The #1 fan always losing ticketing war #8

A/B（）

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This chapter is a bit of a slow burn with a lot of talking. Hope you don't mind🥺

fav#1fan💐Shane

I: You are not just a fan, Shane. 

I: I am sorry ruin your schedule. Really really sorry.

I: Please, accompany me.

I: Sveta cannot be there.

<p class="read"><b>Read</b> 5:57 PM</p>

<h4 class="time">Today, 6:02 PM</h4>

I: I need you.

I: I wait for you at elevator.

＊

Ilya正站在地下兩層的電梯口前，慈善募款Gala的吵雜人聲迴盪在會場入口處，他卻直盯手機螢幕，彷彿這麼做就能讓期待的訊息彈出。機械音從前方傳來，他猛然抬頭，看著電梯門縫展開，彷彿窺看門裡的光，直到整扇門打開，裡頭完全沒有他熟悉的面孔，Ilya沉重地嘆出一口氣，肩膀失落地垂下，他將手機收進口袋。人群離開電梯，從他面前走過，Ilya低下頭，看著鞋尖，想著一切是怎麼變成這回事的。

大師班結束後，Svetlana將和工作團隊討論接下來的年度規劃，Ilya沒有其他行程，今天的後續本來就是難得的半天假，所以他原本為Shane準備了「驚喜」。雖說驚喜，也不是太精緻的安排，他讓Svetlana訂了一家餐廳，但他不知道Shane的喜好，他只確保那會是蒙特婁最高級的餐廳。

這是約會？當然不是。

當Ilya知道Shane有整天的時間，他就決定這麼用一晚的「VIP特權」獎勵他忠實的頭號粉絲，這只是花束和卡片的回禮，畢竟他有聽出Shane在訊息裡的話中話，他知道Shane肯定也會期待，而Ilya是個多麼優秀的偶像，他當然會滿足粉絲的期待。所以這不會是約會。

但現在，這些都變成無謂的煩惱了。沒有燭光晚餐，沒有高級餐廳，沒有粉絲福利，只剩下讓人煩躁的社交活動，充斥著場面話的慈善募款晚宴，Shane在場的話，今晚至少沒那麼難熬。

如果Shane願意來的話。

金屬門後的機械音再度響起，Ilya看著面板上的數字變化，直到變成-2。電梯門開了，Ilya不抱任何期待，他只需要在六點三十分前進場，他幾乎提起腳跟，準備離開。但在狹窄的門縫後方，出現一個黑色的身影，Ilya倒抽一口氣，然後門全開了，黑髮的後腦杓面對電梯裡的鏡子，雙手在領口擺弄著，白色的花束夾在臂彎裡，那張長著雀斑的面孔驚呼著抬起頭，迅速轉身。

百合花香飄出電梯。

－

Ilya stood in front of the elevators on floor -2. The noise from the charity gala echoed near the entrance, but he kept his eyes on his phone screen. It was as if he could make the message he was waiting for appear just by staring at it. 

A mechanical chime came from in front of him, and he looked up quickly. He watched the elevator doors start to open, peering at the gap as if looking for light. But when the doors opened fully, there were no familiar faces. Ilya let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders dropping in disappointment, and he put his phone back in his pocket. As the crowd left the elevator and walked past him, Ilya looked down at his shoes, wondering how things had ended up like this.

After the masterclass, Svetlana had to discuss the annual plan with the team. Ilya had no other plans; today was supposed to be a rare half-day off. That was why he had originally prepared a "surprise" for Shane. It wasn't anything too fancy, he just had Svetlana book a table at a restaurant. He didn't know Shane's preferences, but he made sure it was the finest restaurant in Montreal.

Was this a date? Of course not.

Once Ilya knew Shane was free all day, he decided to reward his loyal #1 fan with a "VIP privilege". It was just a return gift for the flowers and the card. After all, he had noticed the hidden meaning in Shane's messages. He knew Shane must be expecting something, and as a great idol, he had to meet his fan's expectations. 

