Chapter 6
Lira's POV
"You went home with a COMPLETE STRANGER?" Sophie's eyes widened like she'd seen a ghost. "And then had sex on his piano?"
I had just showered, wearing clothes Sophie had lent me, my hands still trembling slightly. The shower gel couldn't completely mask the lingering scent of passion and sweat on my body, and the bite mark on my neck had become more prominent after the hot water's stimulation.
"I was crazy, I know," I buried my face in my hands, my voice muffled. "This is SO not like me."
"FUCK Connor!" Sophie laughed, plopping down on the couch beside me, nearly spilling my coffee. "At least you completely forgot about that jerk. Judging by the 'battle scars' on your neck, this mystery man was pretty good!"
My face burned crimson. "Sophie! Stop it!"
"What's there to be embarrassed about? Revenge sex is the best therapy after a breakup." She winked mischievously. "Though if you want someone to fetch your bra, I'd be happy to help. And maybe check out what this man who turned our conservative Lira into a wild woman looks like."
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" I shook my head firmly, but couldn't help laughing. "I don't know what came over me. He was just... had some kind of indescribable magnetism. But in the morning he got super weird, like I owed him something."
"That's why one-night stands should end before morning," Sophie shrugged. "But seriously, you seem kind of... obsessed with him?"
I wanted to object, but every time I thought of that man—his burning gaze, the heat of his palm, that almost bestial growl when he bit me—my heart rate went out of control. But the next second, I remembered his accusatory attitude, and my teeth clenched in anger.
Whatever, I'll never see him again anyway.
---
That evening, Sophie dragged me to the music school registration office. Despite Connor's disdain, I was determined to apply for the advanced music course and pursue my dream.
"Please note that Professor Hayes requires all students to submit a recording first," the receptionist explained in a nasal voice, her eyes fixed on the computer screen. "He will select only 15 students from the applicants for his course."
"Only 15?" Sophie whistled. "Sounds like a top-tier VIP course."
"The class is scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:30 PM in the special rehearsal room in the main building," the woman continued, her eyes never leaving the screen.
"So late in the afternoon?" Sophie complained, frowning. "I won't have any time to study, and I'll be stuck doing homework all evening!"
I ignored her complaints, my mind already considering which pieces would best showcase my skills. Nathan Hayes was a world-class musician. Was my level good enough to impress someone like him?
Don't overthink it, Lira, at least give it a try. Dad always said the journey of pursuing your dreams matters far more than the outcome.
"You'll be fine," Sophie noticed my anxiety and patted my shoulder. "Meet me at the academy entrance tonight? We can use the practice room to record our samples."
---
In the evening, I found Sophie waiting at the music academy entrance. As we walked through the bustling corridors, I suddenly froze. A familiar figure was moving through the crowd of students—that tall stature, broad shoulders, black hair... my heart pounded frantically.
"What's wrong?" Sophie followed my gaze, squinting. "Wait, that guy looks familiar..."
"It's him," I whispered, my throat tight. "The guy from last night."
Sophie's jaw nearly hit the floor. "Your one-night stand? What's he doing here?"
"I don't know," I watched him disappear around a corner, my stomach twisting into knots. "God, I hope he's not here for the program I'm applying to. That would be UNBELIEVABLY awkward."
We quickly headed toward the practice room, and the whole way I was on edge, afraid of running into him again. Once inside the room, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The room was already filled with other students, all quietly waiting. The door opened again, and a tall, graceful man walked in. The room instantly fell silent, and my blood froze.
It was HIM.
He scanned the room with those sharp blue-gray eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Good evening," his voice was identical to the whispers in my ear last night. "I am Professor Nathan Hayes, and this semester I will be teaching the advanced music class."
Our eyes met across the room, and he raised an eyebrow, something unreadable flashing in his eyes.
HOLY. FUCKING. SHIT.
The man who had passionately entangled with me on the piano last night, the one-night stand I had fled from this morning, wasn't just some ordinary music enthusiast.
He was Nathan Hayes—the legendary composer, the mentor I had dreamed of—and now potentially my professor.
I felt as if the entire world was collapsing around me.