3

She nodded, but her eyes still fixed on the painting. "She's very beautiful in person. Well, I know technically she isn't a person but she's really more glorious than when you look at her in books."

My eyes went down on the thin book she was holding. "Wow, so you have a copy of Souls in the Canvas?"

That was the only moment she turned her face to me. Flashing her perfect set of teeth, I couldn't help but be fascinated by the way she smiled too. If I just had a blank canvas and a set of paint, I would be glad to paint her on the spot.

"Yes, mister. I bought this book from the first salary I got from my part-time job," she said, then turned her attention back to the painting. "Oh, my- she's really divine. And so much alive! The hue, the texture, the color balance. I can't see any flaws in the painting. This work is really perfect. She was done meticulously. I hope I can talk to her painter one time. I want to ask about his secrets. I want to be like him too."

Mister?

I tilted my head, slightly confused about how she approached me. I really wanted to laugh, though. Seemed like this lady didn't know that she was talking to the person who painted the one she's admiring a lot.

"So, you're an art lover."

"Yup. And I paint too." She looked around us as if looking for someone. "Seems like I wouldn't be able to find Lawrence Amorsolo before I go."

I raised my brows. "Why?"

"Because he's snobbish... and grumpy. That's what my sources say about him. If he's going to speak with someone well that must be an important person... I guess?"

Me? Snobbish? Grumpy?

The laugh that I was controlling for minutes suddenly exploded out of my lungs. Damn, this girl was making me nuts.

"And why are you laughing?"

I shook my head but was still grinning at her. "Nothing. I just don't expect that." Damn, I like her already. But don't get me wrong. I love my girlfriend. But this young lady here awakened the young soul in me. Her being so pure and outspoken got my attention big-time. That's why I wanted to know her better. "If you don't mind me asking, may I know your name, kid?"

"Kid?" Her brow raised. "Hey, I'm not a kid. I'm eighteen already."

Too cute for eighteen. I thought she's just fifteen. "Oh, sorry! My bad. I'm not good at guessing age." I acted, catching my nape. Then I smiled at her and this one was sincere since I really wanted to know her. "So, what's your name, young lady?"

"Nina, soon to be a professional painter," she boasted, crossing her arms over her chest. "You? What's your name?"

I looked around and gazed back at her. "I'm the one you're looking for, Nina."

Her narrowing eyes gradually grew wide. "N-no way..." She swallowed, then covered her mouth with her hand when she gasped. "Oh, my. Don't tell me you're-"

"Lawrence, son!"

Bill Alvarez...

When I heard of that rough and proud voice, everything around me turned dark and creepy. Goosebumps formed on my skin when his large hand landed on my shoulder.

"How come you didn't invite me?"

I looked at him, though it's quite hard to focus on him because of those sparkling necklaces clanging around his neck. "You're a busy man. I thought you would just ignore me if I invited-"

"Whatever." He cut me off, then fished something in his pocket. He pulled a checkbook from it and wrote inside as he shook his head. "Can't believe I still need to do this," he whispered.

Next thing I knew, he was waving that piece of check-in in front of my face. "One million pesos for your precious Paloma. What do you say, son? I know you're not going to let me down this time. You'll be going to accept my offer and start a new life. Just imagine the things you could do with that amount of money. Right, Lawrence?"

My eyes narrowed. "No, sir."

"N-no?" He stepped closer. "You want me to double it? Or tripled? Does that mean what you mean, Lawrence?"

Because of the close distance between us, I could smell the scent of his dirty business. And I couldn't imagine Paloma hanging on the lobby of his sin house. "What I mean is... no, Paloma is not for sale. You can purchase any of my paintings here but not Paloma. Like what I said, she is not for sale."

Eyes so wide, he stared at me. "What an idiot you are. So you think your painting shits can lift your ass from the mud where you came from? Let me tell you this you idiot - painting is for those who just wanted to escape life until they're tired of living. Your so-called painting career... well, that's garbage! Just like you!"

How could this old man despise the things that I loved doing? Damn, I was used to his insult and bad treatment... but not this. Not the humiliation in front of my visitors!

"Then how do we call your drug and smuggling business, Uncle Bill?"

He flushed, gritting his teeth he whispered at me. "You shut up, boy. You don't know what you're saying."

"You're a drug lord. You sell prostitutes. You fuck your scholars and-"

"Lawrence! I'm warning you!"

Now we were calling more attention. But fuck it! I didn't care anymore. If he wanted humiliation then fine! I'd feed his dirty mouth with some. Now he was the one caught off guard.

"This is what you want right? To become the center of attention? Well, enjoy it while it's here!" I walked closer to him and he stepped backward. He must be hearing the accelerating rate of my heart. My teeth clenched. My fists were shaking, aching to land on his wrinkled face, only I didn't want to hurt an elder. "So don't wonder why I didn't invite you. If you're smart enough? You'll realize it's because you are the rubbish. And you would just scatter your mess around here." Then I pointed to the front door.

"Now get lost! If you're still concerned about your respectful name, go!"

"Poor boy," he hissed. "You just picked a knife that would stab you on your chest." He gave me one last glare before turning on his heels and walking out the door.