A Billion Dollar Exchange

As they walked back to their dorm, the trio chatted about the audition, it was an unbelievable dream come true for them. "Liling, Richen, your voices are almost perfect, aigoo; it's obvious I may not be selected!" Xin Yong lamented. She had a nice voice but she was more skilled in playing the violin.

"Xin Yong, what are you saying, your voice is nice and now with your superb violin skills, you are more than perfect.. " Richen tried to relieve her fears.

"What are you saying Richen?, you know almost every girl in the department plays the violin, and they are way too good at it, in comparison, I'm not even a match for them not to talk of external competitors! " Xin Yong rambled on. The truth was that she was among the best violinists in school, but she didn't like accepting that she was good at it. Even if she got something right, she would lament and cry with others as though she had failed woefully. Liling knew this, so she didn't even bother consoling her, but Richen who had been enjoying the show continued rambling till they reached their dorm.

...

"Eva?, what are you doing here? " Jin Yue who had just taken his bath was told by the house keeper that a lady was waiting for him downstairs in the living room. When he asked of her name, the housekeeper told him that the lady said he, Jin Yue, knew her. Jin Yue stared at the poor brained house keeper, wondering where he kept his senses. After putting on a robe, he walked downstairs only to meet Eva seated on a cushion with her legs crossed as though she was posing for a photo shoot.

"Hi handsome" Eva smiled as she blinked her fake lashes seductively. Scanning Jin Yue from head to toe, she couldn't resit biting her lower lip.

Irritated by her gesture, Jin Yue immediately asked with a stern voice.

"What exactly do you want? Eva, money?, dollars?, just name it"

Eva was amused by his statement, she couldn't help laughing out loud, this irritated Jin Yue the more. He clenched his jaw as he watched her laugh hysterically.

"Handsome, I don't want any of those things and you know it..." Eva stated as she stood up and started walking towards Jin Yue.

"So what the hell do you want?! " Jin Yue who was almost fuming snarled. His gaze became colder by the second, while Eva's smile became wider.

"I want you" She said and walked closer to him, she stood in front of him and before Jin Yue could form the words to say, she had pecked him on the lips and darted to the door.

"I'll be seeing you more often, handsome" she chuckled lightly and gently closed the door behind her.

Jin Yue remained at that spot for almost two minutes, he was angry and mad and at the same time helpless. He was sure he felt nothing for Eva, just pure lust and that was even over a long time ago. He never knew someone to be this persistent. Eva was sure very persistent. 'What god-forsaken karma is this!' he thought to himself as he climbed up the stairs for a change of clothes.

.....

A sunny day at Gahll, the music students were all gathered in front of their departmental building and were being lectured by their head of department. They were later divided into groups of five for more coaching in view of the upcoming events.

Liling put in her very best. She understood more than anyone the state of things in her home, and she knew as a matter of factly that their was no job waiting for her when she graduates. Neither was she a rich Dad's kid who had enough money which could last for more than a lifetime. Her bank account was currently bleeding red, so not bothering if anyone called her dumb, she did every single thing the coach instructed, even to the last one of them.

They were allowed to practice with their instruments, but since it was a voice audition, those who had more credits were those who played the piano. Some violinists found it cumbersome singing while playing the violin, so most of them didn't play the violin. The school had already organised skilled staff who could play any instrument, so in case you don't want to play, they would play for you.

.....