41 Alive

Like mysteries of myths and legends, her work could drag every string of curiosity out of the audience's mind. The colors she mixed were ordinary ones, yet the results were fantastically miraculous. Emotions rushed up to his eyes as Aaron looked at the colors on the palettes and then the canvas.

Though the canvas looked twice her size, it didn't bother her nor stop her from creating. Without glitters nor shimmers, the hues of blues, violets and golds were moving lively; telling its own stories. The contrasting colors she layered on top of the dried sections spoke its own uniqueness that nobody had ever noticed.

Just like fairytales and enchanted forests, the abstractive blossom petals that crossed the canvas like roaring waves of the sea depicted the mirror to her soul's reflection. From nature to boldness, her wild tints presented itself like a living creature on its own adventure. Her painting was alive. So charming, intriguing and alluring with explosive colors that made people want to enter this unknown world. Even if it's just once, they would love to take a look at this world she painted.

It was only after Selina let out a sigh and put down the brushes in her hands that they realize it's been forty minutes since they've gotten into the studio. Her artwork was completed, but it was far from what they've imagined it would be like. Aaron thought it would end up as a mess, while Jason thought it would be something simple.

"Impressive. What are you going to name this piece?" Jason applauded as Selina stretched her arms with a smile on her face. Aaron finally understood why people gave her the nickname: "Mystic Fairy." Indeed, this title suits her perfectly as her creation was out of this world's uniqueness combined. Most artists would use the resources they could purchase, but not all would be daring enough to mix and explore the way she did.

Aaron nodded along and complimented her art. "I'm truly amazed. Even though I'm an idiot in art, I could tell how delicate this piece is. If you ever sell it, I'll be the first to buy it."

"Thank you. This piece is called Alive. I'm alive in my own universe and expressing these complicated feelings I've felt after waking up from my coma. Oh, right. Did you two finish talking about the urgent matters you mentioned earlier?" She asked as she briefly recalled Aaron bringing up some issue related to his company contracts.

"About that, I want to talk to you about it." Jason replied."Let me clean myself up first."Selina wanted to untie the knot to her apron but realized her fingers were stained with paint. Catching the frustrated expression on her face, Jason walked over and untied the knot for her. After that, he helped her take it off and hung it on the hooks in the room.

After Selina washed all the paint off her skin, she came out and continued their conversation from before. "You were saying before?"

As Jason discussed the artist issue with her, they started walking downstairs to the living room.

"I'm encountering a problem where our set artists decided to terminate contracts with my company because another company offered them a much higher wage. Of course, I could tell what they want, but I do not want to give them any offers for ethical reasons. Therefore, I want to ask you to help me out."

"Sure, but how could I help you?" She had no problems with helping him as long as he needed her.

"I have a few projects in hand that requires artworks to meet the client's descriptions. There is around three months before the deadline. I'll pay you the amount I offered to all those artists combined." His head was held high with total confidence in his words and expression.

Observing the man sitting next to her for a few minutes, a smile appeared on her face. "If it's about other subjects, I might not be of any help. As for art, I do have plentiful trust in my capabilities. I have two reasons to object your pay, though. The first reason is that we are friends, and I don't want to calculate anything. My second reason for rejecting the pay is that I have and am still under your care. Consider that payment as repaying you."

At first, Aaron thought she wanted a higher wage. He was about to estimate the amount they used to hire those artists, but stopped when he heard her words. 'She didn't want money?! Oh, my lord...For a second there, I thought she wanted more!' His phone slipped out of his hands where his calculations were shown on his phone screen.

Selina and Jason caught sight of the amount on the screen and looked at Aaron with a blank expression. Jason picked up the phone and smirked. "The same goes for me. I too have two reasons to reject your objection against receiving my pay." He handed the device back to Aaron.

She looked at him with a raised brow as he continued speaking. "The first reason is we're friends. Business is different from friendship. I can't take advantage of your hard work like that. Second of all, you didn't ask me to save you, pay for your medical bills nor provide you a place to stay. It was my own decisions."

"To sum everything up, I will still insist on paying you. Your Identification documents and bank accounts are ready for you as well." Jason handed her a yellow envelope with everything she would need in it.

Holding out his hands, he said, "I hope we have a pleasurable time working together."

She surrendered at the end and took his hand for a hand shake. "Thanks for the opportunity."

"Also, within the three-months period, I don't want anyone to know who the artist is for these projects. Since the Hans want to see our company fall, I'll let them have their wishful thoughts and wait for the comeback I have prepared for them."

Aaron understood his words and agreed with his arrangements. After everything was resolved, Aaron called it a day and drove home; leaving the two alone.

Jason and Selina weren't used to the quietness and decided to talk about something. Coincidentally, the moment they opened their mouths to speak, the other also spoke.

"Are you hungry?" She asked.

"Do you want to eat?" He asked at the same time.

"Pffft, then I guess we should see what there is in the kitchen first." She laughed at their silliness.

He nodded and rubbed the back of his head as they walked to the kitchen.