Chapter 365

“It’s fine. They were just exaggerating,” Tessa answered humbly.

“No. You’re being modest. You have no idea how much our music director regrets booting you out of the orchestra after he heard the live recording.”

Tessa smiled. “Honestly, I’m grateful that I got the boot, or I might have never met Miss Hathaway.”

“Miss Hathaway is a great teacher. I can see that she pours her heart and soul into developing you.”

“Yes. She helped me a lot on this path.”

“Your skill and transition has also improved greatly. I believe you’ll be making an official appearance soon.”

“I’m not in a hurry. I want to train more,” Tessa told him her plan. “Miss Hathaway thinks I need more training too.”

“I can see that she has made plans for you.” Scott smiled.

Tessa nodded. “She said I can take my time for the performance. She wants me to gain experience and build my foundation. Miss Hathaway says I can be in too much of a hurry, so it’s hard for me to get into the zone.”

“Miss Hathaway is correct. Sometimes you’re in too much of a hurry to give a good performance,” Scott analyzed. “You can get into the mood no problem, but you’ll have to get into the zone to express the mood. Your skills are not a problem, but getting into the zone is.”

Tessa listened closely, and she agreed. “That’s what Miss Hathaway told me too. She said I can only improve through training and expanding my horizons.”

They chatted for a while longer, and Scott stopped in his tracks. Tessa looked at him curiously, and he handed her an old sheet music book.

Tessa could tell that the book was old and priceless.

Scott said gently, “It’s your birthday present. I hope you like it. And happy birthday.”

Tessa paused, then she waved her arms. “Thank you. I’m happy that you remember, but I can’t take this. It’s much too expensive.”

Scott insisted, “You’re worth it. I hope this book will remind you of why you set out on this path. Keep working to be a great violinist.”

Tessa couldn’t refuse after he said that. “Thank you, then.” She took the book. “I’ll give you a nicer one next time.” She smiled.

“That’s great.” Scott looked forward to it.

Tessa smiled.

Scott changed the topic and invited, “But before that, I think you can have dinner with me first. I came here right after I got off the plane, so I have had nothing to eat yet.”

He sounded really sad in the end, and since he came all the way to celebrate her birthday, Tessa agreed. They came to a classy Western restaurant and sat face to face. Tessa didn’t order any food, as she had eaten back at the banquet. She had also had cake, so all she did was drink as Scott ate. WN They talked about music along the way, and Tessa managed to learn a lot.

When they went past a cake shop after dinner, Scott stopped. “Give me a minute, Miss Reinhart.”

Tessa was about to stop him, but he had already gone into the cake shop. She quickly went after him and managed to stop him just before he forked his money out. “Sorry, but we’re not getting any cake.”

She looked at the retail assistant apologetically, “Mr. Brooks, you’ve given me a gift. You don’t have to buy me a cake.”

“What’s a birthday without cake?” Scott insisted on buying it, and he told the retail assistant, “Get me that cake I wanted.”

The assistant nodded and went to pack the cake up,