End To Start || Haechan

11

"You seem to really like this one?"

My mind had been lost in thought until Haechan broke the silence between us.

"Oh I don't know," I studied the large painting before me, "It's a beautiful painting needless to say but..." I bit the inside of my cheek pensively.

"But?"

"Well to put it simply, it makes me sad."

"How so?" Haechan asked, intrigued by my thoughts.

"The colors, the tones..." I leaned in a bit to examine the painting closer. "The ambience of it all," I sighed, "It's a painting of two lovers yet there is no happiness."

"I had no idea you were such an art critic," Haechan chuckled.

"I'm not," I awkwardly laughed, "It was just a..."My eyes met his causing a blush to creep up my cheeks,"...feeling."

I found myself getting lost in his eyes like the night of our first meeting. His eyes that somehow managed to shimmer despite their dark nature. His eyes that bothered me because no matter how hard I tried, they were unreadable. They were like two enchanting portals drawing me in, and even though I knew I should stay away, I couldn't fight the desire of wanting to know what lied on the other side.

"Excellent take."

I jumped slightly, startled by the voice of a young man standing behind us.

"Sorry if I startled you two," he let out an apologetic grin, "I was coming over to say hello and couldn't help but overhear your conversation."

"Hyerim-shi, this is my close friend Huang Renjun, the artist of all the paintings you see here today," Haechan introduced the mysterious man.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Huang," I respectfully bowed.

"Please, no need for formality's, any friend of Haechan's is a friend of mine, call me Renjun," he smiled brightly in return.

"You know," he took a small sip of his wine glass, "This piece was inspired by an old tale my mother use to tell me as a child. A story of two lovers cursed to find each other in a second life, only to die in each others arms again and again and again. An endless cycle of a doomed love that was written in the stars centuries ago."

"How tragic," I frowned, feeling a deep sorrow in my heart, "Yet such a beautiful piece."

"Thank you," Renjun humbly accepted my compliment.

"Well I hate to cut this conversation short but we have dinner reservations soon," Haechan told Renjun.

"Ah, so soon?" I frowned and bowed apologetically. "Thank you for having us, truly your work is amazing."

"No worries," Renjun chuckled, taking my hand and leaving a small kiss, "It was a pleasure Ms. Hyerim, I hope we meet again soon."

I nodded, a light pink shade gracing my cheeks.

We left the exhibition, arriving next at what seemed to be an over the top fancy looking hotel.

"Well you sure like to cut straight to the point?" I said as I marveled at the large statue of an angel that was elegantly placed in the center of a garden leading to the entrance, "We haven't even kissed yet."

Haechan laughed and shook his head, "Ya! What kind of man do you take me for? It's a rooftop restaurant located at the top of this hotel."

"Ya?" I scoffed, "Ya?" I repeated lightly slapping his arm,  "Who do you think you are speaking too? Don't forget that I am older than you."