1.2 | The Prince of Thieves

Chapter 13

She had her hands placed calmly in her lap as she kept her eyes trained out of the window, casually absorbing the sight of New York's traffic. But inside, she was neither calm nor casual. It was today. The day of all days, when she would appear before the directors and the conductor of the New York Philharmonic. Her heart picked up its marathon whenever she remembered the reason for her destination today. Not to watch a musical, not to listen to an ensemble, not even to take a stroll, but to audition. She had officially tendered her resignation with the Tokyo Philharmonic, much to the chagrin of the conductor and a few orchestra mates. She had been making a name for herself too, though it was small, and the orchestra had been the one to bolster her.

Leon glanced over at her, taking in her wan features, then offered her a smile.

'Darling, you need to breathe.'

'I am breathing,' she muttered as her eyes frantically watched the buildings whizz by. She chafed her hands, one over the other, then bit on her lower lip. The car didn't seem to have enough air for them. One more street and they would arrive. They went past shiny skyscrapers and squat shabby buildings, then he turned off a road and drove into a carpark. She could recognise the three beige and square buildings of the Lincoln Center.

'We're here,' he announced as he cut off the engine.

She let out a loud breath and rubbed her palms against the fabric of her dress. A soft chuckle left him as he leant over to plant a kiss on her cheek.

'You can do this,' he murmured.

She nodded and swallowed, unable to speak. You can do this! her mind screamed to herself, replaying his words. You've been playing the cello all your life, you just have to play like normal.

Leon had followed her out of the car and helped her to unload her cello from the boot. She barely registered their walk from the carpark to the center building; all of a sudden, they were standing before a stretch of glass, with a mix of people – some carrying instruments and some not – passing by them. The cheerful splashing of the fountain in the plaza, the squeal of children who played by it, and the tune of a lone violinist set up somewhere faded to the background as she cast apprehensive glances to the spacious lobby within.

A breeze came their way, and her hand immediately clamped down on her skirt before it could fly. Is my dress too short? she thought as she gave her outfit a concerned glance. Is my hair alright? Is my face alright? But it's not like they will even see me... She blew out her cheeks and sighed. Hana had thought a blind audition wouldn't be as bad as one facing the judges. But if she wouldn't be able to see their faces, how was she to judge if they liked her playing or not?

'Call me when you're done, alright?' He had meant to give her a brief hug, but she had held onto him with one arm, then buried her face in his chest. His scent enveloped her, rendering the earlier anxiety just a little more bearable as she took a shaky breath in. 'Are you smelling me?' he questioned.

Hana smacked his arm and pulled away.

'I'm going.'

He nodded, his hands cupping her face.

'If they don't want you, I'll come and – '

'Leon!' she hissed and shook her head.

'I was just going to say, I'll come and talk to them, not beat them up...'

'Go wait in a cafe or something,' she muttered as she smoothed his coat with one hand, then patted his head. 'Behave yourself. Don't fight with the other kids. I'll let you know when I'm done.'