Chapter 707:

Soon after, the owner arrived with their wine. Elyse lifted the glass to her nose and inhaled deeply. The enticing aroma made her eager to taste it. Suddenly, a cold sensation of danger brushed against her back.

Startled, Elyse cautiously scanned the room for any threat. Irving, wine in hand, noticed her actions and asked, “What’s going on?”

Seeing nothing unusual, Elyse responded, a bit disheartened, “It’s nothing. I just felt like I was being watched.”

Irving gave her a quick look and teased, “You’re all bundled up. Who’d notice your pretty face?”

Elyse gritted her teeth. “That’s not what I meant.”

Irving gazed out the window. “It’s quite cold today. Looks like it might snow.”

Elyse sighed. “There’s already plenty of snow on the ground. We don’t need more.”

Leaning on one hand, Irving said, “But isn’t there something special about playing the violin in the snow?”

Elyse looked at him, stunned and curious. “Irving, you really think that?”

She took another sip of her wine. In an instant, that strange sense of danger enveloped her again. Quickly, Elyse set down her glass and turned around. The other guests were merely enjoying their meals; nothing seemed amiss.

Elyse began to question herself. Was she being overly sensitive or self-centered? Irving, oblivious to her discomfort, was still gazing out the window.

Lost in thought, Elyse was suddenly distracted by piano music filling the restaurant. Everyone’s attention was drawn to the music. Elyse turned curiously toward it. The pianist, a man in a knitted hat and green checkered scarf, had his face nearly hidden. Yet, Elyse recognized the melody.

Perhaps encouraged by the wine, Elyse approached him and asked, “Hello, would you like to play together?”

The man looked up, his eyes reflecting surprise and shyness. He murmured, “What piece do you want to play?”

Elyse asked, “Can you play ‘He’s A Pirate’?” He nodded and played a few introductory notes.

Elyse nodded, clearly surprised. “Yes, that’s it. Just give me a moment.”

She hurried back to her seat, opened her violin case, and, under the watchful, expectant gazes of the crowd, approached the pianist. Irving observed Elyse quietly, even pulling out his phone to record the moment. Elyse and the man looked at each other; an immediate mutual understanding passed between them, and they began to play in unison.

“Wow, it’s incredible!” An onlooker, enthralled by the performance, exclaimed. Irving wasn’t the only one recording; nearly everyone had their phones out, eager to capture the beautiful duet. Soon, they reached the stirring climax of the piece, blending delicacy with intensity. Elyse masterfully captured the mood, her playing resonating with strength and emotion.