CHAPTER 13
Dusk came sooner than expected, the last sun's rays mollycoddled behind soft grey clouds. It was a clear crisp evening and the evening breeze wooshed over me.
Jeez, I was bored out of my mind. Richard has been working ever since we landed in Italy, I barely even saw the man and we were staying in the same house. He has locked himself in his room, working. He was such a workaholic, at least that I was sure of.
After I got back from shopping with Eric yesterday, which was a hassle to both Eric and me and the workers at the boutique because I was being indecisive, Richard was still on the conference call. What do these people talk about anyway? Now I'm on the balcony staring at the tempting pool.
"It must be relaxing." I jerked up in surprise at the sound of the familiar voice.
"Richard," I said breathlessly. "What are you doing here?"
"Isn't it obvious? I live here?" He said in a sarcastic tone.
I rolled my eyes at his mischievousness. "You know what I mean. I've barely seen you since yesterday and you've been marinating in your room." I said playfully. "And I've been here doing nothing, I'm bored."
"I know how to change that." He gave me a toothy grin while dipping his hands in his pockets. "Put on something nice. There is a place we should be."
"Now?" I asked, my voice laced with excitement.
"Yes, now. Come one."
"I'll be right back," I said, trying to hold in my smile.
I practically ran to my room, happiness streaking through me like a comet. I opened the closet to pick a decent outfit for the outing.
My face dropped while I racked my brain thinking of what to pick. He said to put on something nice but I have no idea where we were going. Should I opt for a cocktail dress or just something casual? Where would someone like Richard go?
I made a decision and went along with a cocktail dress.
It was a black velvet lace-up dress, with pearls attached to its collar line. I needed help strapping the dress up so I left it unstrapped. Richard would have to help me with that. I matched the dress with a pair of Tom Ford heels which Eric claimed looked good on my feet, but I think he said that because he was done with my indecisiveness. I will mentally prepare myself for the pain and bruise that this would cause me. I grabbed a clutch bag to complete the look.
"Richard" I called out, while walking to the living room. I was met with his back facing me before he turned to look at me. He looked dashing in the black suit he was wearing. "I need your help with the strapping."
His eyes lingered on mine for what seemed like an eternity like he couldn't take his eyes away from me.
"S-sure." He said, walking closer to me while I turned my back to him. I tucked my hair to the side of my neck, giving him a chance to see my bare back.
I felt a burning sensation as his fingers trailed my back, with each tug a gasp of air escaping my lips. The sound of my gasp made a weave of embarrassment through me, so I bit the bottom of my lip in the process. With one final tug, he pulled my hair gently back to its former position.
"You look_lovely." He cleared his throat.
Still gazing at him, while wearing a smile on my face. "Thank you, Richard. You also look amazing."
A small grin played on his lips. "Shall we?"
"We shall," I uttered, looping my arm in his as we headed to the car.
We sat in silence as Eric took us to our destination. My anxiety returned to full force. I was too bored to think of what and who I was going to meet there. Richard is quiet and peaceful. He seemed to be enjoying the city's view as he stared reflectively out of the window.
"I would love to know where we are heading," I murmured.
Richard turned and gazed at me, his eyes dark and guarded, giving nothing away. He shifted in his seat as if trying to get a better view of me.
"An art exhibition. An old friend of mine is hosting one."
"Hmm. Who is this old friend?"
"She is just a friend from college. I couldn't pass on the opportunity of going to one of her exhibitions now that I have the chance to." He paused. "She also can't wait to meet you."
"Really? That's reassuring." I said. It was more to myself than him.
The car pulled up in front of the gallery, Richard climbed down and he opened the door for me and I clambered out because of the heels I was wearing.
Taking my hand he led me into the building. The gallery was an open room with white walls and bright lights. Diverse paintings were displayed on the walls, ranging from paintings to sculptures. It was flippant and had a twist of contemporary. Soft music played in the background, and several people were wandering across the gallery floor, sipping wine and admiring the artwork.
"Good evening and welcome to Eleanor Cabral's show. Be ready to be amazed by the incredible artwork on display. Enjoy the beauty with an open mind." A young lady dressed in black with long red hair greeted us.
She gaped at Richard for a while before glancing at me briefly, and then her gaze returned to Richard, her cheek turning into a shade of pink.
My brows creased. He was the most eligible bachelor after all. I tried not to scowl at her as she batted her eyelashes with faux sweetness.
"Mr Berlette, we will want your take on this." Grinning, she handed Richard a brochure and directed him to a table loaded with drinks and snacks.
"What would you like to drink?" Richard asked me as he looked into the brochure.
"I'll have a glass of red wine, thank you."
His brows knitted, but didn't say anything and headed to the open bar.
"Mrs Berlette." An unfamiliar voice called from behind. It sounded foreign to my ears, like there was someone else here with that title I know was Mrs Berlette on paper but I haven't been referred to that out loud. It made my insides feel giddy.
