Possessive Companions

Chapter 25

Darrel was already at the race venue. However, his mind was still fixed on the hotel, precisely on Aurel. Painting time is over, making Darrel come to his senses from his mind.

Darrel and several appraisers began to assess each painting. Darrel's eyes were immediately fixed on one painting.

"Of all the paintings, I think this is the best. It's also the most neat. The view looks real." Darrel said, watching the painting with a view of the village and the small hills surrounding it. The green color and the flowing waterfall is so refreshing to the eye.

"Yes, I agree with you young man." Said an appraiser, whom Darrel guessed was in his 60s.

The other two appraisers also agreed. They started to pick and grade for a few more paintings to advance to the top ten round.

The host began to announce the participants who advanced to the round of ten, by mentioning the number of participants and the value of their paintings. Until arriving at the painter with the highest score.

"Participants with the highest scores, ranked by the participant with the participant number 091."

A girl walks onto the stage when she hears her participant number called. A fluffy smile was seen on his face as a star sticker stuck to his participant's number as a sign he was advancing to the round of 10. After that, they will all get a winner from the race.

Everyone present, including the participants and the appraiser gave an applause for him. Except Darrel. The man had already disappeared into the toilet before the owner of the highest grade was announced.

"Congratulations, yes." Said the host to the girl. He nodded, then joined the other participants who entered the top 10.

"alright. Since lunch time is flat again, let's take a break. After that, we will continue the race to find out the real winner of this race."

After the host announced the race to be continued after lunch, one by one out of the large hall.

Same with the judges. Darrel who just came from the toilet also went to the place to eat. There was already room for the appraisers to have their lunch. While the participants, they used a spacious room, it could be said like a canteen as their place for lunch.

"He was great. Of the 100 participants who participated, he was the one who had the first high score." Said one of the participants who was walking to the cafeteria with his friend.

"Yes. He deserves the best value. The painting is really very good." Timpal.

Darrel who was behind them continued to listen to the conversation of the two participants. He was curious about the person they called.

After lunch is over, the ten escaped participants compete for the best value and come out as winners.

The clock continues to turn, until the specified time arrives. Ten participants left their paintings, letting the appraisers judge them.

Darrel and the others began to look at the ten paintings.

"It's a painting of participant number 091."

All the appraisers looked at the painting.

Degs...

Darrel was stunned to see a painting of a girl he knew.

"Ashya?" He murmured, very slowly.

He looked at the woman who showed the painting.

"Who painted this?" Ask Darrel.

"No idea, sir. I was just in charge of showing this painting. The ones who know more clearly are the supervisory team and the registrant team." Answer the woman.

"This painting is beautiful. She was like the little girl's rescue fairy. His smile was also very charming."

"Could such a beautiful girl in this painting exist?"

"Eitherway. I think the painter had experienced something similar with the girl he helped. Until he expressed it so well in this painting."

"Yes, you're right. This painting must be expensive when it's sold."

Darrel was silent at the praises that were thrown from the mouths of the appraisers. She kept looking at the painting where there was Asya who was wearing a white dress like a helper fairy, while smiling beautifully at the little girl. Asya's outstretched hand rubbed the little girl's hair which made the little girl smile back at him.

He must be the one who's seen Asya. Or, ever close to Asya. Inner Darrel.

"Ah, huh?"

"What do you think of this painting?"

"Perfects." Darrel replied making the elderly man chuckle.

"It seems you're interested in this painting."

"Yes. I'll buy it."

Darrell answered it briefly. He had decided to buy the painting from the first time he saw it. Not because of its beauty or anything. The problem is this is Asya's face. If this painting is sold to someone else, and Darren knows it, he doesn't know what's going on, especially to the painter. In addition, this event was covered by one of the print media companies that are quite famous in the city. It would be so easy for Darren to know.

Darren really does not allow photos or images of Asya to be spread and seen by many people. Even on Asya's social media accounts there are no photos. Darren completely forbade the girl from showing her photos to the public. And Asya obediently obeyed him. Because of that, Darrel doesn't want chaos.

After the assessment is complete, it is time for the announcement of the race champion. Again, Darrel was surprised by the name called as the first champion.

"The first vote of the painting competition was won by participants with the participant number 091, on behalf of Aurelie Jasmin."

Degs...

Is that the Aurel I know?

Darrel's heart beats rapidly when he hears Aurel's name called. He was increasingly convinced that it was Aurel when he saw the girl on stage and received her gift from Mr. Kariman. His eyes did not blink looking at the girl.

It is fitting that the painting depicts Asya well. You are the painter. But since when can you paint? You hid a lot of things from me as well as Jiyo and Asya. Inner Darrel.

After everything was done, Darrel headed for one of the rooms in the place. He had already asked one of the event organizers to bring him together with Aurel. He wanted to talk about the price of the painting with the painter.

"Please come in, miss. Master's already inside." Aurel nodded.

Geck... Geck... Geck...

"Lake in!" The incoming order that sounded made Aurel push the door. He was surprised to see Darrel there. But, he quickly turned his surprised face into calm.

"Sorry, sir. What master wants to buy my painting?"

"Don't call me mister, Aurel."

"I'm here to talk about selling paintings, not for anything else." Aurel said, understanding Darrel's intentions.

"Aurel..."

"If you don't want to buy it, I'll go out. I have to continue my work."

"alright. How much do you want?"

"You're good at painting. You know what a decent price is. If you intend to buy it, just contact the staff responsible for the sale. Since I participated in this race, and my paintings were sold, then they were also entitled to set the price."

"All right."

"If there's no more, I'm sorry."

Aurel stood up and was about to leave. However, Darrel stopped him again.

"Aurel!"

The girl gulped her saliva. He had stayed away for so long and hid himself from his friends. His determination not to establish a relationship with them faltered when he met Darrel again. I want her to feel good and hug Darrel. Asking him to take her to meet Asya and Jiyo. However, he did not want to trouble them.

"I still have a lot of work. Excuse me." Aurel immediately left with tears held in her eye peluk.

You hide a lot of things from us. I'll make sure, this time you won't disappear again. You will always be in my control. Inner Darrel.