A KNIGHT AND HIS SEVEN SYNDERELAS

STROKES AND MOVES CHAPTER 1 Painting is an emotion expressed using color brushes; where love becomes a stroke, and longing lives in every shade. "Phew, finally done with this," I said as I put my painting brush aside and wore my glasses. Yeah, I can't see without my glasses, but funnily enough, I can't paint with them either. Picking up my phone, I scrolled through my messages to see if I got an inbox while I was working. Ding "Hey Harv, this is Caroline here. I got your digits at the art summit 3 days ago. Are you free for dinner tonight? Hit me up so I can know your plans." "Hey Nerdyyy, watcha doing? Are you coming for the tennis recruitment audition? The team wants to hire new recruits." Yeah, that's Shirley—my best buddy since college. "Hi Harvey, this is Madeline. I'd love to know your take on the piece I sent to you. Any finishing touches you'd love to add? We could fix a schedule when you are less busy." "Hello handsome, I got your number from a contact gain. I'd love it if we can get to know ourselves better. I am Venuse, by the way." "Hi son, how are you doing? Are you coming for Thanksgiving dinner? Btw, I gave your contact to Norah's daughter Kaylee. She just got back from law school. You should meet up with her someday. Hope you are eating? I miss my little booboo (cute crying emoji)." "Okayy! That's a lot," I muttered as I began to reply to the messages one by one. Painting was a hobby which became a lifestyle for me. Being the only son of my parents with 3 sisters, I was a nerd and rarely expressed myself—except during rare occasions—so I made up for that by burying all my time, talent, and emotions into one hobby, and that is painting. So that being said, this should give you a hint that one of the messages has been marked code red, and that is Shirley, my best friend. She's still in college as I graduated 1 year ahead since her course is way more technical than mine. Picking up my shirt, I headed out of my studio to take a fresh shower, eat, and then work out before going for the evening stroll with Lucy, my dog. Yeah, that's basically my life routine—except for the fact that I attend art summits once in a while. Letting out a lot of people from prying too much into my life to becoming tagged as a nerd—yeahhh it's a lot for some people, but a relief for me. I won't tag myself too much of the hot and handsome dude which is literally every young girl's dream, but I have my own fair share of attraction attributed to me by the god of beauty and hotness (Adonis). Since my teenage years, I haven't really gotten into a live love life, because staying around girls was always awkward with me—even with the fact that I've got sisters. I was always mute and withdrawn, but they still get attracted. I was told maybe it is because I care a lot and I don't hesitate to show it. My mother calls it a gentleman’s trait and "potential husband" validation, but I just want to pour out all the love I have into the thing that I am attracted to—PAINTING. "Go girl!" I shouted as Lucy went to fetch the ball I threw to the far end of the park. Playing throw and catch has always been her favourite and I don't get tired of doing that. "Enjoying it as much as the dog huh?" I heard a voice behind me say, as I looked back to see a young lady in very thin clothes, holding a border collie. "Huh!" I stuttered as I looked around to see who she was referring to. "The shy type huh? I like them shy," she said as she giggled. "Just kidding, my name is Delaney—and yeah, I want to sleep with you." "Bloody hell," I said as I choked on my spit. "Another kidding!" she said as she burst out laughing. "I expect the next part of the script to be 'Hi Delaney, nice meeting you. My name is Shawn'," she said as she imitated a deep voice. "Uhh! I am sorry, my name is Harvey," I stuttered as I stretched out my hand for a handshake, which she took and drew me in for a hug. "Soooo Harvey, first time coming to this park?" "No, I come 3 times a week," I replied. "Really? Because I come every day and I can bet I've never seen your face around," she said as she threw me a suspicious glance. "Hmmn! Yeah. Sometimes I don't stay long and sometimes I come very late," I said, patting Lucy's back as she was panting from her very much enjoyed run. "Heyyy cutie!" she cooed as she ruffled Lucy's fur. "My name's Delaney, and this is Jin," she said as she pointed at the border collie who was glaring at Lucy. "Want to get a drink?" "Hmmn! Actually, I think I should leave very soon. I've got some work I want to complete," I said. "I insist. Just one drink," she said as she pulled me to the stand. Oh jeez, I can see through her dress, I thought as I desperately tried to wipe off the ungodly imagination running through my painter's mind right now. "So what do you do?" "Oh, I am a painter. I paint and sometimes I draw," I said. "Ooh cool, you should invite me to see your work sometime," she said as she flung her hair backwards. "Okay, I think I have to go now," I stammered. "Not so quick, handsome. Give me your number," she said as she gave me her phone to put in my digits. "I'll text you tonight. Wait for meee! Bye Lucy," she added as she winked and walked off to the other side. "Phew! Is this how you approach people, extroverts?" I murmured. "That was so daring and clean." Ding "Hey hottie, this is Delaney. Thinking 'bout me? Yeah you should (Sexy emoji)." "Jeez, is this her profile picture?" I said to myself as I clicked on it to see a picture of her with half of her titties outside. "This is dangerous for you, Harvey," I muttered to myself. "Well... she’ll probably be gone before you realize."