angel baby (heavy editing)

8.5

Evelyn led Chris to her office and sat him down at the chair in front of her. It was after school now and she requested a few minutes of his time. 
“Chris, my favourite student”, she smiled brightly at him. Chris thought it was nice she smiled so much but it still creeped him out. 
“I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that such immense talent reside in that small body of yours. I mean you’re not particularly small but you get my point. Without further ado, I won’t keep you here much and get straight to the point”
She paused and cleared her throat.
“Chris, you are very talented and I’d be damned to let your talent go to waste. The annual Art Exhibition organised by the Borghese family is coming up soon. It’s a nationwide thing and only the best of the best are allowed to show forth their painting. The year’s theme ‘dolce figlio mio ’  which means 'sweet child of mine' in English, you know like that guns n roses song. Great song"
She abruptly clears her throat almost startling Chris.
"Now to the point, it wasn’t easy and I had to make a dozen difficult phone calls but I got you a spot at the exhibition. Chris, I want you to pour your heart and soul and paint something the world has never seen. I want you to translate this year’s theme in your words. What do you think those words mean? Then I want you to draw something spectacular that shocks even you yourself. If, rather when your painting catches the eyes of some rich folk, you will make so much money. I’m talking millions upon millions. Chris, you are going to be so rich. So what do you say? Will you do it? I mean you have to”

Chris, on the other hand was lost in his thoughts. He couldn’t get Derek out of his mind. He thought perhaps the crush he had on him wasn’t quite a crush but something else. Sure he heard what Teacher Evelyn said, but Derek filled his every thought. 
Chris had known from the age of twelve that he had barely any interest in girls. When he went to the cinemas with other kids, the other boys would talk about big the lead actress’ boobs were and he other hand thought the male lead had a nice face.
If only he was older, he would be kissing Derek now. 
“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?” Evelyn’s sudden interruption almost startled him, again. 
He was thinking, thinking about how Derek’s tongue would feel in his mouth. 
Though he had never tongue kissed or even kissed anyone before, he's seen it in movies and both characters would seem into it.
“You know what, sleep on it and give me a reply tomorrow”, Evelyn told him then stared at him intently which made him uncomfortable. He was reconsidering whether or not he really liked Evelyn

“This is a huge opportunity Chris; don’t let it go to waste. You have a great potential, potential to go places, big places”

Chris left her office still thinking about Derek. He was going to do something about it. 

       Oliver arrived home late that night. Since he left home the day after he had a huge argument with his parents, he hadn’t shown up. He detested what he was about to do but in order to gain Paul’s complete trust, he had to do it. 
It was past dinner time and he knew they would be in the garden like they were every night so he went there first. 
He heard his sister’s obnoxious voice before he saw her figure. He didn’t hate her. In fact, he liked her very much, she was just very annoying. 
Oliver often wondered why he didn’t look like anybody in his family. He wasn’t stupid. He had noticed it quite early. Everybody in the family had the same sharp look with dark hair and dark eyes except his mom who had blue-grey eyes. Sure he had a sharp and defined features too but he had green-grey eyes and blonde hair. Nobody in his family, including his extended family had his features. He knew, he had researched their ancestry but that was a headache for another day.  
He arrived at the garden and their laughter immediately quieted down sighting him. Oliver stood at the entrance not saying anything. 
“Nice of you to show your face”, Jessica broke it. She was acting indifferently but she had been scared of her mind the night before. She was mildly put to calm when Lena told her he had shown up to school. 
“Go back to where you’re coming from”, Daniel said out of the blue. 
“Daniel”, Jessica turned and gave him a pleading look. 
“A son of mine who doesn’t listen to me cannot leave under my roof. Let him go to wherever he came from”
Oliver swallowed and went down on his knees. His family was gob struck that Emilia had to rub her eyes to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating. 
“I’m sorry”, Oliver said with his face down. 
Jessica was speechless. She didn’t know what to say. Daniel too couldn’t believe his eyes. 
“Oh my baby, stand, stand it’s OK”, Jessica stood and went to him and helped him up. 
“Jessica” Daniel warned her with his eyes. He was genuinely surprised that Oliver apologised but he still needed to learn his lesson. 
“Oh come on cut him some slack”, Jessica focused all her attention on her son again. 
“Are you OK? Are you hurt? Have you eaten? Are you hungry?”
Jessica asked all at once. She missed her boy so much.
“I’m fine. I already ate. Paul cooked for me”
“Paul?”
The name rang a bell in Jessica’s head. 
“My boyfriend”
“Oh”, Jessica then remembered why his name sounded so familiar. She had met him before. 
“I think I’ve met him before. He is very pretty. Bring him over for dinner sometime”
This Paul boy was his longest relationship since forever. She was curious.  
Oliver simply nodded. He would flaunt Paul to everyone. 
“Why don’t you go rest? It must have been a long day. You too Emilia”
Emilia stood up and hugged both her parents. 
“Goodnight mom, goodnight dad” she walked and stood in front of Oliver. 
“Goodnight Oliver”
Oliver managed a small smile and ruffled her hair. Jessica let out an audible gasp. 
“Goodnight”
She smiled and skipped out of the room.
Oliver turned to face his parents then. 
“Um goodnight”, he turned to go but turned again to face them, “and thank you. I…love you”
Jessica almost screamed and fought the urge to hug him tight. 
“We love you too, so much. Goodnight”
Oliver left then. 
She turned to face her husband and jumped up and down repeatedly.
“Is this moment real? He apologised for the first time ever and told us he loves us for the first time in like 15 years. Today is the best day of my life. I need a drink. We’re going to celebrate”
She left the room hurriedly and Daniel shook his head fondly at his adorable wife.
His phone beeped signifying a text. He took it out. Reading the text, a deep frown appeared on his face.