Everyone Tried to Help the Troubled Pianist—Until a Waitress Played One Familiar Song
Chapter 10
Claire started playing again.
Not publicly.
Not professionally.
Just at home.
Adrian taught her.
She hated scales.
He hated her stubbornness.
They argued.
They laughed.
They played.
One afternoon, Adrian asked:
“Why did you stop?”
Claire knew exactly what he meant.
“Because I thought I didn’t deserve to enjoy music after my mother died.”
He looked at her.
“That’s not what she wanted.”
“I know.”
“When did you figure that out?”
“When she told me to live.”
Claire played a chord.
“She always knew.”
Adrian smiled.
“She did.”
Claire turned toward him.
“Did you ever love her?”
He didn’t answer immediately.
“Not like you’re thinking.”
“What do you mean?”
“She was my mentor.”
“Friend.”
“Family.”
Claire nodded.
“But you loved her.”
“Yes.”
Claire swallowed.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For keeping her promise.”
He looked confused.
“What promise?”
“She wanted me to live.”
Claire smiled.
“She sent you.”
Adrian shook his head.
“No.”
“What?”
“She didn’t send me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I walked into the hotel restaurant six months ago because I was hungry.”
Claire laughed.
“You were there by accident?”
“Yes.”
“And then?”
“I heard you singing to yourself in the kitchen.”
She froze.
“I wasn’t singing.”
“You were.”
“What song?”
“Your mother’s song.”
Claire stared.
“I hum it when I’m nervous.”
“I knew it immediately.”
He smiled.
“I asked the manager who you were.”
Her heart raced.
“You were looking for me?”
“I didn’t know why.”
She smiled.
“Maybe she sent you.”
“Maybe.”
They were silent.
Then Adrian reached for her hand.
Claire didn’t pull away.
“Can I ask you something?”
“What?”
“Why did you sit beside me that first night?”
She smiled.
“Because you looked like someone who needed company.”
He laughed softly.
“And now?”
She looked at him.
“Now I don’t want you sitting alone.”
He kissed her.
The kiss was quiet.
Tender.
Long overdue.
When they separated, Claire smiled.
“My mother would be unbearable about this.”
Adrian laughed.
“Absolutely.”
Then his phone rang.
A reporter.
“Mr. Cole, we have breaking news.”
Adrian frowned.
“What?”
“Victor Lang has escaped custody.”
Claire froze.
The reporter continued.
“He left one message.”
“What message?”
“For Claire Bennett.”
