No wonder she wasn’t ready.
It felt like Gaby wouldn’t be ready even after an entire month. She didn’t need a private tutor. She needed a miracle.
Zeno could tell right away that her heart was in the right place, but she had no talent for this field.
He pursed his lips as soon as she was finished.
“How was it?” Gaby asked.
Zeno should be honest. Right, that was how people improved.
“It sounds like ass—”
“It sounds so beautiful, honey!” Seulgi chimed, entering with the tray of food in her hands. “That was the best. Really, I loved it so much.”
Gaby brightened up while Zeno pursed his lips. Bobby and Seulgi truly suited each other. They viewed their daughter as a genius. Well, most parents did.
Most parents were also in denial.
“Here you go,” Seulgi said, placing the beloved root crop dishes on the table.
Zeno forgot about Gaby’s atrocious playing for a moment and ate with gusto. Seulgi and Gaby watched him fondly, noting the small smile on his face.
It was rare to see him this happy, and it made him look like a kid. At that moment, Seulgi felt endeared of him. She smiled and prepared another bowl since it seemed like one bowl wouldn’t suffice.
True enough, Zeno requested another bowl, and afterward, he ate the candied sweet potatoes like they were the most scrumptious thing on the entire planet—and they might just be.
It was one of the best foods he had eaten in his long, long life.
As soon as he was finished, he saw Gaby still trying to play the keyboard. He sighed and went over to her.
He pressed on the keys and gave her some tips. “Stretch your fingers,” he said, helping with her placement. “They’re too cramped. That’s why it sounds rushed.”
Gaby followed intently.
Zeno sat next to her and demonstrated it. “And your thumb should be straight, but the rest of your fingers should be slightly curved. Like holding a tennis ball.”
She nodded and began pressing the keys in the same manner. “I know you’ve already memorized the piece. So, now that you have a keyboard at home, play it at least five times every day until your recital.”
Zeno played her piece by ear, making Gaby turn to him with wide eyes.
“You’re so good at playing,” she sincerely said.
Zeno smirked. “I’m quite good at these things,” he muttered. “If you want to be good like me, then do as I say, alright?”‘
She nodded.
“And don’t forget to stretch your wrists right after. A pianist’s career relies a lot on the wrist.”
Seulgi watched from the side, noting that Zeno was much kinder than she thought.
“Try playing it again,” Zeno said.
Gaby nodded and did as she was told. She started playing, with Zeno trying to guide her tempo by clapping. It was definitely much better, but it still wasn’t satisfactory. However, an improvement was still an improvement.
“That’s good,” Zeno said right after. “If you’re determined, then you can do it. Beating the other kids is not impossible.”
“Beating the other kids?” Gaby asked with wide eyes.
Zeno nodded. “You want to be the best at the recital, right?”
Gaby wordlessly nodded.
“Then, don’t be nervous. You’re not naturally talented at this, but you’re lucky that this kind of skill can be learned even from ground zero.”
Gaby tilted her head to the side.
“Keep playing,” Zeno said, and with that, Gaby enthusiastically did. He stood and watched her from the side with crossed arms.
“Thanks,” he suddenly heard from beside him. He turned and saw Seulgi with a wide smile.
“For what?” Zeno muttered, his gaze still focused on Gaby.
“For doing all of these.”
“I didn’t do anything,” he said. “I just… delivered the keyboard piano.”
Seulgi chuckled. “I know. But that in itself is already something to be grateful for.”
“And, of course, it’s not only that. I guess I’m thankful that you ignited the light of my husband’s dream again. I could tell it was getting dim, but then you came to the picture.”
Zeno’s eyebrows raised. “But I thought you wanted him to stop with this.”
She sighed and crossed her arms in her chest. “I just got tired, you know? There are moments, especially concerning our children, when I feel like our life could have been better… or SHOULD have been better.”
“I can’t help but question what kind of life we would have if he just had a normal office job with a stable income.”
“But then,” Zeno butted in, knowing she had something more to say.
“But then, I wouldn’t see him so happy,” she muttered, a small smile appearing on her lips. “He’s a good provider. It’s true that he never let us go hungry. There is so much more I want to achieve in this life, but when I see him so happy, I feel that it will be worth it in the end.”
“You married a good man,” Zeno said, looking at their photos on the wall. Even with one glance, he could tell they were a happy family.
“A stupid one, but a good man nonetheless,” he added.
Seulgi laughed out loud, slapping her thighs in the process. “I won’t even refute that,” she said.
“But, it’s what makes my husband so endearing. My kids love him a lot, even Amby.”
“Hmm,” Zeno hummed. “I hope it stays that way for a long time.”
“And I hope it gets better with his company, too.”
The smile on Seulgi’s lips didn’t leave as she glanced at Zeno. Truly, this man felt like he was sculpted carefully. His face was a paradox of emotions.
Cold yet warm.
Handsome yet beautiful.
He had the charm that would be loved through the ages.
“I think that day is coming soon,” Seulgi whispered, making Zeno unable to hear her.
“What was that?” he asked.
Seulgi merely shook her head. “Nothing,” she muttered. “I just wish you the best for your acting journey. I can tell you’re going to get far.”
Zeno paused for a moment. If this was a month ago, then he would have cursed Seulgi out.
However, with his rebellion, he nodded in agreement.
“Let’s see,” he merely said.
Just then, the sound of the door opening was heard inside the small house.
“Honey, I’m home! I brought some tanghulu!”
Zeno uncrossed his arms. “Well, it’s my cue to go.”
With that, he walked toward the door, seeing Bobby with a tired yet happy expression. His eyes widened when he saw Zeno in front of them.
“Z—Zeno, what are you doing here?”
Zeno shook his head and placed on his shoes. Then, he grabbed a stick of tanghulu from him.
“If your wife asks you about something, just tell her ‘yes,’ alright?”
“Huh?” Bobby muttered in confusion.
Zeno didn’t answer anymore and just patted his shoulder. Then, he left their house while snacking on the strawberry tanghulu.
Meanwhile, Seulgi and Gaby greeted Bobby at the doorstep.
“Dad!” Gaby exclaimed.
Bobby smiled at her and gave her the dessert. She skipped happily back to the living room while munching on it.
Seulgi, on the other hand, stopped him before he could take another step forward.
“Did you really get Gaby that keyboard piano?”
Bobby was even more confused. But then, he remembered Zeno’s words.
“Yes?” he warily asked, and with that, he saw his wife’s beautiful smile. He couldn’t help the warm feeling that bloomed in his chest.
Seulgi went on his tiptoes and placed a kiss on his cheek.
“Thank you,” she muttered. “You’re the greatest dad Gaby could ever ask for.”