“Hi, Mia. How are you?”
“I’m good,” she answered, raising her head to meet my gaze. “I hope you don’t mind me asking howyou’redoing.”
I heaved a sigh. “That’s thoughtful of you, Mia. I’m fine, thank you.”
She hesitated for a moment, as if unconvinced by my answer. “You look gloomy,” she said, a small smile spreadingacross her face. “I think I know something that might cheer you up.”
I squinted my eyes, suspicion creeping into my gaze. “What’s that?”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like you to follow me, ma’am.”
I stared at her for a moment, amused by her willingness to lighten up my mood. She was a mysterious teenager with a kind heart and a beautiful smile that could brighten anyone’s dark day.
“I promise, you’ll like it, and if you don’t, you’re free to taunt me forever,” she added, her voice smooth and enticing.
A quiet chuckle fell from my lips. “Fine.” And with that, I rose to my feet. “But you’ll have to tell me where you’re taking me.”
“Uh….” She toiled with her fingers, then scratched the back of her head. “I can’t do that, ma’am.”
I tilted my head to the side, my smile retained. “Why not?”
“Because it kinda spoils the whole surprise thing.”
“Surprise?” I yanked up my brows, wondering if there was something glamorous planned for me.
“Oh, no—not like surprise-surprise,” the words tumbled out of her mouth in a rush. “But it’s a surprise—mysurprise—not your husband’s or anyone’s.” She paused, her eyes shining with innocence, as if she were trying to make sense of her own words. “I’m confusing you, aren’t I?”
“No, I think I get you.” I laughed, the first genuine laugh I’d had in a while.
She did the same, our shoulders shaking in sync.
Mia took me to a secluded section at the top of the mansion, a place I didn’t even know existed. It was quiet and serene, our echoing footsteps punctuating the silence.
Finally, she halted in front of a door and glanced back at me with a warm smile. “You ready?”
Unsure of what lay on the other side of the door, I just casually shrugged my shoulders, keeping an open mind. I was tense and curious at the same time, thinking whatever this was, it better be worth it.
She grabbed the door handle, inserted the key, and then unlocked it with a soft click. Mia quietly pushed the door open, and what I saw inside the room took my breath away.
My brows arched in surprise as I followed her inside, eyes drinking in the sight before me.
The room was wide and airy, washed in soft natural light that spilled through the windows, dust floating lazily in the beams. Tall shelves lined the walls, and jars of brushes were arranged meticulously by size.
Tubes of paint were stacked in neat rows, and over a hundred tripod easels were scattered across the space. Each painting was a work of art that told a different story with bursts of colors and brushstrokes.
Some canvases featured unfinished sketches, but almost all the others were detailed portraits that turned the place into a mini-gallery.
“Wow,” I exclaimed softly, drinking in the beautiful sight as I walked through these tripod easels.
“I told you you’d like it,” Mia said, her voice laced with some kind of satisfaction.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, running my hand over a painting, feeling the brushstrokes beneath my fingertips.
“According to my grandmother, your husband’s late mother used paint here,” Mia said, stepping closer to me.
“She painted all of this?” I asked, turning to face her.
Mia nodded.
