*nervously enters this book after a whole year* (~_~;)

I AM SO SORRY FOR DISAPPEARING LIKE THAT (╥_╥)

So much has happened since the last time I updated that I never got a chance to write or even feel inspired to write. I feel better now and hopefully will continue with regular updates. I really hope you haven't given up on this story if you do I understand and I'm sorry..! Please accept this tiny froggy with a heart as my apology. ♡

OKAY  NOW LET'S GET BACK!!!! (~˘▾˘)~

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It didn't look like the rain was going to stop anytime soon and it made me nervous. What if my parents suddenly decided to video call me? Well, I could stuff him into the bathroom but that would be embarrassing—wait. IS MY UNDERWEAR STILL HANGING IN THERE?!

I dashed into the bathroom and sighed a breath of relief when I found zero underclothes.

When I came out, I was met by Ethan's concerned expression. 'I thought I heard another rat'.

'You really need to call an exterminator, he frowned and I let out a dry laugh.

Ethan apparently did not share my worry of being discovered in my apartment. In fact, he appeared to be at ease as he looked through my photo collage on the wall as well as my mess of a table. I really should clean it.

'You have a lot of sketchbooks and art pens, mind if I ask to see your drawings?', he asked with an eager smile.

Another dry laugh came out of me, 'The thing is I don't really draw'.

'Then what are these sketchbooks for?', he blinked.

'I write in them'

'...'

'Out of spite'

'...'

'It was a petty decision I made in college when I kept being told that my drawings weren't architecture enough and that I had to stop writing so much', and quickly looked away to avoid his expression which looked extremely amused.

'So you're telling me, that all these fifty-something costly sketchbooks are full of words and not lines?', he asked scratching his brow and I shrugged, 'Sue me'.

Ethan let out a loud laugh which startled me because I honestly expected him to lecture me or complain about how I was wasting good paper, like everyone else who'd seen my books of revenge.

'You're quite something Salome, you're quite something. I like your style', he grinned and I watched as his hand traced the spine of a thread-bound sketchbook.

'That one actually has some drawings in it', I said wryly.

'Oh? Why the special treatment?', he asked with a cocky expression and I rolled my eyes at him, 'There was no special treatment, I just happened to think that pictures would suit this one better'.

'How fortunate you are sketchbook created by...Paper Hallows! To have escaped the burning fury of Salome's revenge', he teased as he took it into his hands and lifted it up gesturing whether he could open it or not.

'By all means but don't judge me for not being as good as the 'masters of architecture' Pharaoh family', but honestly I was freaking out inside. This was the son of one of the world's greatest architects looking through my sketchbook which was full of anything but buildings and sceneries.

'To be honest I think that the 'architecture' style of drawing is overrated. Don't tell anyone I said that', he winked and I couldn't help but smile at him.

I watched as he carefully flipped through the pages and from time to time he would break into a smile.

'You really love anime don't you?', he asked looking up and I shrugged, 'I like loud expressions and colors. Basically, anything that makes you do a double take'.

'Like you', he said and I furrowed my eyebrows. 'Can't you see how much of yourself is reflected in these pages? You're expressive and loud about the things you love and I don't think you own a monotone-themed wardrobe either', he smiled tugging at the shirt he wore.

Ethan was right, I was what I drew, which meant...

'I wasn't what college wanted'. The words had accidentally spilled out of my mouth that I quickly covered it when I met his frown.

'I didn't mean to—' 'You don't have to apologize for not being something you're aren't. There's no rule where it says we all have to draw like D.K Ching, we're supposed to bring out our own individuality. I'm sorry that you had to go through that, Salome', he said sternly but with a gentle voice.

'I love your drawings', he continued. 'I love how you draw these characters as if you've created a story around them. The colors that you've used can brighten up any one of my bluest days. I really wish you could forget the words they made you believe and continue to be who you are'.

I wanted to cry but I didn't want to spoil the mood so instead, I nodded with a small smile and attempted to change the topic,

'Do you draw?',

'Sometimes but I'd pick my dancing over drawing', he chuckled and I watched how his face lit up as e spoke about his interests with confidence.

'It's really nice to see someone be so confident about the things they're good at. I wish I could speak like you', I said and he looked at me questioningly.

'With all these books full of your writings, don't you think you're good enough?'

'Not even close', I laughed but Ethan did not look amused.

