Chapter 86 - Buying a Painting

Bryan's strange behavior didn't end there. He used a brochure from the exhibition to cover his face as he entered the gallery, where all the visitors were engrossed in enjoying Ellie's paintings. Bryan then spotted Angeline, who was upstairs with Alex. Bryan peeked down and was annoyed that Alex was with Angeline. "That playboy! Alex must have been a playboy even in Paris. But I have to thank him, the playboy, for taking good care of Angeline all the time," Bryan muttered, sounding more like he was grumbling. Bryan put his sunglasses back on and covered his face again when he noticed that Angeline and Alex were about to come downstairs. He didn't want to be recognized. Fortunately, Alex and Angeline moved to the other side, so he remained incognito. Bryan continued to wander around and he noticed the painting entitled "Missing" among Angeline's works. It depicted a child with two fingers forming a heart shape. Seeing the painting, Bryan reflexively formed a heart shape with his fingers. Bryan stared at the painting for a while, intending to ask a staff member about it. When a female employee walked by, Bryan stopped her. "Excuse me, is this painting by Ellie?" he asked. "Yes, that painting was done by Ellie, her only child's artwork, and Ellie's personal favorite. It's been very well received by all the visitors today," the employee explained. "I like that painting too," Bryan replied, immediately remembering the Universe Mug that Angeline had once created for her child. "I'd like to buy that painting," Bryan told the employee. "I'll have to check with Ellie first. May I have your address so that if it's approved, we can have it delivered to your home?" the clerk asked. "No, I want the painting now because I plan to take it with me. So please get it ready for me," Bryan insisted. "But sir, we can't do that right now. The event is still in progress, and we can't remove the painting that quickly." "Ah, I see. But that means the painting can be sold, right?" "Yes?" "In that case, I'll wait for you to send it to my house. But with one condition." "One condition?" "Yes, mark it as sold. I don't want you to give this painting to another buyer who might offer a higher price." "Very well, please fill out this form first," the clerk said, handing Bryan a sticker to affix to the "missing" painting with the word "Sold" written on it. Angeline's mother and Michael arrived. Her mother was amazed at the beauty of all of Angeline's artwork. "Angeline, you are so talented. Why didn't I ever know about it?" her mother exclaimed. "No, Mom, I was just lucky to have a good supporter like Alex," Angeline replied modestly. Her mother looked at Alex, who was standing next to Angeline, and smiled. "Thank you, Alex, for taking care of Angeline and supporting her all the time." "Oh, it's no problem. I should be thanking Angeline because her paintings are getting better every day," Alex replied, feeling a little uncomfortable. Then, by chance, Angeline looked at the "Missing" painting, which was already marked as "Sold". She was confused. "Alex, is it true that this painting was sold?" Angeline asked, and a staff member immediately explained. "Yes, it's true. Someone insisted on buying this painting because he liked it so much. They even wanted to take it home right away. But after some negotiation, the buyer agreed to let me mark it as 'sold' first." "But I didn't really intend to sell that painting." "Really? I apologize for not asking first. I feel pretty bad, but the buyer has already paid in full. So what should we do?" "I will contact the buyer," Alex said. "No, let me contact the buyer, and I'll ask if the purchase can be canceled," Angeline replied, then continued to show her paintings to her mother and Michael. Back in his hotel room, Angeline immediately called the buyer of her "missing" painting. "Hello, is this Miss Bella who bought my painting today?" Angeline asked when the call was answered. "Oh, I'm..." "I heard you bought my painting at the show," Angeline continued, cutting off Bryan's words. Bryan, who had just finished showering, was a little surprised and almost said that he wasn't Bella. But he quickly stopped himself when he heard the word "painting". Bryan then changed his voice to a female voice and pretended to be Bella. "That's right, but I can't talk on the phone right now. It's better to chat," Bryan replied and immediately hung up, ignoring Angeline's confusion. "Why did he hang up?" Angeline protested and tried to send a message. But Bryan didn't answer. Angeline prepared for an event with Alex, a relaxed party at a bar. While she was getting ready, Bryan was also getting ready. And at that moment, they communicated with each other. Bryan pretending to be Bella, the buyer of the painting, and Angeline pretending to be Ellie, the painter of "Missing". [I'm glad you liked my painting, but I have to apologize and ask for my painting back because it wasn't for sale.] [I'm sorry too; I can't honor Ellie's request. I really like that painting.] [I'll exchange it for any other painting, even if it's bigger than "Missing."] Bella replied with a smile in her room as she texted back. [Can we meet in person?] [I have the flu right now, so I'm not sure if I can.] [I ask you to reconsider your request, and if you agree, meet me tonight at the first floor bar of the Baus Hotel, as I happen to have an event there.] [I will contact Ellie again later]. Angeline sighed sadly, her painting that she had created when she saw Jason take his first steps was precious to her. She knew she shouldn't act like this. But the painting meant so much to her. Angeline remembered when Jason had taken his first unsteady steps without giving up. His adorable smile had been balm for Angeline's long festering wounds. And when she had taught him to make a heart shape, Jason had quickly followed. "If I hadn't shown it to anyone, how would I have gotten it?" Angeline muttered. Meanwhile, in his room, Bryan smiled as he thought about meeting Angeline tonight. He thought he had held back from seeing Angeline for too long. The Madam Rose case was almost solved and in the hands of the prosecutor. Therefore, Bryan was confident that there would be no more trouble for Angeline or himself. Besides, Bryan kept wondering about Semesta, his child, who might have grown up by now. "I don't even know what his face looks like; maybe he looks like Angeline," Bryan muttered to himself.