Zayn kept quiet at that score and walked away.
Meanwhile, the duo finally finished performing the final piece. Carla got up from her seat and bowed at the audience. She turned around in an attempt to express her gratitude towards the mysterious man, but he was nowhere to be found anymore.
She felt dejected, but she couldn't care less about it. Immediately after the performance, she returned to the lounge for Diane in the midst of the audience's thunderous applause.
Diane, who had been anticipating Carla at the entrance, jumped with joy and denoted, "Carla! You're back! You did a great job! I heard it, and it was nothing less than awesome!"
"The last time I played a piano was a few years ago! Let's put that aside and get changed immediately!" Carla suggested with a bright grin.
"Oh! Yes!" Diane brought Carla to the partition and helped her to get dressed.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. They heard Miss Janol's gentle voice a few seconds later. "Diane, there a few guests that wish to talk to you. Hurry up and join me after you get changed."
Miss Janol was no longer the mean and cruel self after the performance.
Diane panicked and whispered, inquiring Carla's opinion regarding her next best course of action. "What should I do?"
Carla removed her Whyte-laced dress and suggested, "Since she's looking for you, you should join her. After you get yourself changed, put on the face veil and pretend as though you were the one who performed on stage."
"Huh? That doesn't sound like a great idea because I'll have to impersonate you!" Diane had her doubts, but Carla assured her everything would be fine.
"Haven't I been impersonating you ever since half an hour ago?"
Carla beamed her reply. After she got herself changed, she brought her purse and walked out of the room.
Diane got in Carla's way and stopped her. "Carla! Can I have your contact number? I'll definitely return the favor in the near future!"
"Sure." Carla departed right after she gave Diane her contact number.
She craned her head to check the surroundings outside of the lounge. Once she ensured no one was around, she let out a sigh of relief. Carla had put on the exposing milky Whyte evening gown again. The innocent and elegant-looking pianist was nowhere to be seen anymore.
"Carla!" A familiar voice could be heard out of the blue. When she turned around, she noticed Brad was right behind her.
"Brad? What are you doing here?" Carla tiptoed to make sure there wasn't anyone else behind him—she was afraid of being exposed by others.
Brad dashed over in her direction and said, "I'm her because I have something to tell you…"
"What is it about?" Carla took a step back and put some distance between them.
"Follow me, Carla!" Brad brought her into another empty room and locked the door.
"Why have you brought me here? What are we supposed to do if others see us…"
"Who are you talking about? Zayn?" Brad asked with a frown and started scrutinizing Carla's exposing outfit. "Was he the one who forced you to put on this disgusting dress?"
"You should stop poking your nose into my business! If you'll excuse me—" Carla tried to push him away because he was in her way again.
"Why do you want to go out? What sort of business do you have with the guests out there?"
Brad pushed her and pinned her to the couch, supporting himself with his straightened arms while he was on top of Carla, just like Zayn would every time he got her to spend a night with him.
In spite of the similarities between the two men, Brad wasn't as domineering as Zayn.
"Brad, what do you want?"
Carla was shocked because she was never aware Brad had such an aggressive side.
Brad got worked up all of a sudden. He yelled, "Carla, I respect your decision, but I couldn't bear to leave you alone anymore! I don't get it! Why are you at his mercy? Does he have something that can threaten you? Why don't you tell me about it? I'll deal with him on behalf of you!"
"N-No…" Carla was at a loss for better words to explain her current situation.
"If that's the case, what's the reason behind it? Look at your dress! I-It's…" Brad clenched his fist while grabbing the train of her evening gown.
He couldn't bear to blurt out the humiliating remark he had in his mind. "You're not who you used to be anymore…"
"I know what I'm doing, Brad. Don't worry about me, okay?" Carla whispered and assured Brad, "I'll regain my freedom soon—"
Before she could tell him the plan she had in mind, Shelley's voice could be heard outside of the room.
"Zayn, I'm a tad bit exhausted. Can we get some rest in the room? Do you mind keeping me company?"
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