Chapter 2
Luna's hands moved deftly, mixing colors on her palette. Art was her escape, her sanctuary. She lost herself in the vibrant hues, the textures, and the emotions that flowed through her brushstrokes.
As she worked, her mind wandered back to the stranger she'd met at the gallery. Asher. There was something about him that had resonated with her, a sense of understanding that went beyond words.
Luna's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone buzzing. She sighed, wiping her hands on a rag before answering.
"Hey, girl," her best friend, Sophia, said, her voice bubbly. "How's it going?"
Luna smiled, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her. "It's going. Just working on a new piece."
Sophia's tone turned serious. "You okay? You seem a little... off."
Luna hesitated, unsure how to respond. She'd been struggling to come to terms with her past, with the pain that still lingered.
"I'm fine," Luna said finally, forcing a brightness into her voice. "Just a little stressed, that's all."
Sophia didn't push the issue, but Luna knew her friend wasn't convinced. They chatted for a while longer, catching up on each other's lives.
As they talked, Luna's mind kept drifting back to Asher. She wondered what his story was, what had brought him to the gallery that night.
And she couldn't shake the feeling that their encounter was more than just a coincidence.
Meanwhile, across town, Asher sat in his office, staring blankly at his computer screen. His mind was elsewhere, reliving the moments he'd shared with Luna.
He couldn't explain why, but there was something about her that had touched a deep part of him. Maybe it was the way she'd looked at him, with a sense of understanding that seemed to see right through him.
Or maybe it was the pain he'd glimpsed in her eyes, a pain that echoed his own.
Whatever it was, Asher couldn't deny the connection he'd felt. And he found himself wondering if he'd ever see Luna again.