Chapa POV:
Today was the day of the exhibition, and for once, we were allowed to stay home if we wanted to prepare. The exhibition was set to start around 6 p.m., and students from the cooking department were taking care of all the food and snacks. The organizers had assured us that our art would be handled and displayed properly. All we had to do was show up an hour earlier, at 5 p.m., to make sure everything was in order.
I wasn't in any rush to do anything soon. I'd already prepared my presentation for those who might be interested, and all my other tasks for the day were completed. It felt strange having so much free time on a day that was supposed to be so important. I knew I should be nervous or excited or something, but instead, I felt oddly calm. Maybe it was the confidence that I had done everything I needed to, or maybe I was just trying not to overthink it.
Sage was going to meet me at my place around 4:45 p.m. to head over together. Now that she knew exactly where I lived, it was easier for us to coordinate. She was almost 16, and although the exhibition didn't allow anyone under 16, I knew she would behave. She was so excited to see my art, and honestly, I was looking forward to showing it to her.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a notification. It was a message from Bose: "Should I pick you up and bring you to the exhibition today?"
And there he was again. Offering to help, to drive me, to make things easier. It was hard not to appreciate it, but at the same time, I didn't want to rely on him. I knew he wouldn't hold it over my head, but still, the idea of depending on him made me uneasy. I couldn't afford to lose my independence, even in small ways like this.
"No, I'll just take the bus, thank you for the offer though," I replied, hoping to sound confident in my decision.
After that, I decided to head to the grocery store to pick up some essentials for the next few days. It was a mundane task, but it helped pass the time and kept my mind off the exhibition. When I got home, I took a long shower, trying to wash away the last remnants of nervousness that were starting to creep in.
Then came the dress. The dress that Bose had insisted on buying for me. As I pulled it out of the box, I suddenly realized something: I hadn't even tried it on yet. What if it didn't fit? What if it was too tight, or too loose, or just didn't look right?
I slipped it on, and to my relief, it fitâbarely. It was a bit tighter than I was used to, hugging every curve and leaving very little to the imagination. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, feeling a wave of discomfort wash over me. The dress was beautiful, yes, but it wasn't me. It was too revealing, too... something. I wasn't used to wearing clothes that showed off my body like this, and it made me feel vulnerable in a way that I wasn't sure I was ready for.
As I fidgeted with the hem of the dress, trying to adjust it in some way that made me feel less exposed, the doorbell rang. It was Sage.
She greeted me with a big hug and immediately started gushing over the dress. "You look stunning!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration.
I tried to brush off the compliment. "Thanks, but it's just a dress."
"How did you even get that? It looks so expensive," she asked, eyeing the intricate details.
I hesitated for a moment, not wanting to admit the truth. "Well, I don't know. I got it from a friend," I said, trying to sound casual.
"Bose? Isn't it?" she asked, her tone teasing.
"Noo, it's not," I lied, but the words came out unconvincingly.
Sage laughed, clearly seeing through my weak denial. But she didn't press the issue, which I was grateful for.
I finished getting ready, styling my hair, putting on some jewelry, and spritzing a bit of perfume. As much as I disliked the dress, I had to admit that it did make me feel a bit more put together, more prepared for what was to come. Sage was also dressed nicely, in a short, light purple dress with small flowers on it. She looked adorable and so full of excitement that it was hard not to feel a bit of her enthusiasm rubbing off on me.
We headed to the bus station and made our way to the exhibition. The bus ride was quiet, with Sage occasionally pointing out something interesting or asking about the art I'd be showing. I answered her questions, but my mind was elsewhere, already at the exhibition, imagining how everything would unfold.
When we arrived, Mia and Sam were the first to greet us. They smiled warmly at Sage, complimenting her on how pretty she looked, and then turned their attention to me.
"You look amazing, Chapa," Sam said, with a grin. "You'll definitely charm George Davis with this!"
