the student, though. She was a cute girl of about seven or eight years old. And she was wearing a pink dress, though there was a look of scorn on her face. Is she looking down on me?
• "So, you're the piano instructor my brother hired? You sure you can play the piano? I mean, you look so young. My mother left me this piano. It was expensive and means a lot to me. Do you think you can play it well with your grubby hands?"
• Ah, a girl with an attitude. I looked at my beautiful fingers, then I said humbly, "I think my grubby hands can at least play it."
• The girl pouted and reluctantly gave me the seat. "Play a tune, then. If I'm not happy with it, you're leaving. I don't like pretty ladies."
• My lips twitched. Was that supposed to be a compliment or an insult? I sat before the piano and tried its timber out. Not bad. Well, it's expensive, though, so that's to be expected. I wasn't going to play any complicated tune to impress the girl, so I adlibbed a little.
• The servant praised, "I can see why Master Figaro hired you. I'll leave the young miss to you. Excuse me." Figaro. Familiar name.
• The girl was finally convinced. Her eyes shone with worship. "What was that tune, Miss Sutton? I've never heard of it."
• I smiled. "A nameless tune. Just something I would play when I think of a certain person."
• Then, a deep voice said, "That sounded depressing. He must be someone you love."
• The girl darted over to her brother. "I like her, Figaro. She'll do."
• I turned around. And when I saw who that man was, I froze. "F-Figaro? This is your home?