Jim

"Can you stand to sit right there?" he says pointing in front of him. She chuckles as she moved her way right in front of him.

"What are you gonna do now?" She asks softly as she sits down at the chair he was pointing at.

Grinning at her he started to paint the blank canvass. Glancing at her from time to time and then smiling while his paintbrush glides through the canvass. "You know what?", he said while putting his hand down his chin while stroking it gently. "I don't need you to sit there as I finish this piece", he says as he stands up and gets closer to her.

"You're face is embedded in my mind. It's embedded there forever, my love", he says as he touched her cheeks and bought her face closer, and brushed his lips to hers.

He woke up suddenly. Coping a feel in his lips, It feels real he thought to himself. The lady from the portrait was in his dreams. He just stared at his ceiling, trying to process what his dream was just about. Was I really related to the painting? How? What is she to me? Those green emerald eyes from the painting. It's hers... And the kiss. It feels so strange because he could still feel her lips touching his. Standing up, he then headed into the bathroom to wash his face and take a shower, and will gonna start a new day at work.

He has never felt this pumped going to work. To see the painting

Finishing his touches, repainting, filling in cracks, and restoring the canvass, Jim is almost done. Now what's left to do is to brush it with varnish to serve as protection from dust and dirt but to also give it a glossy finish. Checking to see if there is dirt or dust on the surface before brushing it with varnish, he then dipped his brush in the solution. Every time his vision will glance through her eyes, his stomach would just flutter. That eye color is pretty rare. And it suits her so well. He thought to himself.

"Looking good!", Kaley praises as she walks up behind Jim startling him for a little bit. Jim just looked at her smiling.

"You coming to the museum when they put this up? I know that you typically won't do that but you really seem to be drawn to this beaut right here." she asks as she watches him brush the canvass.

Sighing he replied, "I might be. I don't know. I am not really fully booked this week. Want to do something different too since being in the same room with you is starting to irk me", he scoffs and she rolled her eyes to him. "I am just kidding. But how about you? Do you have plans? Care to join me?" he adds not looking at her. He wants to see the portrait up on a wall. He knows for a fact that not only he and Kaley would be able to appreciate this but also the hundreds of people who will come to visit the museum.

"Nah, I'll rather stay home than see you so often. Sometimes I look at you and I swear I could hear your face talking", she replied laughing at him. "No, but seriously you need some time away from work and stress. Look at how dark those under eyes are. No wonder you're single", she added sticking out her tongue at him.

"Quit it! But really Kaley. I had this dream..." he then proceeds to tell her what his dream was all about. It was brief yet it feels like it has happened and it feels like it is more of a figment of a memory than a dream.

"So you think I was right then huh?", Kaley says as she rubs her chin. "Do you want me to bring you to a psychic medium I know? she might help us give an accurate or maybe a clearer idea of how you are related to this painting". she added.

"You really believe that hokum huh?", he replied ridiculing her.

"Hey, don't knock it till you try it. Come on, I'll do it with you then we will visit the museum after!". she says ecstatically.

"Fine, but just us. I don't really want other people to know about this. Because this is really bizarre.", he says.

She rolls her eyes at him and nods.

Kaley then began arranging her stuff to continue with what she was working on as well.

Never in his life would he think that something like this would happen to him. Sure he tried dating. He had seen a lot of pretty faces. But the woman in his dream has drawn him to a feeling he can't shrug off. He feels freakish. All his life he didn't really know anybody who piqued his interest. A pretty face on a canvas is a typical view for someone like him who has been working in this field for more than a decade.

Might be hokum or not, he wouldn't lose anything if he'd tried to learn more about this mystery.

Mayim

She likes to go to museums when she was growing up. She could pick a thing or two when she reads information about the things. She'd think about it all day and write about it. Ever since she was a little girl she'd always carry a pen and a notebook with her because she doesn't really know when an idea would hit her. She could be in a bathroom, in a café, in her own bedroom, or even just walking down the street, which could spark an idea.

That lead her for finishing her degree in journalism and as a Summa Cum Laude of their batch. Not something she'd brag about now that she'd lost the spark she has before. She's trying really hard to think of something but she's empty. She's hoping that coming down to this museum at the weekend would help her with her dilemma.

