Secretly Mine
Chapter 183: Gallery Event (2)

Chapter 183: Gallery Event (2)

I looked at the painting Eve was looking at. After a while of observing it closely, I could imagine what sort of sounds I could hear if I were actually here.

What surprised me the most, however, was the fact that Eve was interested in this kind of thing. Usually, ladies in our age group would be more worried about the latest fashion trends or celebrities, not paintings in an art gallery.

We walked into the third room together, quietly observing the paintings. Before I even had a chance to look at the first painting, I noticed Eve taking wide strides over to the end of the room.

Curiously, I followed her, interested to see what she saw that would make her skip over so many paintings.

I looked up at the wall in front of her, noticing that she was staring at Lucas’s paintings. But in the center of the wall, hung a small, familiar painting. Mine.

How is it that my painting is at the center?

My eyes widened. I took a step forward and stood beside her.

"Find something you like?" I asked after a brief pause.

Eve nodded toward the painting. "I’ve followed L.L. Lewis’s work for a while now. His paintings... they feel like quiet confessions. I always come when his pieces are on display."

Her eyes locked onto my painting, and her lips curved up into a small smile. "This is so cute. I can tell right away that this isn’t L.L. Lewis’s work, but perhaps an influence? I really enjoy all of the joy in the scene."

I froze in place. I never thought that of all the people in the world, my first compliment would come from Eve Lombardi.

"Do you really think so?" I asked shyly.

She smiled and nodded, still looking at my painting closely. "Yes, I think it’s very good, though I am curious as to who the artist is. L.L. Lewis is notorious for not taking in any apprentices. It’s just interesting that this painting is here, surrounded by his."

My eyes widened. I turned to look at her to see if her face was saying something different from her words, but the gentle smile in her eyes told me that she truly meant it.

"Mmm, I’m not so sure," I said quietly.

Her heartfelt compliment rang through my mind. It was funny how hearing something so nice completely changed my perspective on her.

After admiring the paintings, Eve finally turned to look at me. "So, how’s your sister? Is she still pestering Christian?"

Her abrupt question took me by surprise. I had almost forgotten that she seemed to be interested in Christian as well.

"She’s still the same," I said vaguely. In the present moment, I felt more fond of Eve than I did of Morgan, so I didn’t bother trying to elevate Morgan in front of her.

Her eyes flashed with amusement. "You know, Leslie, you’re quite different from your sister. We never really talked before, so I assumed that you were just like your sister. However, I like your personality a lot more."

This time, a genuine smile appeared on my face. It was nice to have someone see me as me, not just ’a daughter of the Moresi family’.

I looked at her, "Well, I appreciate the kind words. I, too, have been pleasantly surprised by your insight on these paintings. It seems we both had the wrong first impression of each other."

Eve let out a small laugh and nodded. "Maybe we can even be friends. Though I must say, I will still try to win over Christian’s heart! So if that day ever comes, don’t hate me for it!"

A strange feeling stirred inside of me. It was something between jealousy and unease.

So what if she wins him over? What’s that got to do with me?

I did my best to suppress any lingering emotions and flashed her a small smile. "Of course," I said, trying to remain lighthearted.

Not wanting to continue the subject on Christian, I turned my attention to Lucas’s paintings. "Which one is your favorite?"

Eve smiled but shook her head. "That’s hard to say. They are all amazing. His work always makes me feel understood. Like someone sees through the noise, through the expectations. I don’t know who he is, but... I think he paints the kind of love I’ve never had."

She pointed to one of Lucas’s paintings, which depicted a serene lake scene. "That lake," she said, smiling wistfully. "I could live in that silence. And yet there’s warmth. Like whoever painted it was remembering someone he missed."

"That’s a very insightful observation." A voice came from behind me. I turned around, meeting Lucas’s smiling face.

He was replying to Eve, but his eyes were looking at me.

Eve turned to look at him, raising her eyebrow slightly.

"Eve, this is my good friend Lucas. He was the one who suggested coming here today," I said, quickly introducing them.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you," Lucas said with a slight bow, finally shifting his gaze off me.

She nodded in reply and turned to continue looking at the paintings.

"Eve is a big fan of L.L. Lewis," I said, filling Lucas in on our conversation.

He nodded with a soft smile. "Do you collect his work?" he turned to ask Eve.

She shook her head. "I’ve tried to buy a few pieces at private auctions, but they’re always gone by the time I inquire. Someday though... maybe." She smiled to herself. "His work is worth chasing."

Lucas nodded with understanding but didn’t reply. He walked over to stand directly in front of my painting.

"I really like this one, unfortunately, it’s already been sold," he said calmly.

I froze. My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.

"Sold?!" I gasped.

Eve glanced at me with a suspicious look. I quickly covered my mouth and flashed her an apologetic smile. "I meant that it was so quick. I didn’t expect that something could be sold so quickly..."

She shook her head and chuckled. "I’m willing to bet that more than half of the paintings here are already sold, especially these." Her eyes remained fixed on Lucas’s paintings.