When we reached the gallery, we were greeted by the same lady with a squeaky voice, and the voice matched the package.
She was short and very spirited and spoke at a faster pace than she spoke to me over the phone. Once we stepped inside the gallery, we sort of admired the work. It was contemporary, abstract and didn't make much sense to me. Although, it had seemed to catch Mason's interest who intently studied the ones that he liked in detail. Observant, Mason had an eye for detail. He was meticulous. Thirty minutes in, I was bored out of my mind. Contemporary and abstract weren't my cup of tea, so I let my eyes admire something else. Mason had become the primary focus of my attention. While he admired art and I also admired, a different kind of art. Him.
" Do you see anything you like?" Mason once again caught me staring at him. I flustered, but quickly pulled myself together. We were in public and I knew that all eyes were on him, women's eyes anyway.
I cleared my throat, uncomfortable " Yes" and I caught with the corner of my eye an abstract painting, colourful, bright.
" This one," I said as I approached the painting with measured steps. I could feel the eyes in the room following us, better said, Mason where ever he went.
Mason hummed " Amazing brush strokes and the colour blend is very eye-catching " Mason leaned closer to the painting, scrutinising further.
" Would you like to have it?" Mason asked, leaving me speechless. No, I didn't want the painting, but since he was offering I didn't want to say no. His words kept playing in my head. It was an opportunity.
" Yes, but it is quite expensive," I said a little crestfallen when my eyes fell on the price tag.
Mason smiled " Hector has left you quite an inheritance. But, if you think that it is not worth the amount asked then I think, you shouldn't buy it." I would pay for it, not Mason. Once again, I felt like I was being tested.
" No, in my opinion, it is not worth that much. I do understand that art can be valuable but it is quite a risk." I talked myself out of it before I even decided to buy the damn thing. I frowned, and then and there I understood the true meaning behind his words. I furrowed my brows at that thought.
Mason smiled, charming " Miss Abernathy " He straightened himself up and tucked his hands in his pockets " If you think that is not worth the investment, do not dwell on it. And you are right. The risk is far too great to invest in an up-and-coming artist. He might not be so valuable in a few years." Mason reasoned trying to ease my more than obvious worries.
My eyes fell on his watch, it showed half past eleven. We've been in the galley for over an hour and a half. It flew by so quickly, it felt like we'd just walked in. I lost track of anything and everything while I was with him.
Mason locked eyes with me " I think we should think of leaving, and find somewhere to have lunch," Mason said as he pulled his hand out of his pocket and offered his arm to me.
" Yes, I'm a little peckish " I tucked my arm into his, pleased with how the day went. I just hoped that it wouldn't turn into a fiasco like last time. But this time around it was just me and Mason. I had no intention of including Adam this time around.
" Do you have anything in mind?" I asked as he climbed into the car, and Mason followed taking a seat next to me.
Mason hummed " To Pea Green, Adam" Mason glanced at me " They have a view over the harbour and since it's such a wonderful summer day. I think we should make the most of it," Mason glanced at Adam in the rearview mirror. And for a moment I felt that something was going on that I wasn't privy to.
" Yes, it is" I breathed and turned my attention to the passing scenery. Indeed Morston District was a beautiful place. It was a shame that I was such a recluse. I should leave the house more often. It was a mental note.
When we reached the harbour, Mason helped me out of the car. It seemed to be something that he enjoyed doing. I didn't know if he did it with every woman or just me. And I couldn't help, but feel the prickle of envy. I knew I had no right to, but I didn't have much of a choice. Whatever my eyes saw, my heart wanted, and that was Mason.
I pursed my lips when Mason pulled out the chair for me to take a seat" Thank you, Mr Kinnaird " I shyly said, smiling at him and he nodded in approval. That was the first time he hadn't scolded me, or maybe in his eyes, I hadn't done anything wrong, yet.
The server approached with quick steps, and I realised that Mason was widely known in Morston. He went over the usual platitudes.
" What would you like to drink, Miss Abernathy? " Mason asked raising two fingers to make the server stop talking.
" I would like a glass of orange juice, please" That was the first thing that came into my mind at that moment. Mason ordered wine, I was still a minor in the eyes of the law, so no alcohol for me. Mason kept all his hard liquor under lock and key in the mansion. And I had a feeling that it had something to do with me.
I squinted when the server moved away, and the glare of the summer sun blinded me, but it quickly disappeared when Mason stood up and shifted his seat in front of me.
" We should get you some sunglasses. You will need it. Summers tend to be scorching in the District." Mason took his seat in front of me, our legs kind of tangled under the table. Both tall, there wasn't much room under the table for both of us. When he tucked his legs, under his chair, I felt a little disappointed.
" My apologies, Miss Abernathy " Mason cleared his throat, and shuffled in his seat, uneasy.
" No need to worry, Mr Kinnaird. It was a mishap. I should be grateful. You're are protecting me from the sun." I amusedly added and glanced up at the server who placed the drink before me and offered me ice. Normally I would've shook my head as a no and called it a day.
" No, thank you." I politely answered instead. I was working up a sweat to behave properly.
" Very well, miss. I will return shortly for your food order" The server added and took his leave, leaving behind the menus.
Mason picked up his menu and began perusing through it. It didn't take him long to decide, since he'd placed the menu down rather quickly.
" Miss Abernathy, is there something written on the menu that angers you? You are glaring at the menu so hard that it is about to burst into flames," Mason pointed out, and all of a sudden I could sense a scold on its way. I knew the tone and phrasing. Whenever he placed my name at the beginning of a sentence. I knew I had done something to warrant a scold.
I raised my head, unaware that I was frowning. I was just trying to decide between soup or salad. Both sounded nice, and I didn't feel like having anything heavy.
" No" I flustered " I was just trying to decide what to have" I sort of explained myself and looked back down at the menu trying to avoid his eyes.
" Is it written in a different language then?" Mason pressed further " I'm sure both menus are written in the same language" Mason added and I felt compelled to raise my head again and look at him. Straight-faced, impassive, but there was something that I didn't miss. It was subtle but it was there, the corner of his mouth, ever so slightly quirked up. Mason was a master at hiding his emotions. That was the first time I knew he was teasing me. Had he done that before and I missed it because I was so self-absorbed?
" Mr Kinnaird, " I cleared my throat, trying to contain a smile, matching his expression " I do find it difficult to decide. I do not eat out very often and at home Enid decides for me, well for us" I countered for the first time with full sentences without feeling the need to hide under a rock.
" We should change that." Mason took a sip of his wine" You have three weeks at your disposal to do as you wish. Make the most of it, Miss Abernathy. If I may offer an opinion. The soup is delicious. " Mason unbuttoned the first to button his shirt, and I nearly fainted. His well-chiselled chest proudly peeked from under his shirt. If I was hot before, I nearly burst into flames when my eyes kept drifting to it.
" Soup it is then" I broke the silence mostly to distract myself.