Cuori di Lu Esi

"He's the one who owns the shop that I told you about," Rocco said. I just slightly nodded my head, still looking at Damian.

Another piece of classical music was being played on stage. Everyone started eating dinner. To be fucking honest, I feel uncomfortable and overwhelmed.

"No need to be shy, Chavez," I heard Howard say. Is it that obvious that I look nervous?

"Y-yeah, sorry." I awkwardly smiled at him.

"Yohan."

I glanced at Rocco, who was drinking wine.

"Yes?" I asked while chewing food.

"La Vinci also saw your work." he casually informed me.

I almost choked on my food! "Sorry, excuse me." I coughed and covered my mouth with a paper towel.

I felt Jin's hand on my back, slightly tapping it. "Rocco, you're going to kill this young man with your surprises." Jin laughed a bit. "Excuse this friend of mine, Yohan."

"Apologies. I should've informed you that everyone here knows about you," Rocco casually said, which made my state even worse! He looked so proud of me which is completely opposite of how I feel.

Everyone here saw my painting! I should be proud. You should be proud of yourself, Yohan! It's not every day I get noticed by so many artists. But on the other side of my head, I wanted to get out of this place already. I feel overwhelmed! Do I even deserve this? I can't stop questioning myself. Come on.

"Sorry, this is embarrassing," I said and continued eating.

"You should hold your head up high, Chavez. I think you're looking down on yourself. Have confidence; you did a great artwork." Howard's words unexpectedly made my chest lighter.

I changed my posture and sat properly. He's right; I should have confidence in myself. Just for tonight, Yohan. I can do this.

"Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Rocco," I said.

"Don't mention it. You deserve it," he said, giving me a thumbs up.

"You'll get used to this. An artist like you will rise, I believe. Just enjoy tonight and brace yourself for some interaction with other artists, arraseo?" Dae Jin said and removed his hand from my back.

I nodded my head again. It felt like I was surrounded by parents. Technically they are not like my parents at home. But... I'm not used to people boosting my confidence and praising my work which is why I didn't know how to react properly.

They are so kind to me. I just wish every artist on this island were as thoughtful as them. Lost souls wouldn't have to suffer if everyone on Techne Island were good people. But that is definitely far from reality.

"Rocco, Howard, Dae! it's good to see you." Damian approached us and greeted them.

He immediately looked at me. I was intimidated by his gaze at first. But it faded when a smiled was written on his face. "Who do we have here?"

For the ninth time, Rocco introduced me again. I just smiled awkwardly.

"I'm impressed, Chavez. I would like to buy portraits from you in the future," he said and glanced at someone who was calling him. I was dumbfounded that I couldn't even speak. "Do you have any portraits for sale?"

"Oh... I don't have any at the moment." I gulped. Damian wants to buy portraits from me. Holy cow.

"I see, I see. Well, let me know if you have any! Or I might even ask for a commission just like what Rocco made you do," Damian added.

The ones that I painted several times in my apartment are just Iseul. I can't let them know what I have been painting this past few weeks. That would mean I'm digging my own grave!

I was able to get along with the people around me. Especially Rocco; he wouldn't let me feel out of place. I drank my champagne after finishing my food. They were still serving dessert. The food's world class I swear, everyone here are wealthy as fuck.

People on stage caught my attention; they were setting up something. There's now a table there where they placed a golden raffle drum and a small box-shaped object that was covered by a satin cloth.

"What's that for?" I asked.

"Hmm, another raffle from Damian, I see," Howard said. "he does this every time we he hosted dinner, don't be surprised."

"I wonder what he has." Rocco also glanced at the stage with a smile plastered on his face.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let me borrow some of your time," Damian said, going up stage again. "I have a new... gift. Everyone in this room has a chance to have it freely, but only if you'll be chosen in this roulette."

I heard some laughter from the guests; some were even clapping. I guess this is not something new to them since Damian has doing this ever since. It's probably a painting?

"What's the gift that I'll be giving away tonight?" He smiled and removed the cloth from the object.

I gasped as I saw a small sculpture of a human heart. It's placed inside a glass box. I think it's made out of ceramic.

"A precious sculpture that I've been keeping inside La vendemmia... the Cuori di Lu Esi!"

The what? I shrugged and started eating the dessert that was placed in front of me. They can have that sculpture, I'm going to eat this chocolate panna cotta.

He started spinning the raffle drum. Everyone was watching. Damian picked one from the entries, and I saw his surprised reaction. The side of his lips rose, and he glanced at our table.

"Yohan Benedict Chavez, come in front to claim your gift!"

I covered my mouth as I coughed. How many times am I going to get a small heart attack tonight? My eyes widened so much that I even looked at Howard, Rocco, and Jin. They looked surprised too, and they told me to stand up.

"I won a raffle?" I whispered to myself while walking towards the stage.

I just wanted to eat the panna cotta in peace. Why is he giving me a sculpture? Damian welcomed me, and I awkwardly smiled at him.

"Wow, I didn't know I was also a part of the raffle," I told him, not even glancing at the audience.

"Of course, every guest here has the opportunity to go home with something precious from me. You're quite a lucky artist," he said, handing me the glass box. "Everyone, this is Chavez, a very talented painter."

I looked at it. The heart was as big as a fist, as if it were based on the real anatomy of a heart. The details and textures made it look realistic.

"Would you like to give your fellow artists a message?" Damian handed me a microphone.

I looked like someone who had won a contest, as if this sculpture were a trophy. The artists from the three long tables were all watching me, so I gained so much courage before speaking. What am I supposed to say?

"Good evening, uh. I'm Yohan Benedict Chavez, and I'm a painter. Uh. I originally came here for vacation, but a friend of mine asked if I could paint his chingu, ah, I mean his friend."

I glanced at Rocco. The three of them even gave me a thumbs up! As if they were supporting a kid in a contest. They looked like proud parents!

"I was astonished to know that other artists also saw my work and eventually led me here. It's an honor to be here today, in front of people that I look up to."

I looked at the artwork that I was holding.

"I don't know if I deserve this valuable masterpiece, but I will surely take care of it, Sir."

I looked in front again, and then my eyes were fixed at the entrance of the venue. I couldn't move my mouth or feet as I saw someone standing there, far from me.

But I know it's her.

I was surprised several times tonight, but it's incomparable to how I'm feeling right now.

"Chavez?" Damian whispered, and he sounded concerned.

"Oh, yes. Sorry, I'm just overwhelmed. But, thank you, everyone, for acknowledging my work and for your warm acceptance."

Iseul's eyes were bloodshot while he was looking at me.

"I'll do my best in this field... just like how everyone in this room made great artworks. Thank you, again."

Everyone clapped for me, and I thought that was unnecessary. I smiled at them, but my eyes remained on Iseul's. She's here. Iseul's here. But her head and arms... They were bleeding.

Who summoned you?