Chapter 11
After handling the affairs back home, Rowan Vance and his mother visited his father’s grave before flying to France.
When they arrived at our new home, I was busy painting. Since I had missed the intake window for the Lumière Academy of Fine Arts, I had to wait another year, which gave me the chance to build my portfolio, practicing at an Art Studio and occasionally
uditing classes at Lumière Academy.
Elara.” Rowan had already told me about Vaughn Sterling and Corliss Mercer beginning their prison sentences. He took a deep >reath. “Vaughn said he wants to find you once he’s released. He also said…”
Rowan,” I interrupted. “For the rest of my life, I don’t want anything to do with Vaughn Sterling. It doesn’t matter what he says. It has nothing to do with me.”
gave a faint smile and went back to focusing on mixing my paints.
Good” Rowan rubbed his temples tiredly. “If that bastard ever tries to harass you again, you have to tell me.”
I will,” I nodded.
The next day, I gathered my supplies and headed to the prep studio.
had been in Paris for over a month and was gradually adapting to the weather and the daily routine. Aside from painting, I was vorking hard on my French. There were fewer than twenty students in my class, and I became good friends with an Asian girl. We tudied together and often went shopping or grabbed dinner after class.
Life was quiet and fulfilling. Soon, winter arrived.
left the training center feeling lightheaded. I let out a tired yawn and walked into a cafe. Thinking about the piece I was almost inished with, I planned to pull an all-nighter to get it done. I needed some coffee to stay awake.
picked up the steaming cup and stared out at the dark sky, taking a small sip.
Ugh…” I frowned at the bitterness. Before I could even wonder what happened, a waiter walked over looking apologetic.
I am so sorry, miss. This coffee belongs to that gentleman.” The waiter handed me a different cup. “This one is yours.”
instinctively looked at the seat next to me. My eyes met a cool, distant gaze.
The man looked to be about twenty-four or twenty-five. He was wearing a charcoal trench coat, and behind his rimless glasses were ight brown eyes. His features were deep and he had a high, straight nose-he looked like he was mixed-race.
Sorry,” I whispered. Looking at the coffee I’d already sipped, I felt a bit embarrassed. It wasn’t really my fault, though; the waiter had just given me the wrong order.
It’s fine. It wasn’t your fault.” His voice was deep and magnetic. He gave a faint smile and looked back at his laptop before answering
phone call.
heard snippets of conversation about investments, risk management, and trade. I wasn’t the type to eavesdrop on others, so I just ›layed a game on my phone and slowly sipped my coffee.
Why was my headache getting worse?
rubbed my forehead and realized I was burning up. I slowly stood up to leave, but a wave of intense dizziness hit me.
My body swayed, but the pain I expected never came. Instead, I fell into a warm embrace. I didn’t even get a chance to see who had caught me before I blacked out.
When I woke up, I looked around the room in a daze, only to meet that familiar yet strange gaze again.
“You’re awake,” the man said calmly.
It was the guy from the cafe.
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The doctor said you have a fever,” he said, glancing at my phone on the nightstand. “Your family called ten minutes ago. I took the liberty of answering and told them which hospital you were in. He should be here soon.”
Just as he finished speaking, the ward door burst open.
Rowan rushed in, out of breath. “Elara, are you okay?” He leaned over to touch my forehead and let out a sigh of relief. Then he turned to the man. Thank you for bringing my sister to the hospital.”
You’re welcome.” The man declined the cash Rowan tried to offer him and walked out of the room.
After that, I’d occasionally run into him at that same cafe. I wasn’t actually that interested in coffee, but after secretly paying for his order a few times to say thank you, I stopped visiting the shop.
Winter turned to spring, and the weather grew warmer.
As the start of the semester approached, I spent every day painting and studying French. My life was very busy. The instructors at Lumière Academy told me that even though my previous award-winning works had been destroyed, they could still be used as part of my admission materials, which was a huge relief.
As I left the training center, I decided to go play at a nearby cat cafe for a while. Passing by the old coffee shop, I saw a tall man standing a short distance away.
Long time no see.” He looked a bit awkward. “Have you been… busy lately?”
it was only when I got closer that I noticed he was holding a birthday cake.
Happy birthday,” the man said, his voice low. “When I took you to the hospital, I saw your birth date on your ID.”
Oh, uh, thank you.” I scratched my head, feeling a bit flustered.
The man clenched his fists and took a deep breath. “My name is Leander Roth. I’m twenty-five. My parents and grandmother are rom Kingsport, and my grandfather is German. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and founded an investment firm while I was still in college. I think… I’ve fallen in love with you at first sight. If it’s okay, could you give me a chance to pursue you?”
I stared at him in shock. He looked incredibly nervous, and the tips of his ears were bright red.
I’m sorry. I know this is very sudden.” Leander’s clenched fists were trembling. “I apologize for causing you any trouble.”
He set the cake down and turned to walk away.
Hey, I called out. I haven’t given you an answer yet.”
Leander stopped and turned his head cautiously, as if waiting for a death sentence.
couldn’t help but laugh at his reaction. “You can pursue me. It’s your freedom to like someone, isn’t it?” I picked up the cake from he ground. “Do you want to go into the cafe and eat this together?”
A look of pure joy erupted on Leander’s face. Let me carry that.”
The staff saw them come in with the cake and even gave them two extra little desserts. Leander lit the candles and told me to close ny eyes and make a wish.
‘I hope my enrollment goes smoothly and that I can be happy and healthy every day, I thought silently.
Just as I was about to open my eyes, I heard a familiar voice.
‘Elara, happy birthday.”
Vaughn Sterling was standing in front of me, holding a princess-themed cake. He stared at Leander with pure hostility. “Who is
he?”
