Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Heads turned, all eyes on Rola’s domineering display. The staff member had no choice. With a reluctant sigh, he dialed the number, his fingers trembling slightly. On the other end, Ewing picked up almost immediately, his tone clipped and impatient. “What is it?”
The staff member took a deep breath, clearing his throat nervously, but before he could speak, Rola snatched the phone from his hand. “Hello, sir, there’s someone here pretending to be you,” she announced confidently, as though she were doing him a grand favor.
Ewing was surprised by the young, assertive voice on the line. After a beat, he replied, “Someone’s impersonating me? And just who is this supposed imposter?”
Smirking, Rola raised the phone, intending to snap a picture of Leila and Sophie to send as evidence. Leila didn’t flinch, her calm gaze meeting the camera head-on, unperturbed.
Rola hesitated, momentarily thrown by Leila’s composure. Deciding against the photo, she said into the phone, “Well, who it is doesn’t really matter,” she replied smugly. “Just tell me how you want this handled. Lucky for you, I have some time to spare today, so I’m happy to help you by taking care of this situation.”
Ewing let out an exasperated sigh. His day had already been hectic, and now someone was suggesting that he deal with an imposter? He massaged his temples. His patience was wearing thin as the brash tone of the child grated on his nerves. Whose child was this, speaking so rudely? He wasn’t about to waste another second. In a dismissive tone, he replied, “Simple. Just throw them out and ensure they don’t come back.”
Rola’s face lit up with satisfaction at his response, her confidence surging as she turned to the staff member. “See? I told you they were impostors. Get them out of here!”
Throughout, Leila’s composure remained unbroken. Just as Ewing prepared to hang up, she spoke up, her voice clear and calm. “Ewing.”
Ewing’s hand paused mid-air, surprised. “Leila?”
Leila offered a small smile. “Yes, it’s me. The so-called ‘imposter.'”
Ewing’s brow furrowed, caught between amusement and confusion. “Leila, you invested all the money using my name. How could anyone say you’re the imposter?” Leila cast a cold, knowing glance at Rola, who had suddenly gone quiet. Rola’s expression tightened.
“Apparently, someone here is a little too eager to have your niece thrown out, pinning a crime on her,” Leila replied.
Ewing’s voice hardened, laced with authority as he connected the pieces. “You’re the rightful investor here, Leila. Let’s see who dares try to kick you and your daughter out. They’d do well to remember that offending you means offending the Nixon family.”
With that, Ewing hung up, leaving Rola’s satisfaction replaced by a flash of panic.
The atmosphere in the room shifted palpably. All eyes turned to Leila and Sophie, their expressions a mixture of surprise and respect.
Most had been quick to believe Rola’s claims, dismissing Leila as an imposter. After all, becoming an investor in such an exclusive event required more than just wealth. It also required power, influence, and connections. And now, Leila stood among them, exuding every bit of it.
In this competitive arena, the size of one’s investment often reflected their power. However, that power couldn’t sway the competition’s outcome, which was ultimately designed to be fair-just the way it should be. While some competitors chose to conceal their true identities, no one anticipated Leila would hide behind Ewing’s name as a shield.
Who wasn’t aware of the Nixon family’s esteemed status, especially abroad?
Rola, though young, wasn’t naive. She could sense the underlying strength Leila and Sophie possessed. Used to wielding her influence and authority in this city, she found it hard to accept that anyone could hold a higher status than her.
Embarrassment colored Rola’s cheeks as she shot back angrily, “Just wait and see what happens next!” With that, Rola turned, attempting to make a hasty exit. But Leila and Sophie weren’t about to let her slip away so easily.
Sophie spoke in a steady voice. “Mom, we need to find a way to have her name removed. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to compete with me.”
Leila nodded in agreement, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “That’s simple enough. She’s offended you and hasn’t even offered an apology. It’s time she faces the consequences of her actions.”
Rola froze at their words, caught between her pride and the looming consequences.
“Who do you think you are, daring to kick me out of the competition?” Rola turned sharply, her expression fierce, yet her eyes revealed her inner turmoil and unease. Rola didn’t bother to consider if she was being reasonable. Wielding power to intimidate was second nature to her, and she knew well its effectiveness.
In fact, neither Leila nor Sophie had the power to strip Rola from participating in the competition.
Leila laughed lightly, her voice laced with amusement. “What’s the matter? Scared now?”
“Scared? Not even close!” Rola snapped, clenching her jaw. “Enough of this nonsense!”
Sophie chimed in with a calculated calm. “See? She claimed she wasn’t scared. Let’s just get her name removed and not waste our time on her.”
Rola couldn’t hold back any longer, and feeling humiliated, blurted out, “Just spit it out. What is it that you want? I have to compete.”
