n

n

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"Okay, so for next week, I task everyone to prepare yourselves and perform a piece in class. This will be used as assessment on the level of your mastery. You may use whichever instrument you want. So, that's it for the day. Thank you very much and see you all next Friday.

" Felix instructed as he dismissed the students.

n

"Serena, I'll wait for you here. Let's go out shopping in town later!

" Milly suggested.

n

"Alright, I hope this won't take long.

"

n

"Sorry guys, Via and I have to leave. We're meeting my brother, George. Our parents just arrived this morning and wishes to have dinner with us tonight.

" Gizel dejectedly stated, wanting to spend more time with the girls.

n

"No worries Gizel, we still have the whole year ahead.

" Serena replied with a smile.

nWalking to the front, Serena noticed that Kylo, Leonard and Geoffrey were still seated while Emily and Charlton were standing on each side of the teacher's table as they spoke with Felix who was in the middle. Serena stood across Felix.

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"Ms. Serena, thank you for joining us. As I was saying to Mr. Charlton and Ms. Emily here earlier, my dear niece will be having her wedding next month. Initially, I just wanted to have them perform a Canon D duet on her wedding, but when I heard your song, I just knew that adding that would be most wonderful! If you so agree, we can use this event for your exposure, at the same time, it will be a soft debut of your song to gauge the reaction of audiences. Of course, this is a favor and I'm sure my niece and her husband will be most thankful to you as your song will truly make their wedding memorable.

"

nWhen Serena heard that Felix still wanted to pair up the two, she really wanted to crack his head and see what's running in that mind of his. If she didn't know better, she would assume that he's playing as their match maker.

nSuddenly, as if inspired, a bright idea came to Serena's mind.

n

"I understand sir, but as you said earlier, my song still needs some polishing. So, I came up with an idea as I was so inspired by the duet made earlier. So, I too want to have an accompaniment with my song.

" Serena suggested slyly.

n

"Yes! That is a great idea! Mr. Geoffrey if you may please? Please come join us.

"

n

"Yes, Sir?

" Geoffrey called into attention replied as he stood up and walked over. He stood next to Serena.

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"Do you have time on the 28th of next month? I understand that your schedule is usually packed, but it is a Sunday.

" Felix asked.

n

"It will be quite tight, but I think I can make time.

"

n

"Great! As you may have heard, I wanted to ask these three here to perform on my niece's wedding scheduled on that day. Would you mind pairing up with Ms. Serena here in playing her song?

n'What the actual **!? No NO NOOOO! NOT HIM YOU BUFFOON!!!!' Serena screamed in her mind. She didn't even wait for Geoffrey to respond as she quickly rebutted:

n

"Actually Sir, since this is a new song, I think I will be needing more time in practicing with the person I will be paired with. His highness might be quite busy and I'm afraid to impede too much of his time.

"

nGeoffrey was about to refute her but Serena didn't even give him the chance to speak.

n

"So I was thinking, since Pachelbel's is a famous classic, I believe that it would be better to let his highness perform that with Miss Emily instead.

" Serena finished. 'Now take that! You will never find a loophole there and I highly doubt that Male lead here will turn down the chance to spend more time with his Emily.'

nGeoffrey felt that what she said was not quite right but had to swallow his opinion. Although he doesn't mind spending some time with her, thinking that he should at least, as her fiancé, give getting to know her better a try, he still had his heart invested on Emily.

n

"Well, that makes sense. But...

" Felix replied a bit unsure as he faced Geoffrey. He only deigned to ask the crown prince to join because he thought that he might agree just to give face to his own fiancée.

"What do you say Mr. Geoffrey? Will that be alright?

"

nGeoffrey noted the smile on Serena's face making him feel a bit uneasy, but he also wanted to have a valid reason to be with Emily. So he nodded his head saying yes.

n

"Wonderful!

" Felix said as he clapped.

"By the way, let me introduce the two of you. Ms. Emily, this is Geoffrey William, Mr. Geoffrey, this is Emily Evans, I hope that the two of you can get along well.

"

nGeoffrey nodded at Emily, and Emily curtsied. If Serena haven't read the novel, she would think that these two just met each other for the first time. Truly deserving the Oscar.

nThen Felix continued,

"Then, Mr. Charlton, I know it might be time consuming, but knowing the music prodigy that you are, I'm sure you can manage. So, do you mind if I pair you up with Ms. Serena?

"

nSerena this time looked at Charlton from the corner of her eyes with her left brow raised, as if daring him to say no.

nCharlton shook his head, smiling as he directly looked at Serena in the eye and said,

"No Sir, I don't mind.

"

n'Well, not this time. You can not regret this.' He thought as he saw her face bloom dazzlingly.

nHearing him agree, Serena's heart was so full of delight that her eyes can't help but shine and her mouth form a smile showing her teeth. You can feel happiness exuding from her in waves that it is almost tangible.

nGeoffrey looked at her strangely feeling that there was something weird going on. However, he chose not to comment as he still felt guilty about purposely choosing to pair up with Emily while Serena knew none the better. He also told himself not to judge her as he didn't know her well enough.

n

"Great! Then it is settled. Now, regarding our schedule. I understand that it might be difficult for us to settle on a fixed timeframe, so I hope that I can trust you to work with your own partner even when not supervised. I consider you four as virtuous young adults with proper morals. As this is a favor, I will give you access in using the private music rooms at the end of the corridor to rehearse in after classes and on weekends. However, please do inform me if you face any difficulties. I will also need to check on your progress from time to time. For this, we can just schedule it after our class. Do you have any questions?

"

nSerena shook her head, Emily said 'None, sir' while the other two boys remained silent.

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"Well then, as I hear no question being raised, then I thank the four of you in advance. I look forward towards your masterpiece.

" Felix said as he nodded, fumbled his bag, then gave Charlton and Geoffrey a key each, and smiled at them.

nSerena felt her pulse quicken when she saw their instructor handing Charlton a key, he just gave her plenty of ideas on what she and Charlton can do in the private room he was talking about.

n'No sir, thank you. We will make a masterpiece indeed.' Serena thought as she eyed Charlton who winked at her.

n--

nTBC

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