Rubben stood agape observing the hall, his eyes kept darting back and forth, his lips slightly twicted. "Are people usually into this luxury and vanity?" Rubben brows scrunched up.
"Excuse me?"
"This is more a "let me show you how much money I have" party than a welcoming party. And why are there so many pictures?" Rubben asked as he continued observing the hall.
"Even though it's sad to admit, money and art are directly related." Jisonia said with a smile.
A chuckled was escaped from Rubben mouth "Art! That's a praise!".
"Jisonia! Where have you been? I am looking for you." Madam Suri squealed excitedly approaching them. And Who is this.... handsome man? Madam Suri asked sizing Rubben from head to toe.
Madam Suri, Please say hi to him. "This is Mr Sel Humori". Jisonia turned her gaze to Rubben. "This is Madam Suri, who is hosting the party".
"Oh my God! This is the famous Mr Sel Humori! Who would have thought that the famous "Mr Sel Humori" would be this handsome?" Madam Suri said with a happy smile, as she excitedly clipped her hands together.
"Mr Sel...?" Rubben mutters soundlessly before he slightly bend down and whispered into Jisonia ears "What is she saying?".
"She feels honoured to meet you." Jisonia looked at him with smile while Rubben awkwardly nodded his head.
"Mr Sel, Come on!" Madam Suri locked her hands into Rubben arms pulling him while Rubben shot up his brows at Jisonia with questioning look.
Jisonia gave an assuring smile as she slightly nodded her head to signal Rubben not to get worried.
----
A grin smile was plastered into Rubben face as he was roaming around the hall. "Thank you" Rubben said as he took a wine glass. His steps forward while his eyes glued to Jisonia as he took in her every expression.
"Here, take this" Rubben lifted up the wine glass while Jisonia snapped her head at him and said, "I am sorry, You should've made me do it!".
"It's okay, it looked like they served good liquor. Why don't you have?" Rubben raised the glass near her chin.
"Sorry, I need to drive". Jisonia replied softly.
"Right! but alcohol is the most expensive thing here." Rubben said after gobbling it down.
"Is the painting that nice? You looked with so much interest" Rubben said, his lips curling up.
Jisonia looked up at him silently and gave a small smile before she fell her eyes again on the painting.
"How much it will cost....? What's wrong?" Rubben asked in suprised tone when Jisonia suddenly covered her mouth with her eyes wide in open.
"This painting is a fake!" Jisonia raise her voice unexpectedly while Madam Suri who stood some steps away from them snapped her head towards their direction.
"What did you say?" Madam Suri asked incredulously as she approached them. "Did you have any idea how much I paid for this?" Madam Suri asked seethingly.
"Madam...Can I talk with you in private?" Jisonia asked lowering her voice.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Rubben held her arms. "I need to talk with her please....!
"I think I heard a word "fake". What do you mean Jisonia?" A woman interjected Jisonia from the side. A quick frown appeared on Madam Suri face as she felt irritated by the few shrieks trying to insult her. "Okay, Let's talk here, Miss Jisonia. Explain it!" Madam Suri demanded.
"Sorry, Madam Suri. At first glance, it look like a painting by Modigliani forgery by "Elmyr de Hory" but if you look down it appears to be... No, it must be a forgery... Madam Suri, Did you purchase it legally from respectable dealer?". Jisonia asked in polite tone.
"Of course, I did. What did you take me for?" Madam Suri said as she continued glaring at her lividly.
But this painting is a fake ... Security! Security! Madam Suri interjected Jisonia explaination.
-----
"Why are we thrown out?" Rubben scoffed while Jisonia walked ahead without answering to his question but she couldn't resume her steps when Rubben grab her wrists.
"Why is that woman so angry? Did something happened?" Rubben asked seeing the frown face of Jisonia.
Jisonia took deep breaths and replied in small voice, "Actually the painting is fake, I told her about that and she was angry to us."
"What...That painting is fake. How do you know that? You are so great" Rubben said laughing hysterically. "Hold on! But why do you look so down?" Rubben added.
"Why did I raise my voice? I was going to talk with her in private but things blew up. We've lost a great patron". Jisonia sighed loudly.
"Patron....?"
"Madam Suri won't sit still after the humiliation she's recieved today. She really have a nasty temper". Jisonia mutters worriedly.
"Jisonia, Do you get your scholarship from the Hog farm association?" Rubben asked curiously.
"Hog farm association...?"
"Why would they be so petty and take back the scholarship?" Rubben hissed with his hand folded on his chest begrudgingly.