When You Looked Down on Me, I Rose Above Yo

In the opening concert of Matteo Arnaut's world tour,a piano prodigy and also a boyfriend of mine,the audience packed the venue,eagerly awaiting his fingers running over the piano keys.

The moment he reached the final piece,he suddenly stopped his fingers.

His gaze shifted to the seating,but not on me,instead on Louisa Shannon,the recently reclaimed heiress of Shannon Group,sitting in the front VIP row seat.

"This pieceThe Light You Keep On,dedicated to the one who's been a light in my darkest times,the one who's now sitting in front of me."

Just then,the spotlight fell on Louisa with a shy and blushing face behind her hands.

However,behind the shadows of her spotlight,I sat gripping my hands.The worn and a bit rough hands from years of washing dishes.

That piece,that melody...was the one I often hummed to Matteo in our cramped and a bit stuffy rental apartment whenever he suffered a panic attack.

Even,I was the one who supported and accompanied him during his studies at a renowned music conservatory.

And now,with hundreds of eyes watching,he was dedicating the piece to another girl.The piece that represented our struggle,our happiness.

Amidst the thunderous applause filling the hall,I quietly booked a flight to Boston.

The bright and blinding spotlights exposed Louisas blushing and sweet smile right in front of me.

The pain and anger I had been bottled up all this time finally erupted as Matteo,on the stage,continued to express his gratitude to her.

My chest tightened and my voice caught in my throat as if swallowed by the darkness.Tears streamed down my face.

The seven years I had sacrificed for him vanished.

For seven years,I worked three part-time jobs and scrimped on all my own needs,to ensure Matteo could complete his study.

And in the lowest point,I even stole leftover from the customers at the restaurant where I worked,just to ensure Matteo wouldn't miss a single lesson from the renowned piano lecturer who was mentoring him.

Whenever I handed him a thick stack of cash each month,he would hug me tightly,looking pained and tender."Esmee...."

He said,"Once I make it,I will tell the whole world just how amazing and wonderful my girl is."

I believed his words.

That's why,I had spent up thirty dollars today to dress up and wear a white haute couture gown I had never worn before.

Yet,the amazing and wonderful girl standing under the spotlight,was another girl entirely,not me.

Louisa,adorned in high-end jewelry and an haute couture gown,stepped onto the stage gracefully.She took and raised Matteo's wrist.

On his wrist,was a red cord bracelet I knotted for him with my own hands.

"It took me a long time to learn and make this red bracelet for him.I hoped he'd made his dream and I'm so happy he did."

"I've been by his side for seven years.I gave up my own study and worked three part-time jobs at once to ensure him complete his study."

"Even in the winter,the dishwater was so cold but thinking of him,I endured it."

I stared in disbelief as soon as her words reached my ears.

Every word she said,every single thing,was things I had done for Matteo,things only Matteo and I had shared.

Her voice was filled with affection as she looked at Matteo beside her.

Matteo,then,pulled her into his embrace.

In an instant,thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall.

Seven years of devotion,seven years of love,and seven years of waitingall of it vanished into nothingness in that instant.

The audience whispered among themselves,calling them a perfect match and blessing them.

I was the only one in the seatslike a joke.

I roughly wiped the tears from my face and tremblingly pulled out the phone Matteo had discarded.

My fingertips brushed against the shattered phone screen,and without hesitation,I booked a flight to Boston.

After Matteos performance ended,I found him in the backstage lounge.

With my makeup smudged from crying,I confronted him."Why?Didn't you say you'd go on public with our relationship once you made it?Why did you end up with Louisa?"

My emotions were out of control and I almost shouted.

Matteo had no trace of guilt and simply patted my back,over and over."Try to understand me,Esmee.I'm not just anyone anymore,I'm a famous pianist nationwide."

"And Louisa,she's the Shannonslong-lost biological daughter."

He didn't make his words clear,but I got them.

I was no longer good enough for him.

A renowned pianist was no longer need a down-and-out girlfriend like me.

His voice stayed calm and gentle."Esmee,I haven't failed you,at least I've brought your sacrifices to light,just in a different way,haven't I?"

I snapped my head up and caught a fleeting flash of disdain in his eyes.

Ill still marry you someday.Youll still be the Mrs.Arnaut everyone envies.So,be a good girl,okay?

The rising tone at the end was his usual way of coaxing me.

Matteo helped me to the sofa and wiped the tears from my face with his own hands."Keep crying,and you're going to ruin your pretty face."

I shook my head and bluntly pointed out."Matteo,youre ashamed of me,aren't you?"

