Sometimes we do things that don't interest us but we are obliged to do so. Not because we are passionate but because we have to survive. At the end of the day, we all struggle, work hard just so that we could satisfy our inner souls. Buying and living in luxuries is secondary to our basic needs.

Opening an art gallery that's oblivious to the whole world was what I'd never really dreamt of. I have always wanted to do something big. Something out of the box. 

We live in a world where there are so many talented people. However, very few get the chance to appear on the stage and showcase them around. I'm saying this because it's actually a bummer to my motivation.

My mind was coming up with all of these philosophical thoughts because it's my dream to be known all over the world. I want people to recognize me for my work but I know that it is too much to ask for. 

I was sprawled all over the couch when my eyes lazily fell on the coffee table or more particularly on the newspaper that was stacked along with the other things. I don't read much newspapers because it mostly consists of hard news but their supplements sometimes do catch my attention.

I quickly grabbed it because the big advertisement on the right-hand corner on the first page intrigued me.

I smiled instinctively when I read the advertisement for an art workshop/auction. My eyes scanned the entire advertisement and I took in even the unimportant details.

A workshop was being organized by the big and known sponsors in our town. As far as I know, this was the first time a workshop was being held in our town, let alone the auction. The thing that surprised me the most was that these sponsors are quite known for such programs which is a huge deal.

I read the venue, date and time before pulling out the page to keep it to myself. It was being held in a spacious exhibition hall of our town, a week later. 

It brought a wash of excitement over me to attend it. The thought of talking to a few esoteric people during the workshop exhilarated me. Not only this but the reason I want to attend this the most is because I've always been fascinated towards the old and renowned legendary art and paintings. 

I quickly took the torn sheet of the newspaper and rushed towards my bedroom. Just when I jumped on my bed, my cell phone started ringing. Wincing, I put the sheet beside me and picked up the call.

"Hello, Kris."

"Aria. So I am picking up Paris at the airport and later we are heading to the cafe so I want you to join us," Kris replied quickly without pausing and leaving no space for any argument. 'Only Paris? What about him?'

My eyes widened because I don't think I was ready to meet Paris who's dating Aiden who also happens to be my enemy. I grimaced thinking about him. "Uh, I don't thi-" I was cut off even before I could complete my sentence.

"Starbucks. In thirty minutes. Bye." With that said, she hung up.

"Fine," I grumbled to myself. Throwing my phone on the bedside drawer, I exhaled loudly. 

The name "Aiden" itself has always brought bad memories to me. How he used to be embarrassed by my mere presence. How much he tried to tame my bubbly attitude and asked me to "behave" in front of his group. I was naive. I didn't pick up on his hints and did as he asked me to. I loved him. At least, I thought I did. Now that I think about those days, they are nothing but a world full of depression, hatred, tears, insecurities, poignancy and pretense. Anything but love. Tears were starting to form in my eyes but I blinked them back. 

'Meeting his "new" girlfriend? I don't think that would be too bad.' I scoffed. 'Who am I kidding again?'

Getting off of my bed, I quickly changed into one of the faded blue jeans and a green turtleneck sweatshirt. Stuffing all of my essentials in a purse, I put on my converse.

I headed outside and walked the fifteen minutes distance to the cafe. Before I knew it, I reached my destination and saw my best friend sitting beside a blonde girl through the glass window of Starbucks. She was pretty pleasing to the eyes with her tan skin complimenting her features. 'An Australian beaut!'

Taking a deep breath, I pulled open the door and made my way towards them. I took a seat opposite them and passed an awkward smile. "Hey, Kris. Hey, Paris." I threw a blank look towards Kris because I didn't want to be here. I glanced around to expect Aiden to pop out of somewhere but he didn't. 'He didn't come? Well, good for him then and double good for me.'

"Aria." Kris grinned but I just rolled my eyes at her.

"Hey, Aria. I've heard a lot about you, lol." Paris laughed.

I was caught off guard by her statement. 'Where did she hear about me or more precisely from whom?' I wondered. I wasn't so sure if it was Kris or Aiden. Which reminded me if he even told Paris about me dating that douche and that he dumped me. I shook my head and cleared my thoughts that revolved around him.

"That's great," I replied, not knowing what else to say. I felt a bit out of place. When we were young, we were told that we shouldn't judge someone's personality because of their company. Yet, here I was, feeling awkward around her without even trying to know her.

"Kris is always gushing about your paintings and that they're so flawlessly beautiful. I'd love to see your paintings too, lol." She snickered. I blinked at her, not quite understanding whether she was genuinely complimenting me or mocking me by saying the word "lol".

My eyes flickered over to Kris who was smiling nervously, all the while looking at me and then at Paris. It went on for a few seconds. 

