#21 “I was Wondering the Same Thing.”
Emily, having been closely watching the exchange between Benjamin and Alexander, brushed Alexander’s hand to nab his attention.
“Alex, thank you for coming here with me tonight,” Emily said, trying to keep his attention. “I know my parents can be a bit much, so I really am grateful.”
Slowly shifting his eyes from Sophia to Emily, Alexander takes a deep breath and sits back in his chair. Turning to meet Emily’s gaze fully, Alexander replies, “Of course. This is a great networking opportunity.”
Catching the edge still in Alexander’s voice, Emily leans in closer to him, hoping to draw him nearer to her. “I have to admit I am excited but also nervous about my performance tonight, Emily whispers.
Taking a sip of his champagne, Alex mutters, “Yes, I am sure it will be lovely.” His eyes never divert from closely watching Sophia and Benjamin, but it was obvious he had put the confrontation on hold for the time being. Meanwhile, Benjamin and Sophia had their heads bent close in lighthearted banter.
“I am so impressed that they were able to get a student of Marcus Paus to perform tonight,” Benjamin exclaimed. “The Williams is certainly a lot of things, and connoisseurs of fine music appear to be one,” Finishing his glass of champagne, he adds, “and fine champagne, too.”
“Yes,” Sophia agrees, “this is quite an impressive accomplishment of the Williams. Their taste in everything is… fine.” Sophia flashes a curt smile at Benjamin, and they both giggle.
“Tell me, do you think Barbara knows your relationship with Maestro Paus?” Benjamin smirks. The combination of the champagne and his and Sophia’s shared secret has made him a bit giddy.
Sophia takes a sip of her champagne and offers a knowing look to Ben. ” Absolutely not. I would be shocked if she did. I am not sure anyone knows that I play the violin, at least stateside.’
“I don’t know,” Ben laughs, “Barbara is pretty slippery. She seems the type of lady who always wants to have the upper hand in everything. I would not put it past her to have some sort of spectacle set up.”
“No,” Sophia answers quickly, “first, Maestro Paus would not stand for any nonsense. He is one of the most professional people I have ever met.”
“Sure he is,” Benjamin teases as the waiter brings him another glass of champagne.
Sophia smiles, knowing her friend is only razzing her. “I have been a student under him since I was a teenager. He has been working on this piece for over two years. I cannot count how many times I have flown to London to help him finish it. His work is everything to him. He would never allow someone like Barbara Williams to exploit it.”
Benjamin smiles. Sophia’s talents are immeasurable, and he is always in awe of her. “So wait, does that mean you know the piece well? Like, can you play it?”
“Of course! I know it extremely. I can perform it just as well as the student who is playing tonight.” Sophia replies without a hint of boasting or gloating in her voice.
“So, do you know this talented protege that is performing?” Ben questions. “Yes, in fact, I am actually a close friend with the soloist.”
“Of course, you are, my dear,” Benjamin laughs. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Alexander watching the two of them intensely. Benjamin can’t help but torment him, placing his hand on top of Sophia’s.
“Did you see what I donated to the charitable auction that is happening after the concert?” Sophia asks.
“No, what, tell me,” Ben replies, leaning closer to Sophia. Alexander’s body becomes more tense the closer Benjamin moves to Sophia.
“Well, I wanted to make sure it was something extraordinary. So from my own personal collection, I donated a Stradivari’s violin.” Sophia beams.
Unaware of the prestige of the violin, Benjamin simply grins back. Leaning closer, Sophia replies, “It is a very treasured violin.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” the tense voice of the orchestra conductor echoes through the ballroom. “At this time, please join me in welcoming a very special performance. Ms. Emily Williams has graciously agreed to provide us with a taste of her brilliance on the violin.”
There is a faint round of applause from the crowd as Emily proceeds to take the stage. She performs Tchaikovsky’s Concerto, playing well but not overly memorable. The audience responds with a soft round of polite applause as she finishes the piece.
Emily eagerly embraces her parents after coming offstage and returning to the table. “Wonderful darling! Simply wonderful, Emily’s father muses. Emily peeks at Alexander, anxiously waiting for his response.
“Well?” she questions timidly.
“Oh, it was fine. Lovely job, Emily,” Alexander replies. “Do you think I could get another glass of champagne? “Alex asks as a waiter walks by the table.
Emily’s heart plunges as she takes her seat back at the table. It is evident that he is absent-minded.
The concert continues from the stage, but there is a buzz of anxious anticipation among the audience as they wait for the pinnacle performance of the evening.
“I simply cannot wait to hear Maestro Paus’s new piece” can be heard among the edgy guests. Sophia grows progressively more bored as the concert continues. She knows the new piece that would be played, and while it is incredible, it is not new to her. Stifling a yawn, Sophia notices an older man approach Barbara. He quickly whispers something in Barbara’s ear, and they both hurriedly leave the table.
“Well, that was intriguing,” Sophia states more to herself than anyone in particular.
“What was that?” Benjamin asks.
“Oh, nothing.”
“Has your friend arrived yet? The surprise guest performer?” Benjamin questions.
“I was wondering the same thing,” Sophia answers as she surveys the room. She also notices that she and Benjamin are not the only ones who seem to have noticed the absence of the musician.
“Certainly, if he were here, he would have stopped by to say hello,” Sophia remarks.
As Sophia continues to glance around the room, the orchestra music swells. As the audience breaks into a standing ovation and the conductor takes a much -deserved bow, Sophia can’t help but wonder why the violinist had not shown up.
