Love Gaze.

Chapter 5

Noticing Adrian shifting in his chair, I quickly changed the topic. "Have you ever thought about what art can do for our country and the world at large?" I asked, hoping to bring the conversation back to a more professional level.

Adrian seemed to snap back to reality at my question. "Well, you can talk more about that," he said, leaning back in his chair. "I think there's a way we can create an outstanding art legacy that people will love."

I nodded, encouraged by his response. "That's brilliant. And how do you propose we do that?"

Adrian seemed to be listening, but his gaze was distant, as if he was lost in his own thoughts. He nodded and murmured vague agreements to my questions, but it was clear his mind was elsewhere.

"So, how much are you willing to invest for the start of this project?" I asked, hoping to gauge his commitment to the idea.

"Yes," he replied absentmindedly, not seeming to realize the oddity of his response.

It was then I realized I had been talking to myself. Despite his physical presence, Adrian's mind was clearly somewhere else.

I sighed, and called out his name,"Mr. Adrian!" I called out, trying to bring him back to the present. At the sound of his name, he seemed to snap out of his reverie.

"Ah, I apologize," he said, rubbing his temples. "I seem to have drifted off there. Could you please repeat your question?"

I took a deep breath, trying to hide my frustration. "I was asking about the investment for the project. How much are you willing to invest for the start of this project?"

Adrian looked thoughtful for a moment before responding, "Well, I believe in your vision and I'm willing to support it. Let's discuss the details further to determine the exact amount."

His response was more focused this time, giving me hope that we could steer this meeting back on track.

Feeling a surge of relief at his supportive response, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. For a moment, I was tempted to jump up and give Adrian a big hug. But I quickly composed myself, reminding myself of the professional setting.

Inwardly, I found myself wishing Sophia was here. She had a knack for presenting ideas, a way with words that I admired. But I was here now, and it was up to me to carry this forward.

"Well," I said, my voice clear enough that we could both hear each other, "I will go home and prepare the whole plan. Once everything is in place, I will return here to your office to present it to you."

As I spoke, I could see Adrian's attention returning to me. His gaze was focused, his demeanor more professional.

It gave me hope that our next meeting would be more productive. I stood up, ready to leave, but not before giving him a reassuring smile. "I look forward to our next meeting, Mr. Adrian." I said, before turning to leave the room.

As I turned to leave the room, Adrian's voice stopped me. "Pretty damsel he grabbed my hand and tried to pulled me back at that moment I was lost in thought and my body was about to come "he said, his voice filled with warmth,"I also look forward to seeing you again next time. And remember, you can always give me a call if you need anything at all."

His words, though unexpected, brought a small smile to my face. It was clear that this meeting had been anything but ordinary. Yet, despite the unusual circumstances, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I had managed to go through with thjs situation and keep the conversation focused on our shared passion for art.

With a final nod, I left the room, my mind already buzzing with ideas for the project. When I stepped back into the lift, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for our next meeting.

Right about when the lift descended, I found myself replaying the meeting in my mind. Adrian's words echoed in my ears, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. The project was going to be a challenge, but it was one I was ready to take on.

Once I reached the ground floor, I stepped out into the bustling city. The noise and chaos of the outside world felt like a stark contrast to the calm and focused atmosphere of the meeting room. But it was this very chaos that often inspired my art.

I hailed a taxi and directed the driver to my studio. As the cityscape passed by in a blur, I began to sketch out ideas on a notepad. The conversation with Adrian had sparked a flurry of creative thoughts, and I was eager to get them down on paper.

Back at my studio, I wasted no time in getting to work. The hours flew by as I immersed myself in sketches and plans, completely losing track of time. It was only when the first light of dawn began to seep in through the windows that I finally decided to call it a day.

Exhausted but satisfied, I looked over the fruits of my night's labor. I knew then that our next meeting would not just be productive - it would be extraordinary.

And with that thought, I finally allowed myself to rest, looking forward to the challenges and triumphs of the next day.

Just whfn I closed my eyes, the image of Adrian shirtless kept replaying in my mind and how he grabbed my hand.It was an unexpected memory, one that had been triggered by our chance encounter at the shop down the road. His appearance had been startling, to say the least, and it had left me feeling a mix of irritation and... something else.

Adrian, I muttered under my breath, my mind still wrestling with the image. "Why did you have to go shirtless today of all days?"

I could still remember the way his muscles had moved under his skin, the way the sunlight had highlighted the contours of his body. It was a sight that was both fascinating and frustrating, and it was clear that it was going to be a long night.

With a sigh, I turned over in my bed, trying to push the image out of my mind. But no matter how hard I tried, Adrian's figure remained, a constant reminder of the day's events.

"Tomorrow," I thought to myself. "Tomorrow, I'll confront him about it. I'll tell him how his thoughtless actions have affected me."

And with that final thought, I finally managed to drift off to sleep, the image of Adrian slowly fading into the background. But even in my dreams, he was there, a constant presence that was both irritating and intriguing.