The silence stretches like a taut wire ready to snap. Julian Monroe stands beside the magnificent Steinway, his fingers already tracing invisible melodies in the air. Three hundred wedding guests hold their collective breath, waiting to see if the world's most celebrated pianist will actually perform at this small Orlando wedding.
"You know what?" Julian's eyes light up with sudden inspiration. "I changed my mind. This is perfect."
He strides to the piano with the confidence of someone who has performed for presidents and kings. His hands hover over the keys for a moment, then crash down in the opening notes of Liszt's "La Campanella."
The sound that fills the ballroom is nothing like the background music that played during dinner. This is raw, pure artistry. Every note rings with crystal clarity. Julian's fingers dance across the keys like water flowing over stones, making the impossible look effortless.