Love, Amor, Amour

《Chapter 24》

Fortunately, the Independence Day sale was over. However, the festivities were not over. Someone's birthday was in the mist. Not everyone knew, but Mina was the most excited by it. She was preparing a special birthday dinner for him that same day.

Harvey was in peaceful bliss as he took in the sunshine from the top tier of his tower, like a mighty king.
"Happy birthday, mi gatito lindo de mamá" (translation: "mommy's cute little kitten").

Her parents sent her nice text messages about Harvey's birthday as well as Heidi and Geo, even Alden remembered.
"Seven already. You're getting old, baby boy." She reminisces about when she first saw him. Harvey was her shelter cat and thankfully adopted early after two years there.

At dinnertime, she gave him his annual boiled, sometimes baked tuna fish cut into pieces with spinach garnish. He meowed as soon as she took his bowl away, he could smell it coming. Mina wondered if he knew this was coming every year or if it was just a surprise.

Her phone rang, and she went over to check who it was first before answering. "What's up, Jean Noel?"

He asked how she was doing, and she perked up when she heard him having a hard time with the American lifestyle. She said he needed to give Americans a chance, "we're not all bad," she chuckled. He was homesick, and that was understandable.

"Would you like to come over for a drink? Maybe look at some real art"

Mina didn't know why, but the offer to look at his art gave her goosebumps. She hummed and pretended to think about it. "Okay, I'd like that."

He shared the address with her and waited patiently. She turned everything off and put on an oversized hoodie before leaving for her car. The drive was a little long, but the view was mesmerizing in their area, and the house was as amazing as she remembered it from the catering event. The gates opened as soon as her car was close by, she guessed it was him looking through the security cameras for her. And then there he was standing in between the opened double doors. He kept it casual with comfy shorts on and a plain green shirt. Mina really appreciated it, she didn't feel this was a romantic encounter, and this confirmed it. They walked together into the house, and as he continued walking and chatting, she asked him where he was taking her. He just gave her a small smile and told her to be patient.

In every room they entered and every door they passed felt so grand. This was what six figures a year looked like, mina thought it great that these people had all this, but how did they earn it, she asked herself.

"My brother in law is an anesthesiologist, and my sister is a French historian." She didn't ask out loud, but he felt that questioning mind of hers. She wanted to know how his family had this home.

"Wow, just wow," her jaw was hanging wide open, so starstruck by the accomplishments.

He stopped, and an automatic door revealed somewhat of a rustic gallery. Walls and more walls filled with brilliant paintings. "And I am the artist of my family and am proud to say I actually made something of my life without their help."

As they walked deeper into the room, Mina decided to explore on her own accord."What's this green screen for? Photos?"

He wasn't surprised she had found the setup he had been mowing on doing for weeks. "Yes, I do photography beside painting...and since you brought it up" he cleared his throat and, with one hand, grabbed a vintage camera up to his chest.
"I was wondering if you would want to-"

"You're saying you wanna make me your muse?" Mina couldn't help but smile wildly, she felt so flattered at the thought of being in one of his creations. He nodded with a grin playing on his lips. She took his free hand and led him to the adjacent spot in front of the green screen. Then, with a giddy pep in her step, she posed for the camera.

Jean Noel genuinely laughed at her silly pose. "That's cute, but I generally photograph more natural poses." He put the camera down and came to help her create a natural vision for him.
"Okay, don't look at me, look away. But leave your legs crossed just like this..." he gently positioned her bared legs.

She let her arms fall apart from her chest to a more natural position as well, grazing his dark hair accidentally. "Okay."

He brought her chin up a few centimeters with a lingering hand. "You can smile or give me a pout..."

She fluttered her eyelashes and smiled slightly. A flashback to their night from the pizzeria came to mind, and she wondered if he was thinking the same as her. His lips looked so inviting to her, and she almost raised her hands up to his neck to bring him towards a kiss she wanted to give.

He got lost in her eyes, her face, the look of desire she had. It was so enticing that he wanted to hold her in his arms and make her mouth submit into his kiss. However, he had already tried that once, and she only gave him a peck on the lips. This time, he would wait for her to make the next move. He was alright with what she decided.