He froze,but then caught himself fast."What nonsense are you saying?I'm taking you to my after-party later."

"Don't get me wrong.I didn't make it public just to keep you safe."

He ruffled my hair,and for a splitting second,I felt like I was back in the old days.

The man kept comforting me all the way to the club.

But right in front of the private room,he opened the door as an excuse to let go of my hand.

Just then,the sound of a confetti cannon being fired echoed,and a cascade of colorful ribbons danced into view.

Louisa was the first to approach him.Congratulations,Matteo.I knew you were the best pianist.

She took his arm and deftly took him to the seat of honor.

"And who's this?"Louisa looked at me with utter contempt,as if I were some kind of filth.

Matteo seemed to hesitate for a moment,and said,"Just a friend."

A friend?

He acknowledged me nothing more than just a friend?

With his remark,I was ushered into a corner,alone,far from the spotlight.

Soon,my phone buzzed and some messages popped out on my screen.It was Matteo.

[Esmee,you'll struggle to deal with this kind of situation,so I wont make it public for now,to keep them from bothering you.]

[I couldn't bear to see them bothering you.]

The last,he sent me a heart emoji.

Like a knife piercing,I endured the sharp and deep pain in my chest,and glanced at his direction.

Just then our eyes met.Yet there was nothing in his eyes except cold detachment,as though I meant nothing to him at all.

During the meal,someone remarked."Louisa,you're here today thanks to Matteo,why don't you cheers with us?"

Louisa looked hesitant but still raised her glass.

"She has a low tolerance for alcohol,"said Matteo,expressionless.

Before anyone could react,he reached over,took the glass from her hand,and drained it in a single swallow.

The room instantly burst into cheers,everyone scrambling to raise their glasses and join in the toast.

I picked up the glass in front of me and drained the red wine in one go.The bitter liquid burned all the way down,leaving a harsh sting in my throat.

My eyes quickly filled with tears.

Just,this time,I couldnt tell if it was because of the wine or because of him.

For the rest of the evening,I huddled in the corner like an invisible person,waiting for the party to end.

Just then,Matteo walked over me.I thought he would go home with me,but instead,he said,"Esmee,I'm going to take Louisa home."

"Just take a taxi,you dont have to wait for me.

Then he took Louisa in his arms and left.

I hurriedly stepped out the room and shouted at him."Matteo,I'm leaving...I'm leaving now...."

He simply waved at me,signaling that he had heard me.

That was all.

The tears I had been holding back finally spilled over,streaming down my face.

Matteo,I'm really going to leave you this time....

Matteo didn't come home until late that night.

The moment he stepped into the dimly lit apartment,my eyes landed on the faint lipstick stain near the collar of his shirt.

Louisa's.

The sight of it made my stomach twist.

Seeing me still awake,he came over to hug me,but I pulled him away.

I looked up at him,tears already burning behind my eyes.

"Why won't you acknowledge me?"My voice trembled with hurt."You promised me that once we got through the hard times,we would"

Esmee.Matteo kicked off one of his shoes in frustration.Why are you always so stubborn?

"I spent the entire ride home thinking about how to calm you down.Everything I did was for your own good."

"We're not kids anymore.What would acknowledging you there accomplish?Do you know how many people would laugh behind my back?How many are waiting for me to make a mistake so they can watch me fall?"

His tone was low and soft,yet the helplessness was piercing my heart.

Not only that,the anger and frustration he had been holding up for so long erupted all at once.

He said,he was just getting his career on track and avoiding even the slightest mistake.And he needed someone with a well-connected and status to back him up.

He had suffered enough and refused to repeat his past mistakes.

In this dead silence of the night,he sighed deeply and said,Esmee,Ive already agreed to marry you.What more do you want?

The clock ticked on for a long time before I finally spoke up,Is marrying me such a burden for you?

How long have you known Louisa?Three months only,right?I asked and answered myself.

"In three months,you let her replace my seven years of devotion.In three months,you let her stand by your side.And in three months,she became your well-known perfect girlfriend.What gives her the right?"

My vision was blurred.I had no idea how many times I had drained my tears today.

Matteo lost his temper with me for the first time and stoop up."Because Louisa is the heiress of the Shannons.She has power and status,and she's well-educated.While you...."

Without waiting for him to finish his words,I lifted my hand and slapped him hard,leaving him turn his head away.

The crisp sound of the slap echoed throughout the room.

My palm tingled,but it was nothing compared to the pain in my heart."Matteo,you can criticize me for anything else,but you're the last person who gets to call me uneducated."

