Mr. Hephephobias

CHAPTER 03 - Lotus

Lucia who is still at Psithurism Art looked at some paintings accompanied by David. While then the two are still mocking each other every time there is a gap. Their closeness is not an open secret, because David and Lucia have been friends since they stepped into high school with Reisa.

While looking around, Lusia's vision suddenly shifted to a painting that was displayed right behind David. Lucia slowly walked over, gazing at the seriousness of a painting depicting trees shrouded by a dark mist that was torn apart by the tiny glow of sunlight.

Lucia drew her face closer, rounding her eyes together in a small piece of writing at the bottom right of the painting in order to read clearly.

“Lotus… ?" ask him in heart by furrowing his eyebrows when he saw the initials ‘#Lotus’ on the painting.

“David, is this really a Lotus painting?“ ask Lucia to David to make sure.

“You are right, you can see from the initials written on the painting” David replied reassuring Lucia.

“Your father bought his work again ?“ ask Lucia.

“Of course he bought it, you know if my father wouldn't miss any chance of painting” replied David.

“Really… ? Wahh... ” says Lucia is amazed.

“My father plans to ask Lotus personally for him to make a special painting to celebrate the anniversary of this Gallery“, David said.

“Make it specifically? Well.., isn't the Lotus painting always worth a lot." Lucia knows for sure that Lotus works always have a high selling point in the market.

“ My father...” replied David did not finish his speech already cut by another question Lusia.

“Wait... ! Does that mean your father has met Lotus? So... Your father already knows the identity of Lotus ?“ asked Lucia with her curious face. “Then, is he a man or is he a woman ? can you tell me?” continued to ask Lucia non-stop.

Lucia looked back at the painting. “Wah, I really still can't believe it. Awesome, I'm even more convinced that your father is a big fan.” Lucia's unsavory questions and rants did not give David the opportunity to answer. David just kept quiet and listened.

Lucia who was still curious turned her body towards David so as to surprise the man who had just stood right behind him. “Your father is cool...!” he said loudly pointing his right thumb at Davis, praising him and smiling in admiration.

“Didn't every question be asked to answer?” ask David.

"Aaaa.. sorry, haha” said to Lucia with a shy laugh.

“What answer do you expect from me if your question is blindly like that?“ david shook his head. But he was no longer surprised by the petite female character he faced when he had activated kepo mode.

Lucia smiled shyly realizing that her question was already like a long train carriage traveling at full speed without stopping.

“Now your father's gallery already has three works of Lotus painting, amazing" he said again looking at the painting.

“Do you know the meaning of the painting?“ david asked as he looked at the Lotus painting that Luisa had been busy talking about.

“I am not an expert or expert in judging a painting, but seeing it is very calming“ replied Lucia with a small smile showing if she really likes the Lotus work she is currently seeing.

“Is that all you can feel?“ ask David back.

“Eemm. What feeling is it ?“ Lucia asked David.

“You can really see it?” ask David in a relaxed tone.

“I'm still not sure.. ” replied Lucia doubtful.

“But you are right, even though you will be swept away in tranquility, the deeper you will feel a sadness as if expecting peace to come when you are desperate“ said David.

“Desparent ?“ ask Lucia.

“Like you're trapped and want to scream ~ I'm here…!~ “ said David continued his explanation by stepping his feet closer to standing right next to Lusia.

David continued his explanation by looking at Lucia who was standing next to him. "Someone.. please save me …! that's what he wanted to say" continued David.

“So in the end it was just a sadness" said Lucia shriek.

"Of all the Lotus paintings I've seen, I've never seen them with a more cheerful meaning” said Lucia getting carried away after hearing David's explanation.

“Every painter must have their own style which is also part of his identity.” Cut off David who heard Lusia's murmur.

Lucia is increasingly staring at tanjam inisia #Lotus on the painting. "I still don't understand why he hid his identity behind this pen name. Though his work is extraordinary and even accepted by the world" murmured Lucia.

In the middle of their conversation, Reisa who had finished changing clothes approached the two and cut off their conversation. “I'm ready, we can go now!“ exciting Reisa.

