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.

simple phrase "Follow

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

led Vera by

they walked to the grand piano at

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

let go

her

at him. Was he planning to hold her

to get closer? Maybe even ... taking advantage of the

I

barely noticed

her fingers touched the keys, and soft, flowing notes began

pressed something, afraid

noticed the beautiful music filling the space, seamless

guiding her hand, playing the piano

be part of creating something

gentle melody unfolded, the

on Ivy, radiant and poised at the center

audience seemed to forget that Vera and Robin were even

unsure of what to do with her free hand, watched Robin's other

the keys he indicated, letting each note

from her

stole another glance at Robin, and she felt her

really the same rough-edged Robin she'd

edges softened, his sharp features illuminated with an almost

looked over and gave her a gentle smile before leaning toward

resonant voice filled the hall, rich and warm, like honeyed wine

far away, or

or across

and

and part

right and wrong to find the

"Living takes courage too....

"No halo from above...

I are born...

frozen, her heart wide open, as if she'd stumbled into a

Is this real?

surreal, and the stage seemed to pulse

stage, Ivy felt it too-a shiver ran through

magnetic voice sliced through the air, each note an arrow

silent, save for the rhythm of breath and heartbeat, as if everyone was held in

VIP section, Shirley watched

felt like a

voice could be this powerful, could reach so deeply into a person's soul. She never would've

wonder

many talents and secrets

flowed on, his voice low and weathered,

I

long, yet fleeting,

heart once broken,

risk it all,

into

a face dirt-streaked in

"No halo from above...

holding on to the strength

voice carried them all into another world, filling the space with

dimmed further, casting the stage

stepped forward gracefully, her

lifted her voice, clear and pure, bringing the audience to an

maybe

maybe we'll

crowd or far

the face I love

my eyes fill

they'll

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