The Apple of My Eye novel Chapter 172

The lights dimmed and the occasional camera flashes on Autumn's face made her feel uncomfortable. It took her a while to adapt to this strange environment. She put her slender fingers on the piano keyboard and soon after, played beautiful soft music.

In all fairness, Rachel was a graceful and experienced dancer and people were not surprised since she was a famous star. However, people did not expect that Autumn would be so proficient in playing the piano. Even Charles was shocked, his jaws dropped to the floor.

He didn't know this, about his wife. Autumn always surprised him.

Rachel moved gently and gracefully across the stage. She didn't have time to think about why Autumn could play so well and why the music was so soothing, because she had to focus on herself. Following the rhythm, she moved elegantly like a butterfly. Her body was soft and flexible like that of a snake. A silky shudder passed from the tip of her left hand to her shoulder and then to the tip of her right hand. The garland on her hand also swayed with her every movement, natural and smooth, like a white lotus, giving out her fragrance.

Rachel selected a dance with a high degree of difficulty so as to show off her dancing skills. The twists and twirls that she had to do during the dance would easily take down anyone with dizziness. But Rachel was confident about herself, and she wanted to impress everyone present at the party.

The rhythm was getting faster and faster. While Rachel knew that Autumn must play it accordingly, she was not afraid at all. Slowly, she stood on tiptoe and began to twirl elegantly. It seemed that she had given her whole mind to her dance as well as the music. According to the rhythm, Rachel should stop gradually. 'Do you want to make a fool of me? No way! Look, I have made it through successfully. It is so absurd to play such a trick on me. But it won't work.' At the thought of this, Rachel smiled triumphantly.

Rachel began to slow down her movement, but she would never expect that Autumn would suddenly speed up the rhythm. She was forced to repeat that part of the dance. She did her utmost to calm down, but made a minor mistake.

Rachel was furious but could do nothing but hide it. Though she had made a mistake, Autumn kept playing and didn't get affected.

When the music ended, Rachel had never been so exhausted and was almost out of breath.

Then Autumn stood up and stepped to Rachel, they both expressed their thanks to the audience. Obviously, Autumn won this round with Rachel resigned and defeated. Autumn looked like a proud princess with a dazzling halo at that moment.

"Thanks. I really appreciate that you are here to take part in my birthday party. It is really my great honor, but I really regret the mistake I made during my dance." But the most of the people present were Rachel's friends and fans, so no matter what happened, they would applaud and compliment her. However, Rachel thought that the audience may have noticed her mistake, so she simply admitted it. "I am really sorry, but I still want to ask for your forgiveness. I made a small mistake during the performance and perhaps it is because I haven't danced in a long time. As someone in show business, I should have practiced dancing diligently and that is the basic prerequisite to be a good performer and entertainer. But I promise from now on, I will be strict with myself to bring you a better performance next time, " said Rachel.

"Rachel, you have done a good job already and you are a graceful dancer. We are all proud of you!"

The fans all expressed support and admiration, giving her a thunderous applause. Upon hearing this, Rachel took two glasses of wine from the table and handed one to Autumn. "Though I have made a mistake, Mrs. Lu showed us a wonderful piano performance. I shall extend my sincere appreciation to her. Let me propose a toast."

Autumn looked at the wine in Rachel's hand and furrowed her brows slightly. She was hesitant to make the toast with her.

"What's the matter? You look unhappy. Are you afraid that I will poison you?" Though Rachel smiled softly, she whispered to Autumn with a low but mean voice, "You really keep my eyes polished today. Don't worry. I will definitely not poison you here. Drink it. I am not going to have a show with you here anymore."

Autumn hesitated for a few seconds and then took the wine from Rachel, but she just took a sip of it and then walked down the stage towards a proud but astonished Charles.

He stared at Autumn with a big smile on his face, asking her, "You are amazing, Autumn. I am really proud of you. You never told me that you are good at playing piano and I am totally taken away by your excellent performance. Autumn, how many secrets do you have hidden from me? You'd better be honest with me."

"Why don't you try to find out by yourself?" Autumn grinned in reply and pretended to be mysterious.

"Well, fine. Then can you tell me when you learn to play the piano?" Charles was curious. He now thought Autumn was filled with magic.

"My dad taught me in my childhood. He loved playing the piano when he was young. Though we were very poor at the time, he did not give up on his only passion. He bought me an electronic organ and began to teach me to read the notes and encouraged me to practice. He said that I had the talent. If it wasn't for his early death, I might have been forced to practice the piano continuously. I really appreciate my dad. He did not yield to that reality of poverty and he even strived to nurture and cultivate me under such circumstances." Autumn's father loved her so much, but he would be strict with her piano practice. Every time she played the piano, he would change from a kind father to a stern and serious teacher. He even hit her once because Autumn went outside to play without practicing.

"After dad's death, we moved next door to Sam and he would also teach me to play the piano when he was free. Though I haven't practiced playing for a long time, my basic training still remains. Thank God! It came in handy today or I would have lost face." Autumn had never thought that this skill could be useful someday. It seemed to be true that good things come to him who waits.

Even Wendy didn't know that she was good at playing piano. No one would expect that a girl from a poor family would be cultured enough to appreciate the piano.

"By the way, You said that you had to introduce me to someone. Who is it? Should we go now?" Autumn was a little curious about who she would be meeting.

"Yes. I will take you to him now. Follow me." Charles took her hand and walked to a man in black suit. It seemed that the man was not in a good mood. There was no expression on his face. "Hello, Mr. Gu."

Charles greeted him and continued, "This is my wife and she has something to discuss with you."

"What? Do I know you?" Aron asked curiously since he had never met this woman before.

"No, you don't know her. But we know Isla. She is my wife's friend." Charles replied calmly.

Upon hearing this, Aron turned even more serious while Charles just patted Autumn's shoulder and explained to her. "I remember, you said to me that you wanted to meet Mr. Gu one of these days. You can talk to him now. We will go back home when you are done."

"Charles, thank you for being so understanding." Autumn replied and nodded slightly, then she turned to Aron. "Mr. Gu, Isla is my best friend and she often talks about you. I'd like to have a word with you. Do you want to get out of here and talk?"

"Okay." Aron was realized that this woman should be Isla's good friend since she was willing to take the initiative to find him at such a critical time. So Aron agreed to have a talk with her without hesitation.

They went out and sat on a quiet corner. "Mrs. Lu, what are you going to tell me? Do you know something important?" Aron asked directly.

"Well, Mr. Gu, I just want to get something clear today. What do you think of what happened to Isla? Is she the kind of person who would hurt your grandma?" Autumn was also frank with him.

"Of course not. She is kind and gentle. I have never doubted it." Aron knitted his brows and continued, "But I am still struggling for any evidence to prove her innocence. There were only three people concerned at that time and my grandma is still in a coma. Meanwhile everyone at the company office all side with Becky. I just don't know what to do."

"I understand. But if I have a way to help your grandma get out of the coma, are you willing to have a try?" Autumn explained, "My husband has a good friend who is a brain specialist. He has visited your grandmother and said that if he is allowed to help, there is great possibility for your grandmother to wake up. Of course, he has to get your permission first."

Autumn gazed at Aron quietly, waiting for his answer.