From Dare to I Dare You

Commissioned

“Hm… well, you’re rich, not normal,” I said casually, then glanced at the time before adding, “but still a human.”

David paused.

For the first time, his expression shifted slightly—like he wasn’t expecting that answer.

Then, slowly… a faint smile formed on his lips.

“Yeah,” he said quietly. “Still human.”

His gaze stayed on me for a moment longer than usual.

“How about you?” he asked. “Where do you work?”

“Oh,” I blinked, sitting a little straighter. “Before, I worked in a company for two years. But I left to pursue my passion—painting.”

I hesitated for a second, then continued.

“I take commissions now. Sometimes events, sometimes private requests. I also used to take elective art classes back in college.”

David listened without interrupting, his attention steady and focused.

When I finished, he leaned back slightly, as if considering my words.

“That’s good,” he said simply. “You chose what you actually wanted.”

That surprised me a little.

“…Yeah,” I admitted softly. “I guess I did.”

A brief pause settled between us.

Then he added, almost casually, “Then I’d like to commission you too.”

I blinked. “Huh?”

His expression didn’t change.

“Paint me,” he said.

For a second, I just stared at him.

“…Wait—what?”

My brain practically short-circuited.

This wasn’t a normal commission.

This wasn’t a client from a café or an event.

This was him.

David watched my reaction closely, clearly entertained by how stunned I was.

“You look surprised,” he said mildly.

“Because I am!” I blurted, then lowered my voice quickly. “You can literally hire any famous artist—why me?”

A small smile tugged at his lips again.

“Because I want to see how you see me,” he said simply.

That made my chest tighten slightly.

“…That sounds dangerous,” I muttered under my breath.

“I know,” he replied, calm as ever.

“Would you like to take it?” he asked.

I blinked once, then slowly smiled.

“Yeah,” I said, more confidently now. “Because—look.”

I lifted both hands, framing him with my fingers like I was already seeing the composition in my head.

“You’d be a great piece,” I continued, eyes narrowing slightly in focus. “Your features are really good to paint. I could enhance my skills more with you as a subject.”

Then I dropped my hands and nodded to myself.

“But I still have to finish some of my current work first. I’ll text you when I’m free.”

I smiled at him. “Thank you for the commission.”

For a moment, David just looked at me.

Unreadable as always—but there was something in his gaze that lingered a little longer than before.

Then his phone buzzed.

A call.

He glanced at the screen, expression shifting slightly.

“Sorry,” he said, already standing. “I have to go.”

I nodded quickly. “Oh—okay.”

He reached for his jacket, then looked back at me briefly.

“I asked my driver to take you home,” he added.

Before I could even respond properly, he was already walking out.

Just like that.

Gone.

I sat there for a second, still processing how fast everything happened.

“…Okay,” I repeated softly, a little stunned.

Outside, the driver was already waiting.

He politely opened the car door for me.

“Good evening, ma’am. Your address?”

I gave it automatically, still slightly dazed.

As the car pulled away from the restaurant, I leaned back against the seat, staring out the window.

The city lights blurred past.

And my thoughts kept circling one thing.

Who exactly did I just agree to paint?