She had left the dining table under the pretext of piano practice to avoid Bennett. Having claimed as much, she now had to follow through.

As she was beginning, Claudia noticed Bennett entering the room. On seeing him, she hands shook and pressed the wrong keys.

Guilt swept over Claudia upon Laying eyes on Bennett. She'd planned to continue her melody, but her fingers stilled under the weight of the man's intense gaze.

“What brings you here, Mr. Dreskin?"

Bennett, stationed beside the piano, tilted his head slightly, his deep-set eyes locked on hers.

“Have you been avoiding me lately?”

His voice held an unnerving calm as he posed the question, causing Claudia's nerves to jitter. The mere memory of that wet dream ignited a blush on her cheeks.

Gathering her bravery, she managed a facade of composure as she returned Bennett's stare.

“Have I? I have a performance coming up. I've been engrossed in rehearsing this piece..."

Instead of pressing the issue further, Bennett absentmindedly tapped on the piano.

“Do you still have the candy you gave me the other day?"

“What?

Claudia was caught off guard by his request for candies. She paused, and then replied, "Yes, I have some more in my room."

She looked at him, a moment of hesitation passing before she asked, “Would you like some? I can get it for you.”

“Sure came his nonchalant response.

Bemused, Claudia fetched a handful of candies from her room and returned to find Bennett seated at the piano.

She offered him the candies, querying, “Would you like to play the piano?"

“I'm not feeling up to it," he responded, his words incongruous with the moment. His gaze fell on the mango-flavored candies in her hand as he extended his own to accept one.

“Could you play a song for me?"

Seated by the pristine white piano, his eyes downcast, he appeared desolate, invoking sympathy.

Claudia, who had a soft heart in nature, felt deeply sorry for the man. She seated herself next to him and asked, “What should I play?"

“Traumerei, please.”

His response left Claudia startled. This composition was a love letter by Schumann to his beloved Clara.

As she remained silent, Bennett pocketed the candy and asked, "Don't you want to play this one?”