Seductress Portrait (English Version)

Chapter 1

Coin

"Can you tell me why you'd want to be a part of that?" Leticia sighed, her face contorted with displeasure.

As we sit at the study table, our eyes are drawn to those who have rallied in the field far in the distance. Those are scholars who want to express their dissatisfaction with the tuition fee increase.

"I really don't know. I'd like to hear their voices and let the school administration notice them."

Her brows furrowed in irritation as she looked at me, slightly misaligned by my idealistic outlook on life.

"Pastel, you're ridiculously wealthy. You have absolutely nothing to do with their plight. It is necessary to pay fees. That is not something that can be paid for by a rally and a gathering."

I didn't say anything and just stared at her. It's ridiculously simple for her to say it. Their ancestors are also well-to-do in the neighborhood. They own a factory and control the majority of the sugar cane industry's share capitalization. They have been successful in bringing down the dominant Cortes Industry in the field of sugar cane production and processing. Perhaps she was brought up with the attitude of not caring about people who are below her social status.

"I don't give a damn. That's something I'd like to do one of these days." As the students with banners and flaglets begin to congregate, I sniff them.

"I'm not sure how you feel about it. You're completely insane."

"Leticia, why aren't you able to pay your tuition here, but you can't afford to spend even a minute of your time creating Yves' artwork for me? Your stinginess comes into play as well."

"It's because we're friends, of course."

Following that, we returned to the classroom. Her lips were slightly protruding from her mouth. I'm certain he'll be going somewhere later on.

Leticia went to the kiosk and purchased a lasagna for herself. I'm not sure why, but I don't like that food. We'd passed a lot of stalls and kiosks on our way to the footwalk. The Engineering Department is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and the atmosphere on campus is electric.

"Would you like some?" With a large bite of lasagna in her hand, she offered it.

"No, thanks. Perhaps this is still insufficient for you." She gave me a dismissive shrug. I was dazed and disoriented in the classroom when I caught Winona's evil gaze upon me. What exactly is her problem this time?

"What exactly are you looking at over there? You want another dollar, do you?" She made her way towards my position, her brows perfectly groomed and her lips is colored with vibrant shade of red.

I sat still in my chair, I didn't say a word. I realized Winona was close by, so I got to my feet to avoid another encounter with her. She, on the other hand, took my hand and turned to face her.

"You have no idea what I told Kuya Yves about you, do you?"

"Winona." Everyone's gaze was drawn to the man. I'm already familiar with the voice. I didn't even bother to look away from him. Because he was wearing soccer shoes, he made a lot of noise with every step.

I can even hear the deafening silence of his adoring fans on the other side of the room. I caught a glimpse of him standing in front of us, looking intently at us. He's dressed in his usual attire, with a soccer ball propped up against the wall. Winona clung to me tightly once more, and I was pained by it.

"She was the culprit, as I informed you when the Bahraini dollar was on the verge of being stolen yesterday." I couldn't believe how the facts were being manipulated, so I turned to Winona.

Is this about that one-dollar coin that was so cheap a few years ago? I didn't even steal that meager cent. It's not even something I'm interested in. That is not something I intend to do.

"I didn't take it. I just picked it up." I responded in a shaky manner. Her hand was firmly gripped against my inferior shoulder.

"Winona, you're acting like a child. Let go of that." bored he says.

My attention was drawn to him by his constant stroking of disheveled hair. I'm tempted to swear by the effect he has on the other people in the room, especially mine. I even caught a glimpse of Leticia staring at the armchair and daydreaming about Yves.

"No." she expresses displeasure. Yves sighed and walked over to where we were standing. As he got closer, I became more anxious.

"So, what do you want to do with her?"

"I want her to be punished in some way. It was given to me by our sister, Harith, as a sentimental coin from her." she said with her fake pleading and drama. I can't believe what I'm hearing. She's completely irrational and childish. It was just a coin but if you will see it closely, it looks like gold.

She grabbed my arm and squeezed it hard. It happened so quickly that I had to push her away to keep my hands from getting scraped.

