chapter 16-Awkward piano lessons

Lara's P.O.V

"So...Cara, what did you do today? I hope you didn't trouble, Mrs Huston much." I asked Cara as I kept my eyes fixed on the wet road.

It was raining heavily.

"I didn't trouble her, mommy." she said as she enjoyed the rain.

"Do you know mommy, Jonah's mom taught me how to braid the hair. She is sooooooooo...good!" she said how good Mrs. Houston was gesturing her hands.

"Yeah, I know. And did you eat anything for dinner?" I asked.

"Yes, mommy. I ate veggie soup and pasta and I finished everything on my plate. Promise!" she spoke.

"That's like my good girl," I said smiling.

"Mommy, stop!" Cara shouted out of blue.

I suddenly applied the brake and it stopped in the middle of the dark road.

"What happened Cara? What happened?" I asked her nervously and started examining her body if she was hurt.

"Mommy, I am fine. Look-" she said pointing her fingers towards a tree.

I followed her finger and found a little white puppy shivering under the tree. There was a road-light near the tree.

Poor, puppy! Must be feeling cold.

"Mommy, please help him. He is feeling cold. Please-please-please help him." she cried.

"Don't cry, baby. You wait here, I'll bring him." I got the umbrella from the back seat and got out of the car. I walked to the puppy.

"Come here, you poor little thing." I said to the puppy and picked him up. I walked towards the car and opened the back door of the car.

"Mommy, take this and cover him," Cara said handing me the furry blanket which I gave her to save her from cold.

"No need of that, sweetie. I have an extra sweater, I'll wrap him with it. You wrap the blanket back." I said while I took the extra sweater from under the back seat and wrapped the little puppy.

"Mommy, can he live with us? " she asked with so much of innocence in her eyes.

Sure. Why not?!! I can definitely afford to keep him as our pet. Cara will also get someone to play with her in the apartment.

"Okay, you don't need to make a puppy face, sweetie," I said smiling.

"Mommy, you are the best." she gave me kiss on my cheek.

The puppy was feeling warm now and was sleeping quietly.

I got out of the back seat and opened the front door and took the driving seat.

*******

"Mommy, what should we call him?" Cara asked as I put the little puppy on the furry carpet.

I walked inside the kitchen and brought the fruit basket for him. It was quite big for him. He'll be comfortable in it.

"Ummm.....What do you think? What should we call him?." I asked as I placed the furry blanket inside the basket and then placed him slowly in the basket.

"Okay...We'll call him JoJo." she said looking at him smiling.

"JoJo! Nice name, sweetie. Okay, now it's time for bed. Let's go brush our teeth and then sleep." I said and carried her to the bathroom.

******

I woke up by the rays of the sun striking my face. I sat on the bed and moved my hands to wake Cara.

Where's Cara?

I jumped off the bed panicking and walked inside the living area. And started looking for her.

She was sitting beside the couch and was playing with JoJo. He looked healthier than yesterday and was playing along with her.

After playing with him, we brushed our teeth and I started making pancakes for us meanwhile Cara and JoJo went into the bedroom to play. I was opening the packet of biscuits to feed JoJo when I heard the doorbell.

I opened the door and found Ange at the door and she looked...sad.

"Good Morning Angie. Good to see you here." I said with a smile and hugged her.

"Come inside." I offered.

She didn't speak anything. She walked inside with the same sad look on her face and sat on the couch.

I turned off the gas stove and went to her. I sat beside her.

"What happened, Angie? You look tensed. Is everything alright?" I asked and placed my hand on her shoulder.

She hugged me tightly and started crying.

"Lara, everything is ruined. Now, what'll I do? My mother needs my support and see what happened.." she said between her cries.

"What happened, Angie? Why are you crying? " I asked caressing her hair and trying to comfort her.

She parted from the hug and wiped her tears using her handkerchief.

"Today morning I got a call from Mr Brit lee and he informed me that I've been suspended from school and I need to sign my resignation letter today. " she said trying to hold back her tears.

"What? But why? You just got awarded by him as 'the best employee.' Then why would he do that to you?" I asked totally surprised.

Mr Brit lee is not a person who would do injustice. Then what happened to him this time?

"I asked him the same question. But he just said that he has got no other options and for the betterment of the school, I'll have to leave the school." she said wiping her tears.