'Salome, if you don't love your works, how will you believe anyone who compliments you?', he frowned.

Well for that to happen, I first had to believe in their compliments because whenever a person complimented me on anything, my brain would suddenly forget how to function and blurt out the most random things.

'Ah, forget it', I said shaking my head but Ethan looked like he was determined to make me learn how to love myself. Funny how I had just made that decision before and here it was challenging me to start.

However he didn't say anything and instead picked up a drawing pen, 'Can I draw you?'

'...'

'Huh?'

'I wanted to draw you', he said as if it was the most normal thing to ask.

'Why?'

'What do you mean why?. I want to draw you and I thought it would be better if I asked for your permission', he stated.

I let out a dry laugh and replied, 'Sure if you can' and his eyes snapped up at me.

'What do you mean if I can?'

'Listen I'm not coming for the great Pharaoh legacy of architects, it's just that no one's really drawn me without complaining', I said dryly.

'Complaining?'. Ethan looked as if he'd been thrown off the whole track.

'As in some part of my face ends up looking weird. I've been told that my eyes have a weird unnatural shape and that my nose looks different from every angle', I shrugged.

'They should just admit that they suck at drawing', and I looked at him stunned.

'Ethan! That's rude! They draw really well, it's just that I—' 'You allow yourself to be degraded in front of people who are just lazy to try'.

His words felt like a slap. Not because of how direct it was, but because it was the truth–because someone had once told me the same thing; Karthick.

'Why do you let people talk badly about you?'

'Because I don't want to hurt them', I said, which was what I had told Karthick as well.

'What?', asked a stunned Ethan.

'Because they probably spent hours trying to draw me and what matters to me is the gesture more than the result!', I explained getting defensive and I could tell that Ethan had noticed the sudden shift in the mood.

'I understand the sentimental value of the drawing, Salome but it's wrong to have someone tell you that the reason they can't make a decent portrait of you is because of your features instead of their lack of talent or laziness to even try', he said gently.

'I'm used to it', I smiled weakly. I didn't have the strength to move in the specifics because it would open a whole other door of pain so I looked away.

'Just let me draw you, okay?', he said and I nodded.

'What do you want me to do?', I asked.

'Oh just do something, it'll look like a candid picture', and as I climbed into bed, I let out a laugh which caused him to look at me.

'No, I was just thinking about how all of my candid shots are so bad–', but I immediately stopped when I saw his eyes flicker with annoyance.

'I mean, I have this really good book', and quickly grabbed the nearest book which happened to be Kafka on the Shore.

'Oh, that's a really good book', he said as he seated himself facing me, and just when I was about o tell him that I agreed and how well it was written, he flashed out his phone and took a picture.

Ethan smiled as he looked at his phone and then turned it around so I could see, causing me to let out a little gasp.

He had captured an expression that I had never seen before. My face looked excited, my eyes were actually shining?? and my hands held the precious book like a child holding the present they wanted for Christmas.

'What were you saying about your candid shots again?', he asked with a smug expression and I couldn't help but shake my head at him, 'Send it to me', I said.

'I'll send it to you when you deserve it'

'Oh? And when would that be?'

'When you learn to love yourself'.

I didn't have the words to respond so I simply smiled and snuggled into a position comfortable enough for me to read as Ethan silently drew me, drifting away into Kafka's cabin in the woods.

The sound of my alarm was the next thing that I heard and I shot up in bed, confused at how I had managed to fall asleep while Ethan was in the room. Speaking of which, where was he?

When I turned to look, I caught my reflection in the mirror and there was a post-it stuck on my forehead. Real gentleman like, Ethan.

'I didn't want to wake you. I'll return your clothes after washing them. Hope you like the drawing, I promise to do better next time'.

Wait. What drawing? And my eyes fell on the sketchbook he had used last night.

I scrambled out of bed almost tripping in the process and quickly went through the pages to finally find the one he had drawn and my eyes widened.

What on earth did he mean by doing better next time? This was...it was beautiful. He'd actually managed to draw me, especially my eyes and the curve of my nose...it wasn't an attempt at me, it was me.

It made me wonder whether this was the Pharaoh legacy, staring back at me or Ethan's attempt at showing me how it was possible to fall in love with myself. Knowing what he'd want but most importantly what I needed, I went with the latter.