Chapter 1660: Jam Session

Dinner was abundant.

Once again, Dom demonstrated his stomach's vacuum-like ability. Surprisingly, he wasn't the only one who inhaled all the food and drinks like there was no tomorrow.

Dina Bendita's teenage grandsons were in their growth phases. They ate like starving ghosts. The abundant selection of food and drinks wasn't wasted by them.

Lin Yehan took his wife, Jiang Ying Yue, and followed one of Dina Bendita's children on a tour around the mansion.

The other members of Iris Long's entourage also found people to have after-dinner conversations.

Dina, together with Albert Alcala and Virginia Velasco, led Iris and Jin Liwei to the music room. Dom, of course, tagged along. Dina's one and only granddaughter came as well.

The music room was an extra living room. There was a grand piano and other musical instruments. Microphones were already set up along with speakers. There was even a simple recording set-up at a corner.

What impressed Iris, however, were the acoustic panels installed on the walls. Although the place couldn't compare to her own music room at home, it was still quite impressive. Dina Bendita was indeed a person passionate about music, just like her.

Iris observed everything in the room. She could see the wear and tear here and there, proving that Dina or others frequently used the music room. It wasn't just for decoration.

"Do you want to play an instrument?" Albert asked.

"I can play anything," Iris said.

"I wish I could say the same thing," Virginia said. "I've always envied my husband for knowing how to compose and play so many instruments. He can even sing well…when he's in good condition."

Dina patted her hand, comforting her.

"You take the piano," Albert told Iris. "I'll take the guitar. I heard that the piano is your best instrument. I want to see you play it."

"Alright." Iris didn't have any issues with it.

She gave her husband a quick peck before heading toward the grand piano.

"Nice," she murmured, her fingers caressing the polished wood surface.

Then she sat down and tested the keys. Her fingers flew like a blur.

"Oh ho." Albert nodded before tuning the acoustic guitar.

Dom was also busy setting up his phone on a tripod. Dina's granddaughter helped him. The teenager's cousins, who proclaimed that they were Black Stars earlier, began filing into the room.

Dina glared at them. "Noisy kids will be kicked out of the room!"

"Don't worry, Grandma. We'll be good."

"Yeah. We just want to watch Grandma sing with Boss Iris and Auntie Virginia."

"Hey, what about me?" Albert asked in a tone of mock complaint.

"Just focus on playing the guitar, Uncle Albert. Everyone knows that your singing voice is nothing special."

Dina glared at her audacious grandson. "Don't be rude! Apologize to your Uncle Albert."

"Sorry, Uncle. I didn't mean it."

Albert laughed and waved it off. "It's fine. I'm well aware that I'm not much of a singer compared to the ladies here. But I write good songs, if I may say so myself."

"True," Iris said.

As a fellow music composer and songwriter, Iris had to recognize Albert Alcala's talent and skills. His forte was definitely love ballads, most likely inspired by his wife. Almost all of his love ballads had become certified hits, especially when his wife sang them.

His other songs, besides love ballads, however, failed to live up to expectations.

Based on what Dom had told Iris, it seemed that Albert Alcala had already recognized his own limitations and decided to focus on creating love ballads. Most of his songs had been used as theme songs for TV dramas and movies.

Iris respected his choice, even though she would choose to do it another way if it were her. After all, she was someone who loved challenging herself beyond her limits. Restraining herself within a box was never her style. She wanted to push the limits when it came to music.

"Ready?" she asked the others.

Dina, Virginia, and Albert all nodded.

Then Iris started playing a tune on the piano.

Everyone gasped.

Albert only paused for two seconds before strumming his guitar strings.

Dina laughed before getting into the zone. She closed her eyes and began singing into her microphone.

The song was one of Dina Bendita's biggest hits in her career, an oldie song titled "Please Don't Hurt Me Anymore".

Albert Alcala watched Iris playing the piano. Her arrangement was completely different from the original. It sounded richer and fuller, yet still retained the original melody.

'It's like listening to a full symphony orchestra with just the piano,' he thought. 'I can't let myself be pushed aside.'

He also started making the presence of the guitar known. Iris automatically responded.

However, instead of fighting against the guitar and fighting for dominance, she adjusted her playing to harmonize with him.