"What? That's absurd. How is your resignation and the betterment of the school even related?In fact you are one of the finest teachers in our school. " I asked.

"He didn't explain any further but he assured me that he would find me a good job...I need a job to support my old mother. I won't be able to pay her hospital bills if I don't have the job." she said weeping.

I was about to speak when her phone rang. She picked it up without reading the caller ID and walked to the balcony to attend the call.

After she ended the call, she walked towards me and this time she had a smile on her face.

I stood up from the couch.

"Lara, you won't believe who called me right now, " she said and hugged me.

"Wow, Angie must be a good call. Who was it? " I asked smiling.

"It was from J.D. Enterprises. They said that they want to offer me the job of a personal assistant of the CEO. Mr Brit lee recommended my name for the job. He really found me a new job. " she said smiling.

"Wow! That's good news, Angie. Mr Brit lee is really a man of his words." I said smiling.

"Yeah..he is. Lara, now I need to rush for the company. Need to submit some required documents to the office. Bye!" she said smiling and hugged me bad goodbye.

I bade her back and she rushed out of the door happily.

*******

"Cara, don't go far with Jo Jo. Stay within my sight." I said to her sitting on the park bench.

Cara wanted to take Jo Jo on a walk so we took him to the nearest park. I called Ash and she will be joining us too.

I was seeing them play with each other when I noticed Ash walking towards me.

"Hello, Ash-Ass. What's up?" I said standing up.

"I'm fine." we hugged.

"Where's your new pup?" she asked searching for Jo Jo.

"Over there," I said pointing my fingers towards them.

"Oh, my gosh...he's so cute! Larry, I envy you-you've two small tokens of cuteness. I'm in love with this pup." Ash was totally awed.

"Yeah. And I'm really thankful for having them." I said smiling.

We both sat on the bench. I told her everything that happened at Adams' mansion yesterday.

"Wow. He's got the guts, Lary. I must say. Even after getting beaten from you, he still has the guts to come closer to you." Ash said giving unbelievable look.

"Yeah Exactly!" I exclaimed.

I'll not spare him this time. If he doesn't stay at least a meter away from me then he'll have to deal with my martial arts.

"Or maybe he is interested in you." I rolled my eyes.

"Shut up, Ash-Ass," I warned.

"But he is so hot and rich. You are a lucky bitch." Ash winked.

I just rolled my eyes.

"Okay now, Lary, I must rush to the company. I heard a very important client is coming today to get styled his new wardrobe," she said standing up.

"Busy day!" I said standing up.

"Yeah. See ya. Bye. Say bye to your two babies." she hugged and walked away.

*******

"Cara, stay with Mrs Black. And don't trouble her." I said to her as I handed her and JoJo to Mrs Black; an old grandma living next to our door. She lives alone and accepted to babysit Cara. She loves kids.

Thank god! Now I don't have to worry about them while I'm out.

"Thank you so much, Mrs Black. It really means a lot." I thanked her.

"It's nothing, my child. I'll enjoy with them. Don't worry about them." she assured and smiled.

********

I drove to Adams' mansion for the piano classes.

Please-please, let him not be inside, please. I don't want to see him.

I entered the mansion as Dora welcomed me with a warm smile.

"Good evening, Ms Jones. Little master is waiting for you in the living area," she informed.

Only little master? Not his uncle? Yay!

I thanked her and walked to the area.

"Good evening miss." Josh greeted.

Thank god, Mr. Adams isn't really here.

"Good evening to you too, Josh." I greeted him smiling back.

"Let's start our class then." I said as I sat on the piano bench along with Josh.

"Be gentle on the keys. To learn to play the music one must first learn to feel the music. Look at the notes on the notebook and just play them on the piano. See, like this." I said as I showed him how to play the notes of my song.

"Yeah. Like that. You're doing it perfectly, Josh. I must say, you're a really sharp learner." I said, encouraging him.

"His uncle is a sharp learner too, Ms Jones." I heard someone's...as in...his voice.

I looked up to see him standing in front of me in his black suit wearing the same evil smirk on his face.

Damn! Why is he here?

Because it's his house...duh!

Yeah, I know. But isn't he a workaholic? Then why isn't he in his office-working? What is he doing in his house?

His family doesn't see him around much often and here, I who is no one to him is getting to see him every day since the night I first met him.

Why?

