Summary: Do you believe in love at first sight?

"During a stroll through a park, a lonely photographer meets the love of his life. Through a series of unfortunate events, he must find a way to her heart before his luck runs out." - After the short film The ART of LOVE (YT)

Notes: So I just had to rewrite it with THEIR story! Serquel 4-ever! I just seem to be bubbling out stories at the moment!

Hope you still enjoy! Thanks for your wonderful reviews they really keep me going! :D
Kuddos to all of you 3

BEAUTIFUL

His apartment was very simply furnished. He didn't need much to live on. He had a small kitchen with an old oven and stove, no dishwasher, everything looked a little rustic, but somehow homely. Sergios living room was small, cozy with a couch that was already a bit sat out, with a stuffed bookcase, a relaxing armchair and a small table with a chessboard, so he could be looking out the window when playing. His bedroom had a comfortable but small bed and a long desk. On top of the desk was a very new PC screen that was just connected to his camera and played back the images from the last few days. The walls of each room were plastered with various photographs in all shapes and sizes. His brother and his current girlfriend behind them Martín, who looked jealous. Silene who gave her boyfriend a deep kiss behind them a beautiful sunset. Daniel, who danced radiantly with a blonde. Silene trying to steal Sergios camera and a photo of himself trying to get the camera back. Ágatha who grimaced together with Silene and the boys.

Sergio had had a hard time connecting with others in his life, but ... thanks to his talent he had paved his way and found a group of friends who couldn't be more different and difficult, yet care for each other so much. Most of the time he didn't have to speak big when he was with them, he could devote himself to the comfort of listening while the others swung big speeches and discussions. Sergio enjoyed it very much because nothing was more terrible for him than being the center of attention. He preferred to see the world through the security of his camera's lens. He could zoom into a scene very close, or lean back and not be part of the world and the choice was his.

…

Day 1

That morning he ate breakfast with Silene and Aníbal in their favorite restaurant, Hanoi, and he enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. Silene had told them about her new job and while Aníbal had simply listened to her, Sergio had eaten in peace and then looked up. "And you think you will enjoy this?" He asked her calmly and looked at her. Silene was someone who was always on the move, she needed action. He couldn't imagine that she would be happier in this job than in the others, which also had been uninteresting after just a week. In his opinion, she should look for a model job for example. A job that promised different people to work with, new tasks and new locations. Furthermore, Silene also had the necessary appearance to be successful. The only problem was probably her relationship with Aníbal and Sergio didn't want to interfere there with his thoughts.

When they had finished, they paid and left the place. Sergio had his camera in his hands again and watched the two lovers with a smile. Another picture of one of her kisses went to his memory card and ... he only noticed it now, how they each wore a love bracelet, holding hands. It was wonderful how they seemed so connected, and he was happy for his friends.

He waved them goodbye and began to search for new motives, still holding the camera in his hand. As he was walking, he photographed a red and orange butterfly on the gray asphalt and when he looked up, he almost blushed when a woman was watching him from a street corner. As fast as he could, he moved on. No, really, he was embarrassed when people were watching him.

…

When he was in the park, his camera had an abundance of things to photograph. Flowers, animals, people and the beautiful trees, the fountain, in front of which some children frolicked and splashed each other, it made him smile. And then... his camera had snapped something that he needed to take a closer look at.

A brunette was sitting on a bench in front of the fountain, holding a large sketchbook in her hands. Next to her was a neat little pen box, unfolded. A pencil was in her hand and she skillfully ran it over the paper.

Sergio was perplexed and before he thought about what he was doing, he had already taken a photo. But he still kept the lens on the woman.

When she looked up after a while and looked at him, he quickly turned away with his camera and pretended he had taken a photo of the fountain. Then, as if he was strolling on and not as if he had observed her. He felt how he threatened to blush, so he decided to just go on and take photos that belonged to the environment and were not... of her.

When he finally watched her leave, he sighed sadly, then with a sudden thought rushed back home. He transferred the photos to his computer meanwhile he got himself dinner. When everything was ready, and he was sitting in front of the computer with his instant noodles, he actually couldn't really taste anything. He scrolled through his pictures and called up the ones he had made of HER. He looked at her concentrated facial features again, her relaxed posture while she seemed to be dreaming of another world whilst was drawing. Her curved red lips ...

