I'll Teach You, Marianne.

Chapter 70 - Face To Face

Since all the guests were present, Anne and Agnes were allowed to enter the venue. They stood at the back, looking at the stage where the main actors were playing their last part. Although standing at the back, Anne could still see Leon and Steffi who were sitting silently in the front row. They both seemed to focus on the stage.

"Watch Edward play total, Anne," whispered Agnes quietly commenting on Edward's performance.

"He's a really good pianist, apparently," said Anne softly, without realizing it.

"Of course, Anne. He's been playing the piano since he was a child," Agnes replied quickly, as she continued to stare at Edward, who was still playing his fingers on the piano keys.

Everyone seemed enchanted when Edward started playing the notes of the song The Turkish March or Marcia Alla Turca, one of Ludwig van Beethoven's masterpieces. Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the composers who was able to influence the civilization of the music world. He had written hundreds of works in the form of piano solos, symphonies, string quartets, concertos, piano sonatas, sonatas for piano and violin, and classical operas.

Those present were completely enchanted by Edward. Edward seemed to want to show everyone that he was a great pianist who would shine in the future. Anne's smile appeared when Edward began to enter another song that was still a masterpiece of Ludwig Van Beethoven.

"Piano Sonata no.14 in C # (sharp) minor" Quasi una Fantasia ", Op. 7 No.2 is one of the sonata works with great piano compositions and became Beethoven's most famous song. Dubbed the Moonlight Sonata by a poet, Ludwig Rellstab, and is likened to the beauty of the light effect of the full moon light that looks burning on the shores of Lake Lucerne," said Anne slowly, unconsciously commenting on the song Moonlight Sonata that was being played by Edward at this time.

"You know that song, Anne?" asked Agnes in surprise when Anne commented on the classic song Edward was playing.

"Who doesn't know Ludwig Van Beethoven? He was one of the composers who was able to influence the world music civilization. He had written hundreds of works in the form of solo piano, symphony, string quartet, concertos, piano sonatas, sonatas for piano and violin, and classical opera. Agnes," answered Anne with a smile.

Hearing Anne's answer made Agnes speechless. She was still confused about how Anne could know such details about Ludwig Van Beethoven, even though she was not a student majoring in music who was sure to learn about the great musicians in the world every day.

"How do you know such details about Ludwig Van Beethoven, Anne?" Asked Agnes curiously.

"That's because I ..."

Thump!

Anne immediately realized that she had talked too much about one of her favorite musicians who had become the mecca of her piano playing when she was a child. Anne quickly smiled meaningfully at Agnes, who was still very curious.

"Everyone knows who Ludwig Van Beethoven is, Agnes, without having to study or find out details about it," answered Anne quickly trying to change the subject.

"Maybe people know who Ludwig Van Beethoven is, but they won't know as much detail as what you just said, Anne," said Agnes again.

"I read a lot, I read. Aren't all of his works already in book forms? So it doesn't make sense that I could know such details," said Anne, smiling broadly.

"Yes, but not everyone can immediately know that what Edward is playing right now is a work by Ludwig Van Beethoven, but earlier you could just ..."

"Ahh yes Agnes, we have to help prepare the food. Let's go. The show will be over. Afterwards, they will definitely eat. Let's help the catering staff to arrange the food," shouted Anne loudly interrupting Agnes' words, as she turned towards the side door, which was connected to the previously prepared dining place where dozens of the catering staff were preparing the food neatly on the tables.

Seeing Anne leaving, Agnes followed her from behind. When she got to the dining room, Anne and Agnes immediately helped the catering staff, who were tidying the glasses on the table. The catering staff were very happy because they got help from Anne and Agnes, as they were in a race against time to finish the cutlery due to lack of staff. After fifteen minutes had passed, finally all their work was done. The cutlery was neatly arranged on the table along with the delicious food that looked appetizing. Seeing everything was neat and tidy made Agnes smile broadly. She felt very grateful for having done such a big thing. Meanwhile, Anne could only smile seeing Agnes boasting herself with the catering staff, even though in fact, it was just a joke to let go of the fatigue after work in a short time.

Not long after, the side door was opened wide and several staff from the UAL campus entered. They gave a code to the catering staff to get ready because the invited guests would immediately enter the room which was now used as a dining area. Knowing that the guests would enter the dining room, Anne immediately pulled Agnes's hand to leave the place. She didn't want Jack to see her presence again. Actually what still made Anne feel uneasy was not the presence of Leon and Steffi, but the presence of Jack. She really didn't think that Jack the barista, who had worked for her for a year and a half ago was a CEO of a large company in Switzerland. Before going to the dining room to help the catering staff, Agnes had time to tell Anne who the real Jack was.

"No wonder he is that annoying. It turns out that he is a businessman, apparently," said Anne softly when she saw Jack coming out of the venue and into the dining room from a distance.

"What are you talking about, Anne?" Agnes asked her quietly.

"No, I didn't say anything," answered Anne quickly.

"Oh, that means I heard wrong. Anne, how nice it is if you can be a rich person, to be a partner of rich and handsome businessmen like them," said Agnes quietly, as she looked at the guests of honor who were walking toward the dining room.

"Don't be jealous of what other people have, Agnes, God doesn't like it even though the devil supports it," said Anne quickly.

"Supported by the devil, what do you mean Anne?" asked Agnes, confused.

"Envy will definitely create a sense of belonging, and usually the devil's whisper will add to it that supports us to do evil. So stay away from envy. Because it can be a boomerang for ourselves, everything we do is definitely a reward from God. So it is better for us to be just like this, simple, free, and carefree. Because, believe me, rich people will have a restless life because they are overshadowed by the fear of being left behind by their rich partner," Anne explained at length.

"Why do you talk like that, Anne? Have you ever been in the position of the rich man's companion?" asked Agnes curiously.

Gulp! Anne swallowed her saliva slowly when she realized that she had been talking too much.

"No ... of course not, how could I be, Agnes? I ... I just often watch movies, yes, in the films I often watch how cruel the world of the rich people is," said Anne stuttered with a flushed face. Anne was a person who found it difficult to lie, so she would be very nervous when she lied.

"Ah, from the films, yes, in a film like that, Anne, sure. Those workers in the industry are definitely exaggerating, so you don't need to be surprised, after all, I'm sure the lives of the CEOs are fun and happy," said Agnes quietly, as she continued to stare towards the group of businessmen who were now in the dining room, smiling.

"No, Agnes, there is one Mrs. CEO whose life is very sad because of being betrayed by her husband and her best friend who I know very well. Although she is very grateful for her bad luck, at least she knows who are sincerely her friends and who are just using her," said Anne again.

"Who is the CEO's mistress? Do you know her, Anne? Well, if that's the story, it's a pity for her. Her life must be very miserable," asked Agnes curiously.

"I knew her very well in the past, but not now. The last thing I know was that she is now a different person, Agnes. She has become a stronger and more independent woman. And I'm grateful for that. She deserves to be happy and move on with her life again," replied Anne with teary eyes.

Hearing Anne's words made Agnes speechless. She then hugged Anne tightly, as she got carried away, because Anne looked very sad while talking.

"I'm sure your best friend is now living happily, Anne. So you don't need to be sad anymore. Believe me, every problem that comes will make her even stronger, and I'm sure God will definitely help her," said Agnes softly, as she patted Anne's back who she was hugging.

to be Continued