She cleared her throat and plastered a huge smile on her lips. "Did I ever mention that Paris loves to say lol at the end of her sentences because it's her favorite word?" She asked me and I shook my head. "No? Of course, I didn't. It must have slipped my mind or something."

"Oh." Was all I could say.

'What. The. Lol!'

To say Paris was strange would be an understatement. I looked at her because she was incessantly smiling. I wondered if she ever got tired of doing that.

"So, when are you gonna show me your paintings? Lol." Paris asked again with the same glint in her eyes.

"Soon." I nodded in her direction. I shifted in my seat uneasily and asked her what I'd wanted to ask ever since the moment I entered the cafe. "So... how's your relationship going on?"

Her smile dropped and I regretted asking her the dreadful question. It seemed like she knew that I was her boyfriend's ex-girlfriend. Her smiles looked so beautiful and natural. "We broke up," she answered in a monotone. And she didn't even say 'lol' this time which might I add, was weird.

My eyes widened at her confession and I quickly looked at Kris who pursed her lips in annoyance. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to..." I trailed off, unsure of how to react.

"He thinks I am weird because I use the word lol." She grimaced. "But I told him off. I said him I don't ever want to see his fucking ugly face in my whole damn life. Also, I said that if I ever come to know about his presence in Australia, I would strangle him to death. Lol." She scoffed with an evil smirk. I grinned in her direction and Kris was mirroring my expression.

"Then I think he would be thrown out of the Earth in a few years. More like the universe. I wouldn't be surprised though," I mumbled to myself.

"Um what, lol?" Paris asked but I just shook my head. I don't think she knew about him dumping me as well but it was better that way. The lesser the people know, the better it is for my self-esteem.

We all chatted and before I knew it, I was getting along with Paris quite well. She seemed genuinely interested in my paintings and even promised to come visit my art gallery soon which filled me with a feeling of deep gratitude.  

Paris and Kris left the cafe early because she was jet-lagged and headed to her hotel whereas my best friend had to complete her office assignments. Some press conference she wanted to prepare for, she'd told me.

I decided to linger in the cafe for a while because I didn't feel like going home yet. I looked out of the window and watched each and every person strolling about on this fine sunday afternoon.

I heard someone clear their throat and my eyes snapped up towards my left. Atlas was standing there with a gorgeous smile on his face. His hands were tucked in his pockets and my eyes fell on his hair. They were brown, just the way I like it and just the way I had always imagined him to be.

"Hey." I smiled.

"Hi." He nodded his head and took a seat across me. "Didn't expect to see you here."

"Me neither but we don't expect a lot of things." I shrugged nonchalantly but my heart was thumping so fast that I thought he might hear it.

"Right," he agreed, chuckling and I found myself smiling at him in awe. I am still mesmerized by his handsome looks. I could stare at him all day but then my sane side warned me. 'Stop it before he might think that I am creepy.'

We talked for an hour or so which mostly consisted of all the basic stuff. I still don't know what he does for the living but I didn't dare to ask him. 'What if he gets mad at me like the other day and storms out of the cafe, leaving me alone.'

Soon, we left the cafe and started strolling on the streets extremely slow. Like usual, it was silent between us.

Before I could even blink, we finally reached my house. He walked me to the gates and my heart was swelling with genuine happiness. I beamed at him and said, "Thanks for accompanying me."

"No problem." He smiled but didn't make any move to leave. I shuffled on my feet awkwardly, not knowing what to do or say.

"So... bye." I laughed nervously and was about to move towards my porch steps when his hand grabbed my arm.

My eyes almost popped out of their sockets at such a bold move. Slowly turning around, I saw his bewildered expression. From the looks of it, he didn't expect it either but he seemed to recover from it.

He took a step closer to me and I stood there rooted on the ground, stupefied. I blinked furiously, thinking this was all just a dream but boy was I wrong. Within a step or two, he stood directly in front of me with just an inch of a distance between us.

I couldn't believe my eyes. I couldn't believe that he was so close to me, invading my personal space. Although I wouldn't complain because I was liking it. My heart was galloping while my entire body was feeling hot. My cheeks were probably red from blushing so hard.

I opened my mouth to speak but he tilted his head and placed his lips on my left cheek. They lingered there for a few seconds as I was busy putting myself together. They were so soft, melting me. I liked the feeling of his lips. My stomach did a somersault with goosebumps erupting everywhere on my body.

He pulled back with a red tinge on his cheeks and neck as well. 'He is so adorable.' 

"Bye, Aria. Take care." With those last words, he went away just like he always does.

I stood there with a creepy grin on my face. 'He kissed me! A peck but a kiss nonetheless. On my cheek.' I don't know if I were seeing things or not but he had an imperceptible smile before he left. I don't think I would be able to sleep today. It was just a small simple kiss on a cheek but enough for my brain to stop functioning.