That night, the imperial hall glittered with chandeliers as the city’s elite gathered for a grand gala. Julia, a maid in her simple black-and-white uniform, quietly polished the floor.
“Stay silent. Don’t meet anyone’s eyes,” whispered a coworker. Julia wished she could vanish into the walls.
At eight o’clock, the guests arrived in sparkling gowns and tailored suits. Then appeared Gerardo Alcázar—tall, elegant, and wearing a cruel smile.
“You,” he said, pointing at Julia. “Do you know how to clean a piano without scratching it?”
Julia nodded and carefully wiped the glossy Yamaha grand piano. As her fingers brushed the keys, a spark of passion stirred within her—this instrument was her secret love.
“Do you know how to play it?” Gerardo asked sharply.
“A little,” she murmured.
“Then play something,” he ordered.
Laughter rippled through the hall, expecting her humiliation. Julia closed her eyes, drew a deep breath, and let her heart guide her fingers. At first timid, her touch soon ignited, weaving a nocturne filled with longing and unspoken dreams.
Silence fell. Even Gerardo’s cruel smile faltered. When the final note lingered, applause erupted. Julia’s heart raced. A man with a foreign accent stepped forward.
“I am the director of a music academy in Berlin. Would you accept a full scholarship? Housing and support for your family are included.”
Julia’s eyes widened—her grandmother could finally live without worry. “Talent matters more than social class,” the man added. “And you have it in abundance.”
Gerardo stormed out, humiliated. Julia looked back at the piano, no longer just the maid who cleaned it—but a young woman finally seen for who she truly was.
