The man’s face became very red. It seemed he had a lot he wanted to say but couldn’t find the right words.
Zeno smirked and placed his hood back on.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, was another young woman—undoubtedly the prettiest among the bunch.
She clicked her tongue as she was awoken by the sound of fussing inside the room.
“Oh, Ari,” a young mom whispered. “You’re awake.”
“What’s happening?” Ari asked, still blinking the sleep from her eyes. She was already annoyed that she woke up before her nephew had arrived. She usually hated coming here to fetch him because it was filled with rich, obnoxious people.
Granted, she also had way too much money for a young person and was treated really well in their circle. Still, Ari didn’t like the idea of always talking about one’s assets, as if it was the only thing on which their lives depended.
She only went to fetch her nephew during the most needed times—like now, when her sister is going to a doctor’s appointment for yet another unborn child. Ari shook her head. She still hasn’t lost her libido even after years of marriage.
“Someone had just insulted Vice Mayor ,” the young mom said, leaning closer to Ari.
Now, that snapped her awake. A person had dared go against the Vice Mayor of the city? That person must be nuts!
Korain was the most respected person among the circle in their music school. It wasn’t just that. Her nephew, who goes to a prestigious private school in Seoul with Korain’s daughter, said that their family ruled the entire school.
Ari could see it, too. He had made lots of donations for the sake of uplifting his reputation, and it seemed he was also in talks to become the new mayor of the city. The fact that someone spoke against him in their little circle was something to watch!
Ari turned to the scene right away.
There, she immediately saw the source of the conflict. A man, whose face was nearly entirely covered with a hood, challenged Korain with his gaze.
Ari smirked, watching with intrigue. It seemed that coming here today wasn’t too bad after all.
A woman awkwardly chuckled, looking at Zeno with a sharp gaze. “I don’t think you know what you’re talking about as you are new here,” she started off through gritted teeth. “This is Vice Mayor Korain, and he only said those words out of genuine concern for Gaby. His daughter, Elah, tries to befriend everyone except for Gaby.”
“I think that says a lot about her upbringing.”
Zeno’s face didn’t give anything away. “I stand by what I said,” he said.
Ari froze for a second. His real voice was muffled by the mask, but somehow, he sounded very familiar.
“It doesn’t change the fact that it’s none of your business. As far as I know, Gaby hasn’t done anything personally to any of you… or her dad. The man is busy with his company.”
“A failing company,” Korain muttered, calming down. He pulled on his tie slightly and straightened his posture again.
“The others had already explained. I said those words out of genuine concern.”
Zeno scoffed, causing Korain’s eyes to widen once more.
“Alright,” he muttered. “If you’re doing it out of genuine concern, then why don’t you speak with Gaby’s father directly instead of airing out your quote and quote ‘concern’ to this group?”
Ari couldn’t help but chuckle. She garnered some attention, but she quickly brushed it off as a cough. “Sorry,” she muttered, grabbing the tea and drinking it in one go. “Itchy throat.”
Zeno turned to her, a bit surprised to see the young writer among them. Still, it didn’t concern him.
The Vice Mayor had lost his composure. However, he tried his best not to show it—especially not in front of such a rich bunch. With that, he settled on smiling.
“Then, I apologize,” he bowed slightly.
Zeno’s eyebrows raised in surprise. Now, that was unexpected. He didn’t know that a man like him could say those words. However, Zeno knew the implication of his words—he was turning him into the bad guy.
The other parents turned to Korain with wide, sparkling eyes. “Oh, there’s nothing to apologize for,” one mother said. “This young man is just too sensitive. Clearly, we were concerned for Gaby. However, this is a lesson for all of us not to meddle with those who are struggling.”
“There’s a reason why poor people stay poor,” she blatantly said.
Ari frowned at that statement. However, it seemed that the others agreed in a single beat.
Zeno’s amusement triumphed over his annoyance. Someone would actually say those words out loud, huh?
Just then, the door opened, revealing Bangs with a wide smile. “Here’s your tea,” he said, placing it in front of Zeno. Again, he was completely oblivious to the increasing tension inside the room.
