Take Me Away

While Spencer was away, Fiona felt carefree and comfortable. She thought it convenient that she could easily commute from the apartment to the hospital every day.

She had been used to being alone during the last ten years. She had mainly stayed at school even on weekends. When she couldn't do that, she would stay in the art studio during the day, only going to her aunt's house to sleep at night. She felt most comfortable immersed in her quiet thoughts and didn't appreciate being disturbed as much as possible. But Spencer...

Fiona couldn't help but feel annoyed as she looked at the half-finished details of the necklace she was drawing. Why did she suddenly think of him?

It was almost noon when she checked her wristwatch. She put down her pencil and decided to leave the house to buy lunch.

The pavement released its heat in waves, fanning an asphalt wind over the city that pulled at the throat and sat in the lungs like a fume.

'I should've stayed at home,' she thought. There was a slightly cool breeze just as she arrived at the supermarket. But before she could enjoy it, a small piece of paper that flew by her feet.

"Summer Vibe: The summer dream of contemporary art masters."

The words caught Fiona's attention. She stooped down to pick up the flyer and read more. "Treat yourself to an exhibition of paintings unlike at M City Art Museum."

Fiona gasped. It was the last day of the exhibition She had kept to herself at home and didn't even know that there was such an event.

Fiona decided that she could skip lunch for the meantime and see what the exhibition was all about.

Thanks to the hot weather, there were only a few people inside the museum despite it being the last day of the exhibition.

Just across the road from the gallery, a black car was parked. In it was none other than Ryan and his driver.

"Mr. Wen, it's almost noon. Do you still want to wait?" Andrew asked.

"Yes!" Ryan quipped without taking his eyes off the museum entrance.

"Alas!" Andrew sighed. "You've been here since the first day of the exhibition, but you wouldn't even go inside. Are you waiting for someone?"

The agitated look on Ryan's face was instantly replaced with a smile as he spoke. "Yes, I'm waiting for someone."

"Who is it?" Andrew sounded annoyed. "Is it someone with a noble status? Making you wait like this is impolite!"

Ryan flashed another smile. "Andrew, I don't mind waiting. The person I'm waiting for doesn't even know that I'm here. I just came to try my luck."

make an appointment with this person?" Andrew asked,

paintings so much, I don't think she'd miss this exhibition." With a look that was half happy and half sad, Ryan asked, "By the way, Andrew, didn't a girl named Fiona Ji participate in the

asked someone to check, but

lowered his head in

at him from the rear-view mirror. He wondered what kind of girl he was

hot despite the car's air-conditioning. 'Isn't she coming? If only

one long look at the museum and declared with finality, "I'm done waiting, Andrew.

"Yes, sir."

the car was about to drive off, a familiar figure caught Ryan's notice outside the window. He shouted, "Andrew! Stop the car! Stop the

getting off a bus. As soon as

you going?"

wait up for me. I'll call you when I'm ready to go home." With that, he dashed across the street to the museum's entrance. Despite the hot weather, the sight of the girl made Ryan feel refreshed and cool. Sure enough, his

of sweat on her

"Fiona! Fiona, hi!"

turned around, Fiona saw Ryan running towards her. Ryan was wearing a clean, white shirt yet again. His

are you here?" she

name. I'm glad!" Ryan exclaimed. "I'm here to see the art exhibition.

"Yes, what a pleasant surprise." Seeing the sweat on Ryan's forehead, she fished for something in her bag. She took out a silk handkerchief

Ryan took the handkerchief from Fiona at once and wiped his face. "I'll return it to

can keep it." Fiona waved her hand. The truth

shall we?" Ryan cut her off before

it's so hot out here!" "Ah, yes." Fiona nodded. She was surprised by the sudden turn of events. She had come alone to the museum, yet somehow she ended up

been

"Yes."

know a lot about these artworks," Ryan said. "Can I ask you if

really an expert," Fiona replied

Fiona's gentle smile, Ryan felt his heart skip a beat. He had never felt this elated in the last twenty

about art. He would always go to art exhibitions every chance he got, but that day, it seemed as if Fiona was the centerpiece

in by the many portraits and landscapes in the exhibit. She attentively studied and appreciated each painting.

this one?" Ryan asked in a low voice, attempting to engage Fiona in