Chapter 227
“Laura,”
Her assistant rushed up beside her. “The competition starts in two minutes. She’s already in the auditorium. I’ll go find her.”
“Alright, but you’d better find her, or you’ll have me to answer to.” Laura pressed her lips together, pulled out her phone, and started texting. “Echo, I just met this insanely talented girl backstage. She’s got all the energy I had when I was her age.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
With a quick nod, the assistant hurried off in the direction Charlotte had gone. Getting noticed by Laura was something most students would kill for. That girl was about to be over the moon.
He scanned the hall, then finally spotted her in the most exclusive VIP section. She was sitting right where Laura would be.
If that’s not fate, what is? It looked like Charlotte and Laura were meant to cross paths, maybe even become teacher and student.
…
With Kenneth joining the event, the whole place was buzzing. The host stepped on stage to announce the judges. Every one of them was a big name in the piano world, but Laura, president of the International Piano Association, was the real star. “And now, let’s welcome our head judge, Laura!”
Charlotte glanced up as the host spoke. She caught Laura bowing to the audience before making her way over. A few seconds later, Laura reached her seat.
The moment Laura sat down, she glanced over, and her eyes lit up. “Oh, it’s you!” Charlotte paused, eyebrows arched, a hint of confusion on her face. “Hmm?”
“I heard you playing backstage earlier,” Laura said.
“Did you?” Charlotte’s reply was mild. “Was I any good?”
“You were Laura leaned in, clearly excited, ready to shower her with praise. But then she caught herself remembering she might just be talking to her future student. She straightened up putting on her best teacher voice pretending to be all serious.
“You played really well, but you’re still missing a little something.”
“Oh?” Charlotte smiled, looking genuinely interested. “Anything else?”
“Well Laura hesitated, feeling a bit guilty for making things up “You intoration was a little off but don’t get discouraged. With some training, you’ll definitely improve.”
“Is that so?”
Charlotte’s eyes crinkled with her smile. She was so bright and warm, the kind of girl
who made everyone feel good just by being around.
“Absolutely.” Laura leaned in closer, completely dropping any hint of her usual strictness. “So, would you like to be my student?”
“Be your student?”
Just then, Kenneth stepped onto the stage. Charlotte raised an eyebrow and answered, half-joking, “I’ll think about it.”
Laura froze, her smile faltering, surprise flickering in her eyes. Think about it? Did this girl even know who she was Laura Had just muted per to be her student, and she needed to think about it?
That had to be it. She probably didn’t recognize her.
Laura cleared her throat and straightened up, looking as important as she possibly could. “Hi, I’m Laura. I’m the president of the International Piano Association.”
“Oh