Salt And Pepper

Hers: Colours

"So, Bryce, what are your plans for today??"I eagerly ask during our ride to the hotel.

Jason is seated opposite to me, taking no interest in our conversation and showing absolutely no excitement about the fact that we're in Paris. Or that we're going to our hotel in a limousine. Big deal, right?

"Unfortunately, I wouldn't be joining the two of you today. I've got some work. But I'm sure you and Jason would find something to do in this city," Bryce says.

God, spending my first day in Paris with Jason? That's a bummer! But guess I'll have to live with it..

We soon reach a large building which is very elegantly lit up. I instantly get excited to see my room, as I'm sure Bryce would've booked something really nice. The limo stops in the patio and we quickly get off the car. I start walking towards the back for the car to get my bags, but Bryce stops me.

"C'mon Pepper, the luggage will reach your room before you get there."

Of course. I should get used to this!

Jason still doesn't speak, and honestly, I'm getting annoyed. Why can't he just join in in our conversations?

I decide to let it be for now as we make our way inside the hotel. It is absolutely magnificent, better than I imagined. The lobby is huge, with a little fountain in the centre, above which, hangs a beautiful chandelier. I go around, admiring the beauty of the place while Jason and Bryce check us in.

"Pepper, come on."Jason says.

"Wow, you're finally speaking to me."I laugh.

"Let's go."he tries to be serious, but I catch the little smile playing on his lips.

We get into the elevator with Bryce and Jason presses the button for the eighth floor. In moments, we find ourselves walking out of the elevator and Bryce guides us to the corner most rooms.

"Pepper."he says, using his key card to open the room. "This is your room, and the one opposite is Jason's."

"Thanks, Bryce."I say, smiling at him. "I guess I'll go freshen up a bit."

"Oh yeah, sure."

"Where's your room, though?"I ask.

"Mr Howard takes the presidential suite, of course."he says, laughing.

"Aw, that's not fair."I say, sarcastically. We both laugh and I see Jason rolling his eyes.

"Bryce, can you open my room now?"he says.

I leave Jason and Bryce alone and decide to go see my room. I lock the door behind me and when I turn around, my jaw drops.

"Is this what they call a room"?I think to myself.

There is a large bed in the middle, on which my suitcases are neatly placed. The walls are white with golden patterns on it. There is a huge dresser beside the bed, which is probably made of oak wood.

I'm a person who:
1) doesn't travel much
2) and if travels, stays in a cheap motel with those old bed sheets and yellowed sinks in the washroom.

So this is a huge upgradation.

I finally stop with the drooling-over-my-room thing and take a quick shower. Oh the washroom was even more impressive with all the..

Stop!

Alright, I'll stop!

I quickly change into a top and jeans, I didn't exactly shop for this trip. Then I dial Bryce's number and ask him for the named of the galleries that would have Jason's paintings. He sends me the address of the nearest one and I quickly grab my bag and make my way out.

Hey, I'm excited, okay?

I knock on the door to Jason's room and he doesn't open it for a while. Knowing his habit, I try to open the door and find it unlocked, obviously.

"Jason?"

He suddenly emerges from the washroom, with his hair still damp, but this time, fully dressed.

"What are you doing here?"he asks.

"We're going out!"I say.

"Already? We barely know each other, Pepper."he says.

I roll my eyes and say,"Jason, let's go."

And to my utter surprise, he actually follows me out of the room.

"Where are we going?"he asks.

"Oh, you'll know."I mumble. I don't really want to tell him because he might just turn around and walk back to his room if I told him where we're going.

But the thing is, this could really bring him back to his world. You know, the smell of paint, looking at his paintings, the nostalgia hitting him, remembering the hard work and the satisfaction completing it.

We get into a cab and I give the cabbie the address. Jason and I talk about the city and he briefly tells me about his previous trips. I'm glad that he's opening up and actually replying properly, if not starting the conversation.

We soon reach our destination and get out of the taxi.

"What is this place?"he asks a bit sternly.

"Just an art gallery."I say.

"And why are we here? I didn't know you were interested in art."he says.

"But you are."

He looks at me for what feels like eternity and then says,"Look, Pepper, I don't think I'm ready for this."

"And that's why this is perfect. You need a boost! See, you really need to start getting back to your normal life, you can't be on a holiday forever."I say.

He processes his thoughts for a while and then sighs, saying,"Alright."

"Yay!"I say, with no emotion, but hidden delight.

We quickly walk into the building and start looking around. "So do you recognise any of these?"I ask.

Jason looks around and then leads me to a really colourful painting. Looking at it, somehow, my heart feels lighter, it has that kind of vibe. I had imagined Jason to have painted really dark and miserable paintings, but guess he was a different man then. And I really want to change him back.

I find myself staring at him as he studies his own work. Recalling how he would've made his brush dance on the canvas.

I drift my eyes back to the painting signed by Jason Salt.

The next Da Vinci.