Looking at myself in the mirror, I straightened out all the invisible creases with my hands. I was wearing a dark purple strapless dress that reached just a few inches above my knees. The upper part of the dress was hugging me perfectly while the lower part flared stylishly from my waist. To top it all, I donned a white floral lace jacket covering just my bust area and the sleeveless shoulders. 

The most difficult part was choosing appropriate footwear. I owned a few casual shoes however when it came to heels, I hardly had two pairs. And I literally screamed in joy when one of them was black because it could look good on almost anything.

My hair was tied up in a tight and high ponytail. My makeup was kind of subtle with my lips coated in soft pink lipstick while my eyes looked pretty good because of the winged eyeliner. Even this minimalistic make-up took me forever which was why I couldn't bring myself to waste another second on it.

Grabbing my cute purse, I slung it over my shoulder and headed downstairs. It was really difficult to walk in those heels but I maintained my posture and continued walking.

I have been waiting for this day for an entire week now. The exhibition has been the talk of the town because it's been organized and sponsored by the CEOs of the biggest companies. The media has created a hullabaloo to get as much inside information as they could.

What I love the most about this event is that anyone could attend, regardless of their class.

Kristen had informed me the other day that the organizers of this event had sent a press release to the media personnel to make this exhibition even more known around the town. 

"Mom, Dad," I called out when I reached the last step. I tread towards the living room to see my parents and Bert lounging in there, watching a movie.

"Hey, sweetie. You look beautiful," my mom breathed, grinning and standing up from her position on the couch. 

"Couldn't agree more." My dad chuckled, still slumped on the couch with his arm around Bert. I smiled at them both and muttered a quiet 'thank you'.

"Well, sister, you still look like a grape with a tinge of mushroom," came Bert's playful snide remark.

"Why, thank you, brother. I see you've been learning difficult words," I retorted back sarcastically. 

"My pleasure and yes."

I rolled my eyes at him and his stupid comebacks before glancing at my parents. "Well, I'll be leaving now."

My mom nodded and pecked me on my cheek. "Take care, hon and drive safely. I'm glad you're not riding your ludicrous bike today." Mom sighed in relief. 

I raised an eyebrow at her and she hugged me. Dad and Bert were too engrossed to even give me a second glance. So I took that as my cue to leave. "Bye, everyone."

I heard a chorus of 'byes' and made my way towards the garage. I didn't have a car of my own so I requested my dad to lend me his for a day because walking was out of the option in these death traps. Also, I couldn't imagine myself cycling around in a dress and once again in these heels. I snorted and made my way towards my dad's Honda.

Sitting on the plush seats, I relished in the feeling of driving a car after so long. Whistling, I swerved it out of the garage and towards my destination. 

Kristen had told me that she was going to be there before anyone else because she's assigned to write a report on this event even if she doesn't cover such news. 

After fifteen minutes of driving, I finally arrived at the hall. It was huge with extravagant and extreme decorations. I had expected the media to lure outside the gates but I realized that this is also sort of a conference for them.

I parked the car in the parking lot and walked towards the gate. It was wide open, making me sigh in relief. I was about to enter the hall when one of the guards at the entrance stopped me. "Your entry card, miss."

I was caught off guard for a second but then his words registered in my brain "Oh, yeah. Just a sec," I muttered. I handed over my registered entry card to him before he let me in. Once I'd registered myself after seeing the advertisement in the newspaper, I was emailed a card after paying the entry fee and it was a good thing that the amount was reasonable.

As soon as I was inside, my eyes widened at how marvelous the hall looked and my eyes probably held stars. I was star-struck to be more precise. I laughed silently at my own joke.

The ceiling was in a dome shape and a lot of simple sculptures were hung high on the walls to welcome everyone. The paintings of every famous, renowned, old and new artist were put up in the entire room. I could tell that these paintings were not the originals but their replica instead because I don't think they could actually ask the museums for the originals. The exhibition couldn't compensate if any of them were to be damaged.

I was mesmerized and captivated by everything. There was a reception table with a receptionist sitting behind it to my right. I didn't even realize that I was still standing at the front gates when I heard Kris calling out my name.

"Aria," she said, panting while approaching me. "Why are you still standing here? Come on." Kris was wearing a black dress that reached a few inches below her knees. The thin and flimsy straps held her dress. Her usually red, straight hair was curled up into perfection. All in all, she looked stunning.

"This is so beautiful," I whispered excitedly to Kris who just rolled her eyes at me.

"You're such a dork, Ari, you know that right?" She said, smiling. I didn't bother to give her any reply and went back to admiring the paintings. "You look perfect though." She gave me a wink.

"Not more than you. You look very pretty tonight too," I complimented her and she beamed at me.

There was an enormous table occupying the entire left side of the wall with paintings placed on it meticulously. There was a glass casing, separating the viewers from touching and causing any damages to them.

Kris left me probably to have a talk with her partner who held a camera on his shoulder and kept nodding at Kris who was probably instructing him about something. "Interesting," I muttered to myself.

The media people were looking organized and professional rather than being the hungry information seeker. There was a separate row of chairs for them. Then there were normal art fanatics like me luring around and having the time of their lives, trying to analyze the meaning behind every painting. And lastly, there were a few people with branded and expensive couture chatting and not bothering to admire the real beauty in this room.

I was looking at the 'The Last Supper' when I heard a familiar voice from beside me. I turned my head towards my left to see Atlas smiling down at me.

My breath got caught in my throat because this was the first time I was seeing him in an immaculate black suit. He was wearing a white shirt underneath and his hair was styled back, making his - or maybe dyed - dark brown hair look darker. It took everything in me to not ogle at him with obvious appreciation.