"I hope you haven't forgotten your promise to teach me your song, Ms Jones." he said walking towards us.

I would rather prefer dying than teaching you my song, Mr Creep.

"I never promised. I just agreed." I said standing up and crossed my arms.

"Really?" he walked closer to me.

Stay away! Stay away, you Creep!

"Y-yes." I stuttered but tried to look strong.

"Okay then do what you agreed to do, Ms Jones," he said boring his gaze into my eyes.

Why are my palms sweating?

"Uncle Shane, I know how to play the song. I'll teach you." Josh said coming in between us.

Thank you, Josh. You're my angel. You're my saviour.

"Yeah. He'll teach you the song." I said, smirking.

"No ways Josh! I want to learn the song from Ms Jones," he said without averting his eyes from me.

"But why-" Josh was cut off by Cameron.

"Josh...come over here. Your dad has called. Come on!" she yelled from another room.

"May I go, miss?" Josh asked.

No. Please don't leave me with your monster uncle. Please, Josh.

I wanted to say but I didn't.

"Sure," I said smiling.

He ran out of the room.

"So shall we start the lesson?" he asked smirking.

No!

"Yeah. Sure." I said, walking towards the seat.

"Let me help you," he said and pulled the chair for me to sit and then took his seat next to me.

Trying to be a gentleman, huh?

You're not a gentleman, Mr Creep. So don't try to be one.

Tell this aloud, Lara.

I can't.

Are you afraid of him?

No. Not at all.

Then say it aloud.

Yeah. I can.

"Mr Adams-" I was going to tell him that he doesn't need to act like a gentleman when he cut me off.

"Yes, Ms Jones?" he asked closing the gap between us.

Our face were just inches apart. He was making me more nervous.

"Umm...Mr. Adams...no...nothing." I stuttered.

"Read these notes and follow them," I said referring to the notes.

He didn't avert his eyes from mine. Neither did he move a bit. He stayed in the same position.

"Umm...so let's start," I said trying to make some distance between us and avoiding the situation we were in.

He finally averted his eyes from me and started reading the notes carefully. He then placed his fingers on the keys. He played so effortlessly more like a professional pianist. He then closed his eyes.

Does he also close his eyes and feel the music while playing the piano as I do?

Wow. I must say, he really played it so well.

I couldn't stop myself from closing my eyes. I was feeling the music. It was soothing and gave me the same comforting feeling which I used to feel when mom used to play this song for me.

"Did I play it well, Ms Jones?" I heard his voice. I slowly opened my eyes and saw him staring at me.

When did I get lost in his music?

Awkward! Awkward!

"Yeah. You were good." I said, without looking at him.

"I am glad that you liked it." he said with a smirk and again did the same thing-he closed the gap between us and now there was merely 2 inches distance left between our faces.

"Y-you are really a sharp learner, Mr Adams." I stuttered. I was really nervous because of his closeness.

Gosh! Why is he doing this?

He stared at my lips which made me bit my lower lip nervously.

"Don't do that," he said, huskily.

"What?" I asked, staring into his eyes.

"Don't bit your lips or else-" he said and stopped.

"Else what?" I asked.

"Or I'll....force you...to teach me another song." he winked and stood up.

"See you around, Ms Jones." he buttoned his suit and walked out of the room.

I thought...he was going to ki...nothing.

Were you expecting something else, Lara?

No!

Then are you disappointed that he didn't ki-

No!!! Not at all. Shut up mini me.

"Miss, I am back. Let's continue our class." Josh came running inside the room.

"Okay." We continued our lesson.

"Bye, Josh. You were really good today." I said smiling.

"Thank you," he said smiling back.

"Is there break tomorrow from the piano class?" he asked.

"Of course. It is Saturday tomorrow. We can take a break from our classes tomorrow and on Sunday as well." I said as I packed my handbag.

"See you on Monday, Josh. Bye." I said smiling and he smiled back too.

"Miss....your sister is really pretty," he said and ran away from there.

Huh?

Jonah, you got a competitor, I guess. I laughed at that.

I walked out of the living area when my phone beeped. It was a text message from Ash which read.

Meet us at Lobo's cafe at 7. Angie and I am waiting for you here.

I texted back.

Okay. I'll be there in 15 minutes.

After biding goodbyes to Cameron and Mrs Adams, I drove to the cafe.

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