Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 402

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air in the corridor felt inexplicably thin.

Unable to handle the awkward tension any longer, Nora spoke up to break the ice.

"Hudson mentioned you're in military tech research... Do tech guys like you usually have any hobbies outside of work?"

Jude collected himself and let out a soft chuckle. "Not exactly. I like hunting in my spare time... And when I'm alone, I enjoy listening to music..."

Nora's eyes lit up. "Music? Who do you usually listen to?"

"A bit of everything. Classical, pop, rock, even a little opera here and there."

Jude smiled, the corners of his lips curling up slightly. "But my absolute favorite is piano. Specifically, Chopin."

Nora hadn't expected him to be an aficionado. Instantly intrigued, she asked, "Which of Chopin's pieces?"

"Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2."

Nora couldn't help but nod. "That really is a masterpiece. The melody is beautiful without being overly sentimental. The emotion is restrained yet incredibly full. It fits your personality perfectly."

Jude paused. "You've listened to it?"

"Of course."

Nora smiled. "I haven't just listened to it; I've played it countless times. It looks simple on the sheet music, but getting the true flavor out of it is incredibly difficult. Your left hand has to keep the broken chords perfectly steady so the right hand's melody can find that perfect balance between freedom and structure. It can't be too rigid, but it can't be too loose either."

As she spoke, her fingers unconsciously mimicked the motion, as if she were playing on an invisible keyboard in the air.

Suddenly, Jude caught a faint, captivating scent.

It was coming from her.

His breath hitched. That delicate fragrance drifted over, slipping into his senses and winding its way down his airway like an invisible hand gently plucking a hidden chord deep in his chest.

Thump.

Thump.

The sound grew louder, more frantic, as if something was desperately trying to shatter his ribcage and break free.

"Yeah," Finnian nodded. "Let's go."

Jude immediately pushed the door open wider, leaning in to call out to Hudson. "Hudson, we're taking off. Let's catch up another time."

Propped up against the pillows, Hudson casually waved a hand.

Jude pulled back. His gaze unconsciously swept over Nora, lingering for a fraction of a second before he gave her a polite nod goodbye.

The two men headed toward the elevators.

While waiting for the doors to open, Jude couldn't stop himself from glancing back over his shoulder.

But Nora had already pushed the door open and stepped inside, leaving nothing but the memory of her silhouette...

Jude stood frozen, staring at the closed door for two full seconds.

"What is it?" Finnian followed his line of sight but saw absolutely nothing.

"Nothing." Jude tore his eyes away, his voice inexplicably hoarse. "Let's go."