I didn't know that he was into paintings or anything even remotely close to them to actually attend this exhibition. "Hey, Atlas." I gave him a warm smile which he smoothly returned. 

"Aria." He nodded. "You look." He cleared his throat and replied shyly, "you look really beautiful."

I blushed at his comment. Whenever people compliment me on my looks, I really don't know how to react and I couldn't even bring myself to say a simple thank you. Maybe Kris was right, I really am a dork. 'Huh!'

"Thank you," I said awkwardly and bounced my head from side to side to elude myself from any further embarrassment. "You look good too." Well, now I am aware of one more thing. 'I suck at complimenting too. Damn!'

"Thanks." He chuckled, clearly amused by the situation. 

"I didn't take you for the 'art exhibition' type of guy," I said furrowing my brows in curiosity, specifically air quoting the 'art exhibition'.

"Well if that's the case then I don't think I would have stepped into your art gallery either." He replied back without missing a beat.

"Touché," I agreed and punched his arm lightly. He just raised an eyebrow at me with an open-mouthed smile. "What?" I laughed. 

"Nothing." He shook his head, still smiling. A few seconds passed when neither of us spoke anything and I took my sweet little time gawking at the flawless paintings of the centuries old artists. "You know, the real reason I'm actually here is because my dad's one of the organizers of this event."

I looked at him in bewilderment and said, "That explains the suit." Most of the guys roaming around here were clad in normal clothing while girls could be seen pretty much in all types of clothing. Kris had forced me to wear a dress and I had to reluctantly oblige. But nobody really wore anything too extravagant except for the event organizers.

He just laughed. I watched him in awe as his head tipped back while his properly matted hair fell on his forehead. It made me smile unknowingly. "Yeah pretty much. But my dad couldn't make it because he is all busy and stuff. He's got caught up in some meetings with the CEOs of his companies around the globe about this new feature he's been thinking of adding."

"Your dad's a businessman?" Wow. I never knew that. Now that explains why he's so damn rich.

"Yeah." He looked amused by my reaction and continued, "Though, I don't work there nor am I a part of his business. I'm doing this today because I wasn't left with much choice since someone had to make an appearance," he explained it to me. "Besides, I don't ever wanna work in his business."

"Why's that?" I asked him when my eyes widened dramatically. "Is it illegal?"

"No," he said, wheezing. "It certainly is not illegal, Aria. I'm just not a business kinda guy plus it's an automobile company which is completely out of my understanding. If I can't even understand the base then how would I ever support the entire thing," he told me patiently before shrugging. "By the way it is Carter Automobile Ltd. and not at all illegal," he teased me with a cute grin.

My mouth formed an 'O' shape. I don't read business newspapers or magazines for that matter so I don't know much but I would be an imbecile to not know Carter Automobile Ltd. It's a really huge company if I say so.

I quickly covered my dumbstruck expression and asked him, "So he never asked you to take over his company like, you know, to be the next CEO or something, I don't know." My hands were gesticulating awkwardly the whole time.

"No, he didn't. I mean you need to be a very smart and responsible person to handle a business. And honestly, I was never good with these things. I've always been inclined towards music. Yes, he was wary at first but he always encouraged me to pursue my dreams. I don't wanna be known because of my father. I've always wanted to do something on my own. Make my own name." He had a far off look in his eyes and his hands were stuffed in his pockets.

"I understand," I said earnestly. Even though I didn't get to major in the subject I wanted to in college, I've always wanted to do something I love because my talent doesn't require a certificate. It requires ability and I'm proud to have that.

He gave me a small smile and muttered softly, "I know." His body was facing me, making my heart race uncannily. I started tapping my hand on my purse. An unforgettable habit of mine whenever I get nervous. 

"So... did you do something. I mean did you pursue your dreams?" I asked him suddenly to evade my nervousness. 

He seemed tentative to reply at first but he answered me anyway. "Yes. I am making and writing my own music and songs in one of the recording labels. I have almost made a name in the music industry but anyone outside the industry don't know me as of now because I haven't released any songs yet." The whole time he wasn't even meeting my eyes and I wondered why but ignored it like usual.

"Oh so now I know where you got those expensive tickets from. I'm assuming Mars is probably your best friend and I think he'd be really disappointed in knowing that you aren't attending his concert," I said jokingly and laughing but he looked a bit... guilty. Of course, because he couldn't really attend his best friend's concert. "Wait, is he even your best friend?"

"Yes... yes. Yes, he is. And I can't attend his concert because I'm busy," he replied and took a glass of wine when a butler passed by with a tray full of drinks. I was actually shocked that my theory was right. 'Wow, what a clear shot!' "You want?" He asked, gesturing towards the drinks and I shook my head.

He offered me his hand and I looked confused at first but took it without any hesitance. 

"I think you'd not want to waste your time by talking around because then you'll regret not actually utilizing your time to gawk at these paintings. The real reason why you're here, right?"

"Right." I grinned, clicking my fingers and he laughed. We'd never held hands before and I really didn't want to let him go. The moment our hands touched, I felt something inside my chest. Maybe, it was a feeling of my heart skipping a beat. Soon enough, it began thumping real quick to make up for that one lost beat.

My stomach was continuously doing somersaults and it actually felt good to be this close to him. I stared at our entwined hands before looking up at him. However, I was stupefied to see Atlas giving me an intense look with a conspiratorial smile playing on his lips that I couldn't quite comprehend.

I felt abashed because he caught me staring. I could feel the blush crawling up from my neck towards my cheeks. I started feeling giddy because of the blood rushing onto my face. I felt hot all of a sudden and wanted nothing more than to hide my face.

"That's cute," Atlas said, looking at me with a smirk and a slight twinkle in his clear blue eyes.

"What is?" I asked, averting my gaze to look ahead.

"You blushing."