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 âOde to Joy.â It wasnât that good because the notes were off-
key. Before she could finish the whole song, Mr. Kennedy interrupted, âWeston said you learned piano before. How can you mess up such an easy song?â âIâm sorry. I havenât really mastered the techniques.â
âI wonât build instruments for those who canât play them,â Mr. Kennedy scorned. âNo matter how excellent the instrument is, you canât release its full potential if youâre incompetent on it. People would laugh if they find out you played on my piano.â To him, the piano wasnât merely a lifeless contraption, but a life that contained a soul. He would rather destroy a piano than give it to a performer who couldnât 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. âThe piano is so off â key; I wonder if something nice can come out even if you play it, Mr. Kennedy.â 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. âSince you knew it was off-key, why didnât you say a thing? How should I know whether youâre telling the truth or making up excuses?â âThe key is indeed off. It doesnât matter if you make a piano for me. I just hope that you wonât misapprehend the next person that comes here.â
Stella stood up. âI donât really want a piano anyways, since I donât have much time to play it. I really donât deserve one. Even for Westonâs sake, itâll be a waste if make one for me. Itâll be better to give it to those who need it more.â
Mr. Kennedy grinned and brushed his beard. He stopped Stella just as she was ready to go.â Hold on!
You said Weston forced you to come here. Heâll raise issues for me if you go away like that.â
âIâll tell him myself,â she said without turning her head. âYou really donât?â he asked with some apathy. âI thought about it earlier, and I was going to make a grand piano for you. Itâs such a shame that you donât want it anymore.â 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. âI donât care about the matters between you two. I just want an honest person playing my instrument⦠to give it lifeâ¦â
As he spoke, he suddenly became serious. âI donât know why, or what you have to hide, but donât forget your original intention⦠and donât lose yourself in material things.â
Stella stood there without saying a word.