Auralia stared at the canvas before her trying to figure out what she was looking at. The artwork was an abstract piece made by some student at a local art school.
It seemed most of the art pieces were made by students from there with the exception of a few near the entrance of the gallery.
"Do you like it?" A voice whispered into Auralia's ear, bringing her back to reality.
She turned her head to the side to see Alexander was staring at her. She was a little surprised as Alexander had wondered off to the bathroom a few moments ago.
"When did you get back?" Auralia asked, trying not to blush in embarrassment.
She couldn't believe she had let someone sneak up on her so easily. It seemed she had really been focused on the painting.
So much for being a bodyguard. She sighed inwardly. Your own ward was able to sneak up on you. Imagine if someone had attack Alexander…You would have been staring at a painting while it happened.
"I got back a few moments ago and even called out to you." Alexander responded, ending her thought train. "You must really like the painting to not notice me standing next to you."
"I was just trying to understand the painting. I've never really gotten how abstract paintings work." Auralia muttered.
Alexander chuckled. "You're not meant to understand it, at least not completely. You're meant to feel something."
"That so…" Auralia looked back at the painting.
She stared at the swirls of red, purple and black trying to see how they made her feel like Alexander had explained. However, her head once again tried to pick apart what the painting was about.
Giving up, she shook her head and turned back to look at Alexander. "Have you found anything of interest?"
"Not really… I've never really been interested in art."
"Then why did you agree to come with me if you don't like art?"
"I'm still trying to figure that out myself. Guess I wanted to kill some time seeing as my schedule was cleared." Alexander shrugged.
Auralia sighed. She hadn't realized Alexander was bored but then again the man was good at acting. It was his career after all.
"Wanna check out the city?" Auralia asked.
She was starting to get bored too when the artwork had distracted her. They had also looked at most of the works on display and seeing as they had some time before lunch time, they could do some sightseeing.
And maybe find something that they'd both enjoy properly.
"Yeah sure." Alexander nodded. "Just want to do something first."
"What are you going to do now?" Auralia asked curiously.
"Just getting that lady's number." Alexander joked, pointing at a lady standing at a help desk.
Auralia rolled her eyes. "Sure. I'll be waiting by the exit for you."
***
Alexander walked over to the blond lady at the help desk wondering what exactly was wrong with him. He had never really taken an interest in art yet here he was trying to see if he could by a painting.
When he got to the counter, a couple were leaving. The lady running the counter seemed to be in her twenties and looked surprised upon seeing him.
Guess I need to get out more. Alexander mused to himself. The amount of people staring at me in shock…It's honestly been a while since I've been out somewhere that wasn't for work.
"Um…good morning sir. How can I help you?" The lady asked gathering her wits.
"Hello…" Alexander quickly looked down at the name tag on the lady's uniform. "Megan. I was wondering if any of the art works are on sale?"
"Oh yes…Everything is for sale today. Is there a specific piece that has caught your eye?" Megan answered.
"Yes…That painting um 185." Alexander said recalling the number under the painting. "Is it still for sale?"
"Let me check." Megan turned to her computer and quickly typed something into it. "185…Hmm…Let's see…Looks like it is."
She looked up at Alexander. "You have quite the eye sir. That painting was done by the school's honor student. She is quite talented."
"Good…I'll take the painting seeing that it's still for sale." Alexander said, grabbing a credit card from his front pocket.
"Are you sure sir…I haven't told you the price…" Megan replied nervously.
"It's fine." Alexander muttered.
Megan nodded and took the card, placing it in a machine. She then placed the card machine onto the wooden counter. Alexander quickly put his pin in, waiting for the machine to process before pulling the card out.
"Where shall we deliver the painting to?" Megan asked as she handed Alexander a receipt.
Alexander gave his company's address and instructions to have the painting handed to his PA. After that he made his way back to where Auralia was standing.
He noticed she was distracted again, this time some weird looking sculpture being the source of her distraction. He'd never seen someone so into trying to figure out the meaning behind the artwork that they forgot about everything else.
Of course, he hadn't been to many art galleries or events in general…
"Ready to go?" Alexander asked when he got to Auralia.
She immediately looked up at Alexander, staring at him with her piecing blue eyes. She blinked before replying, "Oh sure…Do you have any place in mind or are we just going to walk around?"
Alexander didn't really have any place in mind. He hadn't really done much thought about what to do nor did he know any good places to go on a date.
It's been a while since I've dated after all. Alexander thought to himself. You can't really take your future wife to the same places you'd go to as a teen. Even if the whole thing is contractual.
"Let's just wonder around for a bit. We might come across a nice place to eat." Alexander finally replied.
Auralia nodded in agreement, taking his hand and leading them out of the art gallery and into the bustling center of Marison City.