Confession - 2

I took the paper from my bed. It's an old brochure from a school in Paris. It has this rough texture that seems to be stored for quite a long time. "What's this for?" I waved the paper at her.

"You're going to college. Follow your dreams and be happy."

Sonetta de Musique. Isn't this an expensive music school?

"You're giving me way too much credit Mother. They have a lot of conditions. And frankly, Father would be upset."

My mother stood firmly "Don't worry about him. And! I can help you with those million requirements. I just need you to do one thing." I squint my eyes, confused by my mom's serious face. "Go with us tomorrow at the launch of our new product."

I can't help but shake to my core. I'm sweating all over again. I tried to hide it but my gasps for air were becoming apparent. My mom just patted me on the head. "Your father and I will be there with you. I just need to prove your dad something and, I'll need you for it." She reassured me by cupping my cheek. "After that, you'll be happy doing what you like and no one can stop you."

Is it really worth it though? No, probably not. But this project meant the world to them.

I just gave her a slight, unsure nod and my mom kissed my cheek gently. "Mother knows best. Now sleep. We have to be early."

As soon as she left, I jumped on my bed from exhaustion. "Wow. What a day..." I just stared at the ceiling, contemplating what I should do next. I yawned and stretched. After finding the best position to sleep in, I scrolled down the app, trying to find Jamie's profile on Facebook.

What a shame, I don't have any patience for this.

I can subtly hear my phone ringing. But I soon found myself in the dream world and after that, everything faded to black.

Early morning came, and here I was, patiently waiting as my parents ran all over the house. "Honey! I think there's a mouse on top of the shelf!" My mother screeches.

"If you're that loud, it's probably across the country by now!" My father descends the stairs into the lobby.

"It's a goddamn sock. On top of the shelf!" She peeked outside before throwing it at my father's face. "And it's yours! I'll not even ask how it got there, but you're the one who'll wash it!"

My dad can only shake his head, hiding the sock behind a pillow on the couch. He shushes at me and a giggle escapes from my mouth. "Thanks for waiting, everyone!"

My mom emerges from the walk-in closet. "An hour in there and you come out looking like that?" My father examines her from head to toe. "What?" My mom asked, carefully staring at him. "And you look lovely as always, my dear." He kisses her on the cheek and she pushes him coyly.

No matter how crazy they may be, I want a relationship just like that.

We got in the car and started on the road. My heart skipped a beat when I opened my phone. It's Alicia, with over 50 texts and missed calls. Oh no. We're close to the venue of the project launch. I don't have time to view all her texts which is probably just her being upset. And I don't even want to know if she's angry.

We're here! We exited the car and flashes of over a dozen cameras started to overwhelm me. I felt dizzy and I came stumbling forward. My father stopped me from falling. "You're my son. So put your best foot forward." My mom supported me as we walked together. "We're here, sweetheart."

We trudged the runway for what felt like hours and we finally entered the venue. And guess what? It's much more packed inside! Just stare at the ceiling, Kai. You can do this. For my parents.

"Hén gāoxìng zàicì jiàn dào nî! Xiansheng Hé Nüshi Chaotan!" ("Nice to see you again! Mr. and Mrs. Chaotan!") A man approached us, greeting my parents.

"Ah, Mr. Calloway! Nice of you to be here!" My father shook his hand firmly. "This must be your son! Why'd you hide this handsome fellow!" Mr. Calloway held out his hand. My hands trembled, hesitant. "Nî hâo..." I replied, finally shaking his hand.

"Why are you shaky, boy?! Don't be afraid. I'm not bad." He said. My father scoffs and my mom slaps him gently in the stomach, trying to pull a straight face.

Mr. Calloway seemed to notice and he ushered someone over. "Hey, Davon! Come here." A guy saunters over, towering over me.

Can he breathe properly in that suit? His muscles are bulging hard on them.

"Have you met my son? He's graduating top of his class and a future scholar of Harvard thanks to his skills as a pianist! You'll be in awe, he'll be performing in the opening! How about you lad? How's school?" He stares directly at me and I feel like I'm melting in fear and shame.

My father stood in front of me. "He's fine. What I really want to know is. How's your business going?" Mr. Calloway stiffens, tensely looking at each other, never backing away.

His son gripped his father's shoulder and Mr. Calloway cleared his throat. "It's fine." He fakingly smiles. "Let's go, son! We'll just catch up with them later."

For a brief moment, I saw Davon looking at me with his mellow green eyes through his glasses. He gave us a sincere bow as he excused himself.

"That was definitely something." Mother said. "And how come his son gets to perform in our opening?"

My father's brows met. "That's why I kept screaming at home yesterday. That heathen is stealing the spotlight for our product! I can see his face turning reddish. "You know I've done everything I can to stop this but the higher-ups insisted on an 'opening' show."

"Well if they want an opening show, they're gonna get one." My mother mumbles. "Ah, honey?! I'll accompany our son to the bathroom."

What?!

She suddenly dragged me but instead of the bathroom, she led me to the side of the freaking stage! "This is it. This is what I need you to do." My mother whispers as a man approaches us, giving mom a violin. She passes it to me. "Go play! I want my happy little boy back..." She teared up, hugging me tightly as she said. "Just play."

Davon appeared out of nowhere. "My piano's already at the stage." He said in a gruff voice.

"Please let my son have this." My mom begged.

He gently smiles. "Don't worry, I'm planning to irritate my father anyway. Go."

My mother nods, wiping the tears from her face, gracefully walking on the stage. "A pleasant morning to every one of you! Thank you for coming to the first-day launch of our new product. But before anything else, how about a little music to set the ambiance?" I heard the crowds cheering. Just like in my first recital.

A smile appeared on my face. "Good luck," Davon whispered in my ear, intimately. I gave a short nod. "Please welcome. Mr. Chaotan's son. Our son! Kai!"

They all roared in excitement as I instinctively took the stage. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. Don't look at them. Just play! The crowd went silent. I can't hear a thing except for my fast, beating heart.

How long has it been? 12 years? I bit my lip, hard. No... I'm doing it again. My lips were always bruised because of this. Until I met her.

"KAI!" My head snapped back to the crowd because of a familiar scream. It's Alicia... She kept jumping up and down to catch my attention. "YOU CAN DO THIS!" I shyly looked at my mother on the podium and she gave me a thumbs-up while grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Instincts took over as I closed my eyes. A sweet symphony echoed throughout the place and I felt like I was standing in an open field filled with flowers. A tingling sensation ran all over my body as a soothing mellow tone enveloped me, making me remember all those good memories... I started to feel intense emotions and I couldn't help but cry with joy. Until the very last note, I felt elevated. I want to feel like this. Every time and every day. With one courteous bow, the crowd erupted into a loud, deafening cheer. Especially coming from Alicia.

I saw her running towards me and I met her on the side of the stage. She hugged me tightly! "I'm so proud of you! I thought I'd die never hearing you play again!" I smiled at her. "I'll play for you over and over again just to see your beautiful smile." She fell silent, looking at me, tenderly.

"I just wanted to tell you this before I leave." I held Alicia's hand in mine. I tried my best not to stutter, taking deep breaths and easing the next words I was about to say.

Alicia tilted her head. "What is it? What's with the serious face?"

"I like you. No... I-I love you!" I can tell she's too stunned to speak. I took another deep breath before reaffirming her. "I always have. Just to let you know that I'm fine with a long-distance relationship-- I love you..."

She ponders over what to say next. "No." She took a step back, taking her hand away from mine.

"I already love someone else."