Amidst the flurry of activity in the banquet hall, with guests engrossed in interviews with renowned artists ArtMax had invited, Zach discreetly borrowed Calliso's cellphone and slipped away to a quieter corner. Fidgeting with nerves, he dialed his own number, hoping for a response, only to be met with unanswered rings. Despite multiple attempts, disappointment set in as his calls remained unanswered. Resigned, he resorted to leaving a message from Calliso's phone, assuring himself of another try later, before rejoining their table and returning the phone to his friend.
After spending over three hours in the hall, they were summoned to return to their bus. During the journey back to the hotel, Zach once more borrowed his friend's phone and attempted to call his own number. Despite it ringing, there was no response on the other end, leaving him feeling disappointed again.
The next day, they commenced their ten-day training at the Milderton Arts Academy, renowned as the third most luxurious arts school globally. Among the students, they noticed individuals hailing from affluent backgrounds, including families of celebrities and prominent businessmen. The technological equipment at the academy was notably advanced, further enhancing the learning experience.
Every day, Zach persisted in calling his phone, yet each attempt yielded no answer, only the persistent ringing.
On their nineteenth day in Melbourne city, they attended an auction where Zach's painting was among the five selected for public sale. Six bidders showed interest in his artwork. Ultimately, a Chinese woman won the bid, offering thirty-six thousand dollars for it. Thirty percent of the proceeds would benefit his school, while Zach would receive the remaining seventy percent.
"You're one lucky guy. How much are you getting?" Calliso asked Zach.
"Um... twenty-five," he replied.
"Wow. You'll go home with twenty-five thousand bucks in your pocket," Calliso exclaimed.
"I'm considering buying a car for my grandfather," Zach said. "We could also throw a party in our room. What do you think?"
"Oh, yeah. I like room parties. I can drink until I pass out," Calliso joked.
Zach chuckled in response.
Calliso glanced around at the well-to-do crowd surrounding them at their table. "Must be nice being super rich like these people."
Zach followed suit, observing the scene.
"I'd love to be loaded, you know, being able to buy whatever I want without stressing about the price tag," Calliso commented, then turned to Zach. "What about you?"
"Sure, who wouldn't want that? But if I don't get lucky, I think I'd be content with a cozy little home," Zach replied.
"Yeah, I know you're all about that simple life," Calliso quipped.
Zach chuckled once more.
****《•》****
As they awaited their departure at the airport on their final day in Australia, Zach made another attempt to call his own number. Once again, it rang without a response, echoing the previous unsuccessful tries. After the initial try, he abandoned any further calls, sinking into a sense of hopelessness. He couldn't shake the feeling that she had no intention of revisiting their past, and perhaps their relationship had ended poorly. The curiosity about their shared history gnawed at him, yet it seemed increasingly unlikely that he would ever unravel the mystery. The realization left him feeling melancholic, knowing that their chance encounter at the subway station would forever remain their first and last meeting.
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Divine & Wicked: The Trapped Memories (Book2)
Fantasy(Fantasy•Romance) COMPLETED Zach woke up with an addled mind and empty heart a few days after his surgery. He seemed to feel that his life had begun again. As he continued with what he thought was his normal life, fragments of his lost past slowly b...
