My musical talent was pushed to its limits as I endeavored to conduct the entire orchestra. Though a few imperceptible errors resonated in my trained ears, I doubted the audience would notice them. The mistakes were too subtle for those unaccustomed to the nuances of orchestral music.As the first performance concluded, I surveyed the orchestra, preparing them for our next piece, Francis Poulenc's "Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra." I was to conduct while simultaneously playing my part on the piano. I confidently settled into the piano chair, mirroring Sophia's actions on the opposite side. With a graceful sweep of my hands, I initiated the first cue for the orchestra, then seamlessly transitioned into my piano performance. But suddenly, the entire hall was plunged into darkness.***Meanwhile, in the audience, Jessica eagerly anticipated the second performance, particularly intrigued by the young, handsome conductor's dual role as pianist. She pondered his ability to manage both
My eyes ached, almost as if they were overwhelmed by the radiant beauty before me. In all my previous existence, never had I directly gazed upon such a captivating face. And to witness her in slumber, her features softened in repose, was a vision beyond words. The delicate pink hue of her youthful lips seemed to whisper promises of forbidden sweetness."Damn, how can a woman be so breathtaking?" I mused internally. The sight of her was enough to fill me with a serene sense of completion, as if my life's purpose had been fulfilled in this single moment. Her beautiful eyelashes and eyebrows, her lips, akin to a pink, forbidden fruit, her nose finely sculpted, and her skin, reminiscent of polished ivory. Strands of her lustrous hair framed her face perfectly, an image so stunning, she could effortlessly be the muse of Instagram admirers worldwide.The picture of the girl that millions of otaku and nerds were willing to die for, including me in my pastime.Every fiber of my being seemed t
As Sophia's words stirred my memory of the previous night, I found myself slowly remembering everything.In the chaos of audience went to greet me, the staff ushered me into the staffroom. There, a celebration awaited us, marked by glasses of rich red wine to toast the closing of our musical performance.The atmosphere was electric, the orchestra musicians exuberant with the success of the night, their joy infectious as they insisted I join them in toast after toast."I've never witnessed such enthusiasm from an audience in all my years!" exclaimed one musician, his eyes sparkling with excitement."Nor have I ever played such a mesmerizing piece," another added, her voice tinged with pride."To our conductor!" they cheered, as more and more people approached, glasses in hand, making it impossible for me to decline their offerings. I drank several glasses of red wine, making me feel tipsy.Amidst the revelry, a staff member approached, gently guiding me towards the office. "Conductor,
I revved the engine of my super bike, slicing through the city's cacophony as I made my way to the rehabilitation center. Celeste and Maria had already journeyed there by car, leaving me to navigate the bustling streets alone. Sophia and I had parted ways at the penthouse; her soul immersed in the intricate melodies of her new music. I had left her with the best songs to practice - John Legend's "All of Me" and Ed Sheeran's "Perfect," hoping they'd resonate with her artistic spirit.Upon arriving at the rehabilitation center, a heavy air of sorrow greeted me. People's heads shook gently, their expressions etched with grief. The atmosphere was thick with an unspoken sadness, almost tactile in its intensity. I maneuvered through the somber crowd, making my way to Victoria's room. The corridor felt longer than usual, each step echoing with the collective heartache of those present.Inside Victoria's room, the scene was heart-wrenching. Celeste was weeping inconsolably at her mother's bed
"Why do you hit me?" I gasped, clutching my aching stomach as I confronted the assailant. His eyes, cold and unfeeling, met mine briefly before he shrugged with a mocking smirk. "What?" he retorted, his voice dripping with disdain, "Can't I hit you?" Without warning, his fist connected with my head, a sharp pain radiating through my skull.Anger, hot and seething, began to morph into a blistering fury within me.The teachings of Buddha echoed in my mind, 'Control your anger, lest it becomes the source of your regret.'Taking a deep breath, I summoned all my speed and strength, channeling it into a swift blow to his stomach. My fist connected with a satisfying thud. Spinning with a fluid motion, I struck his face - once, twice, thrice - each hit a release of the pent-up fury. He crumbled to the ground like a marionette with its strings cut. A bitter laugh escaped my lips, "Fuck, Buddha, I am not a Buddhist!"The others, part of his gang, began to close in. He came at me, arms swinging.
The imposing figure, who seemed to be the leader, approached with an air of authority. As he spoke, the crowd hushed in anticipation. “What do you want?” he demanded.Confused and slightly taken aback, I stepped forward. “You take my superbike and destroy it, yet you ask me what I want? I demand compensation from whoever wrecked it.”The leader’s laugh echoed mockingly. “I don’t know who destroyed it. Did you see any of us do it? All I know is you came here attacking us.”I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity. “So, this is your game? You're even more of a coward than I thought, denying your own actions. Fine, I'll coax the truth out of you, one way or another.”“Do you really think you can stand against us?” The leader’s voice was dripping with contempt. “Attack him now!”Yet, no one moved. I walked up to the leader, my eyes locking with his. “Why don't you make your move, coward, always hiding behind numbers? I stand here alone, and still, you call for others to fight your battl
The discipline teacher, his age evident in his balding head and furrowed brow, stormed in with a palpable air of anger. Accompanying him was Gisella, Peter's sister, her presence adding to the tension."Nothing happened," the club captain declared, striding towards the teacher with a strained smile that did little to mask the bruises marring his face.The teacher, skepticism etched in every line of his face, surveyed the scene. "What do you mean 'nothing'? I can clearly see bruises on your face, and hear the moans of pain," he remarked, his gaze sweeping over six individuals writhing on the floor."Teacher," the captain began, his voice laced with effort to sound convincing. "We're a boxing club. Sparring is part of our routine. How else could we hope to win the upcoming tournament?"The teacher's eyes narrowed, unswayed. He continued his inspection, noting the twenty-five club members, each wearing a forced smile.Of course, nothing was wrong.As Gisella walked away just now, I force
“Wait,” Maria interjected hastily, her voice laced with urgency, “I've run out of money.”I rummaged through my wallet and extracted $1,000, extending it towards her with a subtle nod.“Thank you,” Maria uttered happily. She clasped Gisella's hand firmly, leading her with a sense of purpose. “Come on, let's gather your belongings.”***In the confines of the car, Maria maneuvered the steering wheel, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. Gisella sat beside her, her mind swirling with unanswered questions. “Is he your family?” Gisella inquired, her curiosity piqued.“Nope,” Maria responded with a nonchalant shake of her head, eyes still on the road.“A boyfriend, perhaps?” Gisella probed further.Maria let out a light, amused laugh. “No, not at all. We are total strangers, in fact.”Gisella's brow furrowed in bewilderment. “Did you do something significant for him?”Maria's laugh resounded in the car again. “Not really. I just exist there, eat, and do very little.”Gisella's eyes widened in