From My Perspective (BWBM)✔️

XIII

Cleo Mitchell
September🍂
NY📍

It's been three weeks since I started working at the art studio. It's called August and the owner is really nice. Her name is Kai and Porter said they met when he bought a portrait at the art gallery that was connected to the studio.

Kai told me that what we do here is to do whatever our heart desires and then we can display our art in the gallery for sale. I've already sold a portrait that I completed last week and made about $3500 from it. I already love this place and I'm so thankful that Porter helped me get this job.

I smiled as I heard a familiar whistle.

"One sec.", I said as I finished the outline of the drawing. I set the pencil down before turning around to see my best friend holding a tray of coffee and a takeout bag from the coffee shop across the street.

"Hungry? I figured we could have a quick lunch."
"Sure.", I said before draping a cloth over the sketch.

"So, what'd you do today?", I asked as we sat down on a picnic table outside of the studio. She handed me my iced pumpkin spice latte and a container of Caesar salad. I poured the dressing on the salad as she took a sip of her coffee.

"I finished the piece I've been working on, then I went shopping. Oh, I found these cute boots, so I got you a matching pair. I got bored and figured you might be hungry, so I came here."

She's been bringing me lunch every day since I started working here. I definitely appreciate it, but I can tell she is bored out of her mind.

"Why don't you just see if you can come here to work until you feel like going back to Bradford Enterprises? You're obviously bored being at home, babe."
"I'm not going back there. Porter's already working on it. I start in a few days.", she said with a smile.
"Has he called today?", I said as I took a bite of the delicious salad.
"Only about 11 times. He wants me to come back, but there's no way I could do that."
"Auri, I don't want you to end your relationship with your brother because of me."
"I'm not. It's not just because of how he treated you. It's how he's treated me too. Ever since he started Bradford Enterprises, it's like he feels like I owe him some big favor because he had to raise me. Like it was my fault that we didn't have parents."

I looked at her with wide eyes as she huffed and took a bite of her salad. I didn't realize she felt that way.

"I'm so sorry, Auri. I didn't realize you felt that way. You should tell Leo how you feel."
"Come on, you know him, Cleo. He'll apologize and then start acting like a dick two weeks later. I'm not ready to talk to him yet."

I thought about the infuriating man and slowly nodded.

"Still, I'm sorry. It must've been frustrating to grow up like that."
"It's fine. No more Leo talk for today. How are things with you and Porter?"

I smiled, thinking about my perfect boyfriend. God, I didn't realize I could like someone this much. It hasn't even been two months, but every moment has been a dream. He's so sweet and kind to me. He does this thing where he calls and wakes me every morning, so he can be the first voice I hear. He's always checking in on me to make sure I'm having a good day. He picks me up after work and we get dinner together or he comes inside to make Auri and me dinner.

"He's amazing. He makes me really happy."
"Look at you! You can't stop smiling. I'm so glad everything is working out with you two."
"Me too."

After we finished up, I went back inside to try to finish up the sketch until it was time for me to go home. I stepped outside to see my boyfriend leaning against the passenger side of his car.

I smiled at him as he opened his arms for me. I wrapped my arms around him and took in his familiar scent. He smelt like a combination of pine and vanilla.

"I missed you.", he mumbled as he brought his lips to mine.
"I missed you too.", I gave him another peck before pulling away.

He opened the door for me before getting in the car.

"What do you want for dinner, baby?", he said as he headed in the direction of my house.
"I could really go for some nachos right now."
"Anything for you.", he said as he grabbed my hand and kissed it before holding it in his lap.

"How was your day?", I asked.

We chatted up until we reached my house. Porter went straight to the kitchen to start on dinner while I went to take a shower. I walked in the room and closed the door.

"Don't scream."