Loveaffair 101

"I'm Bradley Grey. The artist," echoed repeatedly in my mind as I gazed at him in wonder. It was unbelievable that I was standing face to face with the creator of these remarkable masterpieces. The mere thought seemed incomprehensible. "So, you're the artist?" I managed to utter, struggling to process the reality.

He nodded, his emerald green eyes fixed on me, carrying an indescribable expression. As I held an empty glass of champagne, he took it from my hand and replaced it with a glass of wine, pouring one for himself as well. "I appreciate your description of my paintings," Bradley remarked, taking a sip of his wine. "It makes me feel like I've achieved something."

I responded with a hum, moving on to the next painting. He followed closely behind, observing my reactions intently. "Achieved what, exactly?" I asked, stealing a glance at him from the corner of my eye, captivated by his focused gaze.

"It's about evoking specific emotions in people when they look at my art. I would be concerned if it left them feeling nothing at all," he chuckled softly. "What emotions do you see in this one?"

My eyes roamed over the painting, absorbing the colors and the subject. Unlike the others, this painting revealed only a fraction of the person's face, with just a corner of their eye visible. Yet, it didn't require the full face to understand the emotion portrayed; the body language spoke volumes. "At first glance, the various shades of blue suggest melancholy, hinting at sadness. But upon closer inspection, it transcends any notions of sorrow," I explained, sensing myself rambling. With hesitation, I turned my head to face him, unsure if I had grasped the true essence of the beautiful artwork.

Once again, his eyes held an inexplicable expression, evoking a new kind of nervousness within me. "How have our paths never crossed before?" he inquired, a faint grin playing on his lips, as he took another sip of his wine, the crimson liquid accentuating the fullness of his mouth.

A soft laugh escaped my lips as we continued walking together, realizing that I had reached the end of his paintings. "I'm here with a friend who knows your friend Evan," I revealed, receiving a nod and a gentle chuckle from Bradley. "I rarely go out, but I decided to tonight, and so far, I have no regrets."

"That's always good to hear," Bradley chuckled, his simple laughter causing my heart to flutter. We strolled and conversed, with Bradley occasionally pausing to greet people along the way. I spotted Alex and Evan standing together while Bradley engaged in conversation elsewhere. Seeking a brief respite from the crowd, I approached them. Alex laughed at something Evan said, and I didn't intrude on their conversation.

"You're back! How did you like it?" Evan greeted me with a smile.

"Bradley's art is incredible. I've never seen anything quite like it," I admitted, receiving a nod of agreement from Evan. He then placed his arm around Alex's waist, and a blush crept onto Alex's cheeks.

The three of us engaged in small talk as the crowd gradually thinned, indicating the lateness of the hour. Bradley was nowhere to be found, and I caught myself scanning the crowd for him more than once.

"We're about to leave. Would you like to join us?" Evan offered, and I pondered whether I was ready to depart.

I still desired to speak with Bradley for some reason. He seemed like such an intriguing person, and I longed to hear about his sources of inspiration. "No, you two go ahead. I think I'll stay a bit longer," I replied after a moment's hesitation. "It was lovely meeting you, Evan! I hope we can meet again soon."

"Likewise, Laura. Don't stay out too late," Evan winked, as if he sensed my true motive for staying behind.

Alex bid me farewell with a hug, taking the empty wine glass from my hand. "No more for you. You've already had three tonight," he whispered in my ear before walking away. I chuckled to myself, waving goodbye to them as they departed hand in hand.

As I awaited Bradley's return, I decided to take another stroll, eager to immerse myself in the paintings once more. With only a few lingering individuals present, I could leisurely absorb the artwork, allowing my thoughts to wander freely. Each painting possessed a breathtaking uniqueness, but one in particular intrigued me.

This painting depicted a street filled with people, sheltering themselves under umbrellas, signifying a rainy day. The distant Eiffel Tower stood illuminated in the background. What captured my attention most was a couple in the midst of the street, devoid of an umbrella. They simply held hands and engaged in conversation, seemingly oblivious to the pouring rain. Sitting down on a nearby bench, I removed my shoes, fully engrossed in the painting's intricate details. Every element of the artwork revolved around the couple, despite the chaos unfolding around them. People hurriedly sought shelter from the rain, eager to reach home before it intensified. The illuminated street, lined with lights, suggested a late hour. Words failed to capture the emotions stirred within me by this painting. The easiest way to describe it would be happiness, although it evoked a profound sentiment surpassing mere joy. Oh, how I longed to experience a love like that.

