Chapter 132: Exposed
In the end, I didn’t tell Tomoe anything.
"Are you really going to leave right now?" I felt Night’s arms on my waist as I tried to get off the bed. It’s Sunday today, and I’ll be going to the art museum as how Ryzen requested.
"Why would leave me during the weekend?" Night asked with both of his eyes still closed. ’Is he dreaming right now?’
I cleared my throat. "I’m going, but I won’t be long," I said. As soon as I go home, I’ll confess to Night about my feelings for him. "Wait for me, okay?"
After hearing that, Night let me go and I put a smile on my face as I walked toward the bathroom. Even though I haven’t left the house, I’m already excited to go home.
After taking a bath, Rika helped me doll myself up while Night was watching us since I’m preparing while in our room. "Why do you need to look so pretty if you’re just going to an art museum?"
"I’m always pretty, what do you mean?" I confidently said with the thought that Night will retort.
"You have a point." He said in agreement making Rika smile widely while I could feel my whole face heating up.
’He should have objected to what I said.’ I thought as I looked in the mirror. ’Right, I need to bring the ring.’
After putting the ring inside the secret compartment of my bag, I stood up from my chair and told Night that I’ll leave now. "Take care." He said while pouting.
It’s because I told him not to follow me or else I’ll get mad, but Kaoru will still follow me around with my other bodyguards and even Kenji.
"I’ll try to come home early."
Since I’ll just be viewing Ryzen’s artworks and meeting his so-called friend. Ace and Andy aren’t free today that’s why they can’t come with me, and Ryzen also said that he wants me to come alone because he needs to show me something.
’He’s not going to confess to me or something would he?’
I mean, not to sound overconfident, but I do feel like Ryzen treats me more gently than others. ’That’s what Andy keeps telling me too.’ I sighed, but I could be mistaken. Maybe he just wants me to talk to his friend alone because what we’ll talk about is something important.
"If you feel like you’re in a difficult situation, please press this." Kenji gave me something like a keychain. "It’ll alarm us and we will immediately go wherever you are." He said as if he was nervous about this. "I am nervous because the young master threatened to kill me if something dangerous happen to the lady."
I giggled. ’Night acted like he was just sulking, but I guess we all learned our lessons now.’ No matter what happens, I won’t let my guard down while I’m out all by myself. I’ll bring the ring, but if something’s suspicious, I won’t show it to anyone and just make excuses for Ryzen.
I rode in the car with Kaoru and Kenji, we all went to the art museum but they told me that they’ll be making sure of the distance so that Ryzen won’t get weirded out since he knows who Kaoru is. That’s why Kaoru’s wearing a disguise, although I think that it’ll cause more attention to him.
When we arrived in front of the art museum, Ryzen greeted me with a huge smile on his face.
"You came." He said with a bright smile. "I’m so glad. Shall we go?" Ryzen gently placed his arm around my waist which made me blink lots of times. I didn’t expect him to be all touchy with me.
’It doesn’t feel that uncomfortable, but it doesn’t make me feel comfortable either.’
When we arrived inside the art museum, Ryzen removed his arm around my waist. "I’m sorry, did that make you feel uncomfortable?" He asked which made me tilt my head. "Some of the girls outside the museum were asking me if I’m in a relationship." Ryzen scratched the back of his head.
"I’m sorry for using you like that."
Oh, so that’s why. "No, it’s fine." I smiled. ’I almost misunderstood his actions. I’m so glad he didn’t mean it.’
We walked around the art museum and Ryzen’s explaining everything with a passion that even though I don’t understand some of it, I feel happy just by listening to him.
"Is it boring? I’m sorry." Ryzen said with a shy smile. "My friend said to entertain you because he’ll be late. I’m sorry for that."
"You don’t have to apologize for everything," I said while chuckling. "It’s fine. I’m enjoying the tour, but I want to see your artwork first. I’ll be taking pictures." I said as I pulled out my phone from my pocket.