So, it definitely wasn't a date.

But now, all those plans were useless. No candlelit dinner, no fancy restaurant, no fan service. There was only a frustrating social event, a charity gala full of fake small talk. If Shane were here, at least the night wouldn't be so hard to get through.

If Shane was willing to come.

The mechanical sound behind the metal doors rang out again. Ilya watched the numbers on the panel change until it reached -2. The doors opened. Ilya had no expectations this time, he just needed to be inside the gala by six-thirty.

He was about to turn and leave, but then a dark figure appeared behind the narrow gap of the doors. Ilya gasped. As the doors parted, revealing a man with black hair was facing the elevator mirror, his hands busy with his collar. A white bouquet of flowers was tucked under his arm. The freckled face looked up in surprise and turned around quickly.

The scent of lilies floated out from the elevator.

「我、呃，」Shane擺正脖子上的黑色領結。

「你來了。」Ilya聽到自己這麼說。

Shane走出電梯，歪斜著嘴說，「你叫我來的，不是嗎？」

Ilya盯著眼前因不滿而噘起的嘴唇，「我以為你逃走了。」

Shane卻面露震驚，「不會，那是我最不可能做的事。」

「為什麼？」

「我答應過你，記得嗎？」Shane眉頭緊蹙。Ilya的心跳比他第一次登台的時候還快，「我答應過你『下次不會逃走。』」

「真可惜我們看不到Davis Symphony Hall的鋼琴家跌爛他的屁股了。」

「喔，閉嘴啦。」Shane卻笑了。

Ilya也跟著笑起，忍不住咬了下唇。Shane來了，帶著花束，打了領結。為了他，出現在-2樓層。

Shane彷彿為了掩飾尷尬，雙手將花束捧在胸前，視線飄忽，「呃，關於你說的慈善晚宴？」

「Ah.」Ilya揚起下巴，看著Shane玩弄著手指，「這可是非常高級的晚宴，你不會想錯過偷溜進來白吃白喝的機會。」

「誰說我要偷溜進去？」

「噢，我不知道McGill大學居然有正式邀請MHL球星Shane Hollander，出席音樂學院的慈善募款晚宴，你懂音樂嗎？」

「我—」

Ilya不該讓場面變得更難看，但只要看見Shane焦慮緊張，他就是管不住嘴，「啊，我差點忘了，畢竟你沉迷於年輕帥氣的俄羅斯鋼琴家，你當然懂音樂了。」

「滾開，我真不該來的。」Shane咒罵著，轉身去按電梯。

「Uh-hu. No. 你忘了東西。」Ilya攔下他。

「忘了什麼？」Shane乖巧地回頭，Ilya感覺胸口搔癢。

「把百合留下，那束花肯定是給我的吧。」Ilya伸出手。

「聽你在狗屁，」Shane閃過Ilya的手，「才不是給你的，是給其他『年輕帥氣的鋼琴家。』」

「你還認識其他鋼琴家？」Ilya瞇起雙眼。

「嗯，呃，」Shane的眼神閃爍，「當然認識，我的音樂品味很好。」

「噢—當然—」Ilya雙手插進口袋，「讓我猜，也是『他』邀請你陪同參加今天的晚宴，yes?」

Shane走離電梯大步邁向走廊，藏不住嘴角，「是啊，他比某個難搞的鋼琴家『完美』多了。」

「有多完美？」Ilya難掩聲音裡的笑意。

「他不像某個鋼琴家搞突襲，突然安排其他行程又不事先講。」

Ilya的嘴角垮下，「你討厭他了嗎？」

Shane停下腳步，猛然回頭，「什麼？不，沒有。」

「對不起。」

「我—」Shane轉過身，然後像是為了平復語氣般深呼吸，「我真的不知道我能做什麼，Rozanov，我沒有參加過這種活動—我是說，我當然參加過慈善晚宴，但是音樂圈的—我不確定我能不能應付，也不知道能幫上什麼忙。」

