Having grown up immersed in classical music and now studying under a top-tier instructor like Harvey, Meryl’s progress with the cello had been remarkable. In just one week, her skills had improved by leaps and bounds.
“Want to make some extra cash?” Harvey asked.
“What kind of opportunity?”
“There’s an upscale hotel opening tonight. They need a cellist. Five thousand dollars for an hour’s work. You should give it a shot. Consider it good experience.”
After a moment’s consideration, Meryl agreed. She knew that skills only improve through constant practice. Besides, five thousand dollars for an hour’s work was too good to pass up. She packed up her cello and headed back to her dorm to get ready before going home.
Earlier that morning, Chandler had called to say he’d leave work early to pick her up. They planned to grab dinner together before heading to the hotel opening, which would work out perfectly time-wise. She’d packed a cocktail dress for the performance, planning to change at the hotel.
“Are you almost here?”
Figuring it was about time, Meryl stood at the orchestra entrance with her bag, looking around. Phone in one hand, she’d put on light makeup for the performance. The subtle makeup enhanced her natural elegance, giving her an ethereal quality.
“I’m here. Look behind you,” Chandler said.
She turned around, and sure enough, there was his car. Meryl hurried to the car. “We should get going. I have some things to take care of after dinner.”
As she reached for the door handle and pulled it open, Meryl froze. There were more people in the car besides Chandler. She stood there stunned, her eyes landing on Rachel’s face with apparent surprise. Chandler and Rachel were sitting together in the back seat, with Walter at the wheel. There was clearly no room left for her.
Meryl paused, looking at Chandler with a bittersweet smile. “I see you’ve made other plans?”
The meetup she’d been looking forward to for almost a week had turned into quite the surprise and not the good kind. It was impossible not to feel disappointed. During the week she’d spent at the orchestra, who knew how many times Chandler and Rachel had met up behind her back. A feeling of emptiness washed over her. Chandler had called her early that morning, saying he wanted to take her to a hotel to try a new restaurant. Meryl had thought it would be just the two of them. The stark difference between expectation and reality left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Rachel stepped out of the car. “I got discharged today. When I heard Chandler was coming to the orchestra, I asked him for a ride.”
Rachel, her wrist wrapped in bandages, flashed a smile at Meryl. “Don’t get jealous, Meryl!” She walked to the trunk and hoisted her violin onto her shoulder. “Oh yeah, I work at this orchestra too. I heard you’re joining us? Looks like we’ll be seeing a lot of each other as colleagues.”
Meryl froze. “Rachel works here too?” she thought.
Rachel reached for her suitcase but remembered her wrist hadn’t healed. She puffed up her cheeks and gave Chandler an innocent look. “It’s so heavy, Chandler. Mind giving me a hand?”