Yves immediately went straight to his sister. I'd finally realized what I'd gotten myself into. Glaring eyes were awarded to me by Yves. He helped Winona up but I remained standing.

"Ugh, please take care of my back. Argh-argh "She pressed her hands against her back. It was all I could do to just stare at them in front of me, with occasional thoughts about my sudden aggressiveness.

"What were you thinking when you did that? Pathetic." Yves's eyes narrowed. I was only trying to keep myself safe from her. However, I don't appear to believe it because I've already caused harm to his sister.

"I'm sorry," I said, bowing his head.

I hurriedly exited the room. I felt a little embarrassed in that situation. Perhaps I should stay away from Winona and Yves right now.

But why do my safe actions have such a significant impact on me? When, in fact, I didn't do anything that would diminish their dignity and worth. I heaved a sigh.

"Hey!" Leticia popped up. At the moment, I'm sitting at our favorite study table near the field with my laptop. She sat down next to me and sighed softly to herself.

"It's not my fault in the least. She was on the verge of inflicting a scratch on me." I said it haltingly. She rubbed her hands along my back to relieve the tension I was experiencing.

"Yeah, I'm aware of that."

"Am I right? Eh, Yves had your full attention for the majority of the time." She let out a small laugh.

"Because it's difficult to avoid his presence,"

I rolled my eyes. I almost forgot that I was going to paint a portrait of Yves. I was planning also to draw a Bahrainian coin for her sister sway the evil persona lurking at her body.

"According to what I've heard, the Bahraini man r***d their sister, Harith. That coin was the only thing she had to remind her of her past. That's what caused her to become the way she is." I shifted my gaze to her. She is serious about this. That's something I'd never considered. I was completely unaware of what had occurred in her past.

"But don't worry. Just formally say sorry to her." she was doing everything she could make me feel better.

I left school early to return home. I free myself from the shackles that had been placed on me earlier. I took a look at the picture frames of my brother that were hung on the wall. He surrounded himself with thorns and fangs for the rest of his life. He had the potential to be my ultimate savior, but he was vulnerable.

I sat at the dining table. The food that Mom prepares is delicious. She has always preferred not to purchase fast food cuisines and instead prepares them herself, utilizing her own natural culinary abilities. I tried pickled squid, which is one of my favorite dishes. Some may find it disgusting, but I find it to be exotic and juicy. My teeth turn black from time to time, and I get teased about it.

"Can you tell me what happened to your older brother earlier?" I placed the cutlery on the table, and Daddy turned them over.

"Mom, I just said something to tame him a little bit more. He's being stubborn and unyielding." I swallowed hard to keep my words from continuing. The fact that Achim threatened me this morning is something I don't want them to know.

"You're aware that he's sensitive, Hija. You must keep your restrictions on him under control. Because there are times when he acts irrationally and having extreme tantrums." she has a point, but there are times when I can't take it anymore.

I just smiled and nodded at Mommy.

"I'm sorry, Pastel, that you're going to have to stand on your own feet. He didn't appear to be your older brother in any way. For many years, you were your own brother."

I have negative feelings toward my brother at times. That is a burden on the family and has no destination. I never had the impression that he was so considerate and loving towards me. Most of my life, I've been searching for a true brother, but I've never been fortunate enough to meet someone like him. And I'm tempted to curse myself for having misjudged him in the first place.

We eventually settled on eating dinner. I said goodbye to them first before going up to the room where I would paint Yves' portrait. If I used the printed reference, I'll have a guide. It was him, with a soccer ball in his hands and a menacing expression on his face. Everyone could agree that he has a great deal to be proud of because of his athletic build.

It took me approximately two hours to finish it. I rubbed the corner of my eye. I took a look at the reference before moving on to the portrait. It appears that I somehow nailed my work. I used baybayin (a Filipino style of writing) letters to indicate my art preference. But I bet he wouldn't even notice it.

I'd also decided to create a coin in the shape of a Bahraini dollar. I'd like to say sorry to Winona. Hopefully, she will accept it.

