Savior

Chapter Twelve

‘You might need this.’ Aunt Maria passed me a drink. I was sitting in the bar which was connected to our living room. Sole had made me mad and the only thing I could think of doing was to come and sit here. But someone like me who orders orange juice even in clubs had no idea what to drink, hence my aunt came to my rescue or maybe she was here to just lecture me.

‘Thanks.’ I said, taking the drink from her.

‘Gina told me your date was spoiled again.’ Here it comes. Another earful about how I shouldn’t let Sole into my life once again.

‘Aunt Maria….’

‘He’s not good for you.’

‘Huh?’

‘Sole is not good for you. I know we haven’t been on the best terms up until now but believe me I want nothing but you to be happy, especially after what that boy did to you.’ I nodded and squeezed her hand which she offered me in order to console me. It could be the drink or the emotions but for the first time I could sympathize with my aunt. She might not have been the best aunt in the world but she was there when the one who’d I’d expected to be there wasn’t. If she hadn’t held me, overcoming the difficult time would’ve been impossible.

The night went by with us drinking the night away. Unfortunately it resulted in me having a severe headache the next morning. Work couldn’t be avoided so I went on with my daily schedule and arrived at the store on time.

‘Here’s your medicine.’ Cathy came in my cabin with a glass of water and the medicine. As I took it she continued, ‘There aren’t many customers today. If you want you can go home, I’ll handle everything here.’

‘No need. I’ll be fine in a while. You were telling me someone had booked a visit to check out our new furniture line.’

‘Yes.’ She checked her watch and said, ‘They be here any minute now.’

‘And you were saying there aren’t customers.’

‘There are but not many. Actually I’ve been meaning to talk to you about this.’ She was avoiding eye contact.

‘What is it?’

‘The investors don’t seem too keen in investing in our business. We don’t really have that large number of customers also. Are you sure we’re ready to expand?’

I sighed. ‘Cathy, we’re a luxury wood crafting store. Our good are limited, hence for a limited number of people. This is not a shopping mall that it has to be bustling with crowd. As for the investors, I’m sure we’ll find someone who would understand both our business and our skills.’

‘If you’re sure then okay.’

‘Let me know when the client arrives for the visit.’ She nodded and left me to my thoughts.

About ten minutes later she came in again to announce that the clients were here. I walked out the cabin and into the main room to meet them.

‘Welcome to Eclissi Solare. I’m….’

‘Luna!’ The person who’d come to see the furniture recognized me.

I remembered her too. ‘Emily.’ I said with a smile.

‘I can’t believe this.’ She laughed and engulfed me in a warm hug.

‘Me too. Even though it’s not been so long.’

‘I know right. Just three years ago we were in art school and now you have your own store.’

I shrugged my shoulders. Taking compliments had never been my forte. Emily Cooper was my classmate from the art school I attended three years ago. Though we were always each other’s competitors, there never was any bad blood between us. She’d actually been helpful throughout my journey of exploring art. After college we lost contact but I guess world wasn’t that big since we met again today.

‘So I’m supposed to be your customer today?’ She asked and then laughed lightly.

‘I guess. So are you looking for something in particular?’

‘Yes. Something unique. I’m getting married and I want the furniture to represent both me and my husband’s taste.’

‘Got it. Come with me.’ I showed her our new collection which was specifically designed for newlyweds inspired by French art.

She was beaming at each piece I showed and then finalized few of them in the end. ‘I must say this fits my bill perfectly. Especially the French art inspired designs. My husband’s been a doctor there, I’m sure he’ll love it.’

‘Congratulations.’ I said softly.

‘Thank You.’ She smiled and then took out her phone. ‘Give me your number. I’ll send you’re the e-invite to the wedding. We’re going eco-friendly with this one.’

I grinned. ‘Good idea.’ We exchanged our phone numbers and she was about to leave when she stopped mid-way. ‘Did you forget something?’

‘I never asked, how’s Sole?’ I took a deep breath. Right. Sole. How am I supposed to explain that to her? She knew him and not just knew him, she knew as my boyfriend.

When do things get more serious in a relationship? It is when you let your friends meet your significant other. In my case, I was a bit early in introducing him to my only friend but nevertheless since he did become my boyfriend after that I had no regrets. That was until he decided to be a douche and dump our relationship.