Ryzen’s smile went wider and he excitedly lead the way to his artwork. It’s quiet inside the art museum, and there are only a few people around even though it’s Sunday today. Must be because it’s still early in the morning.
’I planned to go early to be able to go home early too.’ I honestly can’t wait to say my feelings to Night anymore.
When I looked at Ryzen’s artwork, it feels like home. Staring at the painting in front of me reminds me of the good times I had with my parents.
The combination of pink and purple with a little hint of blue. It’s a sky illuminated in those three colors, but when you look closely, maybe there are still colors that I may not be able to differentiate.
"What inspired you to make this painting?" I looked at Ryzen.
"One day, when I went to Italy, I saw the beautiful sunset there." He said while staring at his painting. "It was such a magical scene, and this scenery came into my mind just like magic. I don’t know if that makes sense. I’m not really good when it comes to explaining things."
"I kind of get it." I smiled. "It’s really pretty."
That’s when we heard Ryzen’s phone and when he answered it, the expression on his face changed. His smile vanished as he talked to that person on the phone.
"Okay." He said and hung up. When he looked at me, he forced a smile. "My friend’s here. He wants to meet you now."
I nodded. "Okay." Why did his expression change though?
"I’m sorry, Noelle."
I tilted my head. "For what?"
Ryzen forced a smile again. "For forcing you to go here on your break." He said which made me laugh a little. "I’m serious, I feel bad since you’re tired too aren’t you?"
"It’s nothing, really. You don’t have to worry about that."
Even though Ryzen still looked bothered, he leads the way to the room where his friend was waiting. "So, what kind of person is your friend? Is he an expert when it comes to antique things?"
"Yeah. He’s really smart and it’s his hobby to collect antique things too." Ryzen said. "Don’t worry, I don’t think he’ll take your ring from you. He’s just a curious person and I think he’s also interested in you." Interested in me? What does he mean by that?
"Do you mean romantically?"
Ryzen chuckled and shrugged. "I don’t know. But don’t worry, he’s kind and gentle. He won’t do something you’ll hate." He said assuring me that nothing bad will happen to me. "Are you scared? Or do you not trust me?"
I raised a brow. "What are you talking about?" And let out a chuckle. "I’m not scared, and I trust you."
His smile vanished once again after I said that. ’What’s with him? Does he not like it when I trust him?’
We arrived in front of a huge door at the farthest end of the museum. "Here, you should wait inside. There’s a staff that will give you tea and cookies inside while you wait." Ryzen said while looking at his wristwatch.
"Uhm, are you going somewhere?" I don’t think I’ll be able to be comfortable with a person I’ll just meet without Ryzen. "I don’t think I could—"
Ryzen placed his hand on my shoulder which surprised me. "Don’t worry. I’ll just fetch my friend and we’ll come back together." He said. "You get inside first and sit on the sofa since you’ve been standing for a while now."
I nodded as I opened the door. Like what Ryzen said, there’s already a person in there waiting for me. "Does the miss like peanuts?" The person asked and I quickly shook my head.
"I’m allergic to nuts."
The person immediately apologized. "Then, does the miss prefer chocolate chip cookies?" I nodded and the woman went and brought me some cookies with a cup of tea.
With that, I patiently waited for Ryzen and his friend to arrive. ’Wait, I don’t know if Kenji and Kaoru are still following me.’ I thought as I nervously drank the tea and pulled the keychain out of my bag just in case.
While I was being all nervous, I heard the door opening caused me to look in that direction.
"I apologize for making the lady wait."
My forehead creased after hearing a familiar voice, and when I finally saw who it was, I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.
"El? What are you doing here?"
A smile formed on his face. "I told you, I won’t be gentle for the second time." He said as he snapped his finger, and all of a sudden, lots of masked men came inside the room.
I was too dumbfounded after seeing those familiar masks. "What is going on?"
El stood there with his hands behind his back. "Take a guess. Hmm, it starts with the letter Z."
"Y-You?"
He smiled brightly. "Bingo! It’s me."
