The idea of being close to men had become appealing to her.

She shook her head, banishing those thoughts. Her fingers found the keys, and she began to play the Symphony of Destiny.

As the music enveloped her, Claudia lost herself in it. Three hours of practice left her fingers tender and weary.

She paused to massage her fingers, and then reached for her phone. She discovered a barrage of messages from Aurora.

"Someone captured pictures of you and Bennett last night. They're stunning!" Aurora then sent her two pictures.

“I can't figure out how those photos leaked, and the word of last night's happenings is out too. You two make Kristy and Anthony look like a complete joke!"

“Kristy's going to be pissed off this time! This is so amusing!”

These messages were two hours old. As Claudia downloaded the photos and took in their detail, her face turned a deeper shade of red.

Aurora was right; the images were truly extraordinary!

One showed her leaping into Bennett's arms, captured just as he, dapper in a black suit, reached out with one hand to hold an umbrella and used the other to secure her waist.

His gaze was fixed downward at her, her dress dancing in the breeze. She looked up, meeting his eyes. Although the image was still, it somehow conveyed a sense of motion

The second photo captured Bennett, hand at her waist, as they walked together through the pouring rain.

Both images were awash with shadowy tones, the cold rain and darkness of the night surrounding them.

It was precisely against the backdrop of dark tones that the story was revealed.

A sudden knock at the door jolted Claudia.

Her hand trembled, and her phone tumbled to the floor.

Glancing guiltily at the person at the door, she hurriedly bent to retrieve her phone.

“Lunch is ready."

“I've just finished practicing, too."

She held the phone and put her hands behind her back.

Bennett's eyes flicked to where she hid the phone and asked, "Shall we have Lunch together?"

“Okay.”

Claudia stood up, closed the piano lid, and trailed Bennett downstairs. After washing her hands, she returned to find two new songs sent by Mathews awaiting her.

It suddenly dawned on her that in the morning, while she was focused on Bennett's abdominal muscles, she had forgotten to mention such an important matter.