Sofia’s pov
When Kayla pulled out, she was literally bursting with excitement as she pulled me into a long hug. As we settled into the car, it didn’t take long for me to start bugging her to disclose where we were currently heading to, because I was extremely curious. Of course, she didn’t indulge me and kept on insisting that I’d find out what it was when we arrived there.
Ethan and Ryan tailed Kayla’s car, since Kayla is the one driving us tonight, and they have to accompany me wherever I’m going for protection.
I allowed myself to relax in the car even though I was curious as fuck, because the fact that I won’t be spending most of tonight alone in the hotel room, was relieving to me. And so I let out a sigh and sank deeper into the soft leather of the chair while letting my mind wander away.
It didn’t take long for us to pull up in where Kayla deemed was the exact location she was bringing me to. I had expected to be taken to some sort of restaurant, because I felt like she wanted to cheer me up seeing as I’m a depressed mess for the time being.
The location we had just pulled up in front of, didn’t even give anything away, which made me even more confused because one thing that’s very certain as I stood beside Kayla, was that this definitely wasn’t a restaurant.
“Kayla honey, where did you bring me to?” I asked as I glanced at her for a moment. Kayla only giggled before tangling our hands together and giving it a little shake.
“You’d find out soon enough.” She declared and began to lead the way forward. I glanced around from side to side, taking in the boring looking building from the outside while trying to figure out what was happening inside of it for the twentieth time tonight.
When we made our way through a large door, and down a very narrow hallway, my breath caught in my throat at once when we stepped into the room at the far end of the hallway.
My eyes frantically ghosted over everything at once while trying to take everything in at the same time, and I didn’t even realize when the grin split out in my face until I felt my cheeks start to hurt.
“Oh my gosh.” I whispered while turning around to regard everywhere at once. A few people were positioned in front of different paintings while quietly murmuring to each other.
One glance at the painting positioned in the middle of the room and I instantly recognized it. It was a drawing from one of the artists I used to look up to since I started painting.
“How did you…” I whispered in awe while turning around once again.
Kayla was grinning from ear to ear, looking satisfied as fuck. “Do you like it?”
I regarded her with a bewildered look. “What do you mean if I like it? Of course I love it!” I gushed while reaching out to hold her hands in mine.
This is the most thoughtful thing that has been done to me in a while and I couldn’t believe that I was in an art exhibition of my literal idol.
“I knew you would.” She murmured, eyes twinkling in satisfaction.
“This is so, so thoughtful, how did you even think of it?” I demanded excitedly while tugging her to the middle of the room, in front of the most famous painting of the artist.
Kayla grimaced for a moment before pointing towards the painting we were standing in front of. “Look at how beautiful this painting is, Sofia.”
“I know, right! This was my inspiration for me when I started to paint for the first time! I can’t believe the painting hasn’t been auctioned away for a really long while.”
Kayla regarded the painting for a moment before pointing at the upper part of it. “Oh look, I think it has.”
And indeed, it has been claimed. I briefly wondered about who’s lucky enough to have gotten their hands on a painting from someone as talented as the artist.
“Let’s check out something you’d wanna get, I’m sure there are other paintings of the artist that you’re obsessed with.” Kayla offered, already pulling me away and I willingly went along.
“I can’t wait for you to meet the artist, she’s gonna be here soon.” Kayla rambled on and on and I stiffened at once in shock.
“Hold on a second. The artist is here?” I demanded incredulously. Kayla nodded her head eagerly as she responded. “She is. This is one of those exclusive exhibitions of hers.”
My mouth fell open in shock.
Exclusive exhibitions are the kinds that don’t require tickets. Instead, it requires invites. Exclusive invites, and only highly recognized people get those, meaning that if a random person like Kayla and myself could get to be here, it means that some strings were definitely pulled.
“How were you able to get us an invite?” I asked tentatively, she’s already narrowing because Kayla instantly began to fidget.
“Here comes the artist!” Kayla screeched, pointing behind me and indeed, when I turned around, the artist– a man in his fifties, is headed towards small, ol’ me. I couldn’t believe my literal idol is currently headed towards me. I instantly began to gush as soon as he was in front of me.
Apparently he checked out my social media and was genuinely impressed and wouldn’t mind collaborating with me, which made me almost lose my cool because it’s a literal dream come true.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect you to have any experience in this kind of thing when I got that call asking to leave two slots open for you and your friend. I thought you were one of those snobbish people who visits arts exhibitions just for the aesthetics, you know?”
“But that wasn’t the case at all, which made me feel very good to be selling one of my greatest pieces off to you, now that I know that you actually have a passion for arts.” He pointed towards the middle of the room as he spoke and I blinked in confusion because he was pointing towards the painting which Kayla said was already sold.
“That painting?” I mumbled confusingly and he nodded. “Yup, it was bought out for you, in your name.”
I turned towards Kayla after my interaction with the artist, arms folded around my middle. “Who is behind all of these?”
Kayla hesitated for a few moments before letting out a slow sigh. “It’s… Luca.”
I glanced down at my feet and my mood soured at once. Kayla was tugging me into her arms the next moment.
“Don’t overthink it, Sofia. He meant well, he only wants you to be happy even though y’all currently have an ongoing issue on ground.
“I didn’t know this was arranged by him, but I should’ve known, I guess.” I mumbled into her shoulder and she hugged me tighter.
“You were happy throughout the time we spent here, I’m sure that’s all Luca wanted.” When we separated, she held my hand in hers as she spoke.
“You can’t tell me that it wasn’t smooth though. He called me and planned this entire thing with me. He sounded wreaked when asking me about you. He misses you so much and wishes he could make things right with you.”
I chewed on my bottom lip for a moment before averting my gaze from Kayla’s. “You’re right, it’s a very thoughtful gesture.”
Kayla grinned instantly.
“I’m not gonna forgive him just because of said sweet gesture though.” I continued, and her smile wanted a little.
“Of course, Sofia. I’m sure he didn’t expect that to. Let’s enjoy the rest of the exhibition together, hm?”
I did enjoy the rest of the exhibition.
Tremendously.
But, after I knew who set it up, he was all I could think about throughout the rest of the night.