The Painting

Chapter 1

On a mildly rainy day, when everyone thought life was pretty good, it was all rainbow and butterflies because the wind was colder than usual and Thailand wasn't melting anymore, there I was-running for my damn life.

"Shit, shit, shit! I am so dead! If I don't run fast enough, I'm soooooo dead this time! There! A public entrance! This building is huge. What the hell is it? A public art gallery? I don't care, just get inside and hide!"

Running and hiding-that's all my life has become lately. Every job I get now is some shady deal: "Steal this," "Get me that." My asshole of a boss thinks I'll give my life for him. Watch me-one of these days, I might just end his.

On a random Saturday, I ended up hiding in an art gallery. College was starting soon, so I just had to endure this for a few more weeks. After that, I could ghost my boss, telling him to fuck off coz I'm too busy. Until he sends me death threats to get back to work, I'm not budging.

I was so lost in my own thoughts, trying to catch my breath, that I didn't even realize what room I had stepped into. The hall was filled with art-paintings, sculptures. Trust me, I have zero interest in this stuff, but these...these paintings are beyond beautiful.

I started actually looking around, and it felt like I was drugged by the art. Among all the paintings, in the middle corner of the hallway, there it was-a painting as huge as the gates of heaven, probably. It was an old Greek painting with a description that read, 'Achilles Lamenting the Death of Patroclus.' Lamenting? What does that even mean, and who are these people in the painting? As my head was tilted, wondering what this was all about, I suddenly felt a presence standing right next to me. The hall was not crowded at all so I slowly turned to see who it was-

I saw a guy, probably around my age. His hair was all messy and short, with bangs that fell over his forehead. He had a serious, almost empty expression, like there were no thoughts behind those eyes. He wore an oversized white shirt with denim pants, and his sharp features were complemented by a subtle pink undertone to his skin.

Have I met him before? I feel like I've met him before?? But where? Wait I don't think so? What is this déjà vu feeling?

As I racked my brain, trying to remember who the fuck this guy was, I felt a buzz in my pocket. It was the parasite in my life-my boss-calling me. Just my luck. I had to run off and deliver the stuff he wanted me to steal.

"Here's your stuff. Don't fucking call me again-I have college to attend," I said, tossing the pen drive onto his desk. He was lounging in his damn chair, and I wondered if he ever got up.

"And who the fuck do you think is paying for that?" his audacity grating on my nerves.

"You're not doing it for free, so don't fucking say that again," I said, hands in my pockets. I turned away, giving him a half-hearted wave. As I walked out, I silently prayed the next time I see him, it's on his deathbed.

"Hey, kid, I might have a big project for you in the near future. Be prepared for it. If you pull it off and succeed, I'll never bother you again." Did I hear that right? He said he'd never bother me again? That means the project he's referring to must be pretty messed up for him to say that. Not that I believe or respect him, but I'll take his word.

"Anything that gets me away from you and your fucked-up business, I'm in" I said. He chuckled. I couldn't tell if he was mocking me or if I was actually funny. He's one of the most powerful businessmen in the country. I don't know how or why he listens to me-if I were anyone else, I'd probably be dead by now.

But I think he has a soft spot for me and Moon. Moon is my little sister, or at least that's what I believe she is. We were both orphans until that asshole took us in, she is 2 years younger than me. He practically bought us as slaves in the early times of his business, taught me to use a knife at ten and a gun at fourteen. We had a deal: if I did all the fighting, he'd keep Moon away from it. So, he kept her out of the fighting but taught her how to play mind games, build plans, and counter attacks. I was furious about her being involved in any of this, but that asshole said, "If you don't work, you won't eat. Work and earn your food and shelter."

Since then, we've been living in this mansion. Moon is studying medicine, and I'm preparing to study business. I took a 2-year gap to earn money for her medical college, but now we're stable enough for me to join college soon as well.

I have always wanted a life away from all this. I dream of living in a cold, peaceful area with gardens and mountains, where I don't have to carry a dagger all the time. I imagine Moon and me taking long walks, where I can just be myself and breathe freely, without the constant fear of being killed, or killing anyone. At 21, I'm exhausted by the life I've lived so far. College starts tomorrow, and I'm hopeful it won't contribute to my urges to kill myself.

I closed my eyes to sleep only to have a flash back of the guy and the painting? Déjà vu again??? What is up with me?

I haven't stepped into an educational institute in two years, but I know how to make friends-it has never been hard for me. As soon as I stepped into my class, I started interacting with people, judging their every move, deciding whom to befriend and whom to avoid. As I looked around the class, my eyes took me to the back corner bench by the window. There, I saw a familiar face, scary familiar face-the face I saw before I fell asleep last night and after I woke up. He's not real; he must be an art gallery ghost for sure. I waked straight to him-

"Hey? Nice to meet you, I'm North" I said with my pretty smile.

"........." no reply, and he is looking outside YUP DEFENETELY A GHOST

"Umm, hi! I'm Lily, and that's Night. Sorry, he's really introverted, so don't mind him," I heard a voice from behind me. A girl, about 5'4" and super cute, was giving me some background on who I presumed was her friend Night. So, he's not a ghost? Interesting.

"Night, was it? Let's interact more since we're in the same class."

"........" Wow, now he's getting on my nerves. Since he already had a bench mate, I sat two seats behind him with a friend I just made.

After that I tried interacting with him few times only to get my ego hurt

"Hey Night, the lecture was soooooooooo boring right??"

"no...." how the fuck do you reply to that???!!!

This is just an example of how disinterested he is in me, WHY THOUGH WHAT DID I DOOO?? He looks pretty happy while interacting with Lily?

A full week has passed and this guy is getting on my last nerve. Today, Lily was absent, so he placed a bag beside him to block anyone from sitting next to him. My ego wouldn't let me ask him directly if I could sit there. After the morning lecture, I decided to ask him to have lunch with me.

"Hey, Night, want to have lunch together?"

"......"

If he's going to pretend that he can't hear me, I'll make him look at me. I wrote "Let's have lunch together" on a piece of paper, crumpled it up, and threw it. It hit him right on the head, as I'd hoped. My assumption was correct; he was annoyed and turned around with a fierce look in his eyes.

"Why did you throw that at me?"

"To say hi." I said with a smirk

Unfortunately, he took the paper and walked away. Well, now I know how to get his attention.