Chapter 3

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Author's note: I apologize that this chapter is rather short, but I had to stop it at a certain point for a reason xD

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The large staircase that led to the entrance hall was filled with men and women elegantly dressed and waiting in their line for their tickets to be punched, and there were more arriving in that early evening; some by taxis, and others by their expensive cars. A couple in particular had just walked out of their taxis, but looked rather out of place. Edward was wearing white shirt without a tie and a dark blue blazer over it with matching wide pants, and a black overcoat, while Rebecca was wearing an elegant v shaped cocktail dress with peephole shoes, matching clutch handbag, and a coat hanging over her shoulder. She took Edward's arm and tried to balance because she wasn't used in wearing high heeled shoes, and Edward couldn't help but smirk and shake his head ''you are hopeless…why on earth are…?!'' ''Just shut it'' Rebecca broke off and sent a glare in his way.

The two made their way behind the people in the waiting line ''Aww man this is going to take forever!'' Edward said pouting as he watched the long line of people waiting before their turn

''Complaining like an old man won't make us reach the line sooner'' Rebecca teasingly poked at her friend

''It's not like we are VIP or anything, so we have to suck it up'' Rebecca looked amused as the blond stuck his hands in his pockets with a pout on his face.

The raven haired woman started fidgeting with her fingers, as she remembered that she was meant to ask him about something ''by the way how is your brother?'' she asked ''you told me he was at the hospital the other day''

Edward's expression became more serious ''he's fine, he had an accident involving an overheated machine and when he went to fix the wires he got a mild shock, he lost consciousness and taken to hospital but other than he didn't sustain any injury'' the blond looked genuinely worried about it

''Sounds like he has a pretty dangerous job'' Rebecca said with a concerned voice

''Yea, he could have had a job behind a desk for all I know, but he's like his wife, he loves working with his hands; constructing, fixing, repairing and stuff like that''

''Those two are meant for each other alright'' Rebecca replied smiling warmly at the thought

''Is he home now? I should visit him sometime''

''Yea he was released from hospital a few days ago, and that makes the two of us'' Edward replied ''Good, then it is settled''

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The building was a contemporary gallery, it was built on unique circular structure, its façade was painted white but it started to turn eggshell due to the city pollution. It consisted of five storeys high with a glass roof and walls on the top floor where the exhibition was taken place. The glass plane made the dark blue sky visible, a blue ocean with scattered stars stretched above their head and gave it somehow a mystic aura. The spacious floor was wholly dedicated for this exhibition and it also had a mini bar at the entrance. Professional photographers, fashion enthusiasts, people who work in the fashion industry, fashion magazines editorials, journalists were all present and eager for this event to unfold, somewhere checking the panels, while others were leisurely taking a drink from the mini bar and chatting. The handsome model and his agent had just arrived. Roy just bought two drinks, and then he pushed among the crowd with the slim glasses in his hand, it was still early and yet it felt like it was already on full house.

He made his way to the familiar looking blond woman on the opposite side as she was talking to an associate. He walked to her and handed one of the glasses to her, she looked up taking it into her hands.

''Thanks'' Riza said as she mildly lifted the bottom of her glass until the red liquid wetted her lips, and took a sip. She was dressed in a black halter neck dress with a slit on the side that goes from her thigh down and her hair was tied into a bun, it suited her very much.

''Excuse me'' she politely nodded to the man she was talking to and turned to Roy as she tugged his arm and walked to the side of the room.

The blond manager waved her forefinger at him ''the boss is coming soon so please try to behave yourself until then'' he gave her an innocent wounded look and she rolled her eyes in response.

''Don't worry I'm not going to cause you any trouble my dear'' but she often felt she was more of a babysitter then a manager

It was often than not Roy had the tendency to flirt with female strangers during public events, and then wonder off to somewhere with her. It was for this reason that he gained the notoriety of being a womanizer, and being in such a competitive business it was not healthy to take unnecessary risks and give way scandals and gossip to the media. Journalists would make up lies about the personal lives of celebrities if they don't get their hands on anything, let alone if they had a reason to, but the handsome model seemed to be unaware of this or maybe he just didn't care. In the few years that he moved to New York, his relationships limited to just few dates and one night stands, he believed that he was satisfied by just that. On many occasion if it wasn't for Riza, he would have been in trouble many times in past.

