by Aly White
Violet nods and then bids her goodbye to Miguel and me; the latter is just standing on the corner watching our interaction. He nods at Violet, eyes still on her back as she leaves the room. I raise an eyebrow when he finally turns his attention to me.
“What?” he asks as he peels himself off the wall.
“Nothing,” I reply, turning my attention back to my notes as I read it again.
“Are you ready?” he asks.
I nod as I put on the headphones and Miguel signals Caleb, who is probably sitting on the other side of the glass panel, to play the music.
I am always ready.
Maxene
I trace the piano keys as I play the last song for the night. It is also going to be the last song that I’m ever going to play as a pianist in this restaurant. I don’t have to look at my fingers as they land on the keys because I’ve already memorized it. I close my eyes, my body swaying at the beat of the song, and for the first time in a very long time, I felt a surge of joy enveloping my whole body as I play the piano in this restaurant.
I have been playing the piano in this restaurant for the past two years, and looking back, it just dawned on me that I don’t dislike playing this piano. I hated playing it.
It always reminded me how I can be a musician, but that I would be nothing more than a pianist in one of the tackiest restaurants in this town. One could say that one of the reasons why I hated playing this piano is because my boss would always tell me how much I am not cut out for the masses, that I couldn’t possibly be a successful musician because I’m short on talent.
I also realize, however, that playing the piano has given me some of the most wonderful experiences I’ve had in my life. It gave me the opportunity to practice my craft. Playing this piano paid my bills and kept me off the streets.
Then there’s the little girl, the one I met a few nights ago, the girl who wore a pink dress and told me that she would be a pianist like me when she grows up. As much as I don’t want to admit it, being the pianist of this restaurant has also provided me with some of the wonderful memories that I will surely hold on to.
My fingers land on the last few keys as the song comes to an end. I smile as I feel like a thousand ton has just been lifted from my back, and now, I feel light. Tonight marks my last day working as a pianist at this restaurant, and marks my first day working with Woods Studio.
I scan my surroundings, as my position gives me the best seat in the restaurant, and spots Violet a few tables away from where I am sitting. Violet is watching me play, and as soon as I meet her eyes, I nod and smile at her before I stand up and walk towards her table.
“Have you been waiting that long for me?” I ask as I take the seat directly in front of her. One of my co-workers approaches us, Jared, who hands each of us a menu. I smile at him, muttering a ‘Thanks’ as I take the menu from him.
“Not that long,” Violet answers as she looks up from the menu. “What would you recommend?” she asks, putting down the menu.
“I recommend the House Special,” I say without skipping a beat.
“Okay,” she says, and to Jared, “I’ll take the House Special please.”
“Okay, one House Special,” Jared repeats, and I watch as Jared’s stare linger at her for a second too long before turning towards me with a smile. “And Max, what will be your order?”
“I’ll take the House Special too,”
Jared repeats our order once again before he leaves our table, but not before giving Violet a lingering gaze.
“He is totally checking you out,” I say to Violet as soon as Jared is out of earshot, my arms on the table as I lean towards her.
Violet just rolls her eyes, and apparently, Jared’s behavior doesn’t go unnoticed. “I know,” she replies, leaning to her chair. “But he’s just not my type.”
I hum in agreement, remembering her interaction with Miguel earlier today.
“You don’t believe me that he’s not my type,” Violet says after a while, laughing as she did so. “He’s definitely not my type, and I’m too busy building my own career to be involved in a romantic relationship,” she adds before taking a sip from her glass of water.
Jared comes back a few minutes after with our order. He also serves us a bottle of wine, saying that it’s ‘on the house’. I raise my eyebrow at this, but nonetheless, I keep my mouth shut. I watch as Jared glance a handful of times at Violet who is busy with her phone.
“Thanks,” Violet says, smiling at him, as soon as Jared puts her food in front of her, and Jared’s reaction almost made me laugh.
“Ladies, let me know if you need anything,” Jared says, winking at me before he leaves us again.
We immediately start eating our dinner, my stomach making a sound as soon as I take my first bite. I’ve been too focused on my jobs that I completely forgot to eat before I start my shift in the restaurant.
“This is so good,” Violet says, moaning as she takes another bite. “I forgot to eat lunch earlier because I was too buried in my work,” she adds.
“I only ate a little for lunch too,” I say, taking my glass of wine. “I couldn’t eat that much because I was too nervous since it’s my first day with Woods Studio.”
“You were nervous?” Violet asks in disbelief. “But you did so well earlier! I wouldn’t even notice that you were nervous!”
“I really was nervous,” I repeat, and then I raise my wine glass. “Let’s toast to this great dinner after a long day at work and missing lunch,” I tell her as she raises her own glass. The tinkling sound of our wine glass fills my ears as we both laugh, taking our own time in savoring the wine.
“Can I be frank with you?” Violet asks as she puts down her almost empty wine glass. “If that’s okay?”
“Sure,” I say as I nod at her to go on as I take another bite of the roasted beef.