Leticia was waiting for me at the door early the next morning, excited to see the portrait for Yves. He snatched my hand and examined it carefully.

"It's absolutely stunning," she exclaimed. She wrapped her arms around me.

I cracked a grin. To be an artist requires you to reevaluate the aesthetic value of craft from the perspective of the general public. It is not about creating an artwork. It is all about incorporating your own personal style and creating imagery.

"Okay? Do you think he'll appreciate it? " Presumably, I asked her.

She smiled and nodded. "Yes, without a doubt. What is it about you that makes you nervous?" I came to a complete stop. I put on a happy face and pretended to laugh. I don't want to be embarrassed by what I've done, for whatever reason. Perhaps, for him, it is aesthetically unappealing, and he will simply discard it. His manners are stale and a little rough around the edges.

"No ah-hh. You also need to see first. If it's ugly in your eyes, how about his perception on it?" she nodded again, slowly getting my point.

"Oh hey, come on. Come with me later ah?" I looked at her confused.

"Where?"

"Of course in the Soccer Department."

The lesson was a major source of mental anguish. Trigonometry is a difficult subject to learn because it is so bloody and full of numbers. In my mind, numbers and formulas are all I have left to work with. But I did everything I could to deal with it. It's just that it's extremely difficult to take in. It's not just me who's having a hard time; our entire room is struggling as well.

Earlier, I was attempting to persuade Leticia that I did not wish to accompany her to the Soccer Department. On such a hot afternoon, I'm not in the mood to wander around and hang out with friends.

"I don't want it, Leticia," I say. I'm fed up with her insistence on everything.

""Why? I'll be the one to hand it over to him. Please." she begged. I've been suffering from a headache. Winona passed in front of us, and I caught a glimpse of her. He simply walked away from the table. I'd almost forgotten what I'd done for her.

"What is that?" Leticia pointed to the small portrait of the Bahrainian coin. His eyes widened as she stared at it intently.

"Wow, you are really bleseed with talents. This is aesthetically good."

"Thank you. That's why I can't be with you because I'll give it to Winona. I'd like to apologize to her."

She pouted. "Come with me then. I'll assist you in giving this artwork to Winona." She smiled and winked at me. I couldn't help but nod in agreement when she made her suggestion.

The Soccer Department is located a little out of the way. Even though it was in close proximity to the field, we had to walk a short distance to the other side to get there.

When we arrived, there were a large number of women waiting outside the building. It appears that the other soccer players have completed their 'break time' and that a game is currently in progress. As we got closer to them, I overheard them talking to each other.

When I walked into the shower room, the last thing I heard was, "Yves will be taking a bath in the shower room at exactly 4:00 p.m."

My eyes widened.Is this the information that Leticia's sources have about Yves?

"Hey, girls. Isn't it true that they haven't finished their friendly match yet?" They turned their attention to the attractive soccer players who were currently on the field.

I pinched Leticia. "What is this?" curious of her question. The ladies were all preoccupied with retouching their make-up and exposing some skin. They also have a little bit of a shape to them.

"You did get the message, didn't you? These are the legitimate sources that serve as my ears and eyes while I'm in this country."

"Really? You're the wildest."

"Really? You're such a naughty." I said. She gagged me.

"Haha. Just lend your support to me, Yves " she remarked, a grin on her face.

A few minutes later, the crowd in the stadium erupted in applause, signaling that the soccer players' game had come to an end.

Leticia dragged me into the shed where I was waiting. In front of us, a swarm of thirsty women had amassed themselves. I can't help but think they're completely obsessed with Yves. He's perspiring, but it doesn't seem to have stopped his charisma from flowing. He was dressed in dripping wet clothes. So many women came forward to offer towels and food.

He caught my attention. He had a serious expression on his face now.

"Oh my god, he's staring at me." It was Leticia who exclaimed it. When I saw him, I immediately turned away from him. Yves's gradual walk towards where we were standing was the exact point of my return.

Leticia took the initiative and stepped forward. I took a few steps back to get a better look at Leticia and the portrait. Furthermore, no paid attention was given to the upcoming Yves.