In the middle of the piano performance, a waiter hurriedly walked up to Mike and whispered something in his ear. Mike immediately stopped playing, his expression filled with panic. He stood up, bowed, and quickly followed the waiter out of the restaurant.
Everyone was confused and wondered what had happened. Yasmin and her friends were especially puzzled.
“Connor, what’s going on? Why did the pianist leave?” Yasmin asked.
“I don’t know!” Connor replied, equally clueless.
While everyone was curious about what was happening, a figure in deep purple walked up to the center stage and sat down at the white piano.
As the first few notes of the piano rang out, everyone’s attention turned to the stage. Some noticed that the person playing the piano seemed to be Sebastian, and their excitement grew.
“Is that Mr. Vanderbilt?”
“Mr. Vanderbilt is playing the piano himself! Oh my god, we’re so lucky!”
The diners began to cheer, their excitement palpable.
Sebastian sat at the piano, and as his eyes lifted, he caught sight of Caitlin’s beautiful face. With deep, intense eyes, he looked at her and, using a microphone, said in his magnetic, deep voice, “This song, ‘River Flows in You,’ is dedicated to the most important woman in my life, my goddess of light, my love.”
Sebastian didn’t hesitate to publicly declare his love, and the other women in the room couldn’t help but feel jealous and envious.
To be the most important woman in his life, his goddess of light, his love-what an honor that would be!
They all knew that Sebastian, known as the “Cold King of Hell,” was notoriously distant and detached, yet here he was, tenderly confessing his feelings to a woman. Who could believe it if they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes?
And playing the piano for her? That couldn’t be anything but true love!
Many of the diners cast envious glances at Caitlin.
Caitlin, however, rolled her eyes, unimpressed. She had never met someone as shameless as him! He’d chased the pianist off and taken the stage himself to perform!
And then he said those corny words? How could she enjoy her meal?
The beautiful, melodious piano music flowed through the restaurant, with Sebastian’s long fingers skillfully playing the keys. His handsome features lit up with self-assurance, surrounded by an aura of light. The man exuded an aristocratic charm, aloof from the world, yet he only cared about her.
His gaze was fixed on her, and his music seemed to speak directly to her heart, flowing like a river, as the song’s title suggested. The piece was from the movie *Twilight*, said to have the power to melt anyone’s heart. Sebastian wanted to use it to capture Caitlin’s heart.
As the music flowed, Sebastian became more immersed in the song, his passion evident in his performance. The diners were captivated by the music, some even mesmerized.
But Caitlin remained calm. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stir the calm waters of her heart.
The one most upset by this was probably Yasmin, who watched with jealousy as Sebastian, lost in his performance, gazed at Caitlin with such devotion. Her teeth ground in frustration.
Why was it that the things she couldn’t get, Caitlin could easily have?
Why?
When Sebastian finished the first piece, the entire room erupted in applause, with guests calling for an encore.
“Mr. Vanderbilt! Play another one! Play another one! Your goddess wants to hear more!”
At these words, Sebastian, who had planned to stop, sat back down. He glanced at Caitlin, who was bathed in light. She seemed to have let go of her usual cold demeanor, looking soft and gentle, which stirred him deeply.
With a smile, he began playing another song.
“Here’s another one, ‘Chasing the Light,’ dedicated to my light, and also to encourage myself. My heart, always chasing the light, never stops.”
As he played, the melody filled the restaurant, flowing like a gentle stream in the mountains. This song, full of love, echoed his deep feelings for Caitlin. It spoke of a heart full of determination and courage, steadfast in love.
Sebastian was so immersed in the music that he seemed to forget the world around him, as if there were only two people in the universe-himself and Caitlin. He watched her as he played, his heart completely focused on her.
Yasmin, however, could hardly stand it. She had hoped for a surprise on her birthday, but here she was, watching someone else steal the show.
Connor, eager to win Yasmin’s heart, said, “It’s just a song! I’ve prepared 999 roses for you, and I’ll have them brought right now!”
Hearing about the 999 roses, Yasmin thought that at least this would give her some recognition. At least it would make the other women in the restaurant envy her.
Soon, two waiters came in, pushing a cart full of white roses-999 of them.
Connor frowned when he saw the white roses. “What’s going on? Didn’t I order red roses?”
“Sorry, Mr. Connor, these are from Mr. Vanderbilt,” the waiter replied, pushing the cart towards Sebastian’s table.
Yasmin’s face cracked with frustration as her plan backfired. She was humiliated again.
So the roses weren’t even for her?
Did Connor even have any idea what he was doing?
A massive bouquet of white roses appeared in front of Caitlin. She looked at the flowers, then at Sebastian.
Sebastian, with an expression of determination, smiled at her. “Caitlin, these are for you. Do you like them?”
Only white roses could match Caitlin’s elegance-white symbolizes purity and grace, yet the rose still carries thorns. Just like Caitlin herself, beautiful but with a sharp edge.
Caitlin, however, was not impressed. “There’s no need to go this far.”
She wasn’t some naive teenage girl who would swoon over a few flowers and throw herself into someone’s arms. These tactics wouldn’t work on her.
“I know you’re very frugal, Caitlin. Frugality is a virtue, right?” Sebastian said, trying to save face. He took one rose from the bouquet and handed it to her.
“Take this one. That’s enough.”
The waiter took the rest of the roses away, and Sebastian handed the single rose to Caitlin.
“Out of the 999 roses, you’re the most beautiful. This one’s for you.”
The surrounding diners were getting fed up with all the ‘dog food’ being served. They thought Sebastian might be proposing to his ex-wife, but Caitlin didn’t take the flowers.
With so many people watching, if she rejected the flowers, where would Sebastian put his face?
Sebastian looked at Howard with a desperate gaze, silently begging for help.
“Help your old man out! Our future happiness depends on you, my little treasure!”