I rolled my eyes, more at the thought of charming anyone than at the compliment itself. "If I'm going to impress or charm him, it'll be with my art, not my looks," I replied firmly.
They both agreed with me, but I could see the amusement in their eyes. They knew as well as I did that appearances mattered at these events, whether we liked it or not.
I turned to Sage, who was looking around with wide eyes, taking in the scene. "If you want, you can grab something to drink at the café," I told her, wanting to make sure she was comfortable.
"I'll be fine," she assured me before heading off in the direction of the café.
I chatted a bit longer with Sam and Mia, trying to keep my nerves in check. The exhibition was still an hour away, but the anticipation was starting to build. I glanced toward the café, expecting to see Sage there, but she was nowhere to be found. Just as I was about to panic, my phone buzzed with a text from her.
"I'll be exploring the building, I'll be back soon." it read.
I quickly typed back, "That's fine, but be careful."
I slipped my phone back into my bag, trying to focus on the conversation with Sam and Mia, but my mind kept drifting. Sage was here, Bose would probably be arriving soon, and in just a few hours, my art would be on display for everyone to see. The calm I'd felt earlier was gone, replaced by a cocktail of excitement, anxiety, and something else I couldn't quite name.
Bose POV:
I sat in my office, trying to focus on finishing up the last of my work before the exhibition. It wasn't easy. My mind kept drifting back to the evening ahead. I had stopped by my house earlier to change into something more fitting for the occasionâa sharp black and grey suit, with a matching tie, an elegant watch, and a few other expensive accessories. It was important to look the part, not just for the exhibition but because I knew Chapa would be there.
As I reviewed the final documents on my desk, a knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. Expecting it to be Andrew, I called out, "Come in," but when the door opened, I was surprised to see Sage standing there instead. My expression shifted from focused to a broad smile.
"Sage!" I greeted her warmly. "Chapa mentioned you'd be here. How are you?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks. I was exploring the building because it's so boring over there and wanted to come by your office," she replied casually.
"Oh, that's fine. Do you need anything?" I asked, still smiling at her spontaneous visit.
"No, I'm good, thank you," she said, then paused. "But I wanted to ask you something."
"Go on," I encouraged, curious about what was on her mind.
"Did you buy Chapa's beautiful, expensive dress?" she asked with a mischievous smile, as if she already knew the answer.
I hesitated for a split second, unsure of how to respond. "I paid for it in advance," I finally said, keeping my tone even.
"You really do like my sister, don't you?" she pressed, her eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Yeah, of course I like her. She's my friend," I replied, the word "friend" feeling awkward in my mouth. I knew we weren't just friends, especially after that kiss and Chapa's confession of her feelings two days ago. But since that night, it seemed like we were both pretending nothing had happened, at least on the surface.
Sage wasn't convinced. "I don't think she's just your friend, buddy," she said, her tone sounding almost like an older sibling giving advice.
"Have you guys already... kissed?" she asked playfully, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"No, no, no! Of course not! Why would we?" I shot back quickly, probably too quickly.
Sage just laughed. "Why do you want us to be together so bad?" I asked, chuckling at how persistent she was.
"Because you're so cool and awesome and nice! And maybe, just maybe, you can buy me the newest smartphone for my birthday next week?" She smiled so innocently that I couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh, so that's why you like me so much?" I teased.
"No, no, not only that. I just like how nice and generous you are. And if my sister likes you, I have to like you, right?" she replied, still smiling sweetly.
I made a doubtful noise but couldn't help but feel amused by her antics. Realizing we should probably head to the exhibition, I told her, "We should get going."
Down the hallway, I knocked on Andrew's office door. "Let's go," I said.
"Coming!" he shouted from the other side. He emerged from his office, looking sharp as always, and his eyes fell on Sage.
"Who's she?" he asked curiously.
"That's Chapa's little sister, Sage," I introduced her.
