"Serena, you sure you don't want to join us?" Milly asked.

Serena shook her head. They have just been dismissed for the day and her friends were all heading to the library to work on their paper.

"you guys go ahead. I feel a little tired, so I'll head back first." She replied.

The three nodded and let her go. They knew that she had been working herself real hard the last few weeks and it was only now that was able to relax a bit. So, they all said their goodbyes, and Serena walked back to her room alone.

Serena did not know how to feel these days. After singing the song 3 days ago, she thought that Charlton should be approaching her soon. However, much to her disappointment, nothing changed. She did not know if he was still trying to avoid her, or it was just that they haven't had any chance encounter. Nevertheless, she has already laid herself bare and all she can do was leave it up to him.

Upon arriving to her room, Serena changed out of her uniform and lied on the bed. She was feeling tired, so she took a short nap. When she woke up due to someone ringing the doorbell, it was already pass 5 and the sun was beginning to set. As she walked out of her room, she saw Beatrice who just received a parcel.

"Milady, this just arrived for you." Beatrice informed her.

Serena wondered who could be sending her a package at this time so she asked, "Who is it from?"

"Milady, it's from Mr. Edward Easton." Beatrice replied.

Serena suddenly remembered that last time, it was also 3 days after that Edward sent them their recording. Thus, she felt excited thinking that the parcel must contain their record for the song 'We are the world'. She asked Beatrice to hand it over. When she opened the box, she first saw the group picture they took at the studio. She took it out for closer inspection. There were 26 of them in the photo, 21 students, 3 professional musicians, Edward and Emil. All of them were smiling and she too can't help but smile while looking at it.

Then, she saw the disc cover with the title 'We are the world' printed on its middle. Surrounding it were 21 signatures. It looked really nice, specially so since the cover itself was white, while the signatures were of different colors. Then, she noticed that at the bottom there was another disc cover. She wondered what it was, but as she was too excited to listen to their recording, she did not take it out just yet.

She placed the disc on the phonograph and listened. After playing it the first time, she was still not satisfied, and so she played it again. She was grinning from ear to ear. It was better than she expected. Although it was no match to the original version, as obviously, the singers who sang it were the best of the best in their generation, considering that they were just students, it was already great as is. Also, for this time and era, she was sure that it would already be considered really really good.

She met Beatrice's eyes who was at the side with her eyes wide open after listening to the song. Then tears started to form in her eyes.

Serena smiled, while Beatrice embarrassedly turned to the side to hide her tears.

Serena chuckled. If that was any indication, then she was sure that the song would overturn the kingdom upon its release.

Feeling satisfied, she then moved to look at the other object Edward sent. She took it out to examine it. It didn't have anything printed on its cover, and when she opened to look at the disc, nothing was printed on it too.

Anyway, inside, she saw that there was a letter attached to it. She took it out to see what it says.

Lady S, 

I know you're wondering what this letter and the disc is all about. I know that I should not be doing this as what was between the two of you is none of my business. Aside from that, this might do more damage than good in the future. 

However, I could not, in good faith let what happened to me, happen to the both of you. When I heard you sing 'against all odds' last Sunday, it just went straight to my heart and it reminded me of my lost love. Anyway, after the eve of our recording session, I had a talk with you know who. 

By the way, before you think of anything, let me just say that no one told me about your relationship, and I just figured it out on my own. Now, he does not know that I recorded this, but perhaps, right now, he already does as I also gave him a copy of this disc with a corresponding letter. 

Do apologize to him on my behalf. The only reason why I had the courage to send this was because he said so himself, if you didn't stand on the stage that day, he would have sung this song. He also told me that he wrote this for you. So, well, here it is.

I wish you both the best in life without regrets to weigh you down.

Sincerely yours, 

E.E.

P.S. Would you both consider recording your songs with my company later? LOL. 

Serena put down the letter, her fingers trembling. She immediately wanted to play the disc but noting that Beatrice was around, and she wanted to listen to it alone as it was very personal, she decided to tell her that she wanted to eat some ice cream and perhaps she can buy some for her. Really, a lame excuse but it worked.

When she was finally alone in her room, she placed the disc on the phonograph.

The quality of the recording was not good, but the voices can still be discerned. The first thing she heard was Edward's voice, he said 'Here you go. I didn't know you can play the guitar.' Followed by 'Why won't you just tell her that you love her still?'

There was no answer, but after a moment of silence she heard the strings of a guitar being gently strummed, then finally, she heard his voice as he sang. (please listen to Leroy singing I will always love you by Whitney Houston in youtube for reference)

If I should stay

I would only be in your way

And so I'll go, but I know

I'll think of you each step of the way

And I will always love you

I will always love you

Bitter-sweet memories

That's all I'm taking with me

Good-bye, please don't cry

'Cause we both know that I'm not

What you need

I will always love you

I will always love you

I hope life, treats you kind

And I hope that you have all

That you ever dreamed of

I wish you joy

And I wish you happiness

but above all this

I wish you love...

And I love you, will always love you

I, I will always, always love you

I will always love you

I will always love you

I will always love you...

--

TBC

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