Crooked Painting

Ch 3

"Nina's family and sherry came, they were insisting to bring you here as you would be exhausted which you certainly are," He raised his left eyebrow, still amused by the abrupt shift of her emotions which were evidently simmering down, fading away the vigorous frown.

She blinked.

Her doe shaped eyes looked calm again with every flutter of her dense eyelashes and he dived into the glassy stare of her enchanted orbs.

It felt like drowning.

It felt forgotten, void, and lost.

He felt imprisoned.

He lost himself in the enormousness unable to even find a way back.

She blinked again and his breath hitched in his throat as her pupils dilated.

He swallowed hard as his Adam’s apple moved and she looked away from his ardent gaze, yet he didn't move back but watch her fiddle with her fingers. Her gaze wandering everywhere but him.

A light breeze brushed over her frizzy hair, breaking his trance and he smiled a little while turning back to leave and she sighed in satisfaction, looking at the two staircases right under the dark wooden front door which was guarded by the iron gate that was secluding the house away from the outside world.

It was a familiar one where she once came with all his friends, helping them cover the short film with all the props and paintings of hers.

That's where he introduced her to his elder brother, and his sister-in-law.

When? A year back?

Yes, a year back.

She reminded herself.

The shuffling of sheets, the shuttering noise of cameras, the rattling of tripods, hurried footsteps and the chatters of all the people were all she could hear while standing in the kitchen doorway, glancing at every corner of the living room. The model was all set for the cue, gawking at the slouched man behind the camera, who was setting it up, almost ready to marvel. She shifted in her place when the girl approached him, snaking her arm on his shoulder.

 

"Is it ready?" The girl bent down with him.

"Yeah, almost" He moved away signalling her to sit on the distinctive spot of the sofa and the makeup artist rushed to do the final touches on her already chaste skin.

She could also sense the pair of eyes watching her intently from the corner of the little hallway that leads towards the bedrooms, yet she didn't find the courage to look at them.

A movement indicated someone was approaching, more than one person, her brain alerted her. And again, she shifted in her place, wanting to flee from here. She scanned every corner of the living room, hoping to find another secluded spot but miserably failing to see the jam-packed room.

"Hi," a feminine voice ranged in her ears as she tilted her head towards her, welcoming by a slight smile and beaming eyes that were holding kindness in them.

She shifted her gaze towards the man behind the girl, earning another tender grin. Their smiles were warm and inviting like they found a long-awaited summer breeze.

 

"Are you Darim's friend?" Her honey-laced voice put her uneasiness to sleep.

"Yeah, I-"