Page 91 of Art of Love
John was the only person in the room.
He raised his brows when he saw me and perused my casual appearance.
“Morning. I’m sorry I’m late.” I smiled through gritted teeth.
“My dear, what is this?” He waved his hands over me and smiled.
“A statement.”
“Yes, the I-don’t-give-a-shit-goddess statement,” he chuckled and brought his hands together.
“You think I’m a goddess?” I giggled.
“On occasion. You look like you’re missing a baseball cap turned backwards. So, the reason why you’re late is because?”
“John... I’m sorry. You...” I laughed, and it felt good. “You’ve been like a father to me, and I hope you aren’t offended by me saying that because you aren’t old enough to have had me.”
“Not really. How about a wise older brother?” he offered.
“Yes, I like that. It’s just that you did fatherly things for me. Thank you. I’m truly grateful.”
“But?”
“I didn’t do the portfolio. I painted, but I didn’t do anything for this. I painted a host of mythical gods and legends. If it helps, when I painted Zeus, I thought of you.”
He laughed. “Can I ask why you did that?”
“Sure. I want Hunter to be proud of the job when he gets it. I knew that we both could have competed until the end, and I know I had a chance of sorts, maybe... but I thought his talent was more in line with what you’re looking for. For Impasso. He fits, John. He’s like you. He reminds me of you. I’ll come visit when you guys go to Europe.”
I thought I could afford a ticket and a hotel for a week.
John chuckled. “Well, my dear Jia. It would appear that your Hunter felt the same way about you. He came by earlier and bowed out of the competition.”
I was too shocked to breathe. All I could do was stare at him.
“What?” I gasped.
“He thought you deserved the job more than him. I agree you would have had a chance, but you both did. I assure you, you both did. But the job’s yours if you want it.”
“John, I don’t understand.”
“Yes, you do. It’s the art of love. Sacrifice. To love is to sacrifice if you have to for the person you love. It’s true love, Jia. Looks like you both had the same idea.”
My lips parted.
“Oh my God.”
John smiled wide. “He left this for you.”
He moved to the little table and picked up a package. It looked like a painting was in it because of the shape and size.
I took it and opened it.
When I saw what it was, I sucked in a sharp breath.
It was a picture of the English country side.
There was a cottage with a lake running around and a silhouette of a man with shoulder-length hair. A woman and a child played in the field near a bunch of willow trees.
