“I think about jumping off of a very tall somethings just to see you’d come running and say the one thing I’ve been wanting—but no.” taylor swift — is it over now?

https://open.spotify.com/track/1Iq8oo9XkmmvCQiGOfORiz?si=G3gwENB0TNCoz6evN0-8yw

Padre is a hardcore painting enjoyers—that’s one thing about him. Thing that excites him the most other than finding rare ingredients is to see rare paintings with his naked eye. I lost count on how many times he had traveled to Europe only to attend an art exhibition, and then he would arrive at home with glistening eyes—while retelling the story of all the arts he’d witnessed.

When I was little, he used to show me classical paintings, their names, and the stories behind the painting. My all-time favorite would always be A Huguenot, on St Bartholomew's Day. It’s a story about star-crossed lovers during St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre on the 15th century. The woman was a Catholic, attempted to covince his man, who was a Huguenot, to change faith so he wouldn’t be massacred. And yet the man chose to surrender instead of giving up his faith, and it’s told through the stare he’s giving his woman—peace in his eyes—while the woman was looking back at him in despair.

That painting gets me teary-eyed everytime.

“Impressive,” Antares looks at me in awe (I think?) after I told him my favorite painting, and the back story of as to why I have such an extensive knowledge in classical art. “Very impressive, Oceanna. We should visit Musée du Louvre next time.”

I chuckle as I’m directing my focus back on his recently finished art, painted with oil paint on a 120cmx200cm canvas in front of us. “So… This is for your new exhibition?”

“Yes, for an auction, to be exact. Christie’s will have an auction in Singapore next month, and one of my paintings would be on the list. The result will be donated under my family’s name.”

“That name of yours… isn’t it heavy, sometimes?”

Antares smiles slightly. “A little, but never too much. I know what the public thinks about my family, Ce; but I bet from the way your Padre chooses to stay beside my father as a best friend, it speaks volume to you. I know your Padre is incredibly genuine and he’s been such a rock to my father in a lot of difficult times.”

I stunned. “To be honest, I didn’t know how close they are.”

“Now you know,” Antares picks a silky fabric from the couch and covers the painting with it. “Well, it’s already late. You should go home. As always, my driver is on the lobby.”

“No need, my friend is picking me up.”

Antares looks at me with a hint of curiosity, before he eases back his expression to his usual nonchalant one. “Okay. Miles Segara? The model?”

At this point I gave up the idea of wanting to know why he knows a lot. “Yes.”

“I read a lot of rumors about you guys.”

I shrugged. “Well, just like what you said it is—it’s only rumor.”

“Okay, then. See you tomorrow. Thank you for today’s feast, Oceanna.”

I smile as I slid out of his studio. “You’re welcome.”