Eight Years Lost A Love Unclaimed (Ariella)

Chapter9

The next morning, Xavier called.]

I had just finished getting ready for work.

After a moment's hesitation, I answered.]

His voice was anxious.

"Ariella, I'm sorry about last night. I'm a jerk..."[]

"Is there anything else?"

My voice was cold, making him uneasy.

"Do you remember? My solo exhibition is in three days. I want you to come. I have a surprise for you."

A surprise...]

Hearing that word made me feel even colder.

Xavier was a well-known painter in the country, with some international recognition.].

I remember one year on his birthday, I wanted to surprise him.]

I bought 999 roses and had them delivered to his studio.

When I got there, I found him and Chloe nestled together, with a freshly painted portrait of them on display.[]

The painting showed them close and smiling, with a caption that read, "My Happiness."

I stared at that painting, tears streaming down my face.

The 999 roses slipped from my arms, scattering on the floor.[]

I looked at Xavier through my tears, feeling utterly betrayed.]]

"Why... why wasn't it me in that painting?"]

Xavier looked annoyed and kicked the roses aside.[]

"It's just a painting. Is it worth getting upset over?"[]

Chloe slowly got up from Xavier's shoulder, giving me a challenging look.

"Oh, Ariella, I asked Xavier to paint it. Don't be mad. He can paint one for you too."]

No one knew how many times I had begged Xavier to paint me during our eight years together.]

At first, he brushed me off, saying he had too many client orders and needed to focus on making money.

He promised to paint me when he had time.

When I asked more, he got irritated.]

"We're together every day. What's there to paint? You don't inspire me. Without inspiration, I can't paint."[]

I was angry and hurt, crying as I looked at him.

"I don't inspire you, but she does? Who's your girlfriend, me or her?"]

Xavier's expression turned cold and frightening.

"I can't control who inspires me. Chloe is just my sister. Stop making a fuss!"

The overwhelming pain made me lose control.[]

"I took the day off to personally arrange 999 roses for you. I pricked my hands on the thorns just to surprise you, and you're here cozying up with her!"] Maybe it was because I had confronted him in front of his childhood friend.[]

Xavier's long-suppressed anger finally erupted.[]

He suddenly went wild, stomping on the roses.

S.0

"Surprise? I get truckloads of these stupid roses every year. And you think they're special?"

I was so scared by his outburst that I ran away in tears.[]

I was heartbroken for a long time.[]

After that, I never tried to surprise him again, nor did I ask him to paint me.[]

In that moment, many memories flashed through my mind.[]

Now he was talking about a surprise at his exhibition.[]

I could guess what it was.

But I wasn't interested anymore.[]

I hesitated for a moment, then calmly replied.]

"I have work that day, no time."]]

Xavier sounded disappointed.]]

"The exhibition is in the evening. You can come after work."]

"I might have to work late. I have to go to work now."

I hung up and took a cab to the office.