Leila and Sophie exchanged a glance, instantly understanding each other.
Without hesitation, Leila stepped forward and held out her hand to Rola.
Startled, Rola instinctively took a few steps back, assuming Leila was about to strike her.
However, what followed was unexpected. Leila simply gave Rola’s cheek a light pinch.
Although the touch was strangely personal, Leila’s voice carried a sharp edge. “You need to apologize to my daughter if you wish to stay in the competition. Got it?”
Rola frowned, her voice defiant. “I can give you money, but I refuse to apologize.”
Leila, unyielding, stood tall and said to the staff, “Please help me remove her name.” It was a clear echo of Rola’s earlier bravado.
Cornered, Rola’s cheeks burned with embarrassment as she approached Sophie. “I’m sorry,” she announced loudly. Yet, her tone belied her words, lacking any real remorse.
Sophie regarded Rola with serene eyes. “Sorry, could you say that again? I didn’t catch it.”
“You!” Rola’s eyes flashed with rage. Yet, remembering Sophie’s prior warning, she checked her temper..
Rola figured she might as well let them savor their temporary triumph. Once she reunited with her father and sister, these people would face consequences. With her hands tightly clenched, Rola’s voice softened as she murmured, “I’m sorry.”
Sophie acknowledged this with a nod. “Understood. You’re free to leave now.”
Tears clung to Rola’s cheeks as she stormed away, acting as though she were the victim in all this.
With the issue seemingly settled, Leila and Sophie beckoned the timid girl they had seen earlier. Considering the day’s events, there was a chance Rola might attempt to sway the girl’s sponsors. The uncertainty of Rola’s next move lingered in the air. Leila and Sophie watched the girl play the piano, captivated by her skill.
Sophie complimented the girl genuinely. “Your talent is truly remarkable.”
Seizing the moment, Leila took the initiative to speak up first. “Would you consider accepting our sponsorship? We’ll take care of your tuition and piano expenses from here on out. However, if it’s not what you want, we understand and won’t pressure you.”
The memory of Leila and Sophie standing up for her against the bullies stayed fresh in the girl’s mind. Her cheeks glowed with warmth at that instant. She nervously fiddled with her skirt, questioning softly, “Is this really fine? Wouldn’t it be inconvenient for you? Honestly, just being here is incredible. My family’s economic circumstances don’t really support an art career. Back home, I’ll devote myself to my studies. Once I’m working, I can afford piano lessons.”
The girl’s maturity touched Leila, who responded with a gentle look. “Even so, since you have talent, you should seize the opportunity. Waiting until you’re financially stable might be too late to start learning the piano.” Leila had always been proactive about encouraging her own children to explore their interests early on. She had the resources to give her children a fulfilling life and wanted to ensure they lived without regrets.
Sophie caught on to the girl’s contemplations and comforted her. “Supporting you is no trouble at all. It’s a win-win. We lend a hand now, and down the line, you can do the same for us.”
Resolute, the girl clung to Leila’s clothes. “Ma’am, I’m determined to pursue piano. I gratefully accept your help. You are my benefactor, and I will surely give back to you once I’m able.”
Leila felt a warmth spread through her heart.
“Sweetheart, let’s not delve into that topic right now.” After leaving the concert, Leila had a thought lingering in her mind.
Surprisingly, Sophie brought it up herself.
“Mom, can we do something for kids who have it tough? There must be countless kids out there who could really use some help.”
In areas plagued by poverty or conflict, not everyone had the luxury of a comfortable life. Wouldn’t everyone prefer to choose a better starting point if they had the option?
Leila was painfully aware that she couldn’t provide a perfect life for every child on Earth. Nonetheless, she was committed to making a difference however she could. What she hadn’t foreseen was that Sophie would mirror this resolve.
Sophie’s tentative smile broke through Leila’s contemplation.
Sophie stated, “Seeing that girl being pushed around earlier made me think of our own family. Maybe if I step up and help, when my siblings are in a pinch, there might be hands ready to help them too.”
With a tender touch, Leila caressed Sophie’s hair. “You’re onto something truly noble. Let’s establish a charity in your name once we’re back home.”.
Sophie shook her head, dismissing the idea. “No need. I’m not interested in that kind of fame. It’s just not for me.”
Leila offered a gentle smile. “It’s not about chasing fame. Consider it a gift, a token of how proud I am of you. You’ve earned it.”
Sophie clasped Leila’s hand, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Unbeknownst to Sophie, her showdown with Rola had been captured on video and shared online. Most viewers were oblivious to the personal stakes involved, focusing instead on their respective piano playing.
“That young girl is truly remarkable. The music she coaxes from a regular piano rivals that from a Steinway. She’s bound to be a maestro someday.”