“I am really envious of you,” Violet starts as she pours herself another serving of wine. “You are great, of course, and you really deserve this break. But I’ve been in this industry longer than you, and I couldn’t believe that I still haven’t gotten the break that I need,” she pauses as she takes a sip of her wine.
“I mean, I’ve been working my ass off ever since, and I know that I’m doing my best, and yet, I feel like the effort I’m putting on ever since is not enough,” she sighs, resting her head on her palm as she stares at me. “I’m really envious of you. But I would also like to congratulate you because you truly deserve it.”
I give her a sad smile, knowing fully well that words of encouragement are not enough to make her feel good. “Can you see that piano over there? The one I’m playing earlier?” I tell her, pointing at the piano. I look at Violet, and she nods at me.
“Well, I’ve been playing that piano for years, two years to be exact. And I hated playing it,” I continue, my eyes still on the piano as I take a sip of wine from my glass. “Don’t get me wrong. I love playing the piano. But playing that specific piano makes me feel like I’m going to be stuck here for years,” I add, and this time, I say those words while I look at Violet’s eyes.
I feel my voice cracking up as I say the words that leave my lips. “I really thought that I’m going to be stuck in this place. That I will be playing that piano forever,” I watch as a small gentle smile appears on Violet’s face.
“I’m really glad that you’re now working with us now,” Violet says after a few seconds of silence, flashing me a smile after.
“I am really happy too that I was chosen,” I say before drinking the wine left on my glass.
“Can I tell you something?” Violet asks, her eyebrows furrowing as if she’s not sure if she could tell me what it is that she wants to tell me.
“Of course!” I answer enthusiastically. I pour wine once again on both of our glasses.
“I’ve been sleeping with Miguel for quite a while now,” Violet says quietly. She takes a sip of her wine before she continues. “I thought that sleeping with him would help me advance in my career
and be successful. I really do hope that it would help my career. I mean, that’s one of the open secrets in this industry,” she takes another sip of her wine as if it’s encouraging her to continue to speak.
“Miguel also has a really good work ethic, which is one of the reasons why I really want to work with him as an artist. I mean, you’ve seen how he is earlier,” she sighs, perhaps at the thought of working with Miguel but not as his studio assistant, but as an artist.
I hum in agreement, as I take a sip of my wine. “That is so true. I feel like he’s rapping his tips earlier because he has a lot to say and he is so specific, which I truly appreciate.”
“I really admire his work ethic,” Violet repeats, as she down her wine. “I also have a crush on Caleb, but I don’t think he’ll notice me anymore since he already got his eyes on someone,” she gives me a pointed look as she says the last word.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I say, laughing at her serious expression.
“Come on,” Violet groans, rolling her eyes at me once again. “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed the way he looks at you, because that’s definitely not the way he looks at me every time he sees me,” she continues, her wine and her dinner completely forgotten.
“Stop it,” I tell her, laughing as she groans again. “We should probably get the bill.” Violet only nods at me as she watches me call the attention of Jared.
“If he starts hitting on you,” Violet starts. “I’ll be here to tell you I told you so.”
Oh Violet, if you only knew.
As soon as Jared is right in front of our table, Violet almost shoves to his chest her card. She turns to me and says, “This dinner is on me. It’s my treat because I feel like I talked too much about myself tonight and I feel bad because I had to put you through it.”
“Of course you didn’t talk my ear off,” I tell her as Jared comes back with her card. “I really had fun tonight. We should do more of this girls’ night out.” I say goodbye to Jared right before he leaves our table since tonight’s my last night as his co-worker.
“We really should!” Violet beams as we get make our way outside of the restaurant. “Okay, so where do you live? I’ll wait with you if you’re going to take a cab.”
“Yeah, I’m going to take a cab since I didn’t bring my car with me,” I tell her as we stand on the side, waiting for cabs to pass by.
“Hey, girls,” A voice from behind us calls, and I turn around, only to see Tristan grinning from ear to ear. “I hope you had a lovely night.”
“Hey, Tristan,” Violet greets, raising her hand as she gives him a small wave. “Both of us had a lovely night.”
“Hi,” I say, nodding at him. “What are you doing here?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“I’m actually going to take you out to shop because we have something to discuss,” he replies, his charming smile never leaving her face. “Don’t worry about Violet. My driver will take her home.”
Violet and I look at each other. “Okay,” I say to Tristan, shrugging as we follow him towards the place where his car is parked.
Wow, and here I thought my night is already over.
Tristan
The car halts to a stop. My driver turns to me and says, “Sir, we have arrived at your destination.”
I turn and face Max and Violet, who are both talking to each other in hush voices. “Max, we’re already here,” I say, and then to Violet, “My driver will be taking you home. Just tell him where to drop you off.”
I get out of the car and then open the car door on Max’s side. “I’ll see you tomorrow!” I hear her say, and Violet says something back that I couldn’t hear that make Violet laugh.
“Bye, Violet,” I say as I lean against the car.
“Goodbye, Tristan. Take good care of Max,” she says as she waves at me. I wave back before shutting the door behind me and face Max with a question mark written all over her face.
