Mark, the Professional

Chapter 19 A Second Thought

“To be honest, this song will sound much better with a different instrument. Piano isn’t the best for it.” Mark commented with his brows knitted.

Again, Betty stared at him in amazement. How did he know?! He is REALLY a GENIUS! I’ve met a genius.

“What instrument do you think is the best for it then?” She asked tentatively.

Mark glanced around the room and spotted the violin. “The violin will do the job perfectly.”

He’s got it right again! Betty thought. Amongst various instruments, the violin was Betty’s favorite and what she was best at. She composed the song with the violin originally and though she had played it with different instruments, she believed that it was a song meant for the violin only.

Mark went over to the violin and was about to grab it. “Wait, that’s my…” Betty interrupted. That’s my favorite. It was a wonderful piece of artwork by Antonio Stradivari, once owned by five brilliant violinists. Betty bought it at an auction for around four hundred thousand pounds. It was extremely valuable.

However, before she could interrupt him, Mark picked up the violin swiftly and started playing. It sounded just like Betty’s song, but then, Betty noticed that Mark had changed it slightly and it sounded even better. To be exact, it sounded perfect.

When Betty was composing the song, she realized that there was something that needed changing, but she couldn’t figure out what it was. Now she knew. He had done it so effortlessly.

And he has never heard it before! He isn’t just capable of playing it, but perfecting it. Betty was utterly amazed and convinced that Mark was indeed a genius.

“Would you like to be my music teacher?” Betty asked excitedly as soon as Mark finished playing. “I will pay you.” She added, “I will pay you well.”

This is a good chance to ask her to invest in the Lawrence. Mark thought, but he gave up the idea, thinking, business is business after all. I will ask about cooperating properly another time.

Mark put the violin down gently and shook his head. “I can’t teach you.” He said.

“Why? You don’t think I’m clever enough to learn? Or are you mad at me?” Betty pouted her lips. “I apologize.” She wasn’t someone that would give up easily.

“The essence of music is to express. You have excellent skills, but there’s nothing in your music. It’s like a house with a perfect structure, but empty inside.” Mark remarked ruthlessly. “You asked me to come here simply to test me, didn’t you? I have passed the test now, so see you.” Mark turned around to leave.

It was then Betty remembered what she wanted from Mark. “Wait! I asked you to come here for a different reason. I would like to record you playing the song you played at Melody Café and I will pay you of course.”

Mark looked at her and saw the eagerness in Betty’s eyes. “Where?” He asked.

“Just next door.” Betty grinned happily and led him to the recording room.

She took out a bipa and handed it to Mark. Mark accepted it and touched it gently. He seemed surprised. This bipa should cost about the same as the violin. She’s the only daughter of the Fosters after all. I guess all her possessions are valuable.

Betty seemed to have read Mark’s mind. With a proud smile, she said, “This is possibly the best thing in the shop. I’m excited to show it to you.”

Seeing Betty’s proud look, Mark ignored her words intentionally and said plainly, “Let’s do the recording.”

Betty pouted her lips, disappointed by Mark’s response, but she didn’t want to displease him. “Sure.” She went and sat down in front of the recording desk, got everything ready and gestured to Mark that he could start.

Hearing the music on her headphone and watching Mark play, Betty smiled blissfully as sweet memories came back to her. When Mark finished playing, she wished the song could last longer.

“Won’t you give it a second thought? Are you sure you don’t want to teach me at all?” Betty asked again. “You know many instruments, so you don’t have to teach me the piano or the violin if you don’t want to but you can teach me something else.”

Just as Mark was to reply, his phone rang. “Hello. Right. Got it. I will be there on time.” He said and hung up.

“I have something to deal with. I have to go now. See you.” Mark turned to leave.

Betty took a look at her watch. It said 4 pm. She hurried after Mark. “I’m leaving as well. I will give you a lift.”

Mark sat at the front seat. “Drop me off at the end of this alley. We are going two different directions.”

Betty nodded.

Mark got out of the car, Betty popped her head out of the window and said, “Hey, seriously, please give it a second thought.” At the exact same time, they noticed a bright light flash near them. Mark turned around to see a man in grey running away.

What the f**k! Mark cursed.

“Bloody paparazzo!” Betty exclaimed. “Get him, Mark!”

Mark had not expected that coming. Paparazzi?! Seriously? He saw the worried look on Betty’s face and saw that she was about to get out of the car. He gestured her to get back in and moved to the front passenger seat. He got in and drove, fast.

“Don’t worry. He has run into a one-way alley and I know the only exit. We will get him.” Mark said confidently. He stepped on the accelerator hard and the car sped on. He smiled. He had missed this familiar feeling of excitement. It was the taste of his old life, the life he was used to and in love with. Since coming to Manchester, he had missed it very much.

“There he is!”

They spotted the man running towards them anxiously while turning around to take a look behind him. Mark smiled proudly.