Chapter 191

Chapter 191 All I Want is Your Simplicity

Robin held Vera's cold, trembling hand, his thumb brushing gently over her damp palm.

"Just look into my eyes, and you won't feel nervous."

His voice soft yet steady, cutting through the distant hum of the music.

Vera's gaze lifted to meet his.

In that instant, the world around them faded. It was like being struck by lightning-a flash that left everything else in shadow.

His eyes were clear and steady, as vast and calm as a night sky full of stars.

The anxieties that had gripped her melted away in that starlit glow.

For a heartbeat, she was utterly captivated, lost in the warmth of his smile.

Waves of emotion rose within her.

She realized, with a start, that she'd never looked at him this closely before.

"Feeling a little better?" Robin asked, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

His broad hand and his soft words were a far cry from the emotionally clueless Robin she thought she knew.

"Just follow my lead. Do what I do, and you won't feel embarrassed."

Still holding his gaze, Vera gave a resolute nod. Everything else had faded; there was only him, grounding her in this surreal moment.

"Can you play an instrument?" he asked as they walked, hand in hand, toward the center of the stage, with Ivy just ahead of them.

"No," Vera admitted, her voice barely a whisper.

Robin chuckled softly. "Then what can you do?"

That disarming smile nearly sent her heart racing out of her chest.

"I ... I can't really do anything," she replied honestly, feeling oddly vulnerable.

"Nothing at all?" Robin's smile was as gentle as a spring breeze.

Vera nodded with conviction, a determined look in her eyes.

A smirk curved across Robin's lips. "So, in 20 years, you've done nothing but eat and sleep like a pig?"

"Huh?" Vera was momentarily stunned, catching a hint of mischief in those starry eyes.

She snapped out of her trance.

D*mn him. Did he seriously just call her a pig? Right now?

She shot him a sharp glare, hissing under her breath. "You jerk! You better come up with something-I really don't know what I'm doing up here!" Robin's grin only widened. "Alright, it's official. You're a helpless little pig," he teased. "Fine, then. Just follow me."

"Okay." Vera nodded, resigned. She didn't really have a choice.

Her mind was a complete blank.

She used to think standing on stage looked easy.

Now, under the glaring lights and with all eyes on them, she knew she'd been wrong.

Gripping his hand tighter, she let him lead, grounding herself in his steady presence.

The bright lights and countless faces blurred together, an endless sea of anticipation.

She barely registered what Robin was saying. She just knew she had no control over any of it.

But strangely, she wasn't afraid. She wasn't nervous.

As long as Robin was beside her, holding her hand, she could face anything.

phrase "Follow

center of the stage, then turned to Ivy with a smile. "This is your moment. How about Vera and

led Vera by the

to the grand piano at the edge

stared blankly at the black-and-white keys, not sure where to

hadn't let go of her

felt her pulse

of the corner of her eye, she stole a glance at him. Was he planning to hold

closer? Maybe even ... taking advantage

he is... I don't mind

she barely noticed Robin's grip tighten

touched the keys, and soft, flowing

thought she'd accidentally pressed something,

the beautiful music filling the

Robin was guiding her hand, playing the piano alongside her. Astonishment

be

the gentle melody unfolded,

attention was focused on Ivy, radiant and poised at

to forget that Vera and

do with her free hand,

the keys he indicated, letting each

sound was pulled directly from her heart, an expression of

at Robin, and she felt her

really the same rough-edged Robin she'd

he seemed different-his usual rough edges softened, his sharp features illuminated with an almost serene intensity. Wasn't this the hero she'd been waiting

her gaze, Robin looked over and gave her a gentle smile before leaning

filled the hall, rich and warm, like honeyed wine

or just yesterday

or across

twists and

meet and part

go of right and wrong to find the

"Living takes courage too....

"No halo from above...

and I are

her heart wide open, as if

Is this real?

the stage seemed

center of the stage, Ivy felt

sliced through the air, each note

for the rhythm of breath and heartbeat, as

VIP section, Shirley watched Robin's shadowed figure, bathed in

like

imagined a voice could be this powerful, could reach so deeply into a person's soul. She

of wonder lit her

how many talents and secrets

his voice low and weathered, lingering in the

I learned

is long, yet fleeting,

broken, vines will

it all, I'd

into

face

"No halo from above...

holding on to the strength of

world, filling the space with

dimmed further, casting the

forward gracefully, her dancers moving in perfect synchrony around

pure, bringing the audience to an

day, maybe I'll drift

maybe we'll meet again

or far above

let me see the

my eyes

silent, they'll

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