Darker Than Black

Chapter 8

      ''Your parents must be really proud of you then....'' I chimed.

He shifted his gaze to one of his pottery works immediately I made mention of his parents.

'' Yeah, I guess...'' He sighed.

I must have hit a sour spot in his heart. Probably they are no more? I really wanted to find it the reason but I didn't want to push things so I let it go.

''Even if they are not, I'm proud of you....'' I smiled

He returned the gesture with a smile of his own.

''Urmm....this is actually not what I wanted to show you...'' He lighted the mood.

''That's not all?....'' I beamed so excited.

He then sailed past me to a canvas that had been hidden behind a sack cloth. Andrew reached for the material and yanked from on top of it.

I gasped, my eyes shooting wide.

It was a painting of me with a smile so care free, my eyes seemed like they had never seen sorrow or pain. This was how I'd look if every thing was perfect.

My vision begun to blur. I was tearing up.

''This is how I picture you everyday. This is who I would love you to be by my side.....''

''Its...Its beautiful....'' I whispered under my breath.

''Sky?...'' I tore my gaze from the painting and unto his perfect face.

''Ive been meaning to ask you this question and I think this is the right time. Would  you be my-.....''

Suddenly, his cellphone rang outside the studio. Both our heads snapped towards the door.

''Stay here. I'll be right back.'' He apologized and left.

I breathed out relieved. Someway, somehow I knew the question he was going to ask. Am I ready for this journey with him?...with Andrew?.. I think so... That's a good enough reason to accept him.

Its a yes.

As I stood in the dim light that radiated off the walls, curiosity got a hold of me.

I slowly moved through the big room maneuvering my way through the statues and sculptures. I stopped infront of this table filled with these little antique trinkets.
    This ancient looking book laid right in the middle with dust covering it.

I have a thing for long, lost history. Curiosity just gets a hold of me. I picked it up and blew the dust away revealing red and gold colours beneath.

I flipped through the pages and a few paper chips fell from the book. I bent down to pick retrieve them but something more horrible caught my gaze.
    I looked closer at the supposed paper chips but they were not paper chips at all rather they were pictures of me everywhere. Pictures I didn't take, pictures I wasn't even aware were taken. Me at the coffeehouse, me at the cafeteria, me infront of my porch.
   The last picture drained life from my face.

I lay on my bed oblivious to who stood by me as I slept in my own bedroom. This picture must have been taken that day I received the darn letter by my bed side.
    I gasped.
The day the stalker sneaked into my room. The day Andrew sneaked into my room.

     Curse my ability to sleep like a log.

As if on queue, I heard Andrew indistinctive footsteps getting closer.

''I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting.'' He apologized as soon as he entered the studio.

My arms were folded across my chest giving my bossom a little push up. I should be scared of Andrew right about now but ironically I wasn't.
I just needed answers.