Always Been Yours (Tessa and Nicholas)

The ceremony was getting off to a slow and steady start in the banquet hall, and midway through, the emcee went up on stage to read out the name of the violinist for the solo performance. Gregory, who had been sufficiently bored since the beginning of the banquet, immediately lit up as he exclaimed, “Daddy, it’s the pretty lady!”

Nicholas’ gaze flickered over to the stage.

Presently, Tessa had already changed into an elegant beige dress, which had a modest cut that accentuated the curve of her waist and flattered her silhouette flawlessly. She was holding the violin Gregory had picked out for her earlier as she strolled gracefully to center stage.

When the track lights shone on the porcelain skin of her doll-like face, she looked dazzling.

For a minute, surprise flashed in Nicholas’ dark orbs, and he thought he might actually be enchanted by her.

On stage, Tessa couldn’t help being a little nervous as she stood tall and straight under the scrutiny of the deathly silent audience. This was the first time in her entire life she was performing before so many important and distinguished members of society, particularly ones as formidable as the Sawyers.

As she looked up, she unintentionally noticed Nicholas among the crowd.

His long and lean build seemed to stand out among the other guests, and the imperious air with which he carried himself made him look untouchable and high above everyone else.

Inadvertently, she locked eyes with him, and she shuddered when she saw how his eyes resembled a deep and endless sea, like dark whirlpools that threatened to pull in and drown you with one look.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly broke eye contact, meeting Gregory’s eager gaze instead.

The little guy was perched on a highchair as he stared at Tessa with glittering eyes, the anticipation clear in his face.

For some reason, all the anxiousness drained out of Tessa as soon as she saw the child, and she even managed an easy smile.

off her performance, she leaned toward the microphone and said gently, “It’s a great honor to be able to perform here today. The symphony I will be playing next is dedicated to the most adorable and brilliant little birthday boy.

into

center stage, and as the noise in the hall gave

firmly beneath the

soothing the crowd as they immersed in the quiet beauty of

and delicate, her beauty so ethereal. Her confidence was as dazzling as she was as the

so wonderful that no one could

more impressive was the sound of the violin, which appeared to have put the audience into a trance as

a whale of a time, and they were each admiring the girl’s skillful

his little hands as he applauded Tessa’s breathtaking performance, and he turned to ask Nicholas excitedly,

darkened slightly, but instead of answering Gregory, he

her once when I tagged along

skeptical, Nicholas pressed, “Was that all? You didn’t speak to her or anything like that

head and replied firmly, “No, but I like

and son were discussing this, Remus was seated among the guests at another table, and his eyes were narrowed as he appraised Tessa, who was still on stage. He looked pensive and somewhat frustrated

he could dwell more on this, the hall burst into thunderous applause and cut off his train of thought. As it turned out, the solo violin performance on stage had already

senses after her musical reverie ended, and she bowed deeply before the distinguished guests below the

let out a few whooping cheers

handed the violin gingerly to the bodyguards behind her. “Could you please help me take

course,” the bodyguard said readily, taking the violin from her and leaving in

slide off her shoulders, and