…

Day 2

When he had his coffee the next morning, he had made up his mind. He hoped she would be back in the park today. Why? He didn't know that exactly, but she was a really nice model and... maybe it was her lips that had put him under her spell. If she wasn't there - well... then at least he would have used the time to find new motives with his lens that were worth photographing.

It required all of his concentration and calmness in order to not rush into the park too quickly. He pulled himself together and when it finally got around 11 o'clock, he set out to hopefully find his muse again. His heart was beating fast, and he couldn't really wait to see her. When he got to the park he looked around and smilingly discovered her again. On the same bench as yesterday. His heart leapt with joy as he stumbled forward and almost fell on his nose in front of his secret crush.

She looked up and blinked at him briefly, confused. But when she saw that nothing bad had happened to him, and they had exchanged a look and a short smile, she looked down at her paper and began to scribble on it with the pencil again.

Sergio's heart had almost dropped in his pants when he was able to save himself and his camera from falling due to his clumsiness. When he looked up in the hope that no one would have noticed his near accident, he came to look into the most beautiful brown eyes he had ever seen. He suspected to see a spark of astonishment, concern and relief, but… As quickly as the moment had arisen, it was – unfortunately - over again, only Sergio now was sure his feet must be made of pudding.

Yet, he managed to get up and move, but everything now seemed to revolve around her. And no matter how hard he tried to be indifferent and pretend he was in this park to take pictures, he often had to acknowledge that the photos showed her.

…

The ringing of a phone broke the quiet of the park. Almost confused, he looked up from his camera when she reached for her bag and put the cell phone to her ear. "Mamá?", She asked and her eyes got bigger and bigger when she heard what was being said. Sergio looked through his lens again and zoomed in on her face. She seemed genuinely shocked and began to pack her belongings and stow them in her bag, then she took the bag and her jacket and... with the words "I'll be right there", she rushed to leave the park.

Almost disappointed, Sergio looked after her and ran his hand through his thick brown hair. Then... he saw that there was something black on the bench. He looked after the young woman. Her sketchbook! Immediately - he was a gentleman, after all - he rushed to grab the book and bring it to her. He collided with a skater and almost tripped over a dog. But all the effort was in vain. When he left the park and looked left and right... his unknown muse had already disappeared.

At home, well he didn't want it, but when he looked at her pictures, his attention immediately shifted over to her sketchbook and... he didn't know why, but it came over him, and he looked at her drawings.

They were REALLY excellent. He was amazed at the many details that gave life to the pictures. Lots of children playing in the park, individual flowers, trees and animals. He flipped through the drawings until he stopped and took a deep breath.

That was a picture of HIM. Sergio. A profile picture - she hadn't seen much else of him. Another one showed him taking a photo. He turned the pages. There… a new picture of him showing a child the picture he had just taken. He had to smile at the memory, the kid had been really shy and gentle, he hadn't been afraid of it at all.

And... finally the last picture of him, he recognized it immediately: It was the moment when he had looked into her eyes. His heart was pounding in his throat. And he made the decision to give her the book back and ... talk to her.

…

"Raquel, you have to come immediately, something bad has happened. Laura is in hospital!" She could feel her mother's panic even through the phone. Instantly she gathered her belongings, threw the bag over her shoulder and the jacket over her arm. "I'm on my way mom, don't worry. Where are you?" She asked and walked out of the park as fast as she could, looked around and saw a taxi that she waved closer. When she got in, she gave the driver the address of the hospital.

When she arrived there, her sister had already had an X-ray. She had some bruises and her foot and arm were broken. She was being admitted to a ward when Raquel and her mother went to the bed.

"Laura, mi amor, how are you?" Raquel asked sympathetically, caressing her sister's cheek. In a weak tone, Laura explained her that she was fine and no one should worry. Alberto, Raquel's ex and Laura's boyfriend, was also there and as he tried to pat Laura's Hand Raquel saw her pull it away. Her eyes grew cold.

