Always Been Yours (Tessa and Nicholas) novel Chapter 420

Chapter 420 Opening Number
Tessa was tuning her instrument as she prepared for her performance backstage.
When she saw Kathleen and Scott walking arm-in-arm, she immediately stood up and greeted them with a smile. “Oh, Mr. Brooks, you’re here as well?”
Unexpectedly, Scott instinctively moved his arm away from Kathleen’s arms.
She had originally wanted to flaunt her relationship with Scott at Tessa. However, within seconds, her joyful smile turned stiff as he had made her plan go down the drain.
Beside Kathleen was Scott speaking in a soft and warm voice, “I would not dare reject my senior’s invitation.” He gazed deeply at Tessa as he continued in a gentle tone, “You look beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you,” Tessa replied happily.
Nicholas was the one who prepared the dress she wore tonight. She had thought that the dress was beautiful and suited her extremely well.
“Are you performing tonight?” Scott asked.
“Yes. Miss Hathaway allowed me to perform onstage to get more experience,” she replied with starry eyes while nodding. Her expression was a clear indication that she was looking forward to performing onstage. In the next instant, she looked as though a lightbulb went off in her head as she smiled at him. “Mr. Brooks, are you performing tonight as well?”
Just as Scott was about to answer, Kathleen acted first and answered for him.
“Scott has agreed to perform a duet with me.”
She seized the opportunity to cling to Scott once more as she answered before casting an intense gaze in Tessa’s direction.
Tessa frowned slightly in response as she could feel Kathleen exuding hostility. As a result, her joyful smile faded a little.
Standing beside Kathleen, Scott also frowned in slight displeasure.
However, before he could say anything, Kathleen dragged him away from the conversation. “The party is about to start. Let’s hurry and get some practice in.”
He agreed, albeit begrudgingly.After all, regardless of the scale of the performance, he would give his utmost effort when it came to music.
Soon after, the party was officially underway.
Naturally, as the founder of Hathaway Philharmonic, Hathaway was expected to take the stage and give a speech.
Although she was in her fifties, she still looked elegant and graceful in a green batwing sleeve dress.
“I am truly grateful for everyone who has taken the time to attend the Hathaway Philharmonic’s 20th anniversary celebration. To keep everyone entertained tonight, I will personally perform the opening number.”
Thunderous applause rained down as the crowd was pleased.
“It’s been so long since we’ve last heard Hathaway play. Looks like we’re in for a treat tonight.”
“That’s true. Ever since she had to retire due to her hand injuries, hearing her play has become a rare occurrence.”
“If it hadn’t been for that accident, she would’ve been performing onstage for a far longer time.”
As Tessa listened to the discussion happening around her, curiosity about her mentor grew.
Soon after, a warm and radiant melody came from the stage.
The audience immediately recognized ‘Scottish Fantasy’ as Hathaway was famous for playing this particular piece back in her prime.
Offstage, Tessa couldn’t help but sigh in admiration in her heart as she listened to the performance with keen pleasure, for her mentor was still skillful in her retirement.
As the opening number came to an end, the audience gave thunderous applause.
Hathaway placed her violin down before bowing in thanks to the audience, and then descended the stage.
“It was a perfect performance.”
“As expected of the genius violinist. To think that her skills were still top-notch even after retirement and a chronic injury.”
“It was worth attending today’s performance.”
Numerous renowned musicians started singing Hathaway’s praises.
After all, they were all close friends of Hathaway and were of the same industry.
“If I don’t demonstrate some of my true capabilities, how would I ever win over major players like you all?” Hathaway playfully boasted as she joked around with her close friends.
When Tessa saw her mentor having a good time with her friends, she decided not to interrupt. Tessa went to an area that was less crowded with a glass of wine in her hand and waited for her turn to perform in silence.
Tonight’s show was scheduled to move slowly due to her mentor’s friends from the industry wanting to perform on stage as well, including famous pianists, cellists, and even those rare ethnic instrument musicians.
It wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that it was a musical gala, for every performance so far had been a treat to the ears.
Just as she fully immersed herself in the elegant melodies, Scott’s gentle and beautiful voice drifted to her ears.