The Evolution of Genius: Every Night, I Get Smarter!

In the guest room, I saw familiar faces, along with Dr. Reynolds. Now, there were six of us in the room.

After a short while, Dr. Hayes entered the room from the kitchen with a tray full of iced coffee.

"Help yourselves. Please. If anyone prefers regular coffee, just let me know."

Once everyone settled into their places, the conversation began to flow.

I was asked about how I liked the facility; some congratulated me on the Abel Prize, but soon the conversation drifted away from me to the center.

The senior professors talked about their personal interests. Dr. Reynolds even planned a mountain trip with Mrs. Hayes and Dr. Clément, a bald man in his forties.

While the others chatted among themselves, Olivia decided to turn towards Veronica. "Veronica, you mentioned you play the piano. Do you play solo or with a violinist?"

Veronica, who was seated with one leg raised and her foot resting on the chair, stretching her already tight pants even further, replied, "I play solo. I participate in various competitions and performances."

I joined the conversation, glancing at Veronica. "And how is it? Any success?"

She smiled, "Yes. I’m one of the best of the nation. I’ve won a few nationwide competitions."

Olivia opened her mouth a bit wider; I thought a strand of hair might get inside, so I brushed her hair behind her ear.

"I’ve always wanted to play the piano, but I never had the opportunity," Olivia said.

I turned to her again, "Hey! Oliv, if you wanted to play the piano, you should have told me. I would have bought you a piano for your birthday or something."

Veronica looked at us and laughed, "No problem. We have a fully functional Yamaha piano at home. I can let you play."

"Oh! really? I would be really grateful." Olivia was excited.

Veronica stood up from the couch and said, "Come with me."

Mrs. Hayes called after us, "Where are you leading the guests, Veronica?"

Veronica turned to her mom. "They want to play the piano. We’ll be back later," and then walked into the corridor.

At the end, on the left side, there were heavy white doors, clearly designed to contain sounds inside.

Veronica opened the doors and entered. I let Olivia go in ahead of me and followed closely behind her.

In the room, many instruments lay on the ground and hung on the walls. Guitars, violins, even saxophones, but our attention was naturally drawn to the beautiful piano standing at its center.

A magnificent Yamaha grand piano, with a sleek black finish.

Two plush seats were positioned in front of it.

Veronica stood next to one of the seats and turned towards us, leaning gently forward. Joining her hands together, she said, "Will you allow me to play for you first?"

"Sure," I said together with Oliv.

Veronica gracefully stretched and sat down at the piano. I took an extra seat that was against the wall and placed it closer. Together with Oliv, we sat on Veronica’s left side.

Veronica quickly scanned through the papers with compositions, carefully selecting one that caught her interest.

She ran a few phrases on the piano, probably to test her fingers. I couldn’t help but observe the slender and delicate nature of her hands.

Veronica took a deep breath and started. The piano rang beautifully as she played a quiet theme that opened the movement.

Now, I wasn’t an expert in music, but I did take a look at some of the theory once.

Each note sang purely, and I could see that Veronica reveled in the sound. She dwelled on each note. By the delight on her face, I could see that she was sliding into a place where the rest of the world faded away.

Then, the first variation ended. The pace quickened. Her fingers nimbly navigated the keys.

When she stopped, she turned towards us, realizing that we were looking at her intently.

Oliv shook her head. "That is awesome!"

I held my hand with my thumb up in confirmation.

"Well, thanks.". she said.

"That’s a beautiful melody.", I said. "Is that where it ends? It seems short for a theme and variations."

Veronica looked at me with surprise, as if she had seen a ghost. "Umm... No, you’re right. There are four more."

"Now it’s my turn!" Oliv said sweetly.

After this, Oliv took her place in front of the piano, and as I watched her, I couldn’t help but be struck once again by how beautiful she was. The dim light in the room accentuated her features, and the anticipation in her eyes added a captivating charm.

Veronica, sensing Oliv’s eagerness, moved beside her and graciously offered guidance. Placing her hands atop Oliv’s, she patiently explained the notes and keys.

It was truly a sight to behold, and I couldn’t deny that I was enchanted by the two of them working together.

Veronica’s choice of clothing only added to the heightened emotions, rather than calming them.

Both Oliv and Veronica had long hair flowing down their back. However, there was a huge contrast in their colors. Oliv’s was a light blonde, while Veronica’s was a rich, dark brown.

After some time, Oliv stood up from the piano, "Thank you, Veronica. Max! You want to play?"

"Mm, I don’t know"

"Just try it.", Veronica pressed.

I shrugged. "All right."

"Do I help you?"

"Let me try alone, Veronica"

"Play, then"

I responded, shifting my seating position to the piano. I began by testing some of the keys, running my fingers across them.

I was surprised to feel Oliv’s hand rest on my back as I played.

After tuning my ears to the sounds, I attempted to recreate the variation that Veronica had played earlier. I moved my fingers around, mirroring Veronica’s technique. Despite my efforts, it wasn’t perfect.

I stopped.

"Max, that was ... amazing!" Oliv said softly.

Veronica nodded. "You must have played a piano before. You only made a few errors."

I discerned that Veronica was speaking in earnest. Perhaps my approach to playing was a bit unconventional for a first-timer at the piano.

"So... about this next variation...", I said as I looked at the composition.

Veronica sat in the seat to the left of me, a bit too close. "You know how to read this?"

"Hmm...", I stared at the notes for some time, some small pieces of information began to appear in my mind and after just a couple of seconds I was able to recognize the symbols.

I nodded.

Then I moved my head down and just stared across the top of the piano, hearing the variation repeating in my head.

"Are you all right?", Oliv asked as she sat on the seat to my right moving it even closer.

"Yeah. I think I know how to play this."

Almost as if in a trance, I placed my fingers atop the keys.

The girls stimulated my mind in many ways. I almost got distracted by the two of them sitting up close on both sides of my body.

The variation started with a repeat of a theme, and note by note, it increased in intensity.

The piano slowly became an extension of my mind. I heard the music in my head and almost magically willed it to existence through my fingers. Onto the strings and wood of the instrument.

Each tone rang out in the room and into mine, Oliv’s, and Veronica’s ears.

It sounded just like I wanted it to sound.

I let my fingers slide across the keys with ease, as I listened to the music that flowed through me.

The variation subsided, and I played the solemn restatement of the original theme. I played it slow, relishing each note resolving into the next.

The final D major chord rang for many seconds before it became inaudible.

I took a deep breath as I let my hands fall from the piano.

Oliv was smiling as she looked at me, while Victoria had a complicated expression on her face.

Finally, Victoria also smiled, "This was trully something, Max. My body was tingling the whole time."

"When you played the final notes, I felt like crying, Max!", Oliv said.

Suddenly, Oliv leaned over and kissed me passionately. I guess the music has inspired her to kiss me even in front of another person. I wrapped my arm around her back and returned the kiss.

Veronica coughed., "What you just played, I think this could win a National Competition. That’s if you were a few years younger."

My hand left Oliv, and I quickly distanced myself from her, as if nothing had happened. I turned towards Veronika, but when we kissed, Oliv placed her hand in my hair, causing it to stand up comically.

Veronica looked deep into my eyes with hazel-colored eyes and smirked at me. I didn’t know what was wrong, so I looked back at Oliv and she laughed. Right after, Veronica also started laughing.

Knocking on the door surprised the three of us.

Mrs. Hayes yelled from the other side to be heard through the thick door, "Food just arrived! Join us for a meal!"