「你不用幫忙，只要陪著我就行。」

「沒有其他人能做？」

「沒有，Sveta有工作，她不放心我一個人，我在蒙特婁又沒有其他人。」

「我敢肯定有比我更合適的工作人員。」

「我更信任你。」

Ilya走近一步。Shane困惑、猶豫，視線在Ilya臉上搜尋答案，像是沒有聽懂剛才那句話的意思，「為什麼？」以致於他的疑問如此震驚。

Ilya卻聳聳肩。

「我只是個粉絲。」Shane說。

「你不只是個粉絲，Shane。」Ilya緩慢平穩地咬字，只為了讓Shane聽到他確實地說出這句話。然後他朝Shane抬起手肘，「Shall we?」

Shane卻只是盯著他的手肘，沒有動靜，沒有回應。有那麼一秒鐘，Ilya以為Shane會走回電梯口，但是Shane開口說道，「我覺得慈善晚宴應該是不需要搞挽手入場這套吧。」

Ilya放下手，笑了出來，「都聽你的，Mr. Hollander，請跟我往這邊走。」

Shane恢復了微笑，跟上腳步。

＊

"I, uh..." Shane adjusted the black bowtie around his neck.

"You came," Ilya heard himself say.

Shane walked out of the elevator, twisting his mouth. "You told me to come, didn't you?"

Ilya stared at Shane's lips, which were pouting in annoyance. "I thought you ran away."

Shane looked shocked. "No. That's the last thing I would do."

"Why?"

"I promised you, remember?" Shane frowned. Ilya's heart was beating faster than during his first stage performance. "I promised you that 'I won't run away next time.'"

"It's a pity we won't see that pianist from Davis Symphony Hall fall on his ass."

"Oh, shut up," Shane said, but he laughed.

Ilya laughed too, and he couldn't help biting his lower lip. Shane was here. He brought flowers, and he wore a tie. For him, Shane appeared on floor -2.

To hide his awkwardness, Shane held the bouquet to his chest and looked away. "Uh, about that charity gala you mentioned?"

"Ah." Ilya lifted his chin, watching Shane play with his fingers. "Is very high-end gala. You would not want to miss chance to sneak in for free food and drinks."

"Who said I'm sneaking in?"

"Oh, I did not know McGill University officially invited MHL star Shane Hollander to  music school's gala. Do you even know music?"

"I—"

Ilya knew he shouldn't make things harder, but he couldn't stop himself when he saw Shane looking anxious. "Ah, I almost forgot. Since you obsessed with a young, handsome Russian pianist, of course you know music."

"Fuck off. I really shouldn't have come." Shane cursed, turning back to press the elevator button.

"Uh-uh. No. You forgot something," Ilya stopped him.

"Forgot what?" Shane turned back obediently, and Ilya felt a tickle in his chest.

"Leave the lilies. Those flowers are definitely for me, yes?" Ilya reached out his hand.

"Bullshit," Shane dodged Ilya's hand. "They're not for you. They're for another 'young, handsome pianist.'"

"You know other pianists?" Ilya narrowed his eyes.

"Yeah, uh," Shane's eyes flickered. "Of course. I have great taste in music."

"Oh—of course—" Ilya put his hands in his pockets. "Let me guess. 'He' also invited you to accompany him tonight, yes?"

Shane walked away from the elevator toward the hallway, unable to hide a smile. "Yeah. He is much more 'perfect' than a certain difficult pianist."

"How perfect?" Ilya couldn't hide the smile in his own voice.

"He doesn't do 'surprises' or change plans without telling me beforehand."

Ilya's smile dropped. "Do you hate him now?"

Shane stopped and turned around quickly. "What? No. I don't."

"Sorry."

"I—" Shane turned back and took a deep breath to calm down. 