“So, it’s almost nine o’clock,” she starts as I fall by her side. “How are we going to shop if the stores around this area are all close?”
I flash her a grin as we walk towards By V, one of the famous boutiques in the area whose owner is a critically acclaimed designer. “This one is not closed,” I say to her, putting an arm around her shoulder as we stand outside.
Max just raised an eyebrow at me, an incredulous expression visible on her face. “Are you really expecting me to believe that?” she scoffs, folding her arms in front of her chest. “All the shops are already closed, Tristan. It’s already late.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I tell her as I open the door of By V. “Stores are open whenever I want them to,” I add as I give her a wink and let her come in first.
I watch Max’s reaction as she walks inside, and the way her eyes widen at all the clothes is enough to make me smile even wider.
“Tristan! It’s so good to see you again,” Victoria, the critically acclaimed designer and owner of the store greets me as she comes in from the back of the room. She walks towards me and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “And you are…?” she asks Max, who is standing a few steps away from us.
“Flores,” Max replies without missing a beat as she walks towards Victoria to shake her hand. “Maxene Flores.”
Victoria smiles as they shake their hands. “Have you seen any pieces that you would like to wear?” She asks Max, leading and guiding her through each of the racks.
“Have you told her already, Tristan?” She turns as she waits for my answer, and I shake my head. “Do I get the pleasure of telling Ms. Flores why she’s here?”
“Please do the honors,” I answer, another grin splitting my face, she hums in confirmation as they go from one article of clothing to another, with Victoria giving Max tips on how to pair it up with other clothes. I put both of my hands in my pockets as I follow them across the room.
“I will be styling you for your first photo shoot tomorrow,” Victoria reveals, and Max’s brown doe-like eyes go as wide as a flying saucer.
“Are you for real?” Max exclaims, a hand flying to cover her mouth. “The Victoria is going to style me for my first ever photo shoot?” She turns to me as if she’s waiting for my confirmation like she really didn’t believe what Victoria just told her.
“She will be styling you tomorrow, Max,” I say, confirming what Victoria has just said and Max couldn’t help herself but squeal in excitement.
“Oh my god,” she squeals as pure happiness fills her whole being. “Am I dreaming? Because this is a dream come true,” she says to both of us, and I could see her getting teary-eyed.
“You are definitely not dreaming,” I tell her as I go to her side to give her a hug. “Victoria and I have already discussed the kind of concept we want for you photo shoot tomorrow, but Victoria wants to meet you beforehand, so I brought you here.”
“I want you to pick the clothes that you see yourself wearing so that I have an idea of your own personal style,” Victoria informs Max. Victoria takes some clothes off the rack, the ones that Max pointed out earlier. “I want your first photo shoot to be memorable for you, and I also want to incorporate your personal style.”
“Oh wow,” Max nods enthusiastically as if the announcement earlier has rendered her speechless. “Okay, how many sets of outfits should I make?”
“Three sets is enough,” Victoria replies, smiling at the energy that radiates from Max.
I guess I am not the only one who is feeling Max’s palpable excitement.
I watch from the sidelines as Max goes through each of the clothing racks with Victoria by her side, and I couldn’t help but feel her already impending success in the music industry. She has the talent, the looks and the stage presence to conquer the industry. Caleb did not go wrong in choosing her, and I think that we just hit the jackpot.
I chuckle as Max’s laughter fills in the room because of something that Victoria has said. Max has already Victoria captivated by her personality, and that is saying something.
&nb
sp; Max has a vibrant personality that no one could resist. A person just couldn’t interact with her and not get sucked into her orbit. The way that Max carries herself screams confidence, and sometimes, I doubt that she’s even trying.
Max, in short, is the perfect candidate as a front for me, and I have been looking for one ever since Caleb and I got together. There is no doubt that she would just captivate the hearts of my family in just a blink of an eye, and with her upcoming status as the new and rising star of Woods Studio, my family will accept her easily.
My father would no doubt accept her immediately in the family because Max’s vibrant personality and her beauty is a dangerous combination that no one can resist.
I approach them as soon as Max has finished choosing the three sets of outfits that she styled. Victoria looks through it, nodding while she does so, and I could already see her approving of Max’s style.
“I can already imagine you in these clothes for tomorrow’s shoot,” Victoria muses as she rummages through the pile of clothes in front of her and takes a black leather jacket before putting it inside a paper bag. “Here,” she says after a while, handing the paper bag to Max. “I really think that this jacket will suit you on any occasion.”
“Oh wow! Thank you so much,” Max exclaims as she takes the paper bag from Victoria. “You really didn’t have to.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Victoria says warmly. “I will see you tomorrow, then?”
“Of course!” Max beams as Victoria soon after gives Max one of her kiss on the cheeks.
“Tristan,” Victoria turns and walks towards me. “Take care of Ms. Flores. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She kisses my cheeks before leading us towards the exit.
“It’s always nice being in your company, Victoria,” I tell her as I give her a hug before stepping out of her store. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good night.”
“I can’t believe that I just met her,” Max sighs contently, clutching the paper bag closer to her chest. “Thank you so much for this opportunity, Tristan.”