12 Chapter 12: Something dangerous. Something passionate. (2/2)

Laurice appeared to be glaring at him for a second then heaved a long sigh.

”That was mine.” She said.

Sid was shocked. He did not anticipate that at all. He knew she was an Arts Graduate but he did not expect that she was also into painting. And a skilled painter at that. Amusement flashed acrossed his eyes. Then his gaze turned deeper.

He stared at her with his deep-set eyes.

”Yours?” He asked.

Now he was even more curious to know more.

”Yes, it was my painting.” Laurice confirmed.

”Will you get rid of it for me?” She asked oh so non-chalantly.

”I'll pay for both.” She added.

She meant both the painting and the labor for dismantling.

'She wasn't even asking. She was more likely ordering him to dispose the painting himself. Why?'

He was somehow anxious to hear her answer. He was even more afraid of actually asking her but he wanted to know. He needed to know why she wanted to destroy her own painting. Why it upsets her to the point of falling ill. He knows he has no right to meddle with her issues but he somehow wanted to share her burden. He was getting selfish and shameless for his own good but he really do want to understand her. Atleast a part of her.

”Why?” He finally mustered the courage to ask.

Laurice looked gloomy now. Her eyes turned dull in an instant, like the vast ocean, unperceptible, cold and distant. Sid doesn't like what he's seing. The very sight of her squeezed his heart.

He heaved a sigh.

After a long pause, Laurice tried to calm her nerves to not affect her mood anymore and also heaved a long sigh.

She smiled. It was a bitter smile. Sid frowned. He was seing a part of her from yesterday. That sullen part of her that was starting to bother the he*l out of him.

Suddenly, Laurice walked towards him and did something unexpected.

...

Laurice was looking quite confused at the frustrated man before her as if he was the one in grave pain. Her mind is a mess because of him. It seems this man was really worried about her. She was already having complicated emotions towards this stranger. She did not want to delve deeper into the issue, but the man remained undaunted. She needs to do something.

She crossed the distance between them without averting her eyes. There was a tinge of solace in them now.

Laurice stood in front of the man and pressed the creased on his forehead and lightly gave him a pat on his head.

Sid did not notice that he was actually holding his breath the whole time. Then he gasped for air when he was about to fall short of breath. His eyes turned into narrow slits. This woman in front of him seems to be coaxing him instead. It was supposed to be the other way around.

His lips twitched.

Laurice: ” ... ”

'It doesn't seem to be effective. He's still annoyed.'

Laurice sighed and said, ”Let's talk about it over coffee outside.”

If she stayed longer in the room with this man, she might really do something that she might regret in the end.

'Something dangerous. Or perhaps something passionate. Just to pacify this man's curiousity.'