(BL) Into The Rose Garden

CHAPTER 7

Aelock was a little pleased that his discerning eye was right on this one. He had no talent for investing, but he had an eye for art. Aelock, after being ushered to a living room where there was no one, took a look at the paintings slowly. Admiring art in the familiar living room whilst wearing a suit, which felt a bit unfamiliar, he felt as if he had gone back to the past. He straightened his shoulders a bit, and his chin pulled up on its own. Aelock, with a subtle smile on his face, examined the artist’s delicate brushstrokes.

“That painting was sold for almost the price of a house at the auction. It was a fairly good investment.”

Klopp broke in from behind when he entered. Though Aelock was startled, due to his aristocratic education, he simply took a step away from the painting with a slight nod, as if he had known he was there from earlier.

“It is a very delicate painting and incorporates a lot of emotions within. The painter probably loved this space. That is why he poured all the glimmer into such a bold color. I do not think this is the only one that painted such a scene. I think he painted several works depending on the season or time. If it is a series, collecting them will increase the value.”

“This is early summer in the series of four seasons. Other works are in question.”

“Hm.”

Aelock nodded and cast his gaze at Klopp.

“You have a good eye. This is probably an early work, but you managed to notice it.”

He was a little short of breath and his heart was a little tense, but it wasn’t unbearable.

Klopp’s gaze toward him was similar to when he saw him on the street last night. The slight difference was that if the eyes were full of cold contempt at the time, now there was a little admiration and corresponding disgust.

The conversation was cut off.

The dark eyes still glared at him with cold hatred, and Aelock did not dare to say anything in front of him. He only moved his eyelids slightly and looked at the faintly trembling hand of the man. It seemed that he provoked him again, though Aelock didn’t exactly know how.

He was a little anxious that that big, warm hand that slowly curled up might fly towards his cheek. It hurts to get hit, but more than that, he might be kicked out immediately if he angered Klopp. Half of his wish was still yet to be fulfilled. Aelock smiled at the alpha, who was always angry, to prove that he meant no malice. But apparently, that wasn’t a very good choice. Klopp clenched his fist so hard to the point his knuckles turned white.

Just as he was trying to step back, fearing that he might get hit, it was the butler who came in with a tea set that broke the chilly atmosphere. He modestly nodded at his master as a greeting gesture and set the tray on the table. Klopp, who had been emitting deep hatred, slightly relaxed his expression and offered a seat to Aelock with a cold smile. Though he was still scared, Aelock nodded slightly and went to sit down in front of the table.

The tea served by the butler was a high-quality black tea that he used to enjoy drinking in the past. As he took a sip of the warm liquid, Aelock seemed to relax a bit. It had been a long time since he drank tea. No, it was the first tea he drank after leaving this mansion. Before, a sip of this tea was nothing, but now he was so grateful that he thought he might write out a long and lengthy ode about it. While he wrapped both hands around the teacup and felt its warmth, Klopp spoke first