Chapter 62


    After maneuvering the morning rush hour, their car stopped in front of an art gallery.


    “There’s a mural that I’d like you to see,” ina said before she got out of the car with the help of her


    driver. Serene followed suit.


    Entering the gallery, the employees greeted her by name, which simply shows that she’s a regr.


    ina quietly walked inside the gallery until they reached the back wall. On the wall was a mural of an


    abstract painting. It’s made of randomly sshed paint and bold strokes. However, a hyacinth bloom


    formed from the stters if viewed from a specific angle.


    “Lovely, isn’t it?” ina said as they both appreciated the mural. Serene just nodded as she took in the


    art before her.


    “Is this yours?” She looked at ina beside her. It would not surprise her is she said she painted it


    herself, after all she’s one of the celebrated masters of her time.


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    ina gave a crispugh, “How I wish, Dear. But it’s not.”


    They checked the other disys in the gallery while waiting for the staff toplete the paperwork for


    the mural. ina wanted it to be on disy at Rain International.


    Serene could not believe that she and her idol had a connection other than art. ina, like her, was a


    foodie. It’s hard to believe that a woman who dresses sophisticatedly was game to eat at food street.


    She was craving for some stir-fried noodles sold outside her university. She mentioned this to ina,


    and she gamely went with her.


    Serene felt shy at first because she thought that Justin’s mother was just indulging her. However, when


    the store owner greeted ina as “Prof. V.”, she knew that she’s a regr. ina ordered all the best


    sellers without even picking up the menu.


    The two ate with gusto while they exchanged stories about the university. From time to time, a bunch of


    students would stop by their table to ask ina for her signature. Unlike the strict professor she was in


    ss, she epted all interruptions with a smile.


    After their meal, they went to an upscale mall where ina urged her to get a bag, or a jewelry.


    “Serene, go buy something for yourself. Don’t be stingy. Justin can afford it, dear,” she said while she


    inspected an ostrich hide handbag.


    “I’m fine, Mom. I really don’t fancy anything here,” she smiled at the older woman whose eyes scanned


    her. After getting convinced that she really wanted nothing, she shrugged her shoulders.


    “Are you sure you did not want to buy anything at all?”


    “Well, they don’t have what I want. I’ve been looking for Kolinsky sable brushes for some time now, and


    they don’t seem to sell it here. So, I just ordered online,” she told her honestly.


    inaughed crisply at her answer. Tears formed at the corner of her eyes. “You’re something,


    dearie. Most women would go crazy knowing that Justin’s pockets are deep and could afford them


    anything. Yet here you are, just wanting paintbrushes,” she said as she wiped the corners of her eyes


    with her fingers, all the while shaking her head.


    Serene felt embarrassed by how ina put it so bluntly. She knew that most men would feel good


    about their women spending their money. Being a good provider added to their male reputation, so she


    heard. However, for the life of her shoes, bags, and clothes don’t give her a thrill. She’s more ted to


    receive an excellent quality paint brush or a sumptuous meal to a high-end restaurant.


    Serene looked at the time on her mobile phone. It’s almost time for Justin to finish work. She gave his


    secretary and quick call to see if he had some other appointments lined up until the evening. After a


    couple of minutes, he confirmed Justin does not have any arrangements at night. ina just got out of


    the dressing room when she finished her call.


    The two called it a day. Exhaustion was visible on ina’s face. She requested the driver to drop her


    off Rain International to ina’s confusion. She said simply that she would go home with Justin. ina


    gave her a knowing smile but said nothing.


    Justin’s secretary guided her to the couch in his office, telling her that Justin’s still on a meeting, but it


    should finish soon. She simply nodded her understanding and took out her phone to y some mobile


    games.


    She quietly yed on her cellphone when she caught the opening of the door on her peripheral vision,


    prompting her to put her phone back in her purse and stood up to wee the neer.


    “Your back!” she said with excitement, however, the smile on her face decreased when she saw the


    person who entered the door was not Justin, instead it was Bryan.


    “Disappointed much?” Bryan said in a teasing voice. Serene just looked at him and did not bother


    moving from where she stood.


    “The secretary said that Justin’s still in a meeting,” she said.


    “Yeah,” Bryan scanned her face and swallowed twice before clearing his throat. “Shen, thank you.”


    His statement took her aback, making her brows furrow. What is he thanking me for, she thought to


    herself.


    When she said nothing, Bryan continued, “Chester and I talked things out. He’s no longer divorcing me.


    He told me you asked him out for coffee and talked some sense to him. Honestly, it surprised me you’d


    help me iron out the misunderstanding between us.”


    He let out a big sigh, then smiled at her. “He said that you empathized with me.” His smile was a little


    bitter, unlike the bright smile she’s used to see from him. “You’re right, it’s tough being on our spot. We


    work hard to convince them about their ce in our hearts, but it’s easy to have all of that thrown out of


    the window with just a single suspicion, baseless if I may add.


    So, thank you for talking to Chester. All that you said somehow sank into him. Of all the people who


    would talk sense to him and ask him to give me a chance, it had to be you, the person whom we both


    hurt.”


    “It’s fine, Bryan. As I have told Chester, I feel for you because I find myself in a simr predicament. I


    know your struggles. And I am happy that you and Chester have patched things up and would no


    longer pursue a divorce.” She smiled at him.


    Serene’s eyes widened when suddenly Bryan lunged himself on her and gave her a tight hug. “Thank


    you so much, Shen. You don’t know how much it meant to me.”


    From out of nowhere, they felt a strong swish of air followed by a grunt of pain from Bryan. Justin stood


    behind them, his hands in tight fists. Bryan meanwhile clutched the side of his face that received


    Justin’s punch.


    “Justin!” she said in surprise. How long has he been standing there? Bryan staggered from the surprise


    blow but did not return Justin’s punch.


    Justin looked at her, eyes narrowed into slits. He looked at her like an apex predator thinking of the


    best way to skin his prey. His chest heaved up and down. His jaws clenched as tightly as his fists.


    “It’s not what you think, Justin,” Bryan said, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth with his


    thumb.


    “Get out!” Justin said through clenched teeth.


    Serene stood like a statue, looking at both men. Her heart in her throat. She felt cold shivers run down


    her spine, making her hands sweaty and cold. She never knew fear until now.


    Bryan gave her a sideway look and said, “I’m sorry, Shen” before going out of Justin’s office.