"I really don't know what I can do, Rozanov. I've never been to an event like this. I mean, I've been to charity galas, but one for the music world? I'm not sure if I can handle it, or how I can help."

"You don't need to help. Just stay with me."

"Is there nobody else who can do this?"

"No. Sveta has work. She worried about me being alone, and I have no one else in Montreal."

"I'm sure there are staff members who are more suitable than me."

"I trust you more."

Ilya took a step closer. Shane was confused and hesitant, searching Ilya's face for an answer, as if he didn't understand what he just heard. 

"Why?" He sounded so shocked.

Ilya just shrugged.

"I'm just a fan," Shane said.

"You are not just a fan, Shane." Ilya spoke slowly and clearly, making sure Shane heard every word. 

Then, he offered his elbow to Shane. "Shall we?"

Shane stared at Ilya's elbow but didn't move. After a second, Ilya thought Shane might walk back to the elevator. 

But then Shane spoke. "I don't think we need to walk in arm-in-arm for a charity gala."

Ilya laughed and lowered his arm. "Whatever you say, Mr. Hollander. Please, follow me."

Shane smiled again and followed him.

－－－

Shane的百合花束寄放在入口處，門口人員也只確認了Ilya的名字，沒有過問Shane的身分，Shane就這麼理所當然被當作是他的隨行陪同，卻讓Ilya感到不爽。

會場內擺放著自助餐長桌，人群中有些熟悉的面孔正在交談，比如早些時候見過的Piano Area Chair of Department of Performance以及經常來看表演的贊助商負責人。角落有一組以小提琴、大提琴與鋼琴組合的鋼琴三重奏正在演奏，其中鋼琴的演奏者同時也是今天大師班順序第二位的學員。

「所以，策略是什麼？」

Ilya轉向Shane，Shane面對他的困惑則是眉頭緊蹙，一副難以置信，「參加社交活動總有預期目標吧？尋找贊助商、改善關係、擴展人脈？別告訴我，你什麼都沒想，就決定出席。」

「你很清楚呢，Mr. Hollander，我以為冰球員只要會打球就行。」

Shane環顧會場邊說著，「在AHL你可以只是『會打球』，但進入MHL打球就變得很花錢，稅金、經記抽成、球具，甚至是營養師，日常開銷也會隨著生活水準提升，場外收入這時候就變得很重要，而且擴展知名度也會對續約談判產生影響力，畢竟球迷都喜歡買聯名球衣。」

「謝謝你的講解，超級代言人先生(Mr. Brand Ambassador)。」

Shane露出嫌棄的表情，似乎不喜歡這個綽號，「但也不是所有球員都這麼在乎贊助代言。」

「我的話當然在乎，我有一堆跑車要養。」

Shane面露震驚，似乎想要反駁但隨後又放棄，然後Ilya聽到他嘆氣，「所以目標是尋找新的贊助商嗎？」

Ilya沒有立刻回答，他的目光在人群中搜尋，「我想留在加拿大。」

「什麼意思？」Shane的語氣很真誠，Ilya突然覺得讓Shane陪同或許是正確的，Shane會真心實意地考量到他的需求，不知為何，他同樣也不害怕讓Shane知道更多細節。

「俄羅斯的護照對於工作發展很麻煩，我想要另一本護照。」Ilya隱諱地說，Shane立刻恍然大悟。

「所以你會需要一個證明你能夠在加拿大深耕的身分與成就。」

「還有穩定的收入與長期居住地，但我沒有相應的學位可以執教。」

「看來我們今晚的目標很明確了。」Shane頷首。

我們的。Ilya暗自竊喜，他喜歡聽到Shane這麼說。

Shane's bouquet of lilies was left at the entrance. The staff only checked Ilya's name and didn't ask who Shane was. Shane was treated as his guest, a simple "plus-one", which, for some reason, made Ilya feel annoyed.

