His jaw was set and his tone was sharp. This was not how it was supposed to go. The room was filled with a crisp, deafening silence. His wife, Cosette, sat on the chair wringing her hands, jiggling with her wedding ring. She was tired, and upset. He had found messages, several messages between Cosette and a man she worked with, confirmation of an affair he knew had secretly been going on.
"I don't know what to say right now." He picked up his coat and left the room, closing the door softly behind him. He heard Cosette's ripping sobs as he made his way outside.
Cosette still lived with her stepfather. She was nearly twenty-five and had met somebody particularly special. She did not know her father and her mother died when she was small, leaving her with her stepfather, who had been more than a father to her all these years. She worked in a piano dealers in Paris, and loved her job. She met many composers and musicians and adored showcasing upright, electronic and grand pianos.
She had been waiting for Luc to reply to her text all morning and was anxiously flipping her phone in her hand between firing off a few emails and handing out a few brochures regarding a new Yamaha series. She had met Luc in a pub a few months ago, and had been on a few dates with him since. She liked him, so much, the attraction sparked and flashed when she was with him. He was a young banker, tall and tanned with olive skin and black hair. He had strong features, striking brown eyes and a strong jaw.
When her phone beeped she leapt from her seat to the filing cabinet where she had left it. It was not from Luc, but from her friend Eponine, they were meeting for lunch in a cafè near the tower and she was confirming the details. Her heart sank and she returned to her chair, clicking through the screen and fiddling with her desk fan.
The door opened and a young, tall man entered. He had dark brown hair and a fair complexion, and he was most handsome. Cosette had heard the door but not looked up from her work. "Hi, can I help you?" she asked absent-mindedly. It was only then she looked up from her screen to the tall handsome man that stood ahead of her.
"I'm looking for an old upright piano, a dark wood, with ivory keys. Do you have any in stock?" He asked, his eyes scanning the showroom and his hands shifting in his pockets. Cosette stood and flattened her skirt, and steadily made her way over to the antique pianos, ever aware of the gentleman's stare on her back.
"We have this model, an old Bentley, from around 1930, an original masterpiece. It's old, and we will need to tune it." She stammered, not looking up to meet his gaze, intimidated by his beauty. The man studied the piano, lifted the cover and played a few notes. "I like it," he said, further studying the keys, and the back, lifting the cover to see the hammers, "I'll take it."
Cosette nodded, still looking at the floor. "Please follow me." She took the gentleman to a consulting table, and she passed him a few papers. "My name is Mr. Pontmercy. Marius." he said, leaning over to her, and their hands brushed. Cosette blushed and shifted in her seat, "My name is Cosette." She said timidly. Her eyes met his for the first time, and they exchanged a shy smile.
"Well, Mr Pontmercy, I believe we are all finished here." Cosette stood, and pushed her chair back under the glass table. Marius followed her lead, and stood. He walked around the table and stood beside Cosette. She shifted again awkwardly in his presence and wished she knew what to say. "May I play this piano for you sometime, Miss Cosette?" he asked, his voice rich with promise.
Cosette moved back to her desk and reached over for her business card. "Here," she said, passing Marius her card, "call me, or text, or email. Any is fine." Marius took her card and gave a soft kiss onto her cheek. "Your piano will be delivered next Thursday sir." She said, as Marius moved to the door.
"Thank you, Miss Cosette." Marius left the showroom, pulling the door to a soft close. Cosette did not think about Luc for the rest of the day, as the handsome stranger began to take his place.