Dina Bendita continued singing without batting an eye. She was also a professional singer, after all. She might not be proficient in playing instruments or skilled in composing music, but she had still mastered music theory at least. The basics. As a pro, she knew how to adjust her singing to the music as needed.

Her voice had been worn down by age. It was completely different from the original voice she had during her prime. Nevertheless, she was still able to hold her own, reaching the notes that needed to be reached.

She gestured for the next person to sing.

Virginia didn't miss a beat. She sang next.

Iris watched her carefully while her hands continued playing the piano keys. Unlike Dina Bendita, Virginia Velasco was only starting to slip past her prime. She was now a middle-aged woman, after all. Even so, her skills were still top-notch.

'Beautiful,' Iris couldn't help but exclaim in her heart. 'It's such a treat to listen to an amazing, technical singer in person.'

She and Virginia's eyes met. Virginia gestured at her. Iris nodded.

Finally, it was Iris' turn to sing next.

Dina Bendita's eyes widened before closing. She began swaying in her seat while savouring Iris' singing.

Virginia, on the other hand, watched Iris carefully. So did her husband, Albert. Both of their eyes glinted with amazement and appreciation.

Iris infused her own singing style in the song, which was completely different from Dina Bendita's original version. She sang the notes an octave higher while adding more runs, giving the love ballad a more R&B style.

It was then that Virginia joined her, forming a duet. They were both power belters who were also adept technical vocalists. Despite this, they had very different tones.

Virginia Velasco's voice sounded very clean and crisp. It would fit musical theatre with no problem. Her high notes were her crowning glory.

Iris Long, on the other hand, had a much more versatile voice. Her high and low notes were equally mesmerizing. She could switch between notes as easily as breathing.

Their differences, however, didn't result in a clash. On the contrary, the harmony their voices created caused everyone listening to have goosebumps.

Dina Bendita's eyes began to tear up as she listened to the two amazing singers singing her song.

Her granddaughter was rubbing her arms, trying to calm down the goosebumps on her skin. Her brothers and male cousins were in the same situation. All of them could only stare at the amazing scene happening right in front of them.

'This is better than a concert.'

'Holy heat! I love this!'

'I'm gonna brag about this in school!'

Jin Liwei sat on the couch, looking as comfy as a lounging lion. Nobody dared to sit beside him, which suited him just fine.

His eyes were gentle and glinting with pride as he watched his wife not losing any ground against these famous Filipino veteran music artists. Indeed, no matter where his wife went, she would always shine.

After the song, applause filled the entire music room.

"Warmed up already?" Iris asked, feeling refreshed.

Virginia threw her head back and laughed. "Yes, all warmed up. I haven't had fun like this in a long time."

Dina smiled at the two of them. "I may be old, but I can still join you for a couple more songs."

Iris glanced at Albert. Without waiting for him, she started playing the next song.

Albert and Virginia looked at each other before giggling.

It was one of their songs titled "I'll Love You Tomorrow and Today". It was considered their love song.

This time, Albert joined in singing.

Iris nodded her head while trying not to wince. Indeed, Albert didn't have the nicest singing voice. He could hold a tune, though. That was enough.

Like before, she used her own arrangement when playing the song on the piano. Albert responded in kind while playing the guitar.

Iris didn't interrupt the husband and wife as they sang a duet. Only when the two gestured did Iris and Dina form their own duet.

This song was pure love and passion compared to Dina Bendita's song, filled with heartbreak. The flavours were different, but the musicality in both was something that Iris appreciated. The lyrics were poetic, the melodies beautifully elegant.

It was like eating gourmet food.

After the song, there was another round of applause.

"Iris, I want to sing your song with you," Virginia said.

"Of course," Iris replied. "Which of my songs would you like to sing with me?"

"Your newest one. I've been practicing singing it."

"Okay!"

Dina shook her head. "I'll sit this one out. I can't handle such a difficult song anymore. I'll join you later with an easier song. Enjoy yourselves, ladies."

"I'll sit this one out, too," Albert said, putting the guitar down. "I want to carefully watch you two sing together."

Iris and Virginia looked at each other, both their eyes burning with excitement.

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