Inside the hall, there were long buffet tables. Some familiar faces were talking in the crowd, like those professor and sponsors who often attended performances. In the corner, a piano trio—violin, cello, and piano—was playing. The pianist was actually the second student from today's masterclass.

"So, what's the strategy?"

Ilya turned to Shane at the question. Shane looked back with a frown, looking quite serious. 

"You usually have a goal for attending a social event, right? Finding sponsors, improving relationships, networking? Don't tell me you came here without a plan."

"You know a lot, Mr. Hollander. I thought hockey players only knew how to play."

Shane looked around the room as he spoke. "In the AHL, you can just 'play', but playing in the MHL becomes very expensive. Taxes, agent fees, equipment, even nutritionists... your expenses grow as your lifestyle improves. Off-ice income becomes very important then. Also, being famous helps during contract negotiations because fans love to buy jerseys."

"Thanks for the lesson, Mr. Brand Ambassador."

Shane made a face, he clearly didn't like that nickname. "But not every player cares about sponsorships that much."

"I do. I have many sports cars to take care of."

Shane looked shocked. He wanted to argue but then gave up. Ilya heard him sigh. "So, the goal is to find new sponsors?"

Ilya didn't answer immediately. His eyes searched through the crowd. "I want to stay in Canada."

"What do you mean?" Shane's voice was sincere. 

Ilya suddenly felt that having Shane here was the right choice. Shane would truly consider his needs. Ilya wasn't afraid to let Shane know more details. He didn't even know why.

"Russian passport is difficult for work. I want another passport," Ilya said indirectly. Shane understood immediately.

"So you need to prove your achievements and show that you can build a career in Canada."

"And stable income, and permanent home. But I do not have degree to teach."

"It looks like our goal for tonight is very clear." Shane nodded.

Our. Ilya felt a secret joy. He loved hearing Shane say that.

Ilya終於在人群中找到他想搜尋的對象，他朝著人群移動，轉頭對Shane說，「你可以先去用餐。」

「不要，」Shane強硬地回絕，站在更近，跟上Ilya的步伐，彷彿不想被Ilya打發走，「你請我陪你出席，我卻白吃白喝？我是不會讓你有機會拿這件事揶揄我。」

「你想太多了，我才不—」但在Ilya反駁之前，人群裡的Piano Area Chair注意到他們，朝他們揮手。

她以法語打招呼，也問候了Ilya身邊的Shane，似乎沒有認出他的冰球員身分，但至少這讓Ilya認為Shane沒有因為作為圈外人而被輕視。Piano Area Chair的英語有著濃厚的口音，Ilya的英語也還沒有熟練到應付複雜的對話，通常這時候會由Svetlana出面，聆聽與對答，雖然今晚只有Ilya一個人，但他並不打算放棄慈善晚宴這個機會。直到一個教授路過他們，輕快地與Piano Area Chair以法語交談，Ilya才終於從教學諮詢與指導方針的話題中喘息。然而，Ilya很快就注意到，他逐漸因語言的隔閡置身事外，這是他來到蒙特婁感受到最大的障礙，他略顯不安的踱步似乎引起Shane的注目。

「如果多倫多比McGill更好，你還會選蒙特婁嗎？」Shane用兩位教授聽不到的音量問起。

這個疑問如此突如其來，Ilya依然誠實應答，「我選蒙特婁，我有我的理由。」他直視著Shane。

Shane對Ilya的篤定感到吃驚，他別開視線，看向Piano Area Chair，「如果近期讓你錄製專輯—」

如果Shane Hollander其實聽得懂法語，那Ilya才是撿到寶了。

Ilya甚至沒等Shane問完，「當然沒問題。」

兩人目光交錯，Shane的眉頭微微皺起，彷彿琢磨著提問，Ilya卻笑了起來並對Shane眨眼。Shane的耳尖立刻紅了，慌張的轉向教授們，他清了嗓子，然後用法語打斷他們。

