King of Hearts

1.

December 8th, 2038

The clock strikes 4 pm when she puts the paintbrush aside to take a break. The painting she is working on shows a black-haired woman standing in the middle of a crowded ballroom. Her hands are folded at the front, her face looking in no particular direction as if awaiting someone's arrival. Wearing a mesmerizingly fiery red ballgown, decorated with feathers, stones, and pearls, she resembles a glowing drop of blood. The contrast of the long dark hair makes the total view of her small figure even more radiant. The only thing that disturbs the colorful picture is her face, which is not visible. It is shadowed by a dark grey cloud, which seems to be devouring her whole being, creating a mysterious and gloomy effect.

As if purposely matching the current weather - grey, cloudy, and rainy. She gathers her wavy dark hair into a bun and exits the room when her phone rings. As she picks it up to respond, a high voice can be heard from the other side. "Hey, birthday girl! Listen, Val, I just got home from picking up David from school and I was wondering if you need any help with decoration for your birthday party this evening? I already called Stella and she said, she'll be there by 8." Val stays silent for a second. "Who says that I want to celebrate? Besides, I don't have any time. I need to prepare tomorrow's lesson", Val answers slightly irritated. She has never been a fan of surprises, nor does she like it when people get in her way. Still, she can't help but smile at Cloé's honey voice.

Cloé and Stella are her only two remaining friends. The three of them have been best friends since elementary school. Growing up, Val has become a cold and passive woman, distancing almost everyone around her and embracing the isolation she is living in. The only thing that keeps her motivated is her only hobby, painting. Painting means the world to her, it's her way of expressing her feelings and thoughts. Instead of writing in a journal or talking to people, she prefers to use a paintbrush to let go of her worries. However, she also loves to create scenarios that never existed. Inventing fantastical worlds. Every painting of hers tells a different story and each story transports her into a new world, perhaps a better one.

After some tough years followed by endless arguing with her parents and fighting an identity crisis, she has found happiness in her dream job: teaching Art at a college in her town. Both her friends, Cloé and Stella, are married and have kids. Val, on the contrary, lives on her own, sharing her apartment with two cats. She once promised herself, that she won't ever get married and now that she has turned 38, her opinion still hasn't changed. She has gone on a few dates with a couple of men in the past, however, it never really worked out. She never wanted it to work out. In conclusion, her career is the only thing she focuses on.

"What do you mean you don't want to celebrate? Come on, Val, don't be such a spoilsport! I get that you have a lot of stuff to do but it's your birthday today. Besides, we haven't seen each other for over a month! Haven't you missed us at all? ", Cloé sighs. "We are going to celebrate, whether you agree or not. Stella even canceled her traditional family-movie-night, just to spend the evening with us." Val doesn't know how to respond to Cloé's desperate pleading. Cloé is as clever as a fox and knows exactly how to change her friend's mind. Cloé's right, Val has missed them. Very much in fact. Eventually, she gives in. 

Cloé arrives only thirty minutes after the call. Soaking wet from the rain, she steps inside the small but warm apartment. After taking off her coat, scarf, and shoes - and properly hugging each other's lungs out - the two women make their way to the attic. "I think I still have some party decoration up there, maybe we could brighten my living room a little bit," Val suggests with a weak smile. She is probably doing it more for her friends rather than herself.

It is an ordinary attic, not too big and not too small, and a little dusty. Old furniture and several boxes fill up the space. Dusty shelves and opened packages with forgotten crumpled paper are lying on the floor. As Val is busy opening a random cardboard box, hoping to find something useful in it, Cloé approaches a tall dark brown closet and doesn't hesitate to open it, only to discover that it is stuffed with old clothes, therefore she closes it again. Cloé's eyes wander around the room until they return to the tall closet and notice the tip of a white sheet of paper peeking out at the top of it. Curiously, she grabs a few boxes and stacks them up to use them as a stool. On the tip of her toes, she grabs the sheet and pulls it down. Cloé is stunned by her discovery, as her eyes wander all over the sheet.

"Woah, Val! I always knew you were an incredible painter, but this ... this is a masterpiece. It looks so vivid, so incredible, and so ... real. As if you've taken a picture with a camera", Cloé exclaims. Val is kneeling in front of a box when she turns around and gasps at the sight of her friend. She doesn't need to see it up close to recognize the painting Cloé is holding.

The painting is a chaos of mainly red and purple patterns. The warm and vibrant colors create the image of a good-looking young man, which is the heart of the painting. Red petals are blowing through his dark brown hair, creating a windy and carefree effect. His deep brown eyes invitingly smile at the viewer, as if seeking a new adventure. Youthful and rebellious, almost as if ready to jump out of the painting. His mischievous smile shows scintillating white teeth, framed by rosy full lips. Happiness is spread over his face as if he has never experienced worries. He is wearing a long navy-blue coat, designed with red leather patches resting on his shoulders and a small ruby-red heart-shaped brooch on the right side of his chest, matching the sapphire heart-shaped ring on his right hand. Underneath, he is wearing a white shirt, and a red plaid tie is tucked inside a plain white vest. However, the point that shines the most is his golden crown, making him look like a prince of a fairytale. The crown is adorned with red and purple gems. Overall, the man creates an elegant, almost royal yet bright, and cheerful appearance.

Instinctively, Val clutches her ring, which seems to be vibrating. It is the same one the man in the picture is wearing. It is made of silver and on each side of the sapphire blue heart, the infinity symbol enhances a gleaming effect. Val hasn't seen that painting for a while now, in fact, twenty years. And the same as many years ago an indescribable feeling is creeping up her body. She can feel the blood in her veins freeze and her heart pounding faster every second. It is as if a dark cloth has fallen upon her head and slowly starts to wrap around her body. Fire, ice, and nostalgia are drifting through her bones. Her soul is dearly craving something that has been gone for too long. Her brown eyes are gradually becoming teary. 

Val tries to ignore the lump in her throat and maintain a collected posture, but it is impossible to hold back such feelings when around Cloé. She has always been able to look through her and no second is needed for her to comprehend that something awful is happening to her best friend.

"Val, are you okay?", Cloé asks concerned. Val tries her best to look as calm as possible, but she can't find the strength to respond. Cloé continues demanding an explanation. "Val? Val! What's wrong?". She gently touches Val's arm. "You're trembling! Look at me. Valencya, look at me!" Cloé puts the painting aside and grabs Val by her shoulders, forcing her to gaze her in the eyes. The gold-brown eyes of her friend spread warmth and security. 

Slowly, Val is able to calm down. Knowing her childhood friend, Cloé gives Val a minute to gather herself. Val fake laughs. "I'm sorry, it's just ... this painting is really old, I must have been 17 when I painted it. I'm surprised that I still have it. I'll put it back now." Val reaches for the painting, but Cloé rapidly grabs her hand, stopping her. "I don't know what meaning this painting has to you, but based on that freaky reaction, it must matter a great deal and you better tell me." Cloé's eyes show determination. Val knows that Cloé's stubborn as a mule and won't give in easily. But how could Val tell her the truth? It's a crazy story that even Val still can't believe actually happened.

How can Val explain what happened many years ago? How can she describe her feelings for him? No existing words could ever be enough. How can she explain that this man is her destiny, her true love, the King of her Heart?