The Return of My First Love novel Chapter 62

Alessio

The man gestured towards a young girl standing alone in front of a board, displaying her art. She looked lonely, and a sad smile was stuck on her face. There was no friend by her side, and everyone walked past her art.

"Sure, we'll take a look," the words left my mouth before I could truly think about it. The situation just looked fucked up, and despite me being an asshole, I did have somewhat of a sympathy for unfairly treated children.

I pulled Emily with me, and we made our way towards the girl's display. Instantly, she grew a big toothy grin on her face.

Emily knelt down to the girl's level and shook her hand.

"What is your name?"

"Lily," the girl replied.

Emily was quiet for a second, pushing a few strands of Lily's hair behind her ear. "I like your dress, Lily," she had her way of making people feel special. "What do you have to show us?"

The girl quickly reacted to Emily's question, giving her an explanation of her art while I stepped back and watched.

I ‘just relaxed and let her do her thing'—those were the same words she used in the car, and she was fucking good at doing her thing, whatever that thing was, so I let her.

It all came so naturally to Emily. Her glow, her kindness—and all of it was real. She didn't have to fake her interest like half the people in this room, including me—because it was genuine. It made me respect her even more.

That's my Emily.

"And what is this?" Emily asked, pointing to a painting.

"It's a bear," Lily explained, her eyes shining.

Emily turned to me with a grin. "Can you believe that? She painted your portrait."

I laughed because from her, I could take it. I was usually the one teasing her—I deserved it.

"Your work looks great, Lily," I joined the conversation. "I can't wait to see more of it in the future."

"Thank you, Sir!"

"No, don't thank me—"

"No, really," the dad, Derek, interrupted. "Thank you. Both of you," his expression softened.

People had different opinions about the Fanuccis, but once in a while, it was nice to get a smile.

"Our daughter got here on a scholarship provided by the Fanuccis. It's quite sad, but not one person has come to look at her work because we're from a simple working class family."