Take Me Away novel Chapter 18

While Spencer was away, Fiona felt carefree and comfortable. She thought it convenient that she could easily commute from the apartment to the hospital every day.

She had been used to being alone during the last ten years. She had mainly stayed at school even on weekends. When she couldn't do that, she would stay in the art studio during the day, only going to her aunt's house to sleep at night. She felt most comfortable immersed in her quiet thoughts and didn't appreciate being disturbed as much as possible. But Spencer...

Fiona couldn't help but feel annoyed as she looked at the half-finished details of the necklace she was drawing. Why did she suddenly think of him?

It was almost noon when she checked her wristwatch. She put down her pencil and decided to leave the house to buy lunch.

The pavement released its heat in waves, fanning an asphalt wind over the city that pulled at the throat and sat in the lungs like a fume.

'I should've stayed at home,' she thought. There was a slightly cool breeze just as she arrived at the supermarket. But before she could enjoy it, a small piece of paper that flew by her feet.

"Summer Vibe: The summer dream of contemporary art masters."

The words caught Fiona's attention. She stooped down to pick up the flyer and read more. "Treat yourself to an exhibition of paintings unlike at M City Art Museum."

Fiona gasped. It was the last day of the exhibition She had kept to herself at home and didn't even know that there was such an event.

Fiona decided that she could skip lunch for the meantime and see what the exhibition was all about.

Thanks to the hot weather, there were only a few people inside the museum despite it being the last day of the exhibition.

Just across the road from the gallery, a black car was parked. In it was none other than Ryan and his driver.

"Mr. Wen, it's almost noon. Do you still want to wait?" Andrew asked.

"Yes!" Ryan quipped without taking his eyes off the museum entrance.

"Alas!" Andrew sighed. "You've been here since the first day of the exhibition, but you wouldn't even go inside. Are you waiting for someone?"

The agitated look on Ryan's face was instantly replaced with a smile as he spoke. "Yes, I'm waiting for someone."

"Who is it?" Andrew sounded annoyed. "Is it someone with a noble status? Making you wait like this is impolite!"

Ryan flashed another smile. "Andrew, I don't mind waiting. The person I'm waiting for doesn't even know that I'm here. I just came to try my luck."

"Why didn't you make an appointment with this person?" Andrew asked, confused.

"There's no need for that. She loves paintings so much, I don't think she'd miss this exhibition." With a look that was half happy and half sad, Ryan asked, "By the way, Andrew, didn't a girl named Fiona Ji participate in the competition?"

"No. I already asked someone to check, but Fiona Ji hasn't signed up for the competition."

"I see." Ryan lowered his head in disappointment.

Andrew looked at him from the rear-view mirror. He wondered what kind of girl he was waiting for.

The frustration of waiting made Ryan feel hot despite the car's air-conditioning. 'Isn't she coming? If only I asked for her number that day!'

With one great sigh, Ryan took one long look at the museum and declared with finality, "I'm done waiting, Andrew. Let's go!"

"Yes, sir."

But just as the car was about to drive off, a familiar figure caught Ryan's notice outside the window. He shouted, "Andrew! Stop the car! Stop the car!"

Ryan kept his gaze fixed on the girl getting off a bus. As soon as the car stopped, he quickly opened the door and ran out.

"Mr. Wen, where are you going?" Andrew called out.

"I'm going to the exhibition!" Ryan shouted excitedly. "Don't wait up for me. I'll call you when I'm ready to go home." With that, he dashed across the street to the museum's entrance. Despite the hot weather, the sight of the girl made Ryan feel refreshed and cool. Sure enough, his waiting had not been in vain.

After getting off the bus, Fiona wiped off the beads of sweat on her forehead and walked to the ticket booth.

"Fiona! Fiona, hi!"

She stopped in her tracks when she heard someone call her name. When she turned around, Fiona saw Ryan running towards her. Ryan was wearing a clean, white shirt yet again. His eyes looked bright and he looked quite dashing as he ran.

"Ryan? Why are you here?" she asked.