Because I had once been the one with a future.

My grades had been excellent.I'd earned a scholarship.By living on almost nothing,I had managed to cover my own expenses.

I could even have continued my studies.

Instead,because I was grateful to the boy who had saved me when my own family abandoned me,I chose a different path.

I paid for Matteo's education.

For his dream.

For the art degree he wanted so badly.

An art degree that cost far more than either of us could afford.

I still remembered the day he held me in his arms and cried for three whole hours.

He said,Esmee,Ill never let you down.

That day,his eyes were filled with nothing but sincerity.

And only now,I realized the sincerity had long gone.

I looked up,holding back the tears welling in my eyes,and said firmly,"Matteo,I want to break up with you."

Matteo laughed scornfully."Esmee,when did you learn to play hard to get?

"After spending seven years with me and living under the same roof,do you really believe anyone besides me would want you?"

His laughter grew more ruthless.You need to know that Im the best choice youll ever have in this lifetime.

"Since weve made it clear,I dont want to argue anymore.Just take some time to cool off."

Matteo turned and went straight into the bedroom,locking the door behind him.

The summer heat drifting through the open window suddenly brought back a memory when the teenage Matteo looked at me with determination and held out his hand.

"Hey,wanna run away with me?"

"Where are we going?"I asked.

He looked toward the village entrance.Anywhere.Its better than being beaten to death or tortured here.

And so,that summer,the village of Vermont lost two people.

An adopted son who had spent his life doing backbreaking labor for a family that never truly wanted him.

And the youngest daughter who was only days away from being forced into a marriage she never chose.

We thought we were running toward freedom.Toward a future we would build together.

But years later,after everything we had endured,everything we had sacrificed,and everything we had survived,I found myself standing in the same place once again.

Alone.

By the time Matteo came out of the bedroom,it was already broad daylight.

Seeing me still sitting blankly on the sofa,he asked impatiently,"Wheres breakfast?"

I didn't response.

He furrowed his brow and sighed.Esmee,my patience really is limited.

I looked up numbly.Even though it was the exact same face as before,it felt strangely unfamiliar to me.

"Could you play a piano piece for me?"I asked in a voice barely above a whisper."Just for me."

"You wouldnt understand even if I played it.Just search for it on any music app."He refused my simple request without the slightest hesitation.

My pupils trembled.He had forgotten that I was the one who first taught him to play the piano.

Then,he seemed to remember something and said,I'm not coming home tonight.You dont have to wait for me.

I glanced at the pink supercar parked at the entrance,then stood up and blocked his way.

"Matteo,today is our seventh anniversary."I hurriedly grabbed his arm to stop him from leaving.

As he struggled to brush my hand away,something fella pack of pink ultra-thin 001s.

I froze.

Matteos face darkened instantly.He shoved me hard and picked up that shameful thing.

A dull pain spread up my legs,and as I looked up,I saw his back further and further away.

It took a long while before I could force myself to stand up.

I walked into the bedroom and took a book of sheet music out of the nightstand.

This,he gave this book to me on this day last year.

He drew the cover himself,three musical notes leaping off the page.

His gentle words echoed in my ears once more.So,La,Doput them together,and it spells out 521.

Esmee,I love you.

The very first page I flipped to wasThe Light You Keep On,the piece I used to hum to him whenever he suffered a panic attack,the piece of our love.

My fingers grasped the page tightly,and with a sudden jerk,I tore it to shreds.

Flipping to another page,I found memories recounted from Matteos perspective.

He wrote,[Penelope was an unpleasant name to hear,and Esmee suits you better.It meansto cherish and treasure you,never forgetting you.]

Rip.

[Ive qualified for the competition.Once I make a name for myself,Ill treat you right.]

Rip.

[The moment my panic attacks struck,I was so glad you're always by my side,humming and comforting me.Esmee,Im so glad I have you.]

Rip.

Page after page,I tore every single one into pieces.

Just then,Matteo's phone rang.

My Babyappeared on the caller ID and I swiped the answer button.

"Esmee.

Soon,Matteos voice came through."I forgot my phone,could you please bring it to the hotel for me?"

On the other end,I could still hear Louisa's halting and coquettish voice."Matteo,isnt this a bit inappropriate?

"Its fine.She has no better options than me."He declared confidently.

A wave of sourness instantly rose in my stomach,and I couldn't stop myself from dry-heaving.

Disgusting.

It was truly disgusting.

I hung up the phone immediately,and without a second thought,I grabbed my luggage and headed for the airport.