CHAPTER FOUR
Elijah's POV
It was like any other night--i was out on the streets taking a walk. It had became my usual routine these days...especially when it rains. I loved the rain, the small drizzle that made the world quieter and more honest. Tonight, I was hoping to clear my head.
The gallery had reached out to me earlier today--wanting to exhibit some of my newer work. I would be visiting the gallery tomorrow then, I had being there this week, but the thought of seeing my painting up on that wall again brought back some old memories--the ones that I wished to toss behind me without ever looking back.
The rain had started picking up and I was getting drenched pretty quickly. I turned the corner cafe I liked so much, the cold was getting severe--i tucked my hand inside my hoodies pocket as walked past the cafe. I decided to stay under the rain for a while--perhaps it would wash away the memories I long to erase...suddenly i felt a gust of wind blew over me as I stood under the flickering streetlight. The rain poured heavily--
Then I saw her--clinging to the bag in her hand as she held it close to her chest. Her jacket was pulled over her face and her head down...she suddenly turned --looking in my direction as her eyes darted on me. She looked at me confused--you know that look that you have when you see something and you be like 'what's that?'.
"Hey...are you alright?" she asked as she moved closer to me. As she moved closer I realized she looked really familiar--right! it was the girl from the gallery. I had seen her a few times at the gallery, she's always staring at some of my old piece,she often has this expression on her face while looking at them which really amused me. I have always wondered about her, why does she stare at them like that...there is just something about her that feels captivating--
"I could ask you the same thing" I said --my voice calm and unhinged. "You looked like a drowned cat" I joked, but I don't think she took it too well. "Wow. that's--thanks" she muttered with a furrowed brow that made me smile a little. "You are rushing like it's going to make a difference". I remarked
"I'm trying to get home. You know, where it's dry and sane". She said sarcastically. "fair" I raised my eyebrow up and down--"But you're already soaked. what's the point of hurrying now?.
She stared at me stunned by my words. "Are you seriously giving me advice right now? in the middle of a storm?." she asked her brow raised. I shrugged at the question " Just saying"--she narrowed her gaze on me "well don't, I didn't ask for commentary on my walk". Seriously, this girl is impossible--even though she was get drenched-she's still stayed to argue with me,instead of trying her best to get home.
"You stopped to ask if I was okay". I said half amused. "And I regret it" she crossed her hand over her chest. "Touchy"
"I'm cold, I'm wet, i'm hungry. And you're standing there like some kind of a philosophical scarecrow." I let out a sudden laugh--she looked more annoyed now. "Whatever. Enjoy your soaking". she shook her head and walked away.
I watched her walk out of sight "What a strange girl!" I murmured to myself and walked home.
******
The next morning I woke up feeling a little better than yesterday--speaking of yesterday, the gallery would soon come for the piece and I would go with them for the exhibiting...the thought of that reminded me of the girl and I couldn't help but smile. she was going to be at the gallery today, I wondered how shocked she'll be when she sees me there.
Soon enough the gallery's truck arrived and we packed all the piece into it and headed to the gallery.
"Mr. Harts, you made it" the manager greeted me with a huge smile as I stepped into the gallery. "Hi Mr. Clark" I greeted him back and shook his hand. " Thanks for having me" I smiled warmly. " Nonsense, we should be the one thanking you for agreeing to this" he said excitedly--"Feel free to look around, i'll be with you shortly" he said and walked away to attend to some other things.
My eyes scanned the room as if it was looking for a lost item--ahh found her. She was there yet again--staring at the paintings as though they were speaking to her. I walked toward her direction and stopped just behind her.
"Nice, huh?" I said--it caught her off guard as she turned quickly and fell into my arms. My heart skipped a beat--her gaze held mine fiercely I couldn't help but notice her fair complexion and her long black hair , complemented by her pretty brown eyes--what the fuck is this? I thought to myself.
"Are you getting up any time soon?" I said trying to distract myself from whatever that was. she jumped off me quickly as if my skin was burning hers--brushing an invincible dust off her shirt--" I would have gotten up, if you weren't holding onto me so tight". she said. I laughed at her word.
"Are you always like this?" I asked with a smile curled up to my lips. She blinked--she definitely does not remember me..."Always like this?" she asked with a raised eyebrow "What do you mean always like this? Do we know each other?"
This time I did not speak--i just smiled and tilted my head at her. Her expression quickly changed as realization hit her. "You!" she said pointing at me--"As if last night was not enough, are you here to ruin my morning too?"
I leaned against the wall next to me--"Why do you think i'm here for you?" I asked her. " I don't know. You tell me" she narrowed her eyes. I chuckled slightly at her remark. "I work here" I said glancing around. "Ohh, you work here" she repeated looking almost like she didn't hear me.
"You what?!" she yelled as soon as she understood what I meant. "You heard me. I work here" I pulled out the small envelope that contained my artist submission. She froze--almost as if she was lost of words as she glanced down at the envelope. "You are a painter?" she finally spoke. "Well, yeah and you must be the storm in human form." I said teasingly.
She seemed too stunned trying to process every information. "I must say...you've got an eye for art". I grinned
"What's that supposed to me?" she blinked. I gestured towards the painting behind her--Her face turned pale as she faced the piece. " Don't tell me..." she turned back at me--"That's yours?" she said-the disbelief dripping off every word. I nodded
"You painter that?" she asked again wanting to confirm she heard me right. I nodded at her again" Years ago. I didn't think anyone even looked at it" I casually glanced at the painting." I've been staring at this for months".she murmured under her breath. " I know"--"I have seen you" I said. she spun around " excuse me?" her brow raised.
I gave her a shrugged. "I've dropped by a few times. Never said anything".--Her reaction was priceless-i almost burst out laughing. "So you've been spying at me?"..."I'd call it passive observation." I said with a straight face. "Does that mean you knew who I was the other night?" she asked. I smile and nodded slowly. She groaned and turned back to the painting. "Are you always this annoying?" she muttered almost like a whisper. "Only when I meet someone interesting". --Her cheek flushed- I moved closer to her and whispered into her ears..."See you around Aria."
I walked away grinning, i knew she would wonder how I knew her name so I just gestured toward her shirt where her tag was clipped. She quickly covered it with her hands as if I hadn't seen it already " By the way, I'm Elijah",I winked at her as I turned to look for Mr. Clark...