You Spilled Your Vinegar 1

For the next few days, Selina concentrated on completing the canvases for Jason's investment project. Since the project's deadline was less than a month away, she's been painting nonstop. By the end of the week, she completed more than half of the required artworks. The studio was surrounded by spirited colors- like various worlds with a mysterious connection that strings them into one puzzle.

Celinda walked in with Selina's Oolong milk tea. "Wow! These look fantastic!! Have you ever learned to paint before? These are out of the world! I love it so much!" Her eyes widened as she looked around the room with words stuck in her throat. She can't believe such breathtaking colors could combine to create such awe-inspiring works.

Selina walked around the room while drinking her milk tea. She's been craving for this drink since a week ago. Hearing Celinda's question made her wonder if she ever studied art in the past. Since she had no recollection of any memories, she couldn't provide her an absolute answer.

Rather than leaving the question unanswered, she described to Celinda how she felt when she is surrounded by paints in her studio. "I don't know if I've ever taken any art lessons in the past. All I can tell you is that these colors are lively like humans. Each of these colors has their own souls in my eyes. When I pick up these brushes, I knew which colors to mix and where to splatter the paint."

Closing her eyes, she imagined colors of all hues dripping their paths on an infinite lengthy canvas in her mind. Like salt flats, where the earth and ground meet; the colors knew where to sit on a blank canvas to create a dreamlike fantasy. When Selina opened her eyes again, she found her fingers touching the tip of new paint brushes on the table.

Smiling tenderly, Selina felt warmth spread in her heart. She said, "When I get a hold of any art tools, I have the urge to create any artworks. It's like a type of instinct for me to mix them until I get the color I like. The colors that I've mixed so far can't be found anywhere in the market. So, it's like consuming foods and beverage for me; a habit."

"You're a natural! This is a gift. Whether you've had lessons or not, your creativity is beyond what anyone could ever teach you. This is something you were born with and nobody can change that. I'm so proud of your works!" Celinda clapped her hands together and wandered around to look at each piece.

Selina checked the time on her phone and realized it was a little after noon. Since there was still time before the mall closes, she decided to fulfill her promise and go shop with Celinda. "Are you free for the rest of the day?"

"Yep! Originally, I was supposed to meet up with Bryan but he ditched me last second. Why do you ask?" She turned around to meet Selina's twinkling eyes.

"Let's go shopping!" Selina took off her apron, rushed to wash up and informed Jason where they were heading before they left the villa.

At Hui Corporation, Jason was in the middle of an important meeting with a client when he received Selina's text. Even though his bodyguards were always on duty, it doesn't mean Celinda would shop any less. He knew better than anyone how many shopping bags end up filling the trunk of the car whenever Celinda goes on a shopping spree.

Thinking about the likelihood of his girlfriend having to help carry those shopping bags for Celinda made his smile turn into a slight frown. Jason excused himself for a few minutes as he decided on the best candidate for this difficult task.

When Aaron read the text Jason sent to him, his lips twitched upwards. "Yes, boss." He took his belongings and headed to the mall. On his way, he tried calling Michael, but he didn't pick up his phone.

Within twenty minutes, Aaron arrived at the mall and found the two girls chatting with fruit teas in their hands. The girls were a bit surprised to see him tagging along during work hours but quickly adapted to his sudden appearance.

After purchasing some clothes, Aaron helped them carry the shopping bags and followed closely behind. With places getting more crowded, the girls' motivation in shopping reduced greatly. Selina felt her stomach grumbling for lunch when they walked past some restaurants.

"How about we settle down for some lunch? The Japanese restaurant has very good sushi reviews online. Surprisingly, there are still some tables available for three." Selina pointed to the restaurant they just passed.

"Sure. If I remember correctly, Aaron likes to eat sushi right? Let's count it on my brother's wallet! Heh, order as much as you want. Consider it a thanks for helping us hold our shopping bags." Celinda smiled and looked up with a genuine smile on her face.

Once they settled at a table, Celinda went to use the restroom. She already knew what she wanted to order and told them to order for her if she wasn't back by then. On her way back to the table, she saw Bryan sitting at the corner table. She wanted to walk over and see if he wanted to join them for lunch.

With her hands raised midway in the air, she paused and slowly let it drop to the side of her body. She saw him smiling and chatting with a pretty woman while enjoying their love boat deluxe sushi set.

Celinda took a step backwards and took a longer route back to her table. When she got back, Aaron and Selina noticed straight away that something was not right. Aaron gave Selina a small head gesture to have her ask Celinda if she was feeling alright.

Sighing softly, Selina formed a small smile. "Celinda, is everything alright?"

She shook her head. "They're here."

"Who?" Selina raised a brow and spotted the resemblance between her expressions now and how she looked yesterday. Except, she looked more upset right now.

"Bryan and that woman are eating together at another table." She buried her face in her arms as her mood gradually worsened.

"Uhm, let me use the restroom for a bit." Selina took her phone and got up from her seat. Of course, using the bathroom was an excuse for her to see who Bryan was having a date with. When she turned the corner, she saw Bryan with an awfully familiar figure.

'I remember Aaron showing me a picture of Michael in girl's clothing. From the back view, that wig and her body size...Isn't that woman Michael? Aiya...No wonder Celinda mistook him for a she. Hmm, I can't suddenly go up there and tell them about Celinda. What can I do? Ah! I have Aaron!!! Right. Thank goodness we have him.' Selina thought to herself as she made her way back to the seat.