A Love Story in Art

Chapter 7

Karina's excitement filled the air as she added the finishing touches to the meal. She told him that her parents are inviting him over for dinner, SJ arrived shortly after. He then texted Karina that he arrived. Karina opened the door quietly, SJ stood beside her, nervously fiddling with the hem of his shirt. He had never been to a girl's family dinner before.

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Karina asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She was genuinely looking forward to introducing him to her family.

"Yeah, of course." SJ replied, though his voice wavered slightly. The truth was, he was terrified. "It's just... what if they don't like me?"

"Trust me, they will love you! You're charming, smart, and you've got that irresistible artist vibe going on." Karina reassured him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Besides, they're just my parents. They can't be that scary."

SJ took a deep breath and managed a smile. "You're right. They're just parents."

"Exactly!" she said, her enthusiasm infectious. "And it'll be fun! You'll see."

Karina's expression turned serious for a moment. "Okay, deep breaths." she said, leading SJ to the front door. She opened it with a flourish, revealing her parents, Min and Yuji, who greeted them with warm smiles.

"You must be SJ! It's so nice to finally meet you." her mother exclaimed, pulling him into a hug.

"Yes, welcome!" Min added, shaking SJ's hand firmly. "I've heard a lot about you."

SJ felt a rush of relief wash over him. "Thank you, it's great to meet you both." he said, trying to project confidence despite his nerves.

As they settled around the dining table in Karina's family home, the delightful aroma of the meal filled the air. Karina had prepared her favorite dishes, chicken teriyaki, steamed vegetables, and rice. The table was adorned with vibrant flowers that Karina had picked from her garden.

"Wow, Karina, this looks amazing!" Min exclaimed, eyeing the spread. "You've outdone yourself."

"I just wanted to make sure SJ felt welcome." Karina replied, shooting him a grin. "So, what do you think, SJ? Ready to dig in?"

"Absolutely!" SJ said, feeling more at ease as they began to serve themselves.

"So, SJ, how did you and Karina meet?" Yuji asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

"We met at my art exhibit about a year and a half ago." SJ began, feeling the spotlight shift onto him. "I had showcased some of my photography, and Karina was there staring at one of my works. We started talking, and... well, one thing led to another."

"Very nice!" Min said, nodding approvingly. "What kind of photography do you do?"

"I focus mostly on landscapes and candid moments, capturing life as it happens." SJ explained, feeling more comfortable as the conversation flowed.

"Art is such a beautiful way to express yourself." Yuji said, leaning forward. "Do you both collaborate on projects?"

"Yes! We did a few and we love working together." Karina chimed in. "It's amazing how our different styles come together."

Min looked intrigued. "That sounds fascinating. It's wonderful to see you both so passionate about your art."

As the meal progressed, the conversation flowed effortlessly. Karina's parents asked SJ about his artistic inspirations, his childhood, and his dreams. In turn, SJ asked questions about
Karina's upbringing and her early interest in painting.

"I've seen some of Karina's work, and it's incredible." SJ said genuinely. "She has this unique way of bringing emotions to life on canvas."

Karina blushed, looking down at her plate. "Thanks, SJ. That means a lot coming from you."