The Start of the Night

"Yohan, I'm near your apartment... you should come out now."

"Alright."

I turned my phone off and looked back at the mirror again, fixing my black tie. Rocco is on his way here, and I'm ready to go to this much-awaited dinner. I feel... anxious.

I imagined Iseul sitting on top of the kitchen counter. She would probably tell me I looked stupid. I smiled bitterly. I would be happier if she also knew about this small milestone of mine. But I just wish she was okay.

A black Bugatti Type 27 stopped in front of me, and Rocco gave me a gesture to go inside. I've never seen a car like this; what a privilege to be able to ride one. Rocco's a wealthy man; I shouldn't be surprised he has so many possessions like these.

"How are you feeling?" He said while driving.

"Nervous, excited, I don't know," I said. My knees were shaking.

"You should relax for a bit, Yohan. My friends are easy to get along with; just be yourself," he said.

I took a deep breath and focused on the road. I'm not familiar with this place; that's why Rocco fetched me.

"Who are the artists attending the dinner?" I asked.

"You'll see, I don't want to spoil you," his lips rose. This old man has many surprises indeed. I can't wait to meet them.

After almost an hour of traveling, the car stopped in front of an elegant gate. The gold-colored gate opened, and the car moved inside. My mouth opened upon witnessing how grand this place is.

"Woah, am I dreaming?"

Rocco's driving the car slowly while going to the parking area. I was amazed by the big sculptures displayed outside the main building. I went outside the car, and I could hear the sound of a violin playing.

"They're here; let's head inside." Rocco placed his hand on my back, trying to calm me down.

Get a grip, Yohan!

I took a deep breath as I entered the grand restaurant. There's a small stage at the center where musicians are playing classical music. I gasped when I saw three long tables prepared inside the venue.

Rocco was right; there are people here already. I was trying to look at them and see if I knew someone.

"Good evening, Sir." A waiter greeted him formally. "Please follow me."

It looks like the waiter already knew who Rocco was. We followed him until we reached the end of a table and sat on the reserved chair. I was surprised to see my name on a small card.

Yohan Benedict Chavez

I bit my lips to prevent myself from showing so much happiness. Damn, I want to pinch myself.

"Rocco, nice to see you!" A man approached our table and sat beside Rocco, who was sitting across from me. I looked at his name on the table.

"Yohan, this is Howard Brent. Brent, this is Yohan, the one who painted my friend."

I gasped. Howard Brent looked at me with a smile on his face. He even offered a hand, so I accepted it! I was so stunned.

"Chavez, right?" he asked.

I nodded my head. "Yes, Sir. It's an honor to see you."

"The pleasure is mine. It's nice to see new and blooming artists from your generation. Your art style is unique and harmonious," he said.

This was embarrassing! I felt my face heat. I don't know how to take a compliment from such a great artist.

"See? I told you, you have a wonderful talent. Even gifted painters like Howard likes your work," Rocco added.

"Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm also a fan of your paintings, Sir, especially your abstracts," I said as I remembered the paintings that I saw from his gallery.

"You should visit Brent's gallery, Yohan," Rocco suggested.

I glanced at Howard. "I've visited your gallery already."

"Really? When?" he looked surprised.

"Uh, a few weeks ago."

"Oh, I wasn't around that time. You must've met my daughter, Hennessy? She talks to customers a lot," Howard said.

"I met her, Sir. She's actually one of my chingus here."

Howard Brent chuckled. "Chingu, that's how she calls her friends. You two must be close."

"We actually went to..."

Wait, does he even know I was with his daughter a few days ago? Crap!

"To?" Both of them were waiting for me to speak. I had no choice but to tell them!

It's not like we did something wrong. just like how we tried to go to a restricted floor at Dreamy Studios. Oh, no.

"The South, Sir. She accompanied me there," I said.

His mouth formed an 'o', as if he suddenly remembered something. "Wait, so you're the Yohan my sister was talking about?" He laughed so hard that I got confused. I thought it was Sai who told him.

"What? Ara Brent told you?" I asked.

"I knew Sai went to the South. My younger sister, Ara, called me to report something suspicious." He looked at me with his sharp eyes.

My body froze.

Shit.

Is this about going to the restricted floor? Oh no, I'm in huge trouble! I gulped and started scratching my fingers. Shit, shit, shit, this is not the right time to get into a mess.

"What is it?" Rocco frowned.

"My sister said Sai was with a young man, wandering around Dreamy Studios. Tell me the truth, Kid."

I felt my lungs being squeezed; I couldn't breathe properly! Rocco was looking at me suspiciously too.

"What truth, Sir?" I couldn't recognize my voice!

"Are you my daughter's boyfriend?"

My eyes suddenly widened. What the hell! I got nervous for nothing! I don't know if I should feel relieved after hearing that annoying question.

"Huh?" I blinked twice.

But I thought it was better than... being questioned about breaking the rules there.

"Uh, Sir. You have the wrong idea. I'm really just good friends with your daughter, and I have no other intentions," I explained.

Rocco laughed and lightly hit Howard's shoulder. "I thought Yohan did something wrong for a moment. How silly of you, Brent."

"What? I'm just trying to interrogate this potential lover of my precious daughter."