“The kids are about to be done,” he said. “They’re coming out in a second.”
The guardians thanked Bangs as he walked back to his little, dainty table on the right side of the room, seemingly attending to calls.
“Have you hired a new teacher for Elah?” someone asked Vice Mayor Korain, changing the subject.
Korain smiled and nodded. “It’s so difficult finding one these days, as most of them have very expensive rates.”
“Oh, come on. We know you can afford it, Vice Mayor,” one chimed, and they burst into chuckles again.
Korain, pretending to be humble, placed his hand over his heart. “But I am a very thrifty person. I don’t want to spend my money carelessly despite its abundance.”
Ari held in the urge to scoff.
“But, I want the best for my daughter, so I hired a recently-graduated college student who won the Seoul International Piano Competition, or the SIPC, this year! Such a talented young woman. What was her name again? Ah, right. Lea Min.”
Zeno subtly shook his head.
“Ah, I’m jealous.”
“I’ve been trying to book a lesson with her, but she has limited time slots.”
“You got her as a private tutor?”
“I should also look for another one for my daughter. One that has the same prestige.”
Korain nodded. “I always recommend it. The music school is for fun, and it allows the children to showcase their talents. However, having someone teach them privately will make them more talented.”
The others nodded in agreement once again. Then, Korain turned to Zeno once more. His voice changed a bit, but it seemed that Zeno was the only one who noticed it.
“How about you?” he asked. The room turned silent once more.
“Have you gotten Gaby a private tutor for piano?”
Zeno had no reason to lie. “No,” he answered.
There was some silence once more.
“That’s not a surprise,” one mom muttered.
“I feel bad for the child.”
“They clearly can’t afford this lifestyle, so why would they go through with it?”
Ari bit her lip as she heard the comments around her. Again, she wanted to go home. Coming here truly drained her.
Korain merely smiled at Zeno like he didn’t just start a fire of criticism from the other parents.
Just then, the kids started coming by groups. It wasn’t hard to spot who Elah was. She was the only child with gold chains hanging around her neck. It also had those clover leaf pendants that were too expensive for their own good.
There was no reason for a child to wear such high-prized jewelry, so it was clear that it was a declaration of status.
After a while, Gaby came out. She was all alone, but she still had a small smile on her face.
“Gaby, your uncle is here,” Bangs said, gesturing toward Zeno.
“Uncle?” Gaby muttered, tilting her head to the side. Then, her eyes brightened when she recognized who it was. He was covered from head to toe, but she could tell from his aura! He appeared like an angel, even like this.
She ran toward Zeno, causing him to stumble. “Uncle Angel!” she exclaimed.
They all turned toward the two of them.
“Well, it seems they have a good relationship despite the lack of money,” another person muttered.
Zeno was about to pull Gaby away from the scene, not wanting to stay there any longer, when whom he presumed to be their teacher came out of the room.
“The recital is next week,” she said. “There are students who are exemplary,” she smiled, turning to Elah and Korain.
“And some who need more work,” she continued, clearly looking at Gaby. The young girl bit her lips in nervousness when she felt everyone’s eyes on her. “I suggest you go through with home practice for those students who are lacking.”
“Thank you, and I hope to see all of you there.”
As the teacher left, the room was filled with sharp whispers once more.
“That girl is going to ruin the recital.”
“Seriously, they should just pull her out of the show. My mother-in-law is coming, and I don’t want her mood to get ruined by a mistake in the performances.”
Zeno glanced at Gaby and saw her trying to smile despite the slander. No wonder she was such a wise, strong girl. This was what she was enduring at such a young age.
“Let’s go, Elah,” Korain said, glancing at Zeno with a satisfied expression. He didn’t have to say anything, yet he felt like he had won.
Zeno, on the other hand, was feeling completely annoyed now.
Next to Bangs’ table, he saw a grand, white piano that appeared to be at least a hundred thousand dollars’ worth.
“Wait for a minute,” he softly said to Gaby.
Then, he went toward the piano and sat down.
And, without a second thought, he began playing.