Aretta & Secrets

Portrait of Aidan

"Aretta?"

Still the same as yesterday, I was reawakened by Aidan. The man shook my body slowly so that I would open my eyes immediately.

I growled and opened my eyes a little to see it.

"Let's get up!" Why is he so impatient. I rolled my body and forced myself to get out of bed. When my feet hit the floor I looked down. There's a fur carpet I didn't realize was here. I smile. While at home I had to settle for just getting the right sleep and blankets.

Home....

I have to go home today. I hope no one will realize if I didn't come home last night and most importantly, I wish I could avoid Mama today.

I stepped out of the room by setting foot on this hairy carpet. I don't know if the floor can turn this warm if it's covered with carpet.

When I got to the kitchen, I found Aidan making milk and there was also fried rice on the dinner table. He looked up and smiled when he saw me.

"For princess! Breakfast is ready and warm milk is coming."

I grimaced, "What time do you wake up?"

"530. But you will know for yourself the windfall will be pegged by chickens if you wake up late," he replied cheerfully. I shake my head not understanding. He lived alone and it was certain that no one would bother him even if he woke up late.

"Why did you wake up so early?" indict me. He didn't have to get up that early because his working hours started at 7:30.

"First, you remember that you have PR, right? The job I gave you last week."

I bit my lips and felt anxious for no reason.

"The assignment from yesterday's worksheet?" many ensure. He nodded and immediately walked out of the kitchen to the front room. Just a few minutes and he came back with my bag. I remember I took the job yesterday, but it doesn't seem like I'm really doing it because yesterday I wasn't okay.

I let out a rough sigh and immediately snatched the bag from her. I quickly worked on the PR she gave me, even though Aidan was in front of me but I had no intention of asking him for help.

I completed the task from Aidan in less than 10 minutes, after which I returned to take another task. I took out my sketchbook and started to open the page.

Aidan is still here. The man sat in front of me and he was watching all my actions. His position that was sipping tea was really extraordinary to be a model. I refocused on my sketchbook, my hand stopped at the portrait I made yesterday. I looked closely at the portrait of myself that was there. Sketches of my eyes, hair, and mouth. I smiled at the portrait.

"Pretty." I heard a voice coming from behind my shoulder. He stood behind me and looked at my portrait from behind.

"thank you. Miss Nisa said she was beautiful too" I said happily.

How long have I not heard anyone mutter a pretty word to me. Not after Papa left. Some foreigners also say beautiful just to tease me.

He sat back in his place and it made me feel free to look him in the face.

"Can I draw your face?" A big smile fell on her lips and I thought it was an agreement. He always smiled like that and would turn into a smile full of pain when talking about his parents. I accidentally noticed that little change when he told me about Omanya yesterday. I didn't try to ask and find out because it seemed like the thing related to her parents was something that should not be carelessly scraped.

Aidan picked up the newspaper and he started reading it and I myself started drawing his jaw, his well-groomed hair, and the glint he often took out without him noticing.

I was too focused on my sketches and Aidan got carried away. We were both silent and no one spoke until the man opened his mouth first.

"Take a look at this Aretta," he said, thrusting the newspaper in front of me and pointing to an advertisement, "the shop next to the bookstore is for sale."

"What kind of shop would fill that place?" I asked him.

"Lack of knowing, but it's like the store won't sell that fast. Almost everyone is selling it." He explained, "by the way I want to see the results, by the way" he said, trying to peek from above.

I turned my work around to show him. Waiting to see how he reacts. I don't expect an over-reaction just a thank you is enough.

Waiting for Aidan to open his mouth to comment took a long time. He stared in astonishment and it seemed like he was also assessing the structure of the line I drew. I squeezed my hand rough. When will he open his mouth.

"I didn't know that I could look handsome in this portrait and the result was 100% the same as me" he said, pushing his chest forward. He was still observing the portrait and I decided to move on and clean up our breakfast.

"Have you ever thought about taking art for college tomorrow?" he asked when I was busy washing my glasses and dishes using liquid soap. And before answering I turned to look at him. Is he kidding?

"No," I replied quickly, "the first reason is because I don't really master art and the second reason is because I can't afford to pay for college." Indeed it is the fact, although I can use my savings, but I do not guarantee that life in college is not as wasteful as when I go to school. Besides, what would Mama do to me if she knew I had the money to go to college? There he's gonna search my room and find all my savings for his drunken use.

"You can apply for a scholarship" he said.

"I had no thoughts of going to college and my decision is still unanimous today."

Aidan sighed softly. He stopped asking because he knew he couldn't possibly beat my stubbornness.

"You should be promised to take an open test to enter a state university. I'll anterin you later."

"I can't promise, Aidan. Before it's too late I'll tell you now" I said quietly and it really made Aidan focus on me, "the help you love will not be able to make me give back as you want and in the end you will also give up yourself."