Ten Million Dollars Mission

c.75- The perfect portrait

That very night,

L sat on sofa with the laptop on her lap. In order to get to know the man better, she learned about paintings, and meanings behind the arts. She carefully read the articles, noted down and memorized the meanings behind each one of famous paintings. Everything for the money.

For five million dollars, she risked her sleep, and forced herself to learn about a lot of things in one night. "Ugh, I feel like throwing up" Leaning to back, a murmur escaped between L's lips. Her eyes glanced at the clock-three in the morning. "I guess I will just sleep"

She gave up eventually. Next day, L headed to Caleb's villa after receiving the location from him, even though she already knew. "Young Master is waiting for you in his study room, Miss" When she arrived, a woman, old enough to be one's mother, came to welcome her.

"Ah, yes" L followed the woman. And her jaw dropped over the sight as soon as she stepped inside. The interior design of this villa was simply breathtaking. L almost forgot how to breathe. "How pretty" L muttered. It looked as if she had entered the palace from ancient period.

The ceiling alone could make her gasp in disbelief. It felt as though she were a princess entering the palace after being summoned by a king. Caleb must really cherish the historical period. One thing for certain: this villa cost more than five million dollars.

"Young Master, Miss Lilith is here"

Knocking, the woman notified. "Please let her in" The door opened. L's eyes captured the view of a man in glasses, sitting on chesterfield sofa, as he looked up with a gentle smile. Her heart skipped a beat out of excitement. How could someone be this sweet and handsome?

"I have been waiting for you, Miss Lilith" Caleb's tranquil voice rang in the room. Dragging the woman back to reality. "Mhm. Your house is so beautiful" L promptly settled down in front of the man, tucking her hair. Caleb found the compliment satisfying.

Since he rarely received guests, it was rare for him to hear compliments on the house's design. "Thank you, Miss. I appreciate it" Genuine delight beamed in Caleb's eyes. "Feel free to call me Lilith" L broke the barrier first. "If you are comfortable with it"

Caleb replied as he placed the book on the table. "What do we do on the first day, Young Master?" Curiosity glinted in L's eyes. Over the way she addressed him, Caleb let out a soft chuckle. "Please. You can call me Caleb" He instructed. "Well, Caleb" L voiced out loud.

Brining a smile on the man's lips.

"I have organized everything in advance. If you are prepared, we can commence the lecture" Caleb informed. "I am always ready" L stood up. "Then, after me please" The two headed out of the room, To L's surprise, the next room they entered turned out to be an art gallery.

Surrounded by various paintings, she found herself lost in the beauty created by the man. "In the first lecture, you'll acquire knowledge about artists' emotions. To paint one, you must understand yourself first. All you have to do is tell me your thoughts on each of them"

Caleb's words delighted the woman wholly. YES! Wasting her sleep time to learn about art was the right decision she made! "Were these painted by you?" L peered up at the man. His gentle smile never left his lips. "Yes, you can express your true thoughts. I don't mind"

He allowed. And L began to look around while the man escorted her from the side. But the whole time, the woman did not say a word about the paintings. Rather, she observed them in dead silence as though she were experiencing the same feeling as the artist.

Meanwhile, Caleb started to worry.

Was there a problem in his paintings? Why wasn't she saying any word? "Wow" After twenty minutes of strolling around, L finally stopped in front of a huge painting of a woman looking out of the window in the middle of the night. Her eyes were teary, but she's smiling.