每當夜店的女孩稱讚Ilya的俄語很性感，他總是當作奉承，然而他現在正在體會那種聽不懂的外語的迷人之處，他的嘴角幾乎裂到耳垂。每一次Shane在法語的對談之間，轉頭看向Ilya尋求附和，他都是寵溺地笑著點頭，也看著Shane雀斑下的皮膚逐漸染上紅暈。

這比與McGill大學談成合作，更令Ilya感到愉快。

當Shane與另一位教授用法語相談甚歡，Ilya發覺Piano Area Chair滑到他身旁，他禮貌地點了點頭，好讓她發問。

「你是怎麼認識Shane Hollander的？Mr. Rozanov.」她的語氣沒有讓人不快，她眨了眨眼，充滿好奇地。

Shane突然轉頭瞥了眼Ilya，他知道Shane正在聽，Shane想必是解釋了自己的職業，或許他們終於認出他是蒙特婁明星冰球員，即使如此，他們依然很好奇俄羅斯鋼琴家是怎麼搭上MHL冰球明星。

「我們是朋友。」

Ilya挺起胸膛地說，回望Shane睜大的雙眼。「就跟每個音樂家結識『朋友』的故事一樣，我們在演奏會上認識的。」Ilya揚起笑容，意味深長，Piano Area Chair緩慢地點著頭，接受了他的解釋。

只不過，Ilya的『朋友』擁有很多他的周邊，以及一個出名的粉絲帳號。

Ilya finally found his target in the crowd. He moved toward them and whispered to Shane, "You can go get some food first."

"No," Shane refused firmly. He stepped closer and kept up with Ilya, as if he didn't want to be sent away. "You asked me to come, and now I just eat for free? I won't give you a chance to tease me about it."

"I would not—" But before Ilya could argue, the Piano Area Chair noticed them and waved.

She greeted them in French. She didn't seem to recognize Shane as a famous hockey player, but she was still very welcoming. This made Ilya feel relieved. At least Shane wasn't being looked down on for being an "outsider."

The Chair's English had a heavy accent, and Ilya's English wasn't good enough for complex conversations. Usually, Svetlana would be there to handle the talking. Even though Ilya was alone tonight, he didn't want to waste this opportunity.

When another professor joined them and started speaking French with the Chair, Ilya finally got a break from the talk about teaching guidelines. However, Ilya soon realized he was being left out because of the language barrier. This was his biggest obstacle in Montreal. He paced slightly, looking uneasy, which caught Shane's attention.

"If Toronto was better than McGill, would you still choose Montreal?" Shane asked quietly, so the professors couldn't hear.

The question was so sudden, but Ilya answered honestly. "I chose Montreal. I have my reasons." He looked straight into Shane's eyes.

Shane was shocked by Ilya's answer. He looked away toward the Chair. "If you had a chance to record an album soon, would you—"

If Shane Hollander actually understood French, then Ilya had found a real treasure.

Ilya didn't even wait for Shane to finish. "Of course, no problem."

Their eyes met. Shane frowned slightly, thinking about his question, but Ilya laughed and winked at him. Shane's ears turned red instantly. He turned to the professors nervously, cleared his throat, and interrupted them in French.

Whenever girls at nightclubs told Ilya his Russian was "sexy", he always thought they were just being nice. But now, he was finally understanding how charming a foreign language could be when you don't understand it. 

He couldn't stop smiling. Every time Shane looked at Ilya during the French conversation to check if he agreed, he just nodded with a loving smile. He watched the skin under Shane's freckles turn bright red.

This was much more enjoyable than negotiating with those university professors.

While Shane was talking happily with the other professor, the Piano Area Chair moved closer to Ilya. He nodded politely to let her ask a question.

"Mr. Rozanov, How do you know... this athlete?" she asked with curiosity.

Shane suddenly turned to glance at Ilya. Ilya knew Shane was listening. Shane must have explained his job, maybe they finally realized he was a Montreal hockey star. Even so, they were curious how a Russian pianist met an MHL star.

