outfit and Noah's seemed a bit off as I noticed everyone was dressed corporately. I had no idea h

en continued to mind their business, s

ld have dressed accordin

art," he replied confidently. "Co

museum until he stopped in

rememb

ow we met back in elementary sc

g about this same portrait-about who painted it. Knowing fully well that I hated being do

picked. We couldn't wait and ended up blurting out the answ

remembered th

bit me," Noah

that hard!" I laugh

you had a fiery temper, and I decided it was

said, playfully

vor the nostalgia, a

oa

he turned toward the wo

xclaimed, shoving me aside and making he

th someone," Noah s

om head to toe and rolle

o say hi. Don'

do you

he youngest famous au

be; I have

here," I said, forcing a smi

t..

st

me alone in front of the portrait. The weight of he

y as I thought you'd be,"

d Gusephe, his grin

. Are you s

t a practical coincidence,"

dence," I muttere

ew you li

say the sam

put me to

t his hand shot out, gripping my arm as

r to look elsewhere," he murmur

away, heart racing

a date, M

ll

not a

re some kind of god that everyone should worshi

Aurelius' stoic

hat have to

think. Go on

m asking

bbling over. But as I rounded the corner, I noticed two men in suit

ew louder behind me. Just as I reached for my phone, a hand clamp

head became hazy, and

piano music. My head was heavy, and my vision bl

o scream, but only a mumble escaped as I re

steps approaching. My eyes suddenly saw light as a piece of cloth wa

t the chair, but he signaled to someo

go!" I shouted, my v

h, milady," he sa

o the chair. Once free, I stood and rushed toward Gusepe, intending to slap him, bu

you want

he said, snappi

hite shirt, a black waist coat, a bow tie and a black trousers. Another m

inted in gold. Instruments of different kinds were beautifully arran

o explore the room. My eyes landed on a familiar pain

Vinci portrait of th

s a

the brushstrokes-it was unmistakably authentic. It was sai

I tou

pleases

d you g

riend to len

oes this friend of

Don't take everything I say seriously," he said as

now how t

med otherwise. He extended his h

" Gusepe said as he twirled me, catching me in his arms

ed, startled

e question you

. But

ger to my lips. "I've dealt with many

k, my annoyance flaring. "Since you'

t obviou

." My words trailed off

ked, his tone light

ut it that wa

lar patterns of question

are

ue

not an

, so why do you n

ered, rolling my eyes.

re on Stoicism, Mis

all about philosophy. I'

e learn, the more we r

Gusepe immediately stopped dancing and turned to face him. The tension betw

The warmth he'd exuded moments ago vanished, replaced by an icy detachme

ke care of something," he said curtly, walkin

asked, my voice bar

," he said, flashing a quick, humorless g

me gestured politely toward

with every step. The mansion was decorated with ornate chan

ment, ma'am. I seem to have left the car keys,"

gs. My gaze drifted to a slightly ajar door nearby, and faint voices reached my ears. Curi

idn't die," someone murm

to leave any trace while doing a job?"

sir. It won't

job, and now you're sor

long pause

red the air, followed by the sicken

aced as tears welled in my eyes. The realization that Gusephe had pulled t

" the driver asked, his ey

orcing a smile. "I seem

sked, gesturing

lied, followin

t exist. I sat in the back seat, trembling as the events replayed in my mind. The gunshot, the conversati

he car hastily heading inside, shivering from fear. I almo

es scanning the window anxiously. I guessed he must have

od immediately, concer

ried about you," he said

nd tears streamed down m

red at him. He noticed the tea

ing bad happen?" He said,

I wiped my tears. I drag

hat's wron

h," I lied, av

ent before sighing and

you at the art exhibition again. I'm re

. I had to attend to so

d, sounding

ents?"

sl

ai

," I

re here a

ou asked me to

leave now since you are ok".

un," I bl

uh

as fun hanging

want to be late on your first day

i muttered to myself as i locked up the re

p from her lapt

e," she sai

'm sorry,"

ing downstairs. How could y

. I just ne

u o

yone else. She could always

had a shitty d

off her laptop and placed it on the nig

on the bed, stari

at's bothering me, but right now, I just need a

wrapped her arms around me. I buried m