,,He was there."
,,Are you sure of that?" I narrowed my eyes at her next question and tightened the grip on my phone.
,,I am." Was my answer.
,,So what you're saying ... Mr. Jee went to withdraw money from the bank so he could start a new life or something?"
,,No, I didn't say that." My voice was blank now. ,,Look, could you just tell me when Mrs. Kwack will be back at work please?" With that question, I tried to finally achieve what since the beginning of this conversation.
The only thing that kept me patient was Sphynxie, who was breathing contentedly in my lap and a paintbrush in another hand.
In front of me was a canvas with my painting, on which I completed the last brushstrokes. Looking at it, I had to admit that choosing the final sketch was more than hotsy-totsy.
Even though I was plodding along with this one for too much it was worth its weight in gold for me now.
My fear of not seeing myself in that painting was completely gone, leaving only a trace of the teacher who chose that previous sketch.
,,That's something I can't tell you right now. She took an urgent day off yesterday and today as well, but has not yet given a reason." Miss Kangjeon, who worked as a part-time receptionist, answered me.
,,Would you let me know if she happens to show up?" My question was heard before she answered me in the affirmative and I ended the call within a few seconds.
Today I was able to skip my classes just to go submit my painting to the opening, but I also used this day for finishing. So I've been sitting here since early in the morning working on it.
When I had done what I wanted, I went to the closet so I could get rid of my pyjamas, which I was still wearing.
In a few moments I stood in front of a mirror staring at my low-waist jeans and a gauzy knitted oversize sweater, under which was a white tank.
I meticulously wrapped my now-dried-up painting in several layers and leaned it in the hall, where I put on my shoes on the platform and threw on my jacket.
Just before leaving, the beanie also found a place on my head and I carried a bag with all the necessary stuff over my shoulder.
Then I grabbed my headphones and took to the streets of a busy city.
Journey to the building where the opening was to take place was more to the fight than a transport.
When the cyclist didn't pass right through the fen next to me, it was a bus. If my artwork didn't slip out of my hands when some kid crashed into me, it almost happened when one of the cars honked very close to me.
In the end, however, I found myself in front of an inconspicuous side entrance to a fancy-looking building, in which a fairly big event was about to take place tomorrow.
I used the doorbell, and in a few seconds the keys on the other side jingled just so I could get a look of a tall man a little later, maybe a bit older than me.
The thing that caught my eye was that he wasn't Asian. His dark curls, a "v" shaped body frame, sun-kissed skin and several visible tattoos on his exposed forearms reminded me more of the features of southern Europe.
,,Oh, hey there. You must be Miss Martin, right?" The English he spoke had a proper Italian accent.
,,Yea, you're right." I answered and suppressed the chills that would be caused by his penetrating gaze that went all over my person.
,,Come after me." He waved behind him and then began to walk that way.
,, So first we need to have it framed ..." He spoke again as we marched down the wider corridor to the center of the building.
,,Mhm, that would be nice." I nodded my head and can't resist to gaze up at him.
,,Can I know your name?" I was surprised at how confident my voice sounded.
,,Of course, it's Romeo." He glanced at me and stuck out his palm for me to take.
I would say that this gesture made me nostalgic. Therefore, a sincere smile settled on my face as I accepted his offered hand and shook it.
,,How artistic." It was my reaction, and a playful grin formed on his lips.
,,You think that, pretty one?" My hand was held in his grip more than was usual habit. I didn't mind it, though.
,,I don't think I'm the only one."
,,What exactly? Pretty or thinking my name's worthy of being the artist's?" He raised an eyebrow at me as he opened the door for me to a spacious open room.
That's when my eyes refocused on him and I could feel the sparks that appeared in my eyes as soon as I confirmed what I needed.
,,Your boyfriend must be madly in love with you. However, you're too affable for him not to be a ,,jealous lover"." My sincere thought startled him a little, depending on his physical reaction, but a dazzling smile formed on his face the next moment.
,,I'm stuned by your intuition, but I'd like to inform you that I'm bisexual." With movement of his hand, he directed me to the older man behind the large counter, where I later placed my wrapped canvas. Without words, he began to unpack my work, while my gaze shifted from various staff of gallery company passing by to Romeo again.
