Brush Strokes ✓

7.

Taehyung gulped nervously as he looked at the woman. He might be looking down at her because of their height difference, but her suspicious and guarded demeanour, paired with her crossed arms and a scowl, made it look as if she was the one looking down at him.

He couldn't help but notice that the young lady, same age as him, was dressed quite formally in loose fitted black trousers and an off-white shirt. Her short hair were combed and tied in a half updo today, her face painted with light makeup and a bright red lipstick that made her fair complexion to stand out.

She was extremely intimidating.

"Good afternoon, Taehyung-shi. To what do I owe you this visit today?" God, so cold, he thought as he gulped again. Not that he could blame her for the hostility after the first impression he left on her.

"Um, can we talk?" He asked in a low voice, ducking his head, avoiding being seen and recognised. The neighborhood was quite bustling with activity.

Aera didn't want this man anywhere near her sanctorium, that was her beloved studio and home. But she didn't fail to notice how he tried to hide his features with the long coat, despite the warm weather and the black mask that covered his handsome face.

With a defeated sigh, she moved around him, unlocking the door to the stairs that led to her apartment. "Follow me," she said, before starting the short climb, well aware of the man behind her.

She didn't welcome him, as warmly she would have any other, as she opened the door and motioned him inside. She wanted him to suffer from the same unwelcoming feeling she had felt during the dinner a few nights ago. Aera didn't like being the bad person, but her behaviour was well justified at this moment.

Without sparing Taehyung another glance, Aera removed her shoes, making a bee-line for her bathroom to get freshened up. When she came out, she found Taehyung standing awkwardly in the middle of her drawing room, looking extremely delectable in his simple ensemble of a brown trousers and a plain black tee.

Wait. Did she just call him delectable?!

Aera cursed herself for still finding him attractive after the way he had treated her. She was a fool to let her heart beat faster just because his dark brown hair, falling over his eyes, gave him a boyish look, however, not dampening his beauty at all.

Fool! That's what she was.

Clearing her throat to cut the thick silence, she spoke up, "Take a seat, Taehyung-shi. Would you like a cup of tea?"

Surprise. That's what he felt when Aera asked him tea, no barb hidden. He didn't know if he should celebrate this moment, for it was too soon. So, he settled on nodding to her, before taking a seat and admiring the way the small studio was decorated. It was a direct reflection of what Aera's personality was like. Free spirited, outgoing, rational but realistic.

She hasn't intended for her voice to come out as soft as it did. But she had seen a look of regret on Taehyung's face. Aera figured, he must have come to visit her to apologise.

Picking up on of her favourite tea blends, she brewed it to perfection. Aera's love for tea was as great as her love for painting. She loved when the flowery, slightly fruity scent of the pink concoction infiltrated her senses.

Taehyung's cautious eyes admired the cup made of glass Aera put infront of him, the liquid pink in colour. "It's tea. I didn't add poison to it. If that's what you are thinking," Aera said, her lips curved in a wicked smirk. That smirk made him relax and take a sip of the drink, reminding him of spring.

In the midst of drinking peacefully, Taehyung suddenly put his half empty cup on the table and leaned forward. With his face serious, he uttered the words he was here to say.

"I wanted to apologise for the other night, Aera-shi," he said, making the said woman give him her full attention. "The way I acted that night was totally uncalled for. I could give you a reason for it but it's still not justifiable. I haven't been able to sleep peacefully because of the guilt I feel. I'm extremely sorry for the way I treated you, Aera. I know, I don't really have the luxury to say this but I'd love to change the first impression I made on you. I'd love if we can start again and be friends."

Aera had listened to every word he had spoken, Taehyung knew. He couldn't help himself, however, as he sat with his breath held, waiting for Aera to say something. He didn't let his gaze waver from her eyes, letting her see that his apology was indeed honest.

After a few minutes, which felt like ages to Taehyung, Aera's blank face morphed, turning into a bright, genuine smile that unknowingly melted away all his fears. She titled her head, standing up as she regarded him.

"I've heard you like painting. Would you like to make one, Taehyung?"

~~~~
A/N:

Did you notice the change?

The bolds and italics are there for a reason, you know.

Anyho,
I hope you liked this chapter.

Thank you for reading ❣️😊