Strings Attached (Sequel)

Conditions (part 1)

March 1st

Faye Calinao

"Hey," Lei said gently, shaking me out of my thoughts. I refocused on my surroundings. My music was in front of me and I felt my violin bow slipping out of my hand. Lei immediately stood from the piano and walked over to me with worry. He picked up my bow and placed it on the stand. He gently took my violin away from me and hung it on the stand.

"S-sorry," I said lightly.

"What's wrong?" He asked softly and took my right hand to inspect it. I abruptly stopped playing in the middle of my piece, not realizing until now. "Is your wrist okay?"

"I'm starting to cramp a little bit." Lei helped me over to a chair and had me sit. He reached for my juice to hand to me.

"Thank you." After taking a few sips and resting my legs from standing I sighed feeling relieved.

"I think we should stop for today. It has been a really long day for you. How about we go out to eat?"

"Okay," I nod.

"Is it alright if it's just the two of us? I was hoping to spend time with just you."

"Sure." I said lightly. Lei smiled and he walked over to pack our things.

///

"Dinner is good," I commented as I finished the last of my Zitti alla Norma. Lei looked from his plate and stared at my empty plate surprised. He still had his pasta left on his plate.

"I can see," Lei smiled. "Would you like a third plate?" Lei finished the last few bites of his only plate.

"No. I'm ready for dessert."

"You want dessert too?" Lei mused. "You were not kidding when you said you were hungry."

"I'm feeding two," I shrugged. Lei's eyes were light and he let out a small laugh before waving over a waitress to order dessert. Our plates were taken away and Lei now had his full attention on me.

"Faye?" I hummed and yawned slightly. "I want to properly apologize to you for what I said this weekend." My smile faltered and couldn't help but close one hand slightly into a fist.

"If you are going to make me feel terrible about myself again, I really don't want to speak about it," I said hesitantly.

"I was wrong," Lei sighed guiltily. "I shouldn't have put my emotions and put any blame on you."

"I put you in that position."

"But it isn't your fault Faye. I put myself in this position not wanting to upset you further when you went to the hospital.I was furious with Ximen for making you choose like that. That wasn't fair of him and I had to get my anger out at him. I hope you can forgive me for hurting him. I know you don't like violence. Especially with Ximen. I am really sorry for not listening. I am also sorry for upsetting you on Saturday the way I did."

Lei sighed and gave me a worried look. He reached forward to take my hand. He used his thumb to soothe my skin. His touch still continues to make the butterflies erupt within me.

"We're going on about two and a half to three weeks... since you told Ximen. I know you really miss him and I'm angry he keeps disappointing you like this. To hurt you..."

"You lost your best friend," I said shakily. My eyes welled up with tears again feeling sad. My hormones were very heightened.

"He was yours too." I used my fingers to wipe my eyes. He looked at me uneasily and nervously.

"He wasn't supposed to leave my life like this."

Huaze Lei

"He promised me he wouldn't do this," Faye spoke and I knew immediately she was hurting. I looked towards the kitchen wondering when the cake would be ready for her.