After Laura was finally in her room and everything seemed so clear to Raquel. She told Mariví to stay with Laura while she wanted to organize coffee for them. As she went, she grabbed Alberto's arm and pulled him with her until they were out of earshot. "Did you do that?" She hissed at him and he played the innocent.

"No, Raquel, how do you come up with that?"

"Oh, I have my reasons ..." she hissed at him – as if he didn't know! - and pointed to her sister's room.

"I'll just ask you one more time, Alberto. Did you beat her into hospital?" Her eyes were cold, serious and her voice sharp. She could see how Alberto's jaw muscles were working. He came closer, their eyes met like cold lightning.

"You shouldn't try to blame me for anything, Raquel."

"Alberto, it's an easy question: I want a yes or a no." She felt how he stood up in front of her, and she noticed that he was getting angry. It was never good, when he got angry. Raquel didn't flinch, though. She had endured him long enough and she had allowed - well ... she had had to allow - him to get involved with her sister. She wouldn't have to answer for her sister's death, though. Raquel would rather take him to jail, if there was a fight here in hospital.

"She just fell down the stairs," he tried to explain, but Raquel was no fool.

"Laura is a grown-up. Grown-ups don't just fall down the stairs.", She hissed. "And did you take a look at her? That are no marks you get from just falling, so… Yes... you did...! ", Her eyes widened and she looked at Alberto in horror. "You pushed her, didn't you? Oh my God! What kind of a...! "

At that moment he grabbed her and pressed her against the wall. Raquel's eyes became even bigger, the fear clearly noticeable in that first moment, especially because she couldn't breathe.

"You shut up now. I didn't push her! I didn't push her, she stumbled and I couldn't grab her anymore! Is that clear?" He looked at her stubbornly and Raquel couldn't utter a sound. Then he started to relax again.

Yet, Raquel had had enough. This man had abused and beaten her. No one had believed her. Now he did the same to her sister and he wanted to condemn her to silence? What did he want to do if she opened her mouth? Murder her? When she had gathered all her senses back, she kicked him as hard as she could and grabbed him to put him in a headlock. She'd been smart enough to enroll in the university's self-defense class led by Alicia Sierra after the separation. Then she started calling for help.

…

When she was sitting on the couch with her mother that evening, both of them wrapped up in a huge fluffy blanket, drinking hot chocolate, Raquel took a deep breath. She sighed. All the excitement of today had set many things into motion. They would have a lot to sort out the next few days. Laura would advertise, like Raquel had a few months ago. They would also be questioned on the matter and everything would take time and energy. Almost automatically she reached for her bag. The only thing that had given her strength, in the last few months of abuse and getting over it, was drawing.

"Do you have any new pictures you want to show me?" her mother asked and leaned over. Mariví was always interested in her daughters drawings.

"Yes, gladly. I also found a 'new motive'. A young man, who always takes pictures in the park.", Raquel explained and smiled to herself in secret admiration of the unknown stranger, until she saw her mother's look.

"A young man, then? Does he look good? Did you speak to him? When do I get to know him?" Raquel raised an eyebrow. "Mamá! I don't even know him, but... he looks very attractive... wait, I'll show you... ", she was still looking for her sketchbook, but... it was as if swallowed by the earth. "That can't be...!" Raquel shot a panicked look at her mother. "My book is gone!", she explained and wondered feverishly where she had had it the last time.

…

Day 3

He had really tried to look especially good today. After all, he wanted to make a good impression the first time he ever spoke to her and gave her back the sketchpad. Of course, he had sent a picture of himself to Andrés, who had commented and given tips. Sergio was quite nervous of the meeting and noticing this, his brother had taken the whole thing seriously. He had even wished him good luck. In the park, Sergio sat down on the bench with the book and camera in his hand. He waited, took some pictures and spent the time looking for the brunette.

…

Day 4

When he looked out the window in the morning, it was cloudy outside and a veil of rain hung over the otherwise warm and sunny city. He straightened up again, hoping to see her again. He got ready like the day before. The only difference: today he was in the park armed with a camera, a drawing book and an umbrella. It was cold and wet, and his photos didn't turn out to be very numerous or beautiful. When he started to shiver after several hours, despite the warm climate, he decided to go home.

