CHAPTER THREE: Continuation

"By the way, I want to see your artwork. Can we?" she asked excitedly. I nodded to her.

I individually introduced to her the artworks I displayed and she was amazed while looking at it. There are more press came to interview Laurene and also me. But she didn't give an interview and just pulled me away from them.

Oh, I see. I feel curious. I thought if it’s about this kind of stuff, she wanted the attention on her?

I just shrugged and rolled my eyes. She was also really crazy and naughty sometimes.

Until our feet take us to my renowned art gallery.

"And this is one of the most renowned artwork of mine, Autumn Treasure.." I already know that she will be amazed at my paintings as well as what I showed to her. As I noticed, she was amazed when she reacted and when her mouth became an ‘o’ shape. 

"You really are versatile in painting. You really impressed me!" she said while still happily watching my Autumn Bellflower artwork. Then I gave her a smile.

"Sweetie.." I turn back when I hear mom's voice calling me. Laurene also stopped glancing at my artworks when she took a glimpse also to mom.

"Lola, sweetie. May I excuse you just for a while?” before I excused myself I saw mom glance at Laurene for a moment. She was suddenly surprised when she saw Laurene in her front now.

"Oh, dear, You're here! How are you?" mom was still a little surprised when she saw Laurene. They hugged for a while and then they ended up hugging each other. She doesn't know either that Laurene will come. Because that's what she was expecting the same from me.

"I just arrived today. I mind going here first to surprise Lola..” she paused for a moment when she took a peek at me, with a smile on her lips. 

“Anyway. I could just say that your beautiful daughter and a friend of mine are really superb, aunt and this event are very important to me. And I don't want to miss it." I heard what she said to my mom. As she said this, they were now laughing.

Mom and Laurene immediately focused their attention on me as if I am not here, not minding and remembering that I am here. Well. I am just standing in front.

"Anyway, you have an extremely rich guest and he wants to talk to you sweetie.." my mouth almost bared when she said that. Even Laurene, her eyebrows raised while crossing her arms facing me.

I heard my mom laugh. "Who is he?" I wonder. She pointed that man to me wherein he was talking with my dad right now. I can't see the whole of his face very well because he is on a side-view.

Speaking of that man-he's a tall man, with a masculine physique when I glanced at him, not far from where I stood.

I immediately avoided looking at him as he started to step toward my place. I glanced at mom who was now just smiling at me and when I noticed that he was now close to me, mom said that she’ll just go somewhere. 

Really? Why?! I just mumbled myself 

I just nodded with a half-smile on my lips. I turned my attention to Laurene who was now just looking at me while smiling brightly.

"Extremely rich, huh!" I saw she was grinning evilly. "All right, I'll talk to the press first. Good luck.." she uttered in a brat way. I glared at her and she mocked me even more. And at once she waved at me and left immediately. As I’m standing now alone here, that man was now in front of me and mom excused me a while ago to talk with him. 

"Lola Valderrama, right?" he asked in a formal way.

"Y-yes.." I said directly.

"I'm Heaven Lopez Marquez..."

I also introduced myself to him. "Lola Valderrama.." he extended his arms to me and we both shook our hands.

I bowed my head slightly because I was not comfortable looking at him directly. I could really say that maybe he’s too attractive because of his poise and his good-looking person. I guess he's not quite old. Maybe he's in his thirties. Well, I guess because I thought it was maybe because of his outside appearance.

Now I just realized that we haven't let go of each other yet, and I noticed that he looked at me though I am not looking at him straight. 

But let me clarify, I do not have an interest in him. That’s it! So, I tried to loosen my hand in a nice way and so he did also.

"Sorry.." he uttered. At the same time, he was slightly scratching his head.

"It's fine, don’t worry.." I smiled at him then we both chuckled.

"Anyway, I haven't seen you before. Well actually, I didn't expect that mr and mrs. Valderrama would have a beautiful and talented daughter.." this time, I keep my eyes on him with a smile on my lips. I felt something I was blushing but I just didn't notice.

Goodness! Don’t mean it! That’s it!

"Thank you!" I said with pleasure.

"Anyway, can I see your artwork?" he opened up a conversation.

"Of course!" I said happily and I started to step forward and he just followed me. While walking slowly, I was describing to him the artworks and their prices at the same time as we were going through.

I saw he was amazed at what he witnessed. I also saw his smile on my lips seeing those artworks of mine.

He turned to me after he looked at my artwork. I noticed a lot of the press was circling us again and wanted to interview us. But we just ignored and instead, we just both chuckled.

"Well, it really impressed me of your versatile and creative artworks. And, I apparently like it, ms. Valderrama." he said with a smile as he smirked in front of me.

I just shut my mouth while looking at him. "By the way, if you don't mind, I am open to negotiation. If you don’t mind, we could be partners regarding our businesses.." I know he will open up about this stuff and I am not like other people not to accept his offer.

Anyway, should I really have to?

"Okay. Let me clear it up. I am not pressing you to decide right now. We can talk about it for some other time.." I noticed he took a card from his pocket and handed it to me.

"Just call me here if you want.." as he said that, I did not hesitate not to take his offer especially because I feel that he really only wanted me to be his partner in the business. 

"Lola?" I tilted my head at him as I heard him call my name. I just didn’t notice it as I focused my attention on that card that he gave to me. 

"Y-yes?" I wondered. 

"Can I ask you something?" he said with a smirk and his meekness was still on his face.

Yeah. I admit. I could say he’s attractive. Well, I'm not really attracted to him, because if it is, then he might think that I'm deluding him.

Yes, speaking of it-I don’t actually have any interest in any man in this world. I just don’t want to, and as I am, I want to focus only on my passion.

And yes! that jerk and damn Kade who tried to raped me before when I was in college was the reason why I am fearful of having an interest in any man-to entering into a so-called relationship.

Ugh! What damn trash thoughts!

Throwing out my thoughts. "W-what is it?" I wondered.

"If you don't mind, can I have dinner with you?"

Holy crap! He wants me to have dinner with him?

I sighed first before I let out a word. "I cannot promise.." I said straight on his face.

"Uhh-okay.." for a moment he scratched his head.

I didn't care for a moment that we probably stared at each other for a few seconds before my attention was aroused.

"Oh, sorry.." at the same time we laughed softly at each other. "Anyway. If you want to accept my offer, I’m still looking for it and will wait..” he paused when he put his hand in his pockets. “By the way, I have to go. I have some work to finish. See you again, Lola." I just smiled at him with a nod at what he said and at the same time, he started walking away.

I feel pretty relieved now. 

"I saw that. What was that huh!? I felt something spark while you and Heaven were staring at each other." she elbowed me at the same time.

"Fyi, do not have interest in that man. Period." I said to her straightforwardly. I noticed she just shrugged while rolling her eyes at me. 

I know she got my point, that's why she only reacts like that.