Chapter 407
Stella and Abby turned at the sound of footsteps and saw a young woman standing uncertainly in
the doorway, glancing around.
Stella walked over and smiled. "Yes, this is S&A Studio. Are you here for the audition?"
The young woman nodded, looking a little nervous.
"My nis Candida Fletcher. I'm here to interview for the pianist position."
She handed Stella a neatly prepared resume.
Stella took the resand scanned it, raising her eyebrows in surprise. Candida was not just a
pianist—she was a talented violinist as well. Her piano credentials were impressive: Grade 10
certification, and a string of solid results from various international competitions-sof which
were quite prestigious.
Stella nodded approvingly. "Would you mind playing something for us right now?"
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Candida nodded again and quietly made her way over to the piano. She adjusted the bench, pressed
a few keys to get a feel for the instrument, then began to play.
Her foundation was rock-solid. Every movement was precise-her technique flawless.
But then, something went wrong.
Maybe it was nerves. Maybe something else. But in the middle of an otherwise beautiful passage, Candida hit a
wrong note.
A single mistake during a live audition isn't usually disastrous, as long as the performer recovers quickly. But
Candida froze, as if the mistake had shattered her composure. The music faltered-a discordant note rang out,
then silence.
Her face went white as paper. "I'm sorry... |—I messed up..."
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her expression exhausted and lost.
Stella watched her for a moment, then spoke softly. "It's alright. It was just one wrong note. Why don't you try
again?"
With Stella's gentle encouragement, Candida took a deep breath and returned to the piano. This time, her
performance was flawless confident, expressive, almost perfect.
Abby applauded. "Miss Fletcher, your piano skills are outstanding. Why are you so unsure of yourself?"
It was obvious to her now: Candida's problem wasn't technique, it was confidence.
Candida blushed, looking down. "I haven't really played in about five years. | left the music world for too long...
I'm worried I'll never get back to where | was."
"Five years?" Stella echoed, surprised. "If you don't mindasking, why did you stop playing for so long?"
Candida's long eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings. She answered in a low voice, "Back then... my boyfriend
was in a car accident and lost his sight. | spent all my ttaking care of him."
Stella and Abby exchanged a glance.
Abby said gently, "Miss Fletcher, we're truly sorry for what you and your boyfriend went through. But.. you know
how it works in this field. There's a lot of travel, lots of performances. If your boyfriend still needs you-"
Candida quickly shook her head. "No, you misunderstand. He regained his sight three years ago. It's just... |
couldn't bring myself to leave him, so | didn't go back to work. But-"
She looked up, her expression earnest. "I promise, if I'm hired, | won't quit easily. | won't let you
down."
Abby hesitated. "But what if your boyfriend needs you again? Would you leave? You know how
important it is in this business to have a stable team.”
Candida cut her off, her voice steady. "lI won't quit. And... my boyfriend and I broke up."
Stella and Abby were both taken aback, falling silent for a moment.
Candida, sensing their doubt, pressed on Honestly, you don't have to worry. | won't get back
together with him. We'd known each other for seven years, dated for five. But just recently, | found
out he'd gotten back in touch with the girl he always idolized."
A bitter smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"1 always knew he couldn't forget her. She was his first love-the one he could
never have."