Carrying her journal, she went out of her house and was heading to a café 3 blocks away from her apartment to get her daily boost of caffeine and to start working on her manuscript. She probably would have an inspiration if she will go to unfamiliar places.

And for today, she will go to this café that is 3 blocks away from her apartment. This is a new and fresh start. As she went inside, the whiff of newly brewed coffee enveloped her senses. Oh, how she missed this. She headed to the counter to place her order.

As she was looking for a table, she saw that there was an available table near the entrance. It's a perfect seat because she can see the people coming in and out, maybe that could spark something in her head. She hurriedly bought her order over to the table when suddenly her phone vibrated.

It's her boyfriend, Ryan.

Baby, can we talk? I'm on my way to your place. The text states.

Staring at her phone.I just sat down she sighed to herself.

Jim

"Hey bonehead, do you need a break?", Kaley asked as she immersed in his working station from hers.

Feeling a bit worn out from working the whole morning and noon, maybe he could use a break. He nods at his co-worker in response to her question. Quickly, she grabbed her purse and he just followed her as she headed to the door.

On the way to the café, they talked about things about work, and Kaley's love life, and then discussed the portrait that is situated at their workstation at the moment.

"Do you have any expectations?" Kaley asked.

"Expectations from?" Jim asked clueless about where her question is from.

"What you will find out once we ask about this psychic medium." Kaley answered. Rolling his eyes from her answer, he replied," How can you be so sure about what the psychic might read from her cards and whatnot? What if it's not true? To answer your question, no I am not expecting anything." Jim answers firmly.

"Gee, fine. You're too pessimistic. But I swear. She's the best psychic I know. She actually predicted how I will meet Thomas. She even described him accurately. Seeing him in person, I already knew that he and I will end up being together because of it." Kaley says dreamingly as Jim scoffs at her.

Although not admitting it to his friend, he is actually thrilled about what he can hear from the psychic medium. True or not, he is hopeful that there will be an answer as to how why he feels like he is somewhat related to the portrait.

"Whatever you say, Kaley Christine..." Rolling his eyes at her and laughing as they entered the café together.

Kaley stood in front of him in the line as he roamed his eyes inside the café. The ambiance of the café is homey, it is not jam-packed with people, and the lighting inside is not too bright and not too dim. This was not a place he frequents as he would just normally ask for Kaley to get him coffee when she goes outside to get hers every day. He doesn't usually leave his station but today he kind of needs a pause from work. He placed his usual order and then asked if they could get it for to go. They also added a few pastries to gnaw on while at work.

As they were exiting the premise of the café, Jim paused from walking as his eyes landed on the lady that was situated near the door. He swears that he already saw her before. He is not so sure as the woman was on her phone. He can only see her side profile. She has these soft curls tied up in a ponytail, a pronounced nose, and a strong familiar...

She was there staring at her phone so strongly. It almost looks like she's troubled.

As they were heading out, Jim and the lady he was eyeing had locked eyes. His dream started to play in his head again. It's her. It's exactly her. The epitome of heaven, it's her!

He was so deep in his thought but was suddenly brought back to Earth by his friend.

"What's with you?" Kaley asked as Jim shakes his head. The lady who he was staring at for a hot minute had stood up and left the café already.

"N-nothing. Let's go?" Jim says and Kaley nods in response. Maybe his eyes were playing tricks on him. He may be tired so he really needs his caffeine now.

Mayim

Baby, can we talk? I'm on my way to your place. She reads as she sighs.
What does he want now? she asks herself. Contemplating whether she wants to see him or not. But based on the text he sent, he is leaving her no choice but to talk to him. He does not really want to face him right now. She swore that she won't fall for anything that her boyfriend would tell her.

As she was about to stand up, she can feel someone staring at her so she looked in that direction and caught the eyes of a tall man eyeing her like she was an artwork of something. Normally, if men on the street would do this to her, she'd feel very uncomfortable. But this man's eyes were staring at her so deep and so alluring that she almost didn't want to break the contact. Oh right, Ryan! She snapped out of it and picked her stuff up and exited the café.

Ryan was her boyfriend who she met once at a library when she was still in college. She had always been a bookworm and so even before and after she finished her degree, she would always be found in a library to get her to fix (it's an addiction).

