Chapter 4 Tip
The black customized suit Kolton wore was straight and neat. With short
hair, he gave a brisk impression. His eyes were gorgeous,
His rolled–up sleeves revealed his Patek Philippe watch.
Each move of his embodied his success.
Iris, who sat next to him, wore a white business suit.
Her long, black, wavy hair cascaded down.
She had a strong aura. But beside Kolton, she looked like a woman needing protection.
Opposite them was seated a foreign man in his forties.
So, this wasn’t a date but a business meeting.
But still, Cecilia’s heart ached to see Kolton and Iris together.
When she eyed them, they looked at her.
Kolton squinted his narrow eyes.
Cecilia wore a Burgundy red suit dress in a grunge style, leaving her kelp- like long hair down.
Her small face looked innocent and seductive. Yet these two extreme airs were perfectly compatible on her.
Kolton always knew Cecilia was pretty. But he had no idea she could be so breathtaking.
They had been married for two years. He had never taken her to a formal
occasion once. He had only seen her in pajamas at home.
This new side of Cecilia amazed him.
Kolton figured she must’ve learned his whereabouts from Trenton. She came here to check on him and pretended it was a coincidence.
A mocking smile crept onto Kolton’s lips. He could see through her little tricks at a glance.
Seeing that Kolton was staring at Cecilia, the foreigner asked fluently in a foreign language, “Mr. Thompson, you know her?”
Kolton withdrew his gaze and replied nonchalantly, “No.”
Did she think he would spare her feelings? No way.
His icy attitude was embarrassing.
Cecilia felt like her heart was smashed when she heard his response.
She bit her lower lip to force herself to face the situation. Now that she had come up, she couldn’t just turn around and leave.
The consumers of this restaurant were rich and powerful. If she made a scene, the restaurant’s reputation would be marred.
The color had drained from her fingers, which were clutching her skirt. After a deep breath, Cecilia walked toward the piano.
The song they requested was the famous “Canon.”
The lyrics were about a man’s appreciation and love for a woman.
Cecilia stared at the score for a long while before playing.
She didn’t know who requested this song.
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The foreigner quipped, “Mr. Thompson, you have outstanding woman like Ms. Velasquez working for you. How I envy you!”
“She’s indeed amazing,” Kolton complimented Iris with a smile.
Iris smiled in a natural and poised manner. “I wasn’t like this when I entered this industry. Kolton was a good mentor.”
The prelude of this song was too quiet to drown the dialogue.
Cecilia had memorized the score. She didn’t have to look at it.
Her eyes involuntarily landed on the trio at the table.
Kolton leaned toward Iris with his hand on the back of her chair.
Iris talked with the foreigner about business in his mother tongue from time to time.
She whispered to Kolton now and then.
Although Cecilia knew the foreigner’s language, she didn’t understand the technical terms.
There seemed to be a special connection between Kolton and Iris. One look was all they needed to understand each other.
They coped with the foreigner easily.
Five minutes passed, but it felt like a century for Cecilia.
The song ended. Cecilia stopped playing. The music lingered in the room. The conversation between the diners became clear.
“You two make a perfect couple!” The foreigner gained little from this cooperation.
Nonetheless, he complimented Kolton and Iris sincerely.
ad good
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Kolton frowned to hear his words.
But he didn’t clarify things.
The foreigner didn’t know Kolton’s mother tongue well, after all. He didn’t realize he was using the expression wrong.
Iris smiled, “Thank you, Mr. Stewart.”
Cecilia’s mouth twitched. She withdrew her gaze from Kolton.
Perhaps he thought she was embarrassing. Except for when she came in, he didn’t look at her again afterward.
It was like, if he so much as glanced at her, other people would know she was his wife, and he’d be humiliated.
Veronica treasured this piano. The other pianists weren’t allowed to touch it.
But in the rich’s eyes, pianists
waited on people.
e her were just inferior entertainers who
Cecilia should go. But somehow, she stared at the smoking Kolton absent–mindedly and didn’t move.
Then, Iris stood up and walked to her with her purse.
She took out a wad of banknotes, probably $200, and handed it to Cecilia.
“You played well. Here’s a tip from my boyfriend and me.”
Iris spoke in a low voice.
Boyfriend. Tip.
The words stabbed at Cecilia’s heart like a blade. She looked at Iris.
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The latter seemed calm. But there was a triumphant look in her eyes.
Cecilia guessed Iris knew who she was. Most likely, the unknown number sending her the video had something to do with Iris.
Cecilia could put up with Kolton’s neglect, but Iris‘ provocation was too much.
She was about to retort when Kolton said, “Why are you still here?”
He was giving her this warning look.
If she knew better, she wouldn’t have come here to find him. He’d forgive her if she apologized when they got home.
The look in his eyes was hurtful. Cecilia took the money and left.
Iris challenged her because Kolton was on her side. Cecilia didn’t stand a chance of winning this round.
It would be silly of her to reject money for her pride. She’d only end up humiliating herself.
She continued to play in the lobby. Her work wasn’t done until 10 p.m.
When Veronica went to bring around the car, Cecilia got changed and waited for her at the entrance.
The night was cool in early autumn. She wrapped her clothes closer and tucked her hands in the pockets. Her eyes were fixed on the desolate street.
Kolton walked over from behind her. He stopped next to her, took out a cigarette, and had it between his lips.
Squinting at her, he said, “Don’t find me at such places again. We can talk at home.”
Cecilia turned to him. Kolton was a head taller than her. Under the light spilling over his head, he seemed to be glowing.
He had impeccable features. With the cigarette between his lips, his jawline was clear.
Cecilia had thought she was dead inside. But now that her elegant and distinguished husband was standing right before her, she felt alive again.
But meanwhile, the pain was back and deepened.
In his eyes, she was too inferior. That was why he was certain she had come for him.
“You misunderstood. I came to do Veronica a favor.”
Cecilia stepped away to keep a distance between them.
This woman was a hard nut to crack! With a grim look in his eyes, Kolton blew out a mouthful of smoke.
“Whatever the reason, don’t come here again. It’s embarrassing.” His cold tone stung.
“Our marriage wasn’t publicized. Nobody knows I’m your wife. If it bothers you so much, let’s get divorced tomorrow.”
They were husband and wife. They used to be intimate in the quiet night. But right now, tension built up between them.
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