After this short break back home, Lisa would soon have to leave again. Lisa had been flying from one country to another for months, her work as a painter in high demand across the globe.
While the constant travel often left her physically and mentally exhausted, she couldn't imagine doing anything else. Painting was her passion, her lifeblood. No matter how tired she felt, the thrill of creating art—especially for high-profile clients—always kept her going.
Her schedule was already packed in the next two weeks, and her flight to Japan was fast approaching. The portrait of Mr. Takahama and his soon-to-be wife would be a monumental task, and she couldn't stop thinking about it.
She called Jayden again to inform him about her upcoming departure.
"So, I'll be off to France next week for another project and after that I'll be moving to Japan for the portrayal of Mr. Takahama" Lisa said.
Jayden's voice on the other end was concerned, though supportive. "That's amazing, but listen, Lisa... you've been traveling nonstop. I know you love what you do, but don't burn yourself out, okay? Sometimes, it's alright to say no."
Lisa sighed, knowing Jayden was right. "I know, I know. I've been feeling it too. But it's hard to turn down these opportunities. This is the kind of work I've always dreamed of."
"I get it," Jayden replied gently. "Just remember, you're allowed to take a break. Don't let the work consume you."
Lisa smiled at his concern, grateful to have him looking out for her. "I'll try to take it easy, promise."
The next day, Lisa met up with Rose, one of her close friends from college. Their mutual friend, Annie, had spotted Lisa's Instagram post announcing she was back in New York and reached out, eager to catch up.
They met at a cozy café on a quiet street corner, sunlight filtering in through the large windows as they sat down at a table by the window.
"So, world traveler, how's life been treating you?" Rose teased, taking a sip of her coffee. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned in, eager to hear everything.
Lisa grinned, feeling a sense of warmth being back with her friend. "It's been a wild ride, honestly and I just got hired to paint a portrait for one of Japan's biggest business tycoons."
"Wow! Look at you, painting for the elite now," Annie said, impressed. "But seriously, how do you handle all the travel?"
Lisa shrugged, her smile softening. "It's exhausting sometimes, but I love it. This is what I've always wanted, you know? It's worth the fatigue."
Rose smiled knowingly, but her tone was gentle. "Just don't forget to take care of yourself, Lisa. You've always been the kind to dive headfirst into everything. Make sure you come up for air."
Lisa chuckled. "You and Jayden both. I hear you. I'll try not to overdo it."
"So, have you heard from Jennie lately?" Annie asked innocently, taking a sip of her drink. The moment the name slipped out, Rose's eyes widened, and without hesitation, she lightly slapped Annie's arm.
"Annie!" Rose hissed, glaring at her friend. They both noticed the sudden change in Lisa's expression—the slight stiffening of her shoulders, the way her smile faltered for just a second.
Annie quickly realized her mistake, her face flushing with embarrassment. "Oh my gosh, Lisa, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to—"
Lisa waved her hand dismissively, her lips curling into a small, practiced smile. "No, no, it's okay," she said, her voice steady. "That was a long time ago. I'm over it."
Lisa, determined to keep up the appearance that she wasn't fazed, took a deep breath and casually asked, "So, how is she? I haven't heard anything about Jennie in ages."
The truth was, despite everything, Lisa did want to know. Part of her was still curious about Jennie's life, even though she tried her hardest to convince herself that it didn't matter anymore. She forced herself to look casual, as if the answer wouldn't affect her at all.
Rose, hesitated for a moment before answering. She looked at Lisa carefully, knowing how much Jennie had meant to her in the past. "Honestly, after you two broke up, Jennie started to distance herself from us. She kind of faded away. The last time I saw her was right after graduation—her father came to pick her up, and they left together. We lost contact after that."
Lisa nodded, her face a mask of calm, but inside, her thoughts were racing. Why would Jennie cut herself off from everyone like that? It didn't make sense. They had parted ways, but she hadn't expected Jennie to vanish completely.
She took a sip of her coffee, swallowing her emotions along with it. "That's strange," Lisa said lightly, pretending not to be affected. "I always thought she'd stay in touch, at least with you guys."
Rose shrugged, giving Lisa an understanding look. "Yeah, it surprised us too. But sometimes people just... disappear."
Lisa forced another smile, nodding as though she agreed, but her mind was still caught on the question that had been bothering her ever since her breakup with Jennie. Why would she distance herself from everyone? What happened?
Lisa shrugged off the momentary tension, deciding it was best to move on to lighter topics. "Anyway, enough about that," she said with a casual smile. "Let me tell you about what's going on with me."
She filled Rose and Annie in on her whirlwind life of painting, travel, and her upcoming trip to Japan for Mr. Yoki Takahama's wedding portrait. Both of her friends were in awe, congratulating her on how far she'd come since their college days. Lisa couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as she recounted the recent developments in her career.
"I'll be leaving next week," Lisa informed them. "It's a huge opportunity, and honestly, I can't wait to get started. This portrait is going to be a big deal."
After finishing their coffees and chatting a little longer, they hugged each other goodbye. It was always nice catching up with old friends, but Lisa's mind was already drifting back to her upcoming projects and the excitement surrounding the portrait.
After the coffee session, Lisa decided to take a stroll around the city. The evening air was crisp, and the hustle and bustle of New York seemed to match her buzzing thoughts. She wandered down familiar streets, letting the sights and sounds wash over her. It felt good to be home, even if only for a little while.
As she passed through Times Square, something caught her eye. High above her, on one of the massive billboards, was a photo of none other than Mr. Yoki Takahama. The headline below his image announced his upcoming marriage, and despite the vibrant chaos of the city around her, Lisa felt a surge of pride as she looked up at the towering screen.
*Wow, even here, he's that popular, Lisa thought, marveling at the reach of his fame. The news clip played on, mentioning how Mr. Takahama had yet to reveal the identity of his fiancée. The reporter's voice echoed in the background: "In a recent interview, Mr. Takahama mentioned that the world would finally meet his bride as their wedding date approached."
Lisa smiled to herself, feeling a sense of importance. And I get to be the one to portray them. The idea that she would have a hand in capturing such a significant moment in the life of someone so renowned filled her with joy and pride.
She stood there for a moment longer, watching the billboard with a sense of disbelief and excitement. The world was going to see her work—their wedding portrait, painted by her. It was the kind of recognition she had always dreamed of, and now, it was within her grasp.
As Lisa continued her walk, she couldn't contain her happiness. She felt like she was on the cusp of something huge for herself as an artist.