One day, while getting her fill of James Patterson's novels, he saw a fine man who was getting the same book she was looking for on the shelf. She wouldn't let go without a fight she thought but the man just let her have it. "You have nice taste", he says...

He then introduced himself to her and shared a bit of a conversation before saying their goodbyes and heading back with her friend who was studying for his upcoming finals.

Since then she would see him often and would exchange a bit of talk sharing their same taste in books. The book that they both grabbed off the shelf was something that he doesn't have in his collection yet so he wanted to have it. But seeing the eagerness in her eyes for the book, he had let go.

They talked more about their similarities which were only their hobbies and how they maneuver with some things in life. He is the first man who made her "weirdness" feel like it is a normal.

They had shared more time together and soon dated. They became official. At first, it was fun, being "in love" and being not able to keep their hands to themselves.
And now they are at this point. The realization that their relationship has gone cold because they just got used to each other.

There were a lot of times were she wanted to break up with him, but he would always refuse because he doesn't want to throw away the relationship like that.
She wanted them to have the connection they once had.

That she could read him like an open book. When something is wrong, they will talk about it and decide their next step because they were a team. But now, if one is heated the other just stays quiet so the fight doesn't escalate making their problems unresolved. The communication is lost.

She clearly still remembers the time when they would be arguing but he would make amends just for her to forgive him. But things have changed. He only texts or calls her when he is bored. They don't do the things they used to do. But the idea of meeting other people again to start all over baffles her. So even if the relationship is not giving anymore, she will stay.

Walking at a brisk pace, she then arrived at her apartment. She was expecting her boyfriend to arrive a bit later than she was but as she entered her apartment, she saw him already sitting comfortably on her sofa. The last time she saw him was a month ago when they hang out together to talk but it ended in a heated argument and fight. He hasn't spoken to her since so she just wanted to get over this.

"Baby, I missed you," he says standing up.

Warning for the SMUT

Walking near her she knows that this will be a night of just pleasure and not really a time for them to have a conversation about their persisting issues.

"Ryan, what do you want?", Mayim asks as Ryan came close to her.

Feeling his breath next to her ear, he answered "You. Just you".

"I thought that you and I were supposed to talk? What do you want to talk about?" she replied with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"We can do that later, I just want to express to you how much I miss you." he says as he kisses her. "And how much I miss doing this to you," and there he was again avoiding a conversation that they should be having.

Using his thumb, he gently stroked her upper lips and soon his lips were on hers. At first, she was not responding to his kisses but because of his persistence and fervor, she soon gave up and melted with his touch.

She rested her hands on his shoulder as he carefully removed her clothing hastily. His hands then found their way to her mounds. Mayim gasps at the contact. Admittingly, she had wanted to be touched like this again.

She broke from the kiss and remove the rest of her clothing as Ryan does the same. Naked, he then grabbed her posterior carrying her weight in his arms as they headed to the bedroom.

"I miss you," he says in between kisses as he gently placed her on the bed. She just kissed him in return, gliding her tongue to his lips slightly and opening her mouth offering him an entrance.

His kisses moved from her lips to her jaws down to her neck where he kissed a soft spot in there. Moaning and gasping his name he continued to go down to the valley of her chest, softly taking one breast and sucking it while pinching the other one.

Her hands traveled from his shoulder down to his stomach where she caressed it. She then used her right hand to put on top of his shaft. He could not stop moaning amidst kissing and she stroked his manhood.

Grabbing her hands from his member to stop him from finishing soon, he then gave his attention to her bosoms again, he then bought his finger to her center. She was already wet as he touched her.

"Hmmm...yes!" she says breathlessly and she grabbed the hair on his head.

"Tell me what you want," he asked in a deep voice while rubbing his fingers along her wet folds.

"F*ck me," she replied as she gasps for air.

"Gladly". he replied as he entered her. They both gasped at the contact. His thrust began slowly and took their pace. Arching her back from the contact, she can't even open her eyes because of how good it feels.

Soon she meets his thrust under him. He then grabbed one of her breasts and bought it inside his mouth earning a gaspy moan from her. Continuing his thrust he then stared into her eyes meeting her gaze. He then kissed her hungrily and he entered her mouth while rubbing a finger to her clit.