"This is my favourite one," Bradley's voice broke the silence. I turned to him, realizing he had quietly taken a seat beside me. "I captured this scene during my time in Paris, and it inspired me to paint it."

"What were they doing?" I inquired, earning a puzzled look from him. "The couple in the painting."

"They were standing in the rain, as if it weren't raining at all. They wore the biggest smiles and seemed utterly carefree in that moment. While everyone else rushed to escape the rain, they appeared as though they could stay there forever," Bradley explained, his eyes sparkling as he reminisced, a faint smile adorning his lips.

Though I didn't voice it, I concurred. This painting resonated with me the most. "What was Paris like?" I asked him, perplexing him momentarily. "I mean, your experience of it."

"It was breathtaking. I had never witnessed anything quite like it. Leaving was difficult," he confessed.

"Then why did you leave?"

He chuckled, diverting his gaze back to the painting. "You certainly ask a lot of questions," he remarked, evading my query.

I shrugged, stealing a glimpse of his profile. "I'm naturally curious."

"Well, that's a secret I prefer to keep to myself," Bradley replied. I nodded and, biting my lip, averted my gaze, looking away from him. "By the way, I never caught your name."

"Oh, it's Laura."

"Laura," he smiled, my name rolling off his tongue, sending delightful shivers down my spine. "Like the princess?"

"Yeah. My mom adored that story when she was young. She loved it so much that she named her first daughter after it," I recounted, shaking my head at the memories of the arguments my parents had over her decision. "I remember dressing up as a princess when I was younger, reenacting the story with her."

I smiled warmly, reminiscing about how we used my favourite stuffed animal as the prince. My mother would play the evil queen, and we'd have an absolute blast. "I'm sorry, I rambled on too much. You didn't ask for all that," I realized, feeling a tad embarrassed. Yet, in that moment, Bradley seemed less like a stranger and more like someone I had known my entire life.

"It's fine," he smiles at me, a slight dimple appearing on his cheeks. "It's getting late, and I need to close up. Would you mind waiting outside? I can walk you home."

"Sure, that sounds nice," I reply, slipping my heels back on and rising to my feet, trying to conceal my blushing cheeks and giddy smile. Bradley guides me to the door and disappears inside while I wait beneath the radiant moonlight.

The night is warm, the sky is clear, and countless stars twinkle above. The streets are deserted, and I realize I have lost track of time. I glance at my phone and see that it's 1 AM. Have I been here that long?

Bradley emerges from the door, locking it behind him, and approaches me. "Ready?" I nod, and we begin walking down the street towards my apartment. As we stroll, our conversation flows endlessly, touching on various topics. We start with the basics, like our origins and professions, but the discussions never grow dull. Bradley proves to be an intriguing person, although his mysterious side adds a hint of intimidation.

"I have another question for you," I say, and his smile widens. "Where do you find your inspiration?"

"It's quite simple, actually," he chuckles, glancing at me. "Beauty. If something or someone strikes me as beautiful, it inspires me. It's a common trait among artists. Beautiful things are my weakness."

"Ah, that makes sense," I nod, now feeling a bit foolish for asking the question.

"I have a question for you this time," he says after a brief silence, and I grin, realizing that I had been the one posing all the questions throughout the night. "How did you become so knowledgeable about art?"

I smile, knowing this question would come up sooner or later. "My father is an art professor. He taught me everything I know."

"Can you draw or paint then?" he inquires.

"Not at all," I laugh, shaking my head. "Sadly, that was one skill he didn't pass on to me. I wish he had." Throughout my childhood, I had always longed to possess the artistic talent of my father. I envied those classmates who effortlessly sketched impressive drawings on their papers.

After a few more minutes of walking and talking, we arrive at my apartment building. I feel a tinge of sadness, wishing our time together didn't have to end. Bradley has been an engrossing conversationalist, breathing life into every subject. "This is me."

We stand facing each other in front of the stairs, uncertain of what to do. "I had a wonderful time with you tonight, Laura. I hope we meet again soon," Bradley finally says, his hands buried in his pockets.

"Me too. Goodbye, Bradley Grey, the artist," I smile. He chuckles softly and waves farewell as I ascend the steps and reach the door.

"Goodbye, Laura," his voice reaches me as the door closes. I wave at him through the small window before watching him disappear from view.

Tonight has been the most enjoyable evening I've had in a while. Bradley has added an extra layer of fascination with his captivating charm, which still takes my breath away whenever I glance at him or gaze upon him for a moment too long. Although we didn't exchange numbers, deep down, I have a feeling we will cross paths again. It may not be tomorrow or next week, but I know our meeting is not over. Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later.