“Sure..” say David smiled.

"Lussia, if you still have time, you can continue to look around to see some new paintings that my father brought in this week on the 2” floor, David told Lucia.

Reisa is closing in on Lucia. “Oh yes Lusia, my sweet fairies“ said Reisa with a spoiled smile holding Lucia's hand and leaning her head on Lucia's left shoulder.

“Oh...“ briefly answer Lucia who can already guess if Reisa did it for sure because there is something.

“The trick this time will probably be longer, Big Boss said if there will be a special banquet for him. So may I..!” reisa said as she raised her head to look at Lucia's face like a baby cat. He expects permission from his best friend to be home late at night.

“Look, whose baby cat this is. Even if I say no, will you obey my Little Princess?“ asked Lucia with a wry smile.

Reisa answered Lucia's question only by shaking her head quickly three times and getting closer to embracing Lucia's arm.

“I will bring back your Little Princess intact and safe until home, even this Gallery I can make guarantee“ said David smiled to Lucia while reaching for Reisa's hand. Then he took her lover's hand. Yes, Reisa's current status is David's lover.

“I go first babby... bye bye” said Reisa waving her hand to Lucia. “Oh yes, Don't forget to eat the food I ordered for you, OK !. And be careful when returning to Cafe” further shouted Reisa walking away from the Gallery.

Lucia replied with a smile and a wave. Lucia looked towards those who were walking hand in hand. He looked down and looked at his palm.

“Is there someone who will also hold your hand Lucia?“ he asked in his heart as he sighed and repeatedly stared and played his fist.

Dating is like a luxury for Lucia. She did not have time to find a lover or go on a date. Every day, Lucia spends time just working. In the morning, Lusia works as a florist shop keeper ‘Mey Flowers’. After that he had to continue working the night shift at 'Friends Cafe' .

In fact, on his day off, Lucia also still sets aside time to work to receive calls as a substitute driver. Lucia has no chance to spend hangouts or go shopping at the Mall with friends like girls her age.

“Stop expecting a no-no Lusia, there's no time for you to have romance when you have to fight to survive. After all, who would glance at an ordinary girl like you?. No matter Lucia, not having a boyfriend will not make it difficult for you to survive or die“ he said in a small voice, accompanied by a light smile trying to encourage himself.

Lucy looked back at the Lotus painting. “Then what kind of life does it have? If every painting of yours is a true part of you, why always symbolize sadness. Shouldn't you be the lucky one? have many works that many people like. So, make sure someday I can see a painting depicting the joy of Mr Lotus!” he pointed at the painting with a sharp look.

“Eemm. Not Sir but.. Miss? Miss Lotus…?" ask yourself because he does not know the real identity of the painter with the name Lotus. Is he a man or a woman. It could even be someone old.

"Oh yes, David did not answer me. Has his father ever met Lotus personally ?. Haisss, forget it... !“ gerutu Lucia spoke to herself as she left walking towards the elevator to ascend to the second floor.

Arriving in front of the elevator, Lucia saw from the reflection of the elevator door a man wearing a mask with a long black shirt and a bouquet motif hat. The man leaned his body against the wall by looking at him. For a moment Lucia turned to look at the man, but the man switched to playing his phone as if he was busy.

“Ting...“.

The sound signaled the elevator was open, Lucia rushed into the elevator. The elevator slowly closed, clearly the man looked back at him from the other side until the elevator door closed.

“Did he just notice me ?" lucia said then ignored her curiosity. He thought it was just a coincidence or his feelings.

*** To Be Continued***

Hello loyal readers Rayn & Lusia 👋😃

✅ Continue to Support this Work by making FAVORITE well..

❤ Give Your Like just by clicking Like on the symbol Love, FREE 😍

📝Complete Author's account with your COMMENTS in each of its CHAPTERS. (your suggestions can also be an inspiration for Author stories).

🎀 PLEASE GIVE VOTE on this work to be more Up Up and Up again by the platform.

Thank you for all the support 🙆