,,It was intended as a compliment." He grinned at me.
,,I was hoping for that."
This guy got too many of my smiles.
,,Your name?" The man behind the counter caught my attention again. This time it was in Korean.
,,It's Millie Martin."
After my answer, he stuck a small piece of paper with my name on the edge of the canvas and placed it next to the others.
,,So that's it?" My gaze landed again on Romeo, who I noticed had been watching me for some time.
He nodded briefly with a teasing smile. ,,Unfortunately, I must answer yes. But I'll see you here tomorrow at five o'clock."
With my glance, I checked my painting for the last time before both of us started going back exactly the way we came here.
,,I'll be glad if you keep me company at tomorrow's opening." He opened another topic that evoked my startled look.
,,Don't you already have your company?" I asked sincerely surprised.
,,Luca is at home in Italy, this time he couldn't take part in my exhibition." He explained to me very promptly.
,,Oh... right." I nodded my thanks as he opened the side door again for me.
,,Wait up, your exhibition?" I turned to him as I stood outside the building in a sudden awareness of his actual words.
,,See you there, Martin." Before closing the door in my face, he said it with a funny tone of voice.
I stood in front of the entrance for a moment while I was processing the newly acquired information, but I recognised it wouldn't help me anyway.
Tomorrow I'll stand by the owner and organizer of the opening.
Mr. Nucci. Romeo Nucci, as I found out.
Despite my social avoidance, my knees didn't shake or anything like that at the thought of tomorrow evening.
Contrary to what I expected, I felt rather the opposite.
A little later, I finally processed what happened and was headed to a coffee shop where Aurora had her shift.
I was assuring myself that I wasn't going there mainly for a check, but a recent event convinced me otherwise.
,,Millie!" After quick small footsteps came from behind me, a tiny hand pulled the bottom hem of my jacket.
,,Does your brother know you're wandering around town alone again, Ma-Ri?" I looked around spontaneously and only then did I realize how foolish my question sounded.
,,You went to buy something again, didn't you?" She asked me with a curious look anchored to my bag ignoring my question.
I didn't want to disappoint her happy sparkles in the eyes, so I crouched down next to her and pulled a vanilla-raspberry bar out of the bag, which was supposed to be my late snack.
,,You're right, little one. So here you go." I handed it to her and my lips parted in a smile as she clapped her hands.
,,Are you headed somewhere?" It was my next question when I stood up again.
,,I'd like some hot chocolate." Her childish laugh showed her little teeth. Then her hand, in which she did not hold the unwrapped titbit, reached out to mine.
But before she could touch me, her forearm was encircled in slender fingers with a few metal rings.
I didn't have to think who those fingers belonged to.
My face raised to him, but our gazes didn't meet.
The only thing that seemed to interest him was Ma-Ri's hand in his grip, because that was exactly where his look was directed.
,,Hi!" It was a happy greeting from little sister to her big brother.
,,Ma-Ri, let's go."
If I had claimed that his behaviour had not just tripped my legs and instantly trampled on me, that would probably not be true.
Because that's exactly how I felt when he didn't even give me a glimpse or when he began to drag protesting Ma-Ri away.
,,What is the issue?" I decided not to just leave it at that.
After my words, he turned his whole body back to me. And while he shoved one hand into the pocket of his jacket, he looked me straight in the eye for the first time.
,,From now on ... I don't want my sister around you."
Yea, this was exactly the "trampling" I mentioned.
,,That's what I'm telling you both." He added.
,,What's wrong with you?" I didn't keep the words that were too emotionally colored.
,,What's wrong with your mind? You can't treat me like this." I continued. This time I kept my tone of voice on the verge of serenity.
Maybe I was hoping his expression would soften. But I'd rather believe that I said it just to stick up for myself.
,,You can't come here and act like this, Su-Jin." My vocabulary disappeared perfectly at that moment. I needed to express myself, very much, but I couldn't.
However, if I expected his angry, irritated, or even regretful reaction, the only thing I got was his silence.
Then, when my gaze fell on Ma-Ri, who had tears in her eyes instead of those playful sparkles, only a weak nod of understanding could be mustered from me.
After a quick moment, I fixed my bag on my shoulder, turned around and this time it was me who started walking away.