Chapter 13 PIANO TEACHER

KATRINA's P O V

I couldn’t help but feel so sorry for myself because neither of the two job interviews I attended just recently culminated in an unsuccessful outcome.

‘‘I'm sorry, Miss… but we really do need an employee who is more experienced...'' I recalled the pregnant woman on the front desk, telling me after my most recent interview, and I nodded to her as I turned on my heels and walked out of the building feeling so discouraged.

I drew a deep breath of the crisp, fresh air of the afternoon breeze that slapped my face. I was devastated when none of the two firms to which I had applied offered me the position after the interview.

I have to wait for a response from the other companies again. I guess, I have to walk back home, since I couldn’t afford to take a taxi right now.

While I was waiting for the traffic light to turn green, my phone suddenly buzzed inside my bag.

‘‘Hello?’’ I responded to the call from an unknown number.

‘‘Is this Miss Katrina Sinclair?’’ a woman’s sweet voice asked from the other line.

‘‘Yes, who’s this?’’ I scowled and checked the number again, and I was very certain that it had not been added to the contact list on my phone.

The traffic light turned green, and I decided to cross the road to the other side, together with the people passing through the pedestrian lane.

‘‘Hi, Miss Katrina. I’m Pia Wesley, the owner of the music club where you applied yesterday, and I would like to inform you that you passed the screening for the position of piano teacher, and you are needed to come tomorrow for your interview…’’

‘‘Wait---’’

‘‘Yes, Miss Sinclair? Do you have any question regarding your application?’’ the woman asked politely, waiting for me to respond.

‘‘Actually, Miss Pia… I’m not sure if I want to take this job…’’ I said, as I continued to walk down the road, and I frowned, turning around when I felt like someone was following me. ‘‘I mean, I have no experience in teaching. My expertise lies in working as a secretary or as a personal assistant only…’’

I stopped for a moment, looking around my surroundings. When I was sure that there was no one around, I continued walking back home.

‘‘It’s okay, Miss…’’ Pia said, and I could feel the sincerity in her voice. ‘‘How will you get an experience if you’re not going to try it first? You will like the job, I assure you…’’

‘‘I don’t want to promise you, but... I don’t know if I would be able to attend the interview tomorrow…’’ I said as I came to a stop as soon as I caught sight of the apartment, my chest heaving up and down. Finally…

‘‘I’m still expecting you tomorrow, Miss Sinclair…’’ she said. ‘‘See you…’’

I shook my head as I put back my phone inside my bag, and walked towards the house. Tina’s car was already in the garage, which means that she’s already home.

‘‘Where have you been?’’ she asked the moment I opened the door. ‘‘I’ve been calling you since I got home, but you’re not picking up my calls. You have no idea how worried I am, Katrina! I thought you went back to Dawson’s company. My God, Katrina! If you’re going to do that, I’m telling you…’’

‘‘I'm sorry, I forgot to mention to you last night that I have job interviews today…’’ I cut her off, her voice was getting annoying sometimes. But I love her.

I let out a sigh as I sat down on the couch and flopped my body down.

‘‘What happened??’’ Tina asked as she sat down next to me. ‘‘Did you get the job?’’

I shook my head as I response, throwing my head back against the headrest. ‘‘I was late. And they said the boss hates tardiness…’’ I complained frustratedly as I tried hard to stop myself from getting teary. I’d had enough of crying. It really couldn’t be helped.

‘‘You have to try passing your application to others…’’ she said, trying to console me. ‘‘Don’t worry, you’ll get a good job someday. Just don’t go back to that devil husband of yours…’’

I chose to ignore her comment about Cohen and made an effort to push him out of my head completely. There was no room for him in my thoughts at the moment.

‘‘Actually, I have another job interview tomorrow…’’ I informed her while simultaneously expressing my interest in hearing her thoughts on the matter. ‘‘But as a piano teacher...’’

‘‘And you’re going?’’ she asked, her eyes trying to decipher mine.

‘‘I’m not sure, Tina…’’ I sighed. ‘‘Even though kids have a soft spot in my heart, I think I'm not going to be a good teacher…’’

‘‘You’ll know it once you've tried…’’ she explained, and I just brushed it aside. ‘‘You can always quit if you don’t feel like teaching anymore...’’

I bit my bottom lip. ‘‘If you say so…’’ I paused. ‘‘By the way, can you drive me there tomorrow?’’

‘‘Sure! But you have to wake me up. t’s Saturday…’’

‘‘Oh, but why do they wanted me to go there tomorrow if it’s Saturday?’’ I said, thinking about my interview.

‘‘Maybe they operate on the weekends. You know, kids have classes at weekdays…’’ Tina shrugged as she stood up from the couch. ‘‘Anyway, I’m going clubbing tonight. Wanna join me?’’

‘‘No thanks…’’ I declined, shaking my head. Just realized that she was wearing a silver mini dress. ‘‘I have to be sober on my interview tomorrow…’’

‘‘Oh, shoot! I’ll just call Jake then…’’ Jake is her childhood friend. ‘‘Bye, Katrina!’’

‘‘Be careful in driving!’’ I reminded her, and she responded by waving her hand at me and then shutting the door behind her.

………....…….***********…………...……

I stood patiently in front of a two-storey building, waiting for the security guard to open the gate, with a smile plastered on my face. I made sure to wake up on time this time around even though I wasn’t feeling really well. I have colds, and my headache was killing me. I wasn’t early, but I wasn’t late either.

A security guard opened the gate and greeted me with respect as he smiled, before he gestured for me to enter the premises.

‘‘Good morning, Miss Sinclair…’’ a middle-aged brunette woman met me at the doorway wearing a warm smile on her face. ‘‘I’m Pia…’’ she introduced herself, extending her hand to me. Without hesitation, I took her hand and gave it a gentle shake. ‘‘Are you ready for the interview?’’

‘‘Yeah…’’ I nodded reluctantly as I followed her inside the office. I was confident that everything was going to work out well for me here. I love the way how people here treated me with respect, and I was impressed with the whole vibe of the place.

‘‘Please take a seat…’’ Pia ordered, pointing to a chair in front of a giant piano that was placed at the corner of her office.

I got down at eyelevel with the piano as I tried to keep my nervousness on check. There was silence for about a second ago before she spoke up.

‘‘Everything I need to know about you is already written in your application, so I guess all I have to do now is listen and watch you play the piano...’’

I gave a small nod and started by testing the notes with my fingers, pressing on each one individually with my index. And as I felt my connection with the piano, I placed both of my hands on top of it, and my fingers naturally pressed the keys on the piano as I played the tune of ‘‘Let It Go’’ song while thinking about my childhood memories with Cohen.

I closed my eyes, and let my fingers fly over the keys while I swayed my head and body to the melody, feeling like I was the only person in the room.

It was crazy how the thought of Cohen still played in my mind. Some said that love makes you strong, but I was wondering whether I was being strong or stupid. I felt like a fool, and all I wanted was for this to end.

Clap of hands interrupted me, and I didn’t realize that I was done playing the music. When I opened my eyes again, I was greeted by Pia's radiant grin.

‘‘That was truly incredible, Miss Katrina. You could be making real money with skills like that!’’

I shrugged my shoulders, covertly brushing away a tear from the corner of my eye as I shifted to face her.

‘‘Congratulations, you got the job!’’