Take Me Away novel Chapter 78

"What are you looking for?" Spencer heard Celine's voice coming from behind.

He wiped the dust off his clothes as he turned to her. "Why are you home?" he asked.

"I dropped by to get something, but then I saw your car outside so I came up here to see you." Celine strutted in the room wearing her favorite pair of high-heeled shoes. With a smile on her face, she asked, "So, what are you doing here?"

"I'm just looking for something," Spencer replied casually.

"These are all pretty old stuff. What is it you're looking for?" She looked around the room until something caught her attention. Grinning like a child, she called out to Spencer, "Hey! Look, it's my old sketchpad!"

With a noticeable frown, Spencer turned to where she pointed. He was clearly uneasy with her being in the same room. She walked to the window where the sketchpad sat on top of old books. She picked it up and dusted the cover off. "Look, Spencer! I've wondered where this went! Do you remember this?"

His body stiffened slightly as his thoughts drifted back to one warm afternoon six years ago.

"It's such a bright day, Spencer! I want to paint a portrait!" Celine was wearing her hair up in a ponytail, which made her look very bright and youthful. "Will you be my model?"

"Model?" Spencer gave her an incredulous look.

"Yes! Come on! You look so handsome!" Celine held a palm to his cheek and gently caressed it. "I can't ask just anyone to pose for me. Will you do it for me? Please?"

"I don't want to sit in one spot for hours. My body would stiffen up!" he protested.

"Sitting is actually more comfortable than standing. What are you so afraid of?" Celine said defiantly. But seeing that her pressing wasn't working on him, she turned around and said in a hurt tone, "Come on, don't you like me anymore? It's just a small request."

"I do..."

"I'm sure you're lying!" Celine interrupted him. "Is it because I'm older than you? You don't like me anymore!" She cried.

Spencer frowned as he watched her. "Don't overthink it," he said with sigh as he patted her on the back. "When did I tell you I don't like you? There's nothing to be sad about. I'll be your model!"

"Really? You mean it?" Celine immediately raised her head, her eyes surprisingly dry. She pushed Spencer to the window and said, "Then sit down. Really, why are you still standing?"

"I..." Spencer was about to protest some more but decided against it. Instead, he smiled helplessly. "Nothing."

At that time, Spencer was already quite mature, which made Celine feel like she was just a young girl whenever she was with him. As she stared at his face, Celine gave him a kiss and declared, "You're the best!"

Spencer only kept still and didn't talk anymore. He just watched as she took our her sketchpad and proceeded to draw.

"Move a little to the left," she instructed, checking his pose before turning back to her paper.

"Okay."

"That's it! Perfect!" She nodded with satisfaction. "Hold still! It would look so much better if you smile."

"I don't smile," Spencer replied without expression.

"Even when I'm in front of you?" She winked at him and blew him a kiss.

Spencer burst out laughing.

As she drew, Celine kept talking to Spencer, but he mostly kept quiet.

"Don't you have anything to say to me, Spencer?"

"I thought models were forbidden to talk?"