"We are friends."

Ilya stood tall as he spoke, looking back at Shane's wide eyes. 

"Is same as every musician's story of meeting a 'friend.' We met at concert." Ilya gave a meaningful smile, and the Chair nodded slowly, accepting his explanation.

However, Ilya knew his "friend" actually owned a lot of his merchandise, and a very famous fan account.

－－－

Shane💐my dear friend

I: I wait for you at elevator.

<h4 class="time">Today, 9:49 PM</h4>

I: Lily home safe. You?

S: Safely home. Thanks for checking in.

I: And thank you for help today. I no idea your French so good.

I: How many secrets I dont know yet?

S: I'm not sure if this counts as a secret? I grew up in Ottawa and now I live in Montreal, so I'm bilingual.

I: Hmmm. But my English is not fluent like my Russian.

S: It's good enough.

I: Not good enough to negotiate with professors.

＊

兩位教授離開後，Shane後來告訴Ilya，其中一人是舒立克音樂學院的院長，雖然Ilya記得Svetlana提供的貴賓名單並認出他，但不可能從名單上知道音樂學院院長的三個女兒都是Metros球迷，Shane甚至答應郵寄三件簽名球衣給院長。其實Ilya也蠻想要一張，但沒開口。

得力於Shane流利且異常性感的法語，Ilya終於知道，多倫多皇家音樂學院的教授偷偷帶著雄厚的預算出席這次的慈善晚宴，想要延攬Ilya；而主辦人的舒立克音樂學院卻正經歷贊助撥款條件與收據名目的障礙，Ilya基本上聽不懂那是什麼意思。再次得力於Shane精湛的談判本事，意思是McGill如果想聘請Ilya Rozanov，就必須想出一個支出名目讓Ilya即使不教學也能收到錢，但是天下沒有這麼簡單的午餐。

不過舒立克音樂學院擁有世界頂尖的錄音工程學系（Sound Recording），而如果Ilya恰巧有一張新專輯要錄製，又恰巧錄音工程學系想跟頂級鋼琴家合作，又那麼恰巧，贊助商的名字將印在新專輯上面；那麼這就是三贏的局面，簡短的交談就讓雙方在慈善晚宴上都帶著微笑離開。

After the two professors left, Shane told Ilya that one of them was actually the Dean of the Schulich School of Music. Ilya recognized him from Svetlana's VIP list, but he couldn't have known from a list that the Dean's three daughters were all huge Metros fans. Shane even promised to mail three signed jerseys to the Dean. Honestly, Ilya wanted one too, but he didn't say a word.

Thanks to Shane's fluent and unusually sexy French, Ilya finally learned the truth. A professor from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto had secretly come to the gala with a massive budget, looking to recruit Ilya. Meanwhile, the host, the Schulich School of Music, was struggling with "sponsorship conditions" and "receipt issues"—Ilya basically had no idea what those meant. 

Again, thanks to Shane's impressive negotiation skills, the situation was clear: If McGill wanted to hire Ilya Rozanov, they had to find a way to pay him even if he didn't teach students. 

Since there is no such thing as a free lunch, they needed a project that benefited everyone. Fortunately, Schulich School of Music has a world-class Sound Recording department. 

If Ilya happened to have a new album to record, and if the Sound Recording department happened to want to work with a top-tier pianist, and if the sponsors' names also happened to be printed on that new album... then it would be a perfect 'triple-win' situation. 

A short conversation was all it took for both sides to leave the gala with a smile.

＊

Shane💐my dear friend

I: Not good enough to negotiate with professors.

I: But thanks to Mr. Negotiator, it did not matter that my English was not good enough.

S: Don't call me that.

I: Then... Mr. Brand Ambassador.

S: I don't like that either.

I: Then you might like: Mr. Friend of the Perfect Rozanov.

S: For someone whose English isn't good enough, you sure have no trouble calling yourself "perfect".

