Alaric entered his house. It was quiet, not a sound to be heard. His two children were probably fast asleep, or perhaps Julius was playing games in his room and Selene was reading a book as usual. Alaric's footsteps dragged slightly as he made his way to his private office near the stairs, where he would work on his unfinished tasks from the museum or simply unwind. He was truly exhausted from his meeting with his client earlier; he should have gone straight home, but instead he chose to visit Thea's apartment first.
In the corner of his office was an antique wooden rack containing his wine collection, and on the bottom shelf were crystal glasses for enjoying wine. Alaric opened one of his bottles of wine—Cabernet Sauvignon—and poured it into a crystal glass. The image of that girl was now disturbing his thoughts, her innocent-looking gray eyes and soft brown hair. Alaric sipped his wine in frustration. Damn, why was he like this? He shouldn't have come to Thea's apartment; he could have just left the bag hanging in his car with Selene. But the temptation to visit the girl was too strong, causing Alaric to give in and come anyway.
Alaric sighed heavily, took off his tie and hung it carelessly, and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt. The night was cold, but for some reason his body felt hot and restless. Alaric convinced himself it was just the effect of the wine he was enjoying.
Carrying a bottle of wine and crystal glasses, Alaric dragged his feet to the leather chair near the window. He leaned back lazily in the chair, pouring the red liquid back into the glass, slowly twirling it between his thumb and forefinger. His golden brown eyes stared at the surface of his wine, which reflected his face, looking gloomy and sleepy, but Alaric found it difficult to sleep at the moment. He sipped the wine slowly, warm and thick with a strong aroma. This time, Alaric enjoyed his sip of wine with reverence, unlike when he first sipped it near the wooden shelf earlier.
The drizzle was still falling outside, and Alaric stared gloomily outside as if counting every drop of rain that fell. The drizzle reminded him of the condition of Thea's apartment. The electricity in the girl's apartment was clearly problematic and needed to be repaired. Alaric frowned as he remembered the girl's face when he asked her why she hadn't called a technician.
Thea avoided his gaze, looking confused as she searched for an excuse, feeling awkward. Alaric didn't know much about the girl's situation, but Thea's reaction certainly made him wonder. Was Thea having financial difficulties so she couldn't call a technician? All he knew was that Thea was a scholarship student at Rosenvale and lived in a small apartment. As a museum curator who sometimes contributed to campus events involving history or art exhibitions, Alaric knew that scholarships at Rosenvale only covered the students' tuition, accommodation not included.
'Is she having financial difficulties? Even for her living expenses in Calvenhart?' Alaric wondered silently.
He sighed, wondering why he felt so curious about Thea. Alaric realized he shouldn't feel this way. Thea was the same age as Selene, his daughter's best friend, while he himself was a grown man approaching 40. It didn't seem right for him to think too much about someone so much younger than him. But Thea's charm was too difficult for him to resist. The girl seemed fragile but had a mature and independent side, and Thea's thirst for art and history made Alaric unconsciously fixated and curious about her.
Alaric took another sip of his wine, trying to calm himself down. His body felt hot, he gripped the armrests of his chair, and got up from his seat. He stood in front of the window, staring blankly outside with his mind filled with thoughts. Alaric realized that his heart, which had been locked tight since his divorce, was now slowly opening up. Who would have thought that the fragile figure of Thea could disturb the walls he had been trying to build for years.
_______
Alaric packed his things, putting them in the black bag he always carried to work. He smiled and shook hands with the principal and the professor who was the head of the Rosenvale University committee this time.
"I can't wait for the festival. I'm so proud that my little museum is collaborating with Rosenvale."
Dr. Bernard chuckled at Alaric's comment, his hoarse, fatherly voice echoing through the office. "You're exaggerating, Mr. Grayson. Our university also feels very grateful; we both benefit from this." The old man with half-bald hair drank his coffee, which was still steaming hot.
Prof. Matthew, who was also in the room, whispered something to Dr. Bernard, causing the old man to nod. He then looked at Alaric, who was sitting calmly in front of him.
"Mr. Grayson, while you're here, I'd like to take you on a tour of the festival site. Are you interested?"
Alaric was taken aback for a moment by Dr. Bernard's invitation. From his office window, he could see students busy preparing decorations for the festival to be held on the university grounds. Of course, his daughter Selene was there, as well as her best friend, Thea.
Alaric swallowed unconsciously, the image of those innocent gray eyes and soft brown hair flashing through his mind. After his brief visit to Thea's apartment to return the keyring, they had not met again. After all, he had no reason to, did he? But now the opportunity had come again, as if fate knew the deepest longing in his heart for that girl.
Alaric smiled politely. "Of course, it's an honor to accept your invitation, Dr. Bernard."
Alaric then walked with Dr. Bernard to the festival location, which was to be held in the university courtyard. Prof. Matthew, who was in charge of this year's festival, also joined them.
The closer they got to their destination, the heavier Alaric's steps felt. It wasn't that he didn't want to run into Thea; he actually missed her. He also didn't understand why his body was reacting this way. His stomach was in knots, cold sweat was dampening his back, and he felt like a nervous teenager about to meet his crush. Alaric clenched his hands in his pockets. What was this? He was almost 40 years old.
The noisy voices of the students busy preparing for the festival could be heard from the courtyard, but when they realized that the principal had arrived with the supervising lecturer and a stranger they didn't know, the noise slowly subsided, replaced by curious whispers directed at Alaric.
Alaric's eyes scanned the surroundings as he murmured his approval while Prof. Matthew explained the decorations in the place. He seemed to admire the students' work, but in reality, he was also looking for the petite figure with soft brown hair.
The girl would be participating in the fashion show wearing a Persephone costume, so of course she had a part in preparing all of this, right?
As if time had stopped, Alaric saw the girl carefully descending the folding ladder after putting colorful paper on one of the stands. Selene seemed to be holding the bottom of the ladder to help her down. When the girl's feet touched the ground again, Selene whispered to her and pointed at Alaric.
Then their eyes met, and Alaric's heart fluttered as the gray eyes gazed at him from afar.
Theavine Elwood, why did that girl always have such a confusing effect on Alaric?