Araceli POV
Suddenly, a voice came from downstairs.
I snapped back to my senses.
Melany got on stage and said into the microphone, "Hello everyone, I'm Melany Chancey. I've prepared a special piano piece for Mrs. Lancaster today."
Melany smiled as she finished and then sat down in front of the piano.
Everyone in the banquet hall thought that she was the future Luna of Royal Pack.
At this moment, everyone was even more sure of her identity and applauded.
With her eyes slightly closed, Melany played Beethoven's "Für Elise" in front of the piano.This famous piano piece had a lively and lighthearted melody that quickly created a cheerful atmosphere.
She played it very well indeed, with hardly any mistakes. At the end of one of her pieces, there was a spontaneous thunderous applause from the people underneath.
The guests who were able to attend the Royal Pack's birthday party knew more or less about the piano.
The crowd was amazed to hear the tune Melany played.
"Ms. Chancey, you played this piano piece really well! I was just so immersed in it that I almost thought I was in a live recital by one of the piano masters."
"Ms. Chancey, may I ask if it was tough for you to learn the piano?"
Melany pursed her lips and smiled, "Honestly, I don't think it's that hard..."
"Ms. Chancey, you can be described as a genius for having such a high attainment in piano playing at such a young age!"
The people at the bottom complimented.
Melany lifted her chin confidently.
Her gaze turned and landed on me.
I was standing against the railing, a glass of wine in my hand, with a careless look.
Melany suddenly smiled, "I'm really flattered. It's actually really quite easy to learn the piano. My sister, Araceli Chancey, was giving piano recitals in Germany when she was a teenager. She's a much better piano player than I am. By the way, she also came to this party today and is now standing on the second floor watching us."
She looked over at me and pointed her finger at me.
In the banquet hall, everyone's eyes fell on me.
Melany smiles and says, "Araceli, we all want to hear you play. Why don't you play a song too."
I snorted, "I don't play the piano."
Melany sneers and turns her head to the audience and smiles, "Araceli, are you reluctant to come down and play a tune for everyone?"
"I haven't played in years and don't remember how to play the piano."
I said calmly.
I didn't need to please anyone in this banquet hall, there was no need to get up on stage and play the piano for them.
The more Melany got cocky.
"Araceli, didn't you tell me last night that you've been practicing a piece lately to play for Mr. Lancaster?"
Melany smiled and said, "Now is a great opportunity! You can play that tune for us as well. It's okay if you don't play it well. Mr. Lancaster, don't you think so?"
Quite a few people in the room got curious and urged, "Yes, Ms. Araceli. we really want to hear you play! It doesn't matter if you don't play well."
I smiled and set my glass aside, stepping down on my heels.
"Melany, since you want to hear me play so badly, I can try."
I stepped onto the stage and casually nodded on the piano. The piano was very ordinary, so its tone was even a bit inaccurate.
Melany had just played the piano a few wrong notes.
I sat down in front of the piano and my fingers lurched. I looked up slightly and saw Raphael standing in the crowd.
He gazed at me as if there were countless stars in his eyes.
Instantly struck, I bowed my head, closed my eyes, and murmured, "Mr. Lancaster, I play the tune for you tonight. Thank you for everything you've done for me."
The banquet hall fell silent. The lights hit me.
My long, slender fingers skimmed over the black and white keys. Pleasant piano music flowed through the banquet hall.
It was Debussy's "Clair de Lune", full of soft melodies and gorgeous harmonies, which soon created a warm, romantic atmosphere in the hall.
At the moment, I was completely immersed in the piano music.
I felt like I was bathing in a gentle evening under the moonlight at the moment, strolling in a quiet garden.
The soft moonlight poured over me, and a gentle breeze brushed my cheeks. The melody, like delicate threads, gently wrapped itself around my soul, evoking tenderness and warmth deep inside. Each note was like a drop of water falling on the surface of the water, creating ripples that resonate within me.
The climax ended. The song came to an abrupt end.
I opened my eyes and looked at the crowd in the banquet hall and woke up in despair.
There was first silence in the banquet hall, followed immediately by loud applause.
Everyone's eyes changed. Some even had tears in their eyes.
"Thank you."
I smiled and walked off the stage calmly.
Melany stood on the stage, completely frozen.
She looked uneasy and rushed, unsure of what to do.
I could clearly hear the crowd at the bottom murmuring.
"Ms. Araceli's piano is really wonderful. She really plays better than Ms. Melany."
"Ms. Melany played well, but Ms. Araceli resonated with me. I was totally impressed..."
"Ms. Araceli looks beautiful and plays the piano so well... I'm really impressed..."
I smiled and nodded at the guests, and as soon as I got off the stage, many men came over and hit on me. I was about to decline when I saw a tall figure walk up to me.
I frowned slightly, a little uneasy, but when I smelled that familiar scent, my mind instantly went blank.
I'd never had such a strong feeling before. My brain kept remembering that night five years ago.
That man kept whispering in my ear how much he loved me...
I came back to my senses and looked up.
It was Raphael.
His deep gaze revealed a different kind of emotion. I'd never felt this feeling so strongly before.
"Why didn't you tell me you played the piano?"
I said as I walked out the door, "You didn't ask me."
The guests saw Raphael and moved out of my way, not daring to strike up a conversation.
Raphael looked at the side of my face and asked, "You played the piano at your family's party, didn't you?"
I nodded. I did play piano at my eighteen year old party.
"Why are you asking?"
I was puzzled when I suddenly felt my waist being wrapped around me.
His hands were warm. My body trembled just as he touched my waist.
The strong hormonal scent came over me, making me violently think of that night five years ago again.
I'd been so in control of myself not to think about it, but as soon as Raphael leaned in, all my nerves tightened. I couldn't control my feelings at all.
I frowned slightly and shivered a little in his arms.
Raphael wrapped his arms more tightly around my waist, his voice low, and said, "Are you okay?"
"Let go of me."
I said through clenched teeth.
Raphael pressed down on my waist and lifted my chin, so I was looking right into his gaze.
I bit my lip and instead of avoiding his gaze, I looked at him firmly.