Chapter 378 Longing
She did it right away. A beautiful violin tune was heard coming from her room, and those who were burning the midnight oil around started drifting to sleep. She sent Nicholas the recording once she was done, and she said, ‘You can listen to this if you can’t sleep at night.’
Nicholas got the text, and he smiled. He played the recording, and the beautiful melody filled his office with warm comfort. A while later, he paused the recording, and he replied, ‘I like it. Get some sleep now. Good night.’
A moment later, she texted, ‘Good night.’
He looked at her text, and his smile broadened. Nicholas brushed his finger across her profile picture, his eyes filled with tenderness, and the uncaring air around him seemed to have lifted a little. He kept his phone a while later and went back to work.
…
Tessa woke up early the next morning and washed herself up, then she went and made breakfast. Tessa read through the news back at home while she ate. Because of the time difference, she knew it was late night back home, so she didn’t disturb Nicholas.
She took her violin and went to the orchestra after breakfast. Lots of people were already there when she came, and they greeted her warmly.
When she walked past the main practice room, Tessa saw Kathleen talking about something with the other members. She wasn’t curious about what they were talking about, so she was just going to say hi and go on with her training in the next room. But before she could leave, Kathleen said, “Miss Reinhart, please come here for a moment.”
Tessa was surprised by the formality Kathleen was showing her, and she looked at Kathleen in puzzlement. Kathleen was smiling as usual, but Tessa still felt that something was off. She pursed her lips and pushed that thought down. It’s just a title. Nothing to worry about. “What is it?” she asked.
“Are you from Southend?”
“Yes. Why?”
Kathleen smiled. “Nothing. The orchestra is going to perform at Southend next month. Since you’re a local, it would be great if you can be our guide.”
Tessa was surprised. “You’re going to have a performance in Southend?”
Hathaway made her appearance just then. She looked at the members and smiled. “What are you guys talking about?”
“Miss Hathaway.”
“Miss Hathaway.”
Tessa and everyone else greeted her.
Kathleen trotted over and held Hathaway’s arm, telling her about her earlier suggestion. “Mommy, we’re going to perform in Southend soon, right? I’ve asked Miss Reinhart, and she said she comes from Southend, so she can be our guide then.”
Hathaway noticed the change in how Kathleen addressed Tessa, but she only thought it was her daughter throwing a little tantrum. She looked at Tessa and said, “Not a bad idea. What do you think, Tessa?”
Tessa was pleasantly surprised, of course. Being forced to leave Southend and start again in Vienna upset her a lot. She might be Nicholas’ girlfriend now, and she could talk to him every day, but she missed him nonetheless. She missed Timothy, and she missed Gregory. Now that she had a chance to return, of course she wouldn’t refuse it. “I’m fine with it, Miss Hathaway.”
Hathaway nodded. “It’s decided, then. You’ll be coming with us to Southend.”
“Thank you, Miss Hathaway.” Tessa beamed.
Hathaway smiled back at her and told everyone to go back to practice.
Tessa took her violin and went to her practice room. The fact that she would be seeing Nicholas, Timothy, and Gregory soon filled her with motivation, and she couldn’t stop smiling that day.