Three years ago

‘Mrs. Anderson I’m leaving!’ I announce as I put on my sneakers. Getting up early was an easy task for me but ever since we’d had guest, he’s been disturbing my sleep every night by coming into my dreams. The only way to stop obsessing over Sole was to put myself to work, hence I’ve been spending the night in my studio in the backyard, a significant amount of sleep being sacrificed during the process.

‘At least eat breakfast.’ Mrs. Anderson came with a peanut butter sandwich and I took it for I hadn’t she would’ve arrived at my college and made me eat it in front of everyone.

I rushed without looking for Sole, who I was sure, was still sleeping. He was not an early bird. That I knew since the he’s been staying here. It’s been almost a week into this cohabitation by the way.

The cab I’d called arrived and in no time I was in front of the college. Rushing through the corridor I met my only friend, Emily, who was standing in there with a canvas. I looked at her in confusion and with every step I took my mind was running wild that why would she bring a canvas on a Friday when it was sketching class.

‘Luna!’ She greeted me as soon as she saw me.

‘Why do you have a canvas?’

‘Did you forget? I reminded you last night. Did you really not bring it?’

‘I didn’t check my phone.’

‘Luna! We had on-spot painting test.’

‘But….’ And then I remembered. Professor Clarke, the strictest professor in the entire institution had announced he would be testing out skills this week. I slammed my head lightly on the wall next to me. ‘How can I forget?’

‘Did you not prepare the still-life he’d asked too?’ And my heart slumped. Damn. There was no way Professor Clarke was going to let me continue studying here.

I glanced at the watch and said, ‘There’s still time for his class right? I’ll go back home and bring the canvas and still-life sketch.’

‘You can’t. He’ll be taking attendance in ten minutes. You won’t make it back in time.’

I held my head. ‘What do I do?’ I said panicking.

‘Can someone from home drop them here for you?’

‘Good idea.’ I called at home but no one picked. I dialed Mrs. Anderson’s personal cell but she didn’t pick up either. ‘No one’s picking up.’

‘Try again.’ I did and finally after few rings someone picked up.

‘Hello. Mrs. Anderson.’

‘It’s me Sole.’

‘Sole. Where is Mrs. Anderson?’

‘She’s gone out to get groceries. What happened you look worried?’

‘Everything’s messed up.’ I tear up.

‘Luna, calm down and tell me everything.’ I did. ‘What all do you need? Where will I find them and where is this art school of yours?’ I gave him all the details.

Waiting by the front gate of the college could be so distressing, I experienced it for the first time. But all the stress went away the moment I saw him. He was running towards me with a canvas and my sketch. Sweating all over, when he spotted me he stopped and started panting heavily.

‘Sorry the cab broke down mid-way and….’ I didn’t let him complete as I hugged him with full force.

‘You saved the day.’ I whispered in his ear and then moved away. He was smiling like an i***t.

‘Who’s the hero?’ Emily asked from behind me.

I turned around and noticed her checking out Sole. Jealousy struck me and I announced, ‘My boyfriend.’ The turning back to Sole I embraced him again. He must’ve been shocked, I was too but it felt nice.

‘I see.’ Emily was smiling now. That relieved me a bit. ‘Now that you’ve been rescued, should we go mark our attendance, princess?’ She teased and I stepped away from Sole again who was smiling too.

I rolled my eyes and said, ‘See you at home.’ He nodded and gave me my things. Sole waited there for me and Emily to go inside before taking a cab and leaving for home.

‘So you have a boyfriend now. Why didn’t you tell me about it? I thought we were friends.’ Emily said faking an upset face.

‘Sorry. It just happened suddenly.’

‘I need all the details, now.’ She demanded.

‘Will after the class work for you?’ I bit my lip.

She stared at me and then grinned. ‘Okay. But I want to know everything. How did you meet? Who asked out whom? And who kissed whom first?’ I shoved her arm lightly and she laughed. Telling a friend about Sole, discussing my feelings with her might help me relieve the stress I’ve been in for few days. So I did tell her everything after the class and she was shocked, I couldn’t blame her. But then she showed support to me if I ever needed her when something happens with my family. She also was open to the idea of me dating Sole but I wasn’t sure myself. I hardly knew the guy or why was he busy being my bodyguard when his father owned a fortune. Emily suggested I talk to Sole straight forwardly and I couldn’t agree with her more. Similar thoughts were going on in mind too. Hence I decided it was time to have an honest discussion with my savior.