♱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀɪɴᴛᴇʀ ♱

T h e H o l d i n g

CHAPTER TWO

"Silvery glass floors
Destiny is already written
In the procedure of purification
Rules are already broken"

And this turn...

T

HE PRESANT DAY
(The painter's museum)

-changed my life

"...and thanks to Mr. Carlos because none of these would be possible without him. Once again, thanks." I concluded my speech after finishing my painting.

My painting, this time, was a woman covered with strange light blue robe, holding a withering rose. The withered petals forms the lower part of the painting which gave it an organic shade of a velvety red surface. I hoped my painting tells the story behind it to people.
As it hanged on the majestic white wall of the art gallery, I've never felt so proud.

My eyes scanned the applauding crowd chanting my name.
But for someone, I took my time to walk around searching but gave up when I could not find that one "someone".
I was pretty sure I was wasting my time. I headed back to the green room and began packing my paint brushes. I don't like anyone touching them,
I hat-  I just don't appreciate it.

From my point of view, I could see a group of interviewers crowding Mr. Carlos, "Poor old man." I chuckled softly.

I was lost in staring at the crowd that I couldn't feel the presence of someone behind me. Suddenly, a wave of insecurity shot through my veins as I turned, I froze.

"Hello, Ms. Augustine.",
A strange man bowed at me. He had mystical hazel eyes, like orbs which contrasted his imperial style of light beard, white skin making him look like some kind of pale british man. He was clothed in a royal blue blazer and a bow tie. He was probably around his twenties or more. I couldn't tell much of his features as I was still shocked.

"Hello.", I tried to sound polite but I was nervous. I didn't know the man at all but it didn't hurt to be polite.

"How are you? Oh, please don't mind my manners. May I introduce myself?", He asked but without waiting for an answer he continued,
"I am Daniyal Asfour. I'm twenty-three. I am from East Alabama and came all the way from my dear home to meet you. Make me your student."

He was being very straight forward but this much?! I barely know him and he's asking me to be his teacher, like uh?

Thoughts gathered in my mind. Who was he anyway? How he found me without making an appointment, makes me feel scared a bit.
I stared at him as the silence engulfed the atmosphere.

• • • • • •

Boys coming for me was quite usual. I know what they want me for- popularity, money, body and that's what I'm always protecting. It was mine and mine alone.

But a man came and asked me about my knowledge. He didn't want my body? My beauty? He just asked for my help. And here I was having hard time swallowing it. I was doubting him and I had reasons I can say.
•

• • • • •

"I can't sleep like this! Why am I thinking so hard on this? Anyone can be my student..no? I'm a professional artist so I can be a teacher also." After coming home, I was talking about the same thing again and again. "It's not like I can't teach anyone or not social and- and I'm not going to teach him anyway!" I assured myself.
"But if I teach someone.. will- will it hurt others like... before?" With my unknowingly feared statement, the darkness of the world covered the night.

• • • • • • •

"No, stop! Please, I beg of you. Stop!
Why is this happening to me?! What have I done? No! Why?! I'm not cursed! I'm not! Why?! I can't breathe! I-I can't do it!! She's falling deeper! What should I do! Help me! Oh, Lord help me!!"

I tried to hold her hand with all my might but...

♱ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀɪɴᴛᴇʀ♱