Page 82 of Art of Love
Chapter 20
Jia
***
Iwent to the parkoutside my apartment, not wanting to go back to Hunter’s just yet.
Or maybe not tonight.
I was here not because of the decision I struggled with, but because I felt numb from all that had happened to me.
I guess I knew some form of loss was on the horizon for me, but this time, I got to pick—or rather orchestrate—the way it would happen.
I knew that in three weeks, John would pick Hunter.
That day when Hunter and I did that first painting session was like a prelude to what was to come. My meteor storm in the trees was great, but Hunter’s depiction of the English countryside in abstract form was phenomenal. It took a special kind of artist to use the right shapes and colors, tones, everything to make you see something that was there and was what it was, but you knew it could be something else. It was a trick of the eyes.
Hunter had that hands down, and that could only come with true talent. Definitely that.
So... my decision...
I was going to tell him all that I knew, because that was fair and... I loved him. I loved him enough to want him to get the job.
As for me I ...
I was sick of losing, of being in this position where it felt like reality was slipping away from me. Tears streamed down my cheeks again.
I hated crying. I hated it, but today was one day where I just wanted the tears to fall.
Footsteps sounded nearby, and I looked up to see Stephan coming toward me.
I tried to dry my face because I really didn’t want him to see me cry.
He came and sat next to me and handed me a small packet of tissues.
I took them and dabbed at my cheeks and the corners of my eyes.
“Thank you.”
