FAMILY

04| Piano Competition

"Thankfully there are no fractures but you'll have to apply an ointment for the next couple of days to help with the bruising and swelling." The doctor explained to me.

My mom sat next to me and nodded at him. Cecelia's dad had called her while I was getting examined by a doctor. I'd expected to wait a long time at the ER, but the name Legrand held some power. Almost immediately a doctor appeared and started his consultation.

He handed my mom a ointment and some painkillers before leaving us. The nurse had tended to my wound and put a bandage around it. I haven't seen it yet but I could tell it looked bad from my mom's expression. She sighed and kissed my cheek before turned to Cecelia's dad.

"Thank you for taking my daughter here, Mr Legrand." She thanked him.

"Charlotte is a good friend of Cecelia. I loved to help." He waved it off.

She smiled gratefully before turning back to me with a serious look.

"Don't go near those Cassano's again. They could do worse things than these."

The fear in her eyes made me shiver. She was right. If they were so unbothered by half choking me against a locker, then I didn't want to know what else they would do to me.

"So that means no piano competition." She added.

My face fell. I really want to compete but I also didn't want to get beat up. I would disappoint not only Mrs Hall but also my friends. I've even chosen to play 'Howl's Moving Castle Theme Song' because Eunha was obsessed with that movie. Beside all my friends would come and watch.

"That won't be necessary. I'll have a talk with Hector Cassano."

The fear on my mom's face after the mention of that name was absolutely terrifying. She looked as if he just mentioned the worst monster on planet earth. And perhaps he was. I wouldn't be surprised if he was, he was a Cassano after all.

"No." She said quickly.

Cecelia's dad raised his eyebrows before leaning against the wall.

"Those twins have bothered my daughter before. The most effective way to make them stop is to have a talk with their guardian. Hector is a reasonable man."

Their older brother is their guardian. August had told me that their parents disappeared almost two years ago and no one know what happened to them. It was insane because their mother was Amanda Cassano, CEO of Dream Entertainment, a recording label. She was also a very famous ballad singer. It was hard for celebraties as famous as her to just disappear from the public.

"I-" Cecelia cut my mom off.

"Don't worry, Ms Jones. My dad is quite good at this. Besides, Charlotte has a very big chance at winning this competition and she's worked hard for it."

My mom stubbornly shook her head. Sometimes she got so overrun by her fear that she became terribly stubborn. I know nothing would change her mind.

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It was late at night and I laid down in my bed when my mom entered my room. She wore a tired expression. She skipped dinner because she'd been calling with my father. They must've talked for hours. Usually, she looked euphoric after a phone call with him. But now she looked down.

"Your dad wants you to compete."

That took me by surprise. I'd expected him to agree with my mom.

"But-"

"Don't worry. He's nearby so he'll make sure that you're safe."

I didn't know what that meant, but that made her smile. I nodded softly. She pressed a kiss on my forehead before wishing me good night. I'd get to compete, so I was excited.