When I woke up in the morning, I thought that Christopher had already left. Walking into the living room in a daze, I realized that Christopher was standing in front of the easel and staring at my painting. There was an ashtray beside him that contained a few cigarettes. It was obvious that he had been standing there for a long while already.
Walking over, I glanced at the almost completed painting and asked, âWhy are you looking at this for so long? Didnât you see it yesterday already?â
âOf course I have to admire your painting properly. Didnât you love to take pictures of your paintings and email them to me in the past? Youâd even ask for my opinion. Now that Iâm by your side, why have you stopped doing that?â asked Christopher calmly as he crossed his arms over his chest.
I raised my hand and touched the dried oil painting. Back then, Key was my confidante. Now that Key had become Christopher, my past habits were starting to disappear. It was probably because our minds were connected.
I spent more than a month on the painting. Unfortunately, no one but Christopher could admire it now.
I asked, âDo you have anything to say about it?â
Christopher cleared his throat. Stroking his chin, he contemplated for a while before pointing at the painting. âItâs not bad. While the blending and layering of your previous two paintings seemed quite lacking, this painting was much better. It has the beautiful strokes of your Autumnal Panorama. Congratulations! Youâve found your skills from six years ago.â
Unfortunately, even though I had regained my skills, I was once again confronted by a difficult situation. The previous time, I had no choice but to give up. This time, despite being unwilling to give up, I had no choice but to accept my fate.
Sometimes, I felt that I was quite pathetic. No matter how much I tried, I would still lose what I wanted. What I wished for was always very different from what I got in reality. Good things only went to others, while I could only watch on helplessly.
âThis is great news! Why donât I draw a portrait for you?â I smiled and asked.
âOkay, I want you to draw us both together.â Christopher immediately agreed and said solemnly, âMake me look better. In your previous painting, I looked so ugly. Iâm not happy.â
âSure, I definitely portray all of your handsomeness,â I said exasperatedly. No matter how skilled one was, no one could capture Christopherâs charisma. He was just so perfect and charming.
âCan you give me this painting? I like it a lot,â asked Christopher as he pointed at it.
âGive it to you?â I blinked and said, âSure, since youâre my only audience. Remember to frame it and hang it at a spot you deem most appropriate. Bring me there to see it too!â
âI wonât disappoint you!â
Time passed without a trace. Soon, it was the end of the month. On the day of Lyle and Crystalâs wedding, Lyle called me early in the morning and bragged, âEve, Iâm going to marry Crystal today. Remember to attend our wedding on time!â
My resentment for him intensified. How did I fall in love with such a petty man like Lyle back then? No wonder he likes Crystal. Indeed, birds of a feather flock together.
âIf I donât come, are you going to throw shade on me during your wedding? In that case, you can make her even more famous. Thatâll be the cherry on top, huh?â I said coldly.
âYouâre smart, so youâll definitely know what Iâm trying to say. After today, you donât even have the right to regret it. Are you sure that you wonât change your mind? This is your last chance,â said Lyle arrogantly.
âIâm sorry, but I donât need such a chance. If youâre free, you should show more care to your future wife. Donât worry, Iâll show up at your wedding punctually.â