"Oh, hello Sage. I'm Andrew," he said, extending his hand. They shook hands, and we all started walking toward the exhibition.
Andrew walked a bit faster than us, and Sage leaned in close to me and whispered, "He's so hot."
I cringed inwardly and laughed. "He's way too old for you, young lady."
"Still, I can find him hot, right?" she insisted.
Andrew, perhaps sensing our conversation, turned around to look at us, and Sage quickly backed away, pretending nothing had happened. We continued walking, eventually arriving at the exhibition, which was already bustling with people. It was 5:53 p.m., just a few minutes before the official start time.
Everyone greeted me and Andrew as we arrived. Many of the attendees knew Andrew well since he was my right hand in most of my endeavors. Sage quickly spotted Chapa and made a beeline for her, while I scanned the room until my eyes landed on Chapa herself.
The moment I saw her, it was as if everything else around me faded away. She looked breathtaking. The dressâoh, that dress. It was the one I'd bought for her, and it fit her like it was made just for her. The deep color of the dress contrasted perfectly with her skin, highlighting her every curve in the most elegant way. The fabric hugged her body, accentuating her figure, but it was the way she carried herself that truly captivated me. Her hair was styled to perfection, and she wore just enough makeup to enhance her natural beauty without overpowering it. Her eyes, always so expressive, seemed to shimmer even more tonight, filled with a mix of excitement and maybe a touch of nerves. And the way the dress flowed as she movedâit was like watching a living, breathing piece of art.
I couldn't take my eyes off her. She was stunning, more than I could have imagined, and for a moment, I forgot about everything else. She caught me staring, and I quickly waved, trying to play it off. She waved back, a soft smile on her lips, and I could feel my heart skip a beat. Sage, who had been standing next to Chapa, noticed our exchange and smiled knowingly. Before I could process my thoughts, Andrew tapped me on the shoulder.
"What's going on there?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity as he walked up to my angle. "Woah, is that Chapa?! She rocks that outfit!"
"Dude, you are literally mesmerized by her. It's obvious," he said, nudging me with a teasing grin.
"Let's get going," I mumbled, trying to distract myself from the truth in his words.
A few guests had already arrived, and we began greeting them. It was the usual routineâsmile, shake hands, exchange pleasantries. But I found myself growing increasingly bored. My mind kept drifting back to Chapa, and I couldn't help but search for her in the crowd. Unfortunately, with so many people around, it wasn't easy to keep track of her.
Finally, at around 6:22 p.m., after greeting almost everyone, I was able to break away and take a look around the exhibition. The art was truly impressive, and as I wandered through the gallery, I found myself stopping at one piece in particular. It was a stunning painting, one that seemed to draw you in with its intricate details and vibrant colors.
"Isn't thisâ" Andrew began to say, but before he could finish, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Like my painting, gentlemen?" Chapa's voice cut through the air.
"That's not yours, right?" I asked, surprised.
"It is actually," she replied with a teasing smile. "You haven't looked at my painting very well, have you?"
I felt a pang of embarrassment. "It looks so beautiful, I can't stop looking," I admitted, unable to tear my eyes away from the piece.
"Neither can I," Andrew added, clearly impressed.
"Thanks," Chapa said, clearly pleased. "I secretly added some more details to it, and everyone likes it even more now. And this light here makes the piece look more magical, right?"
"Definitely," Andrew replied.
Before I could say more, Miles and Mika arrived, and I greeted them. "Hi, Miles and Mika!"
"Hi!" Mika responded cheerfully.
"Is that a new dress? You look really good," Chapa complimented her.
"Thanks, and hello?! What about you? You have a really nice one on; it matches your hair and skin," Mika said, eyeing Chapa with admiration.
Chapa thanked her, and I couldn't help but notice how Mika always had a knack for fashion. She was wearing a long, silky baby blue dress with darker blue accents, paired with beautiful gold accessories. The dress clung to her figure in just the right way, and the colors complemented her warm skin tone perfectly. She looked effortlessly elegant, and I could tell Andrew thought the same.
