Ste and Abby turned at the sound of footsteps and saw a young woman standing uncertainly in the doorway, ncing around.


    Ste walked over and smiled. "Yes, this is S&A Studio. Are you here for the audition?"


    The young woman nodded, looking a little nervous.


    "My name is Candida Fletcher. I''m here to interview for the pianist position."


    She handed Ste a neatly prepared resume.


    Ste took the resume and scanned it, raising her eyebrows in surprise. Candida was not just a pianist—she was a talented violinist as well. Her piano credentials were impressive: Grade 10 certification, and a string of solid results from various internationalpetitions-some of which were quite prestigious.


    Ste nodded approvingly. "Would you mind ying something for us right now?"


    Candida nodded again and quietly made her way over to the piano. She adjusted the bench, pressed a few keys to get a feel for the instrument, then began to y.


    Her foundation was rock-solid. Every movement was precise-her technique wless.


    But then, something went wrong.


    Maybe it was nerves. Maybe something else. But in the middle of an otherwise beautiful passage, Candida hit a wrong note.


    A single mistake during a live audition isn''t usually disastrous, as long as the performer recovers quickly. But Candida froze, as if the mistake had shattered herposure. The music faltered-a discordant note rang out, then silence.


    Her face went white as paper. "I''m sorry... I—I messed up..."


    Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her expression exhausted and lost.


    Ste watched her for a moment, then spoke softly. "It''s alright. It was just one wrong note. Why don''t you try again?"


    With Ste''s gentle encouragement, Candida took a deep breath and returned to the piano. This time, her performance was wless confident, expressive, almost perfect.


    Abby apuded. "Miss Fletcher, your piano skills are outstanding. Why are you so unsure of yourself?"


    It was obvious to her now: Candida''s problem wasn''t technique, it was confidence.


    Candida blushed, looking down. "I haven''t really yed in about five years. I left the music world for too long... I''m worried I''ll never get back to where I was."


    "Five years?" Ste echoed, surprised. "If you don''t mind me asking, why did you stop ying for so long?"


    Candida''s long eyshes trembled like butterfly wings. She answered in a low voice, "Back then... my boyfriend was in a car ident and lost his sight. I spent all my time taking care of him."


    Ste and Abby exchanged a nce.


    Abby said gently, "Miss Fletcher, we''re truly sorry for what you and your boyfriend went through. But.. you know how it works in this field. There''s a lot of travel, lots of performances. If your boyfriend still needs you-"


    Candida quickly shook her head. "No, you misunderstand. He regained his sight three years ago. It''s just... I couldn''t bring myself to leave him, so I didn''t go back to work. But-"


    She looked up, her expression earnest. "I promise, if I''m hired, I won''t quit easily. I won''t let you down."


    Abby hesitated. "But what if your boyfriend needs you again? Would you leave? You know how important it is in this business to have a stable team.”


    Candida cut her off, her voice steady. "I won''t quit. And... my boyfriend and I broke up."


    Ste and Abby were both taken aback, falling silent for a moment.


    Candida, sensing their doubt, pressed on Honestly, you don''t have to worry. I won''t get back together with him. We''d known each other for seven years, dated for five. But just recently, I found out he''d gotten back in touch with the girl he always idolized."


    A bitter smile tugged at the corner of her lips.


    "I always knew he couldn''t forget her. She was his first love-the one he could


    never have."