Raquel had finally given up on the idea of getting her drawings back when she saw the rain today. Yesterday she and her mother had talked to the police about Alberto and she had also spoken to her sister's conscience again. After that she had searched all the places where she could have forgotten the sketchbook. Among other things, she had called several taxi companies to find out if anyone had found a sketchbook in the back of their car. Nada! Niente! The only thing she hadn't done: gone to the park. After all, she had packed everything up. Now she regretted it, but what could she do? The sketchbook was probably just gone. And Raquel had much more important things to do than search for a sketchbook! She had to be there for Laura and she would just have to buy a new book...

Tough she was worried. Would she ever see the handsome guy from the other day again? It was pure chaos what was happening in her life! How much would she have loved to just draw something now!

…

Day 5

By the time he got home that night he had really given up hope. It had been a long day again, with many people visiting the park. None of them being HER. He just wanted to see her again so badly. Sergio sighed and looked at the sketchbook in front of him again. Then... he made up his mind and had an idea. If it didn't work... well he would have to live with that. Yet, if it did…

…

Day 6

When he got to the park, the bench was still unoccupied. He went over and placed the black sketchbook on it. Then he sighed and went his way. He couldn't wait forever, but... maybe he would be lucky.

Raquel was just glad she didn't have to go to the hospital with her mother today. She loved her sister, but she also needed distance from all of it. Although there was no hope of finding her sketchbook again, she still made her way to the park. She hummed, enjoyed the sunshine and went to her favorite bench. When she looked at it, she couldn't believe her eyes and hurriedly walked the last few steps towards the bench. There, beaming, she grabbed her sketchbook. Could it really be? She flickered through it. Yes, those were really her drawings, they were all there… Even the last ones of the unknown.

After letting her eyes slide over the man's features for a while, she took out her pen-box and picked up one of the pens. Then she began to scribble on the page, but after a short time she caught her breath. She stopped. Staring at her sheet of paper and at one point where the pen didn't work. She furrowed her brow as she recognized letters H E.

What was that supposed to mean?

Curious and also a little excited about what was going on, she began to color the page with her pen and more and more letters became visible, until she finally had the words "HELLO STRANGER" written in front of her. A page for just two words... And who had written them? She took a thorough look around. After Alberto she had a really creepy feeling for the first moment. But she didn't see anyone she knew or who was watching her, so... she turned the page irritation showing on her features and started the game with the hidden letters all over again.

"U HAVE AN AMAZING TALENT"

She felt almost a little flattered now. So… someone obviously had found her sketchbook, seen her drawings and approved of them. Okay, a little creepy, but... somewhat... cute? She turned the page again and began the whole searching game again. The only noise for her was the rubbing of her pen on the paper as she scribbled curiously for another message.

"AND U SHOULD SMILE MORE"

She frowned and looked confused at the statement. Then she turned the page and again scribbled on.

"BECAUSE YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL"

She had to smile. That was a wonderful idea to compliment her and she was kind of blown away just because someone had made that kind of an effort. At that moment she looked up, knowing that if someone had done this, he had to be here somewhere. And when she looked up with the brilliant smile still on her face, she heard the click of a camera.

She blinked and recognized the man she had been drawing the last days before she lost the sketchbook. There he was standing with a big smile and less than five meters from her. He also had just taken a photo of her. It must have been him who had written the messages in her book. She didn't think twice, she just moved a little to the side and gently patted the stone next to her to show him that he should sit down.

"So... you think I'm good at drawing?" She asked, then turning her head smiling at him. Sergio blinked nervously as he sat down, somehow, he had imagined talking to her... easier in some way? He swallowed. "No ..."

"No?"

"Well... it's just... not just 'good', but unbelievable.", he tried to explain what he meant and blushed a little because he didn't know how to do it properly.

Raquel could only beam at him, however. "Thanks for the compliment ...", she looked down at her sketchbook again. "The compliments.", she added and then curiously looked at his camera. "May I see the pictures?", she asked and smiled at him. So Sergio showed them to her.