Leap OF Fate novel Chapter 62

After maneuvering the morning rush hour, their car stopped in front of an art gallery.

“There’s a mural that I’d like you to see,” Elaina said before she got out of the car with the help of her driver. Serene followed suit.

Entering the gallery, the employees greeted her by name, which simply shows that she’s a regular. Elaina quietly walked inside the gallery until they reached the back wall. On the wall was a mural of an abstract painting. It’s made of randomly splashed paint and bold strokes. However, a hyacinth bloom formed from the splatters if viewed from a specific angle.

“Lovely, isn’t it?” Elaina said as they both appreciated the mural. Serene just nodded as she took in the art before her.

“Is this yours?” She looked at Elaina beside her. It would not surprise her is she said she painted it herself, after all she’s one of the celebrated masters of her time.

Elaina gave a crisp laugh, “How I wish, Dear. But it’s not.”

They checked the other displays in the gallery while waiting for the staff to complete the paperwork for the mural. Elaina wanted it to be on display at Rain International.

Serene could not believe that she and her idol had a connection other than art. Elaina, like her, was a foodie. It’s hard to believe that a woman who dresses sophisticatedly was game to eat at food street. She was craving for some stir-fried noodles sold outside her university. She mentioned this to Elaina, and she gamely went with her.

Serene felt shy at first because she thought that Justin’s mother was just indulging her. However, when the store owner greeted Elaina as “Prof. V.”, she knew that she’s a regular. Elaina ordered all the best sellers without even picking up the menu.

The two ate with gusto while they exchanged stories about the university. From time to time, a bunch of students would stop by their table to ask Elaina for her signature. Unlike the strict professor she was in class, she accepted all interruptions with a smile.

After their meal, they went to an upscale mall where Elaina urged her to get a bag, or a jewelry.

“Serene, go buy something for yourself. Don’t be stingy. Justin can afford it, dear,” she said while she inspected an ostrich hide handbag.

“I’m fine, Mom. I really don’t fancy anything here,” she smiled at the older woman whose eyes scanned her. After getting convinced that she really wanted nothing, she shrugged her shoulders.

“Are you sure you did not want to buy anything at all?”

“Well, they don’t have what I want. I’ve been looking for Kolinsky sable brushes for some time now, and they don’t seem to sell it here. So, I just ordered online,” she told her honestly.

Elaina laughed crisply at her answer. Tears formed at the corner of her eyes. “You’re something, dearie. Most women would go crazy knowing that Justin’s pockets are deep and could afford them anything. Yet here you are, just wanting paintbrushes,” she said as she wiped the corners of her eyes with her fingers, all the while shaking her head.

Serene felt embarrassed by how Elaina put it so bluntly. She knew that most men would feel good about their women spending their money. Being a good provider added to their male reputation, so she heard. However, for the life of her shoes, bags, and clothes don’t give her a thrill. She’s more elated to receive an excellent quality paint brush or a sumptuous meal to a high-end restaurant.

Serene looked at the time on her mobile phone. It’s almost time for Justin to finish work. She gave his secretary and quick call to see if he had some other appointments lined up until the evening. After a couple of minutes, he confirmed Justin does not have any arrangements at night. Elaina just got out of the dressing room when she finished her call.

The two called it a day. Exhaustion was visible on Elaina’s face. She requested the driver to drop her off Rain International to Elaina’s confusion. She said simply that she would go home with Justin. Elaina gave her a knowing smile but said nothing.

Justin’s secretary guided her to the couch in his office, telling her that Justin’s still on a meeting, but it should finish soon. She simply nodded her understanding and took out her phone to play some mobile games.

She quietly played on her cellphone when she caught the opening of the door on her peripheral vision, prompting her to put her phone back in her purse and stood up to welcome the newcomer.

“Your back!” she said with excitement, however, the smile on her face decreased when she saw the person who entered the door was not Justin, instead it was Bryan.

“Disappointed much?” Bryan said in a teasing voice. Serene just looked at him and did not bother moving from where she stood.

“The secretary said that Justin’s still in a meeting,” she said.

“Yeah,” Bryan scanned her face and swallowed twice before clearing his throat. “Shen, thank you.”

His statement took her aback, making her brows furrow. What is he thanking me for, she thought to herself.

When she said nothing, Bryan continued, “Chester and I talked things out. He’s no longer divorcing me. He told me you asked him out for coffee and talked some sense to him. Honestly, it surprised me you’d help me iron out the misunderstanding between us.”

He let out a big sigh, then smiled at her. “He said that you empathized with me.” His smile was a little bitter, unlike the bright smile she’s used to see from him. “You’re right, it’s tough being on our spot. We work hard to convince them about their place in our hearts, but it’s easy to have all of that thrown out of the window with just a single suspicion, baseless if I may add.

So, thank you for talking to Chester. All that you said somehow sank into him. Of all the people who would talk sense to him and ask him to give me a chance, it had to be you, the person whom we both hurt.”

“It’s fine, Bryan. As I have told Chester, I feel for you because I find myself in a similar predicament. I know your struggles. And I am happy that you and Chester have patched things up and would no longer pursue a divorce.” She smiled at him.

Serene’s eyes widened when suddenly Bryan lunged himself on her and gave her a tight hug. “Thank you so much, Shen. You don’t know how much it meant to me.”

From out of nowhere, they felt a strong swish of air followed by a grunt of pain from Bryan. Justin stood behind them, his hands in tight fists. Bryan meanwhile clutched the side of his face that received Justin’s punch.

“Justin!” she said in surprise. How long has he been standing there? Bryan staggered from the surprise blow but did not return Justin’s punch.

Justin looked at her, eyes narrowed into slits. He looked at her like an apex predator thinking of the best way to skin his prey. His chest heaved up and down. His jaws clenched as tightly as his fists.

“It’s not what you think, Justin,” Bryan said, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth with his thumb.

“Get out!” Justin said through clenched teeth.

Serene stood like a statue, looking at both men. Her heart in her throat. She felt cold shivers run down her spine, making her hands sweaty and cold. She never knew fear until now.

Bryan gave her a sideway look and said, “I’m sorry, Shen” before going out of Justin’s office.