Is it hard to be a detective? When Theo starts his first year of work, he faces all the 'beauty' of the criminal world, including drugs and prostitutes.
To investigate a series of robberies happening in a local brothel, he works undercover - Theo
...
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Theo asked as Sandra settled herself onto his lap.
"We're already here, so it's too late to change my mind, huh?" she teased him playfully.
"Probably," he agreed, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
After an hour of strolling through the small city center, indulging in strawberry ice cream cones, they stopped to admire the view from the Bridge of Wishes where Theo had made a wish to catch the criminal gang and put an end to the drug dealers. Now, they found themselves posing for a street artist in the central plaza.
The artist was an elderly man with grey hair and a short beard. His shirt was covered in paint stains of various shades, making it difficult to discern its original color. He sat before his canvas, pencil in hand, narrowing his eyes as he prepared to make a sketch. "Alright, Sandra, can you please look at me?" The artist requested.
Sandra laughed and playfully spun on his lap, causing Theo to feel a mix of excitement and unease. He held her tightly from behind, ready to pose for the portrait. It was a new experience for him, taking a portrait with a woman he cared for so deeply, and he decided to follow Sandra's lead and let himself relax. Up until this moment, everything had been going smoothly.
"Very well," the artist said approvingly. "You two look so natural together, so the painting should turn out great!" Without wasting any time, he began moving his pencil, skillfully transferring their features onto the canvas.
"How long did you say it would take?" Theo asked, glancing at the darkening sky. As the sun began to sink behind the horizon, his worries about his upcoming mission started to creep in.
The artist shrugged. "Not too long. I'll sketch quickly and apply the paint on the canvas at home. The work will be ready by tomorrow noon."
"How authentic," Theo whispered into Sandra's ear. "Where should we hang it, after all?"
Sandra leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "I would love it in your bedroom."
His breath quickened. Sandra had a way of igniting a fire within him, and even though he had grown accustomed to her teasing nature, he still struggled to control his embarrassment. "You mean the portrait, right?"
"Sure," she chuckled, her laughter dancing in the air. "It's a small canvas, so you can put it on a nightstand. If you want to see me first thing in the morning."
"Of course I do," Theo replied, his voice slightly shaky. He was grateful that Sandra's attention was focused on the artist, preventing her from seeing the blush that crept up his cheeks. It was time to change the subject; otherwise, his beet-red face would surely ruin their portrait. "Seriously, why did you choose the artist? We could have just taken a photo, like everyone else."
"Because we aren't like everyone else."
Theo glanced towards the end of the street, where a crowd had gathered around a photo booth, eager to capture the memories of their weekend. Photography was a new and trendy invention, rapidly gaining popularity. Photographers would hold a crystal before a bright light source and recite a spell, causing the crystal to reflect the image onto light-sensitive paper. It was a relatively quick and cost-effective process.
Curiosity got the better of him, and he turned to Sandra. "What do you mean by that? Taking the photo would have been faster and less expensive."
"Okay, let me explain." Taking advantage of a moment when the artist was changing his pencils, Sandra turned to face Theo. "This artist doesn't have many clients. But he's been here all day, waiting for someone who appreciates his work. He loves painting, even though it may not be as popular in today's world."
"So, you..." Theo lowered his voice. "You pitied him?"
Sandra chuckled softly, shaking her head. "No, it's not about pity. It's about supporting someone who is dedicated to doing what they truly love. Don't you see? This man could have easily switched to photography like many other artists, but he's still here because he's passionate about his craft. I believe in supporting people who do things with love, even if it's considered old-fashioned."
Their eyes locked, and Theo felt a warmth spread through his chest. "That's very kind of you."
"I support your work for the same reason," she whispered back. "You genuinely love what you do. Most guardians would prefer to turn a blind eye to certain things and avoid trouble, but not you."
His heart ignited at her words, and he couldn't resist leaning in to kiss her. She responded with tenderness and passion.
"Excuse me," the artist coughed into his fist, breaking their kiss. "I understand you two are in love, but can you sit tight for another ten minutes? I need to draw a couple more lines before letting you go."
Theo and Sandra exchanged a silent glance, their smiles still lingering on their lips. They nodded in understanding and settled back into their pose, patiently waiting for the artist to finish his work. As he meticulously added the final touches, the sky grew darker, and the only illumination came from the nearby windows, casting a soft glow on their features.
Despite the encroaching night, holding Sandra in his arms made Theo feel a warmth that radiated from within. The scent of her hair, reminiscent of berries, made his head spin with a mixture of desire and affection.
Am I truly in love? Theo had asked himself this question countless times, often suspecting that his feelings were driven by lust. But now, as the artist captured their connection on canvas, things became clear. It wasn't just physical attraction; it was a deep emotional bond that had formed between them.
Then, Theo made a decision. He would tell her everything the following day. Honesty, as he knew, was the foundation of a solid relationship. And that was exactly what he wanted with Sandra. He wanted to share his world with her, to trust her with the truth of his mission. It was a risk, but he believed it was a risk worth taking for the sake of their love.
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P.S. Yep. This was a bit more romantic than most of you suggested 🤭 But hot chapters are coming, too, so stay tuned! 😉❤