I: Ouch. Careful, Mr. Hollander. Your fluent English is hurting my feelings.

S: 🙄

S: Drama king.

I: This drama king owes you a favor today.

S: It's fine. Speaking a bit of French isn’t a favor.

S: Besides, this was just a VIP return.

I: You negotiating with me now, Mr. Hollander?

S: Yes.

S: And instead of a favor, I want to know something else.

I: No comment.

S: What were those "other plans," actually?

S: Svetlana told me.

＊

Ilya從沙發起身，在廚房與客廳間來回走動，他繞過鋼琴，在百合旁邊轉了一圈，然後才鼓起勇氣坐回沙發。

Ilya stood up from the sofa and started pacing back and forth between the kitchen and the living room. He walked past the piano and circled the lilies once before he finally worked up the courage to sit back down on the sofa.

＊

S: Svetlana told me.

<h4 class="time">Today, 10:14 PM</h4>

I: Was a dinner, or something like that.

S: Don't tell me you booked a restaurant for me.

I: Yes. But I'll keep eye out for restaurants that offer microbiology diet next time.

S: Macrobiotic diet.

S: And why didn't you ask me first?

I: You might have said no?

S: Yes. Because why?

I: Why why?

S: wh

S: You can't answer my question with a question!

I: I can. Because I do not know why you ask why.

S: Because wh

S: Fuck

S: Never mind. I don't want to know anymore.

I: Shane.

I: Please.

S: I don't like surprises.

S: I don't like waiting around without knowing what's going to happen.

I: Even a pleasant surprise?

S: Don't make things harder, Rozanov.

I: Okay.

I: No more surprises.

S: Next time, ask me before you decide what you want to do.

S: Don't send me things without telling me, and don't arrange schedules without asking. I don't hate surprises, but I need to be prepared.

S: What if I looked sloppy today? What if I was completely unsuitable for the Gala?

I: No, you were not. You look amazing.

I: You always look amazing. You were dressed very simply today, but I love your bow tie.

S: Don't think I'll let you off the hook just because you say a few nice words.

I: But you like nice word.

S: I like it when you listen to me.

I: Bossy.

I: Okay.

I: No more surprises. Always ask first. Good?

S: Good.

－

S: Good.

I: Sorry. 

I: I am sorry, I apologize for not asking you first and for making you come to gala with me.

S: Its

S: It's fine.

S: I understand now. It's about the comfort of having someone familiar in an unfamiliar place. Besides, you're not a local, you don't know French, and your agent wasn't there.

S: This happens to me often. I get it.

S: I'm glad you asked me.

I: So... have I been forgiven?

S: Not if you don't learn your lesson for next time.

＊

Rozy's Bicep@toplessshouldbeofficial: Are you actually telling me he spent the whole afternoon teaching in a suit while wearing a TANK TOP underneath?! I'm literally losing my mind.💀

知名鋼琴家Ilya Rozanov擔任本校Schulich School of Music的駐校藝術家(Artist-in-Residence)，預期近期將與Schulich School of Music）的錄音工程系（Sound Recording）及表演鋼琴組合作，敬請期待！

Piano Keysser💋 @kissrussianpiano: IF HE DIDN'T WANT US TO LOOK, WHY WOULD HE WEAR THAT!!🫠🥵

Wife of Ilyusha@rozanovhousewife: God bless the person who convinced him to take off his jacket. Whoever you are, thank you, thank you, thank you. You are doing the Lord's work. 🙏✨

＊

S: Congratulations on becoming McGill's Artist-in-Residence.

I: Thank you.

I: And thanks again for accompany me that day.

I: (images)

S: Please stop sending me more BTS shots. Even if this is your way of thanking me...

I: But I look forward to your new lockscreen.

S: ...

S: Literally no idea what you're talking about.

I: Suuuureeeeeeee.

(image)

S: Jessschrisst

－－－

Ilya's Masterclass look was inspired by Connor at the Grammys after-party 🌞