It drove her to oblivion and had thrown her head to her pillow. She could feel her heart rate rising, her breathing has become more shallow and frequent.

"I'm near," she says and he changed the speed of him pounding on top of her. Their breaths were becoming quicker, their skin was covered in a thin layer of sweat. Feeling her spasms surrounding his c*ck, their pace getting quicker as she felt him coming near too. He then pulled his cock out and released his c*m on top of her chest as he emptied himself on her.

He kissed her again after their mutual orgasm.

End

"You're amazing. I love you, Mayim. I hope that you're not mad at me anymore," he whispers at Mayim who is still out of breath.

Still cannot go down from her high, she just smiled as her eyes are heavy from being tired from their activity earlier. She forced herself to stand up and clean herself up in the bathroom. She then climbed onto her bed and he just laid next to her as he also drove off to sleep.

Jim

On their way back to their workstations, Kaley was talking about the latest celebrity gossip when she noticed that Jim seemed distraught and was deep in his thought. I might be hallucinating. There's no way a lady will look like the portrait that was made in the 1800s. He thought to himself. His quietness was quite eerie and usually, he would throw his opinion about the topics she usually opens up about. She waved a free hand in front of her friend to get his attention. Jim snapped back to his senses and just released a sigh.

"Sorry, what were you saying again?" he says timidly.

"You're so deep in your thoughts again. Tell me what's bothering you." She asks as they entered the building where their workstation takes place.

"Nothing important really. Just go on and talk about what you were telling me earlier. I want to listen," he answers. Skeptical of his answer, Kaley just decided to go back to the topic that she was talking about as they took a sip of the coffee they just bought.

"Oh my word, he is such an ass. Why would she also let someone do that to her? She had bought this upon herself, to be honest," Jim commented on her story that made Kaley's jaw drop.

"Gosh, I am just thankful that there's only two of us here. That mouth of yours..." she says as she shakes her head. "Anyway, just getting off-topic for a sec, when would you want to visit the psychic medium?" she asks.

"Hmmm, maybe during this weekend. Then I might swing by the museum afterward. They need me to finish these before the weekend so I assume that they will put this on display by then. Why do you ask?" he answered.

"So I could book you an appointment."

"Thank you. That's very thoughtful. Would you come with me?"

"The weekend... I can't. I promised Thomas that I would spend the weekend with him. And also, you're a big boy now. You can go all by yourself now. This is not like a surgery that you need assistance afterward you know?" she scoffs earning an eye roll from Jim.

"And I assumed we're best friends. And here, you're abandoning me over your lover?! How dare you?" he dramatically said while acting to swoon. "No, but it's fine. But do not ask me about what I will find out since you picked your boyfriend over me" he said making Kaley laugh.

" As if you'll hide something from me." rolling an eye at him.

He has decided to just come all by himself. That way he would and could process the emotions alone. Going back to his table staring at the drying portrait he said to himself, I will find this out. If there is really something to know.

Mayim

*buzz, buzz, buzz* Her phone vibrated waking her up. It was already morning. Before picking her phone up, she realized that she was alone in her bed. She then saw a note left on the other side of her bed.

I had a nice time. I was called in to work early and I don't really want to disturb your sleeping. Talk to you later. I love you. the letter says.

She sneered at his letter. He claims that he loves me yet I don't really feel it anymore. Everything was just for a release, no more communication, no more connection, and no romance.

Sighing she looked at her bedside table and picked up her phone. There were text messages from Chad.

Uhm...I am already used to you ignoring me, but I gotta know if you will come with us on the weekend to the museum?

Oh I almost forgot! She then typed a message to reply.

Hey! I'm sorry. I have been thinking about a lot of things lately so I totally forgot about it. It sounds great and I really need you and Chanel's company so I am down for it. See you soon! she replied. She then turned her phone off and lay on her bed again.

As she closed her eyes, an image popped into her head. It was the face of a man who was staring at her in the café. Nobody had stared at her like that, not even Ryan who has claimed to love her. She cannot really remember the features of his face but only his piercing blue eyes. Normally, if someone had stared at her like that, she would feel weird and icky but at the time she just shrugged it off.

Opening her eyes again, she took her journal and started writing. Ooh this could be something.

The man with the piercing blue eyes just might be the main character of her newest novel.