Chapter 6

Eugene Ari Darian's POV

I drove calmly to the university in my Bugatti. The fluid curves, angrily squinting headlights, and exterior designs that communicate power and performance were what draw me in. I guess all gods are annoying in their way.

I parked a few blocks away from the faculty building and continued on foot. I wanted to make an impression but not a rich one. I didn't want anyone to notice me. I presume they all drove worn-out cars and I scoffed internally, mortals are pitiful.

I walked up to security and handed them my invite. His hand brushed over mine for a second before he took it from me. I held my head up high, readjusting my tie and ready to grace the room with my presence.

I was a little impressed, the room looked nothing like it did a few days ago. The large and lofty doors were what first caught my eyes. Works hung proudly on exhibit stands, huge, pillared walls were lit up with a beautiful chandelier that hung high in the middle of the hall. The single-colored light was a contrast to the multiple-colored ones I used to. Mortals roamed around every corner of the spacious hall. I would have gawked like the other mortals but over the centuries I've seen better put-together events than this. I was still observing when a voice came from nowhere, "beautiful, isn't it?"

My feet took a turn and I was met with a surprise, it was the coffee lady. I just stared, not expecting her to be here. She didn't look like the type to show up for this kind of event.

"You!" She stated in an accusing tone, squinting her eyes at me

"Me," I replied in a matter of fact tone, my hands in my pocket with my Rolex peeking out a bit

"What are you doing here?" She didn't bother to hide her annoyance

"My work is here." A smug grin followed

"Your work is one of those?" Her lanky fingers pointed at the exhibits and a little shock was evident in her voice

"Yes." My voice was dull.

"It's probably one of those poor sculptures," she giggled behind her palm

"I paint." My voice was completely void of any emotion. A contrast to what I felt inside. I was the one getting irritated now. No one had ever insulted my work before. It was always compliments been thrown at my feet. Her words had my insides churning, the feeling was foreign to me.

"It's probably as bad as the sculptures," she walked away and I was left staring at her behind.

Irene's POV

It just wasn't my day today. First, my roommate got sick at the last minute and puked all over my dress. I had to run super last minute to hunt for a new dress and some drugs for her. To add the icing on top, I ran into that moron from the bar. Urrgh...

I took a walk around the room, glancing at the artwork, none caught my eye. A little part of me was keeping an eye out for Mister's "I paint" work. I could still hear his annoying voice inside my head. I was completely lost in my thoughts.

"That is so nice."

"It's so exquisite, look at those smooth strokes."

"I wonder who made it."

A few guests commented beside me so I followed their line of sight and paused. It took me some time to get myself back. I held me breathe as I admired the work. This was my first exhibit which proved I wasn't a fan of art but I could imagine the hours and emotions the artist put into the work.

"Three thousand, seven hundred and eighty-four."

"What?" I spun on my heels to get a look at the source of the voice

"You were thinking out loud."

"I spent over a thousand hours on that painting." The voice continued

"E.A.D?" The words left my lips as I stared at the letters at the bottom of the painting

"It's an acronym for Eugene Ari Darian."

"Greek?" I scoffed, genuinely amused

"A greek god actually," he corrected, arrogance clear in his tone with his head held up high

"You are arrogant, you know that right?" I asked, not the least bit impressed

"Okay, I'm sorry if I've been rude." His attempt at an apology was weak-hearted, he didn't mean it and I could sense it

"You are not sorry."

"Excuse me?"

"I said, that's not an apology. If you were sorry, you wouldn't have that look on your face with your hands shoved in your pockets. What do you think I am? Stupid?"

He had an astonished look plastered on his face and as I attempted to walk away, he held my hands tightly and I would have shouted at him but the crowd around made me have second thoughts.

"I'm sorry alright. I just have this problem with meeting new people. It's not easy." The look in his eyes calmed me down

"I'm sorry too," I said slowly and he let go. "I'm sorry if I've been a little weird, I have this problem going on at home and it has my heart raising," I said, referring to my ill roommate. Her thoughts were on my mind all evening and it was preventing me from having a good night. I tried calling her but she wasn't picking which caused weird scenarios to run through my head.

"That's okay, I have to admit, you are a beautiful unorthodox person" he grinned from ear to ear

I chuckled uncontrollably, "who speaks like that?"

"What do you mean?" His grin had fallen off and I knew I had to pick the right words.

"I meant, you are so formal, like from the 90s." An awkward laugh followed. "Don't get me wrong though, I like it. It's new." I quickly added

"Okay, so I'm also weird." We paused to look at each other for a moment before bursting out in fits of laughter

"I go by the name Irene though I must confess, your work is quite beautiful. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it, not like I'm really into art or anything like that for that matter." My hands were in mid-air, waiting for him to take them like a gentleman

"Well," he paused. "It's nice to meet you, Irene," his large soft hands cocooned mine and that's when I realized his hand was sweaty, or was it me?

So you can be a gentleman."

"A handsome gentleman." He had a silly look on his face again

"I take it back, you are still very much arrogant." I took my hands back from his playfully

"Didn't they teach you not to take back compliments?"

This had me laughing hard. It was adorable how he seemed genuinely offended. "I'm glad I'm a subject for your amusement." He deadpanned

"It's not my fault you looked adorable. Just imagine a blobfish trying to look cute." This had his eyes widening. "Yes, that's how you looked, but don't worry, it was adorable."

Everyone admired his work so much that he was offered an interview for a job as the new lecturer in the department to which he said yes to. The night went on for what seemed to be a few minutes but it lasted for hours.