''Don't worry I won't be of any trouble my dear manager'' he then said with a smirk, but she crossed her arms and gave him a scrupulous look.

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Rebecca and Edward made their way in, Edward walked timidly behind his friend and looked around the place. Rebecca was stopped by an old colleague and friend, whom Edward didn't know and as the two were catching up, he felt uneasy and felt awkward in joining the conversation. He just stood quiet by Rebecca's side and looked around, but all that he could see were people who wore unfamiliar faces, gathered into groups talking to each other, until in an instance he caught a glimpse of a handsome looking man standing a few meters away from him, there was something about him that he could not quite put a finger on. It was a strange feeling that took hold of him that he didn't know what it was; maybe it was just curiosity, or just boredom.

He told Rebecca he was going to get a drink, but instead of heading to the open bar, he followed the man, pushing among the people who were standing in his way. The man stopped beside the stairs, he was wearing a simple black suit and with wide pants, though his shirt was opened down a few buttons, his neck and torso were exposed which left a sexy a naughty image inside the blond's head. Edward blushed and tried not to delve into such thoughts and he stretched his neck to take a better view. The mysterious man's head was turned to the lady he was talking to, his velvet black hair groomed neatly black and a few bangs fell over his forehead, he was gorgeous, but Edward couldn't see his face clearly.

The moment he was going to make a step to look closer he felt someone pulling him with a jolt, he turned glaring at the person it was Rebecca. ''why are you wandering off on your own?'' the black haired woman cheekily grinned.

Edward grunted loudly and took a moment to catch yet another glimpse of the man but his heart sunk when he realized that the man wasn't there anymore.

''What's wrong?'' Rebecca raised an eyebrow in question when she read a look of disappointment on his face.

''Nothing'' he replied sulkily and hurriedly walked away followed by his puzzled friend, who could not figure out what he was up to.

Half an hour later, the two friends walked around the exhibition and were sightseeing the panels with large prints of photos. There was a wide variety of range, it was not a simply a matter of taking a picture of a model with the latest fashion, it also demonstrates skills of the photography in the style and method which this print was produced, fashion industry requires professional photographers, however this event was gathered to make a step ahead, the objective was to combine artistic photography with fashion in a creative way.

Rebecca watched the series of prints in admiration and appreciation while Edward had been quiet and absentminded, he did not pay attention to the show and made no sly comments about Rebecca's demeanor, he just walked by with his hands tucked in his trouser pockets and his head bent down. Rebecca did not quite investigate into it, because as many times Edward just shuts off with saying that he is fine, but if she didn't know any better she would guess that he was love struck.

Edward knew it was rather silly that he would be hung up on some guy he doesn't even know, yet there was a side in himself which he couldn't quite put at ease. He wanted to know who that guy was, he wanted to get closer to him, to talk to him and confirm that it wasn't an illusion that he built inside his head, it was as if he had pins and needles in his body. Edward wasn't one who believed in love at first and all that lovey dovey stuff, he always liked to think that everything had a scientific explanation. He remembered back in college how much he loved his lessons in the lab, with the long tailed white coat and thick safety glasses during chemistry classes. Chemistry; yes, that was it, exactly was going on when he saw that man.

He wished he was able to leave Rebecca's side (with a reasonable explanation to avoid suspicion) and look for him. In his mind he was trying to think of an excuse in order for him to do so, but at the same time he was mentally cursing himself on how stupid he was being, since when he was so lovesick?. Everything went blank when he saw the familiar figure standing in front of one of the panels ahead. He did not say anything and he just left. Rebecca was going to say something to Edward and when she turned to look to her side she saw no one. She blinked and looked around but he wasn't there.

'What the..?'

This was the chance, he thought to himself, he felt his heart beating fast in his chest. He froze to the spot when the man he admired for the past half an hour had looked directly at him. He could see his face clearly now, it was the same guy from that incident in the office

''Are you stalking me now?'' he said half mockingly

Edward was about to say something, but no word came out came from his lips, his mind went blank and his face was burning. He felt so mortified that he wished the earth engulfed him whole.

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