CHAPTER FOUR: THE PAINTING

" Maya! It's glad to see you in here! " He chirped happily as he walks forward in my direction.

Nancy took her leave, so it's just the two of us in the room. I appreciated her effort of providing us some space, but how I wished that she would comeback and stay.

"Of course I would be in here. After all it's about my sister's engagement party," I said, trying to be enthusiastic about it.

I avoided making eye contact of him, so I started strolling around the gallery. I watched the parade of paintings hung on the wall:Canvases of a person whom I never even met nor recognized before. Flowers neatly organized in a vase. Scenic places and other paintings on which I couldn't comprehend. It was still the same picture that I had seen few years ago.

I suddenly paused, upon seeing an oil painting of a young man and a young woman which appears to be a couple, sitting on a bench under the shade of a tree. Their heads were resting on each other, while their hands are intertwined. I'd never seen this painting before. I stepped closer towards to it and placed my hand on the glass that protects the painting. It was simple yet alluring and for some reason, I could feel a strong attachment from it. The colors are well blend with each other, not that strong yet not that gloomy.The lights and shading are perfectly used. Truly a magnificent masterpiece.

Another hand was placed on the glass. I turned around and saw Hoven looking at the same painting. I could feel the heating of my cheeks. He's too closed to me, but thanks to my natural looked he didn't noticed I'm blushing. Immediately, I composed myself and move beyond from him. I removed my stares and went back to the painting. Meticulously studying every inch of the canvas, I noticed the written name of the painter below. To my surprised it was my favorite artist yet at the same time it's was his mother... Melissa Criot...

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Hoven said.

Of course it is, after all it was Melissa's masterpiece. She's was known as the 'Art Empress' during her prime. I always admired her work, and if it's not for her I wouldn't be able to define myself. She was my inspiration, to work hard and pursue my dream as an artist. I had met her before and aside from being ravishing, she's also kind and caring. She's like a goddess to me you know though unfortunately she suffered from some kind of mental illness and eventually died.

"Did you know to whom this painting dedicated to?" He paused for a moment before he continued. "It was actually for her lover,"

I glanced at him and his focus are still on the painting. There's a slight curved on his face. He's smiling yet he looked melancholic. If it's for her lover, does that mean the painting was meant for his dad? But if so, why he had a face like that?

"Before dad, there is this man that she loves very much. The man loves her back, and they are supposed to be getting married. You see, my mother's parents won't agree. So they forced her to marry dad. She doesn't love him before, but later on did. But compared to the man in the painting—mom loves him more,"

So it's not for his dad huh? I carefully examined the canvas once again. The young couple were both smiling. Eyes closed, savoring every second, of their time being together. I felt a heavy sensation on my chest. It hurts as if a knife has been ****** into it. Was it because of the sympathy that I felt towards the picture? Or rather the empathy that I have towards to it?

Maybe it's not the art style nor the colors or shading that makes the painting enchanting. Rather the emotions that was poured to it. It was full of joy and love. Peace and sincerity. So pure and so bright.

"That's why she made this art. A recollection of their love for each other. " She painted her painful fantasy on which would never come..."

Oh... This is bad, I wanted to cry right now. The canvas is the reflection of myself.

" Yes you're right. You know what, I always envied people who could freely choose their own fate. People who could freely be just themselves. People who could freely be with their loveones"

I know Hoven doesn't have that much freedom because of his father. So I understand what is the freedom that he meant. But why did he said those things? Is he unhappy with what we have right now? People who could freely be with their loveones... Does that mean he doesn't love my sister? Or does that mean he already have someone he loved before?

" Why?Are you unhappy with my sister? Do you even love her? "

He chuckled.

" No it's not like that, of course I'm glad marrying your sister and I love her"

Geez... Why did I even asked that question. How foolish of me to do so. Just what on earth are you expecting for Maia? Of course he loved her and he's happy with the thought of their marriage. He wouldn't wear that big smile of his when he visit you if what he felt towards Trixie isn't genuine.

"But... I love yo—"

Hoven words had been cut off by the sudden knock on the door. A tall, old man can be seen standing beside on it.

" Lady Maia. Master requested your audience in the study room." Sebastian said.

"Coming..." I said and faced the guy with me. " Excuse me first."

I walked towards the door, leaving Hoven behind as I wonder of what will he say on that time. I'm glad he didn't finished it since it won't probably matter to me. But at the same time I wished that he did because it might probably the opposite. Well nevermind, thinking about it would probably make the wound in my chest worst, and I know it would really really be painful.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***