I spun around to see a stunning woman in her forties with luscious, chestnut-brown hair, styled in a chic shoulder-length bob that fell in soft waves around her shoulders. She had a natural and elegant look and exuded sophistication. Something that I'll never have.
"Hello," I said with a puzzled expression.
"Eleanor Cabral," she mentioned, stretching out her hand in a handshake. "The owner of this show. It's nice to finally meet you."
Receiving her handshake. "Likewise. Congratulations on the show. Please call me Marah."
"Richard has told me about you. I'm afraid he didn't emphasize how much of a beauty you are."
I blushed inwardly at the compliment. For some reason, getting a compliment from someone like her added an ounce of confidence that I needed for the evening. And what was that? Richard spoke to her about me.
"Thank you so much_" I didn't know whether she was a miss or a Mrs but I opted for the latter. "Mrs Cabral."
"Oh please, call me Eleanor. Miss." we both burst out in fists of giggles. "Where is Richard?" she asked, canning her neck to look around.
"He is over there, fetching drinks." I pointed in Richard's direction and saw that he was exchanging pleasantries with someone waiting in line. At that moment, Richard glanced up when I looked his way and our eyes locked in each other. I stood in paralyzing admiration of the impossibly handsome man gazing at me with some emotion I couldn't fathom. His gaze burned into me and we were lost in the moment.
Why me? I asked the question I had asked ever since he gave me that proposal. This man is every woman's dream and could have picked from any of the women that flock around him yet I was the one he came to.
"Marah!" Eleanor distracted me, drawing away from my daze. "I am so glad you honored my invitation. Tell Richard to_"
Instantaneously, the red-haired cut her off. " Miss Cabral, the journalist from France Views is here to see you. She gave me an apologetic smile.
"Alright now, I'll see you later, Marah." She pulled me in an embrace and I watched her stroll over to a young man standing by a tall lean photographer.
Eleanor's artwork was everywhere, hung on the walls. The artworks were an incredible expression of creativity and imagination. The paintings were colorful and vibrant, capturing scenes that ranged from nature and people to abstract.
Richard came to join me and handed me the red wine. I took a deep breath and swallowed, trying to recover from what happened earlier.
"I see you've met Eleanor," he said, looking back at where Eleanor was with the journalist.
"She is nice. I like her. She is the kind of woman I want to be like."
"She does that to people."
"And she is quite talented," I said, commending the artwork on the wall.
"Mr Berlette?" The photographer from French Views approached Richard. "Can I have a picture?"
"Sure." I stepped back not wanting to photobomb but Richard grabbed my hand and pulled me to his side.
"Thank you, Mr. Berlette" he snapped a couple of pictures. " And Mrs. Berlette." he hurried off.
"That's the first picture we've taken together on our honeymoon."
Richard's mouth twitched into a smile. "Would you have preferred it if it wasn't the first?" he whispered.
I blushed and faced down at my fingers. Why would he ask me that? I didn't have an answer to give him at the moment.
"Take a look around. You'll have to excuse me. I need to catch up with Eleanor ."
"Alright."
I wandered past a few more paintings, and I noticed a group of women peering at me with not-so-kind eyes. It must be because I'm with Richard. They even sneered at me like there was something funny about me. I didn't let their jest get to me.
I turned to a corner, and my eyes fell on a heart-wrenching painting of a mother holding her child. The mother had tears in her eyes and her child, judging from the expression, seemed to be in pain. The painting depicts the deep bond and unconditional love between a mother and her child.
I don't know what it was, but the painting stirred something in me. Maybe I miss the motherly affection that was taken from me far too early in my life.
"Marah, Marah."
"Huh," Richard's was brought out of my haze.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, why?"
"You are crying."
"I am?" I touched my cheek and I felt the liquid which was my tears on my fingers. Wiping them off, "I guess I was. There is just something about this painting. I can't explain it."
I watched the painting, mesmerized as he talked briskly to Eleanor.
I felt a hand on my elbow and Richard is back. "Is there a problem?"
"No, what makes you think that?"
"I saw you talking to the lady over there," I nodded in the direction of the red-haired lady. "So I thought there was."
"Not at all." he glanced at his wristwatch. "We should be having dinner by now. Come on, let's go say our goodbyes." He held his hand out and I took it.
Eleanor was talking to a group of people when we spotted her.
"Eleanor," Richard called out.
"Richard. Excuse me." Eleanor grinned at them, making her way towards us.
"This was a lovely show Eleanor, but I'm afraid we have to leave now," Richard said with an apologetic look on his face.
"It was nice seeing the both of you," she said as she clutched onto the hands of Richard's and swept me into a big bear hug, I wrapped my hands around her instinctively.
"Thank you for having us. I really loved your paintings."
I pulled out of the hug. "Congratulations once again."
We took a detour to a restaurant and drove home silently, getting to my room in the villa, it was in an array of darkness. I switched on the light and my eyes caught the painting which I was mulling over in the gallery hung over the wall in my room. My heart palpitated and my eyes glistened with tears. Joy? Sadness? Love? I felt it all.
Oh, Richard.