"Oh, you again," Mika said, sounding annoyed as she addressed Andrew.
It took him a moment to realize she was talking to him. "Oh yeah, you," he replied, rolling his eyes. The tension was palpable, and the silence that followed was a bit awkward.
"So, Chapa, is this your piece?" Miles asked, breaking the silence.
"Yeah, it is," she confirmed.
"No way, it looks so cool," Miles said, and Mika nodded in agreement.
"Thanks, guys. I hope George Davis likes it," Chapa added, her tone laced with nervousness.
"George Davis?! As in the George Davis?" Miles asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Yeah, I know. He'll be here. And I'm actually, for once in my life, scared," Chapa admitted.
Miles and Mika exchanged shocked looks.
"We used to be friends with him," Andrew said casually.
"For real?" Miles asked, his interest piqued.
"What? Really?" Mika added, echoing the surprise in Chapa's eyes.
"We used to be friends, but we're not really anymore. We distanced ourselves from him after he got so rich. Now we're more like acquaintances," I explained.
"Yeah, and he's not that special. Bose has like the same amountâ" Andrew started to say, but I quickly cut him off.
"You know I want that to be private," I said firmly.
"Oh yeah, but these are your friends, so I thought you'd be fine with it," he said, looking a bit sheepish.
I shook my head, hoping to move on from the topic. Just then, Bridget approached and whispered in my ear that George Davis had arrived. I made my way to the entrance, shook his hand, and offered him a polite smile, though his return smile was notably fake.
"Happy to have you here tonight, George," I said, trying to keep things cordial.
"Thank you for inviting me, Bose," he replied coldly, not bothering to hide his disinterest.
He began making his rounds, scrutinizing each piece of art with a critical eye. I watched him closely, especially when he stopped at Chapa's painting. For a moment, his expression softened, and I could see he was genuinely impressed. But then, he looked at Chapa, and I felt a surge of jealousy as he seemed to be just as captivated by her as he was by her art. He whispered something to the man beside him, and I found myself getting annoyed.
"He looks really impressed. He might buy the piece," I said to Andrew, trying to focus on the positive.
"I think he also looks impressed because of her looks," Andrew added, not helping my mood.
"Great," I muttered, before adding, "Well, let's hope he will buy it."
We moved closer to them just as George announced loudly, "I'll buy this one immediately. This is called art."
Andrew and I exchanged glances, both of us annoyed by his attention-seeking demeanor. Chapa looked completely taken aback.
George asked for the minimum price, and after a brief negotiation, he decided to buy it for $9,500. Chapa was now even more surprised, and I could see the disbelief in her eyes.
"Thank you so much," she said to him, clearly overwhelmed.
"Your name was Chapa, right? You look exquisite, by the way," George added, his tone overly flattering.
Chapa noticed me standing behind him and smiled. I forced myself to smile back, even though I was still battling that unwelcome surge of jealousy. Suddenly, Mika appeared beside me.
"I'm so happy for Chapa, but he annoys me so much," she said, voicing exactly what I was thinking.
"Same. You wouldn't know how annoying he was to me and Bose last year," Andrew added, shaking his head.
"What did he do?" Mika asked, curious.
"He was our close friend, and when he got rich, he stole my girlfriend from me and then dumped her. He was also really shitty to Bose back then. So yeah, he might be rich, but he's definitely annoying," Andrew said, his tone filled with lingering resentment.
As George moved on, Chapa hurried over to us, Miles and Sage in tow. "He just bought the piece for $9,500!" she said, her excitement palpable.
"Congratulations," I said, forcing myself to smile. I couldn't be grumpy, not when she was this happy.
Everyone else chimed in with their congratulations, and I tried to push aside the lingering unease I felt. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration, and no matter how much George Davis irritated me, I wasn't going to let him ruin it.