The Wind Loop

15 | selcouth

"It's not your fault. C'mon, I could see the floating ice myself. I was just too thirsty to point it out."

"Still, I have been running a bakery for so many years. It's my duty to ask the recipient about their preferences."

"Don't worry about it. I should thank you for fetching me water, actually."

"Can I take a look at it right now?" Ju Ho questioned, looking at the structure of the paper wrapped canvas expectantly.

"Why not? Go on."

Ju Ho carefully untied the rope that kept the extra papers tied against the surface of the canvas. He pulled them out and let out an audible gasp as his eyes inspected his gift.

The was a visible admiration in his gaze as he lightly traced his fingers on the surface of the canvas, his body almost wanting to be inside the painting itself. The way her brush had dragged itself on the texture was so endearing to him. He could almost visualise the painter, pouring out her coloured thoughts on the white material. It was definitely magical. A fantasy captured in a small rectangular canvas. It was just as he remembered seeing in her post or rather even more beautiful.

"This is beautiful." he extolled. "Way too beautiful."

"I added some extra finishing touches to make it look better. I owe you a lot." Ye Bin explained.

"It was definitely worth it." he said, his eyes fixated on the painting entirely.

The excitement in Ju Ho's eyes was totally unparalleled to all the past reactions she could recall of. Ju Ho was such a lively individual that it was hardly noticeable when he breathed out vivacity. However, Ye Bin could still make out a difference after observing him for a while. He seemed pretty enthusiastic for such a mediocre painting.

"I'll take good care of this, I promise. This will be hanging right here." Ju Ho pointed at the wall behind Ye Bin. "You would be able to see it everytime you visit me."

Ye Bin nodded with a grin tugging at her lips. He seemed content with the entire thing. She had been stressing about it since she had started packing it. To her, Ju Ho's approval somehow meant a lot and really assuring.

"Now that you're here, I want you to enjoy a snack before you go upstairs again. Also, do you want to meet Marble right now? I feel like it would be a good time to see him."

"That would be great. I can do use some relaxing session here and meet your dog."

"Come this way, madam." Ju Ho motioned with his hand to ask Ye Bin to follow him.

Ye Bin followed him in a dark passage, passing by different locked rooms. Ju Ho's taste in the interior design was surprisingly minimal in nature. She was surprised to see miniature gramaphone and replicas of some of Leonardo da Vinci's paintings hanging on the wall. There were tiny pots kept on a table, their green plants looking well cared for.

After stopping infront of his bedroom, Ju Ho proceeded to unlock the door. Marble was quick to peek out of it and approach Ye Bin.

Ye Bin bent down to feel the soft fur of the dog, evidently happy about meeting him. She seemed oddly friendly while trying to get Marble's attention. Marble had already licked her face and was wagging his tail. It was rare from him to meet a new human being in the house.

"Why don't you take a seat? I will get something for you in the meanwhile."

Nodding, Ye Bin went further inside the room which looked well supplied with various furnitures. His cologne was lingering in the air and Ye Bin couldn't help but like it.

"Are you taking a day off? Why isn't the bakery open today?" She made herself comfortable on a sofa seat.

"I wanted to take a day off suddenly. I had to deliver a massive supply of goods to a birthday party of an old customer. I'm left with almost no energy to make more for my daily business." he explained.