CHAPTER TEN
THE PAINTING ROOM
Holding a bottle of Coke, Michael led them into his painting room. It was also very spacious and well-decorated. There was a classic stereo and so many CDs. At the other end was a shelf with so many books in it. Another soft couch was beside it and some books were on top of it.
Michael led them further and they stopped at a corner. It was dark. Michael walked to the window and opened the curtains before turning on the lights.
Kelvin and Sylvester went, "Wow!!!".
The place was beautiful. Almost like they were in a 3D world. The paintings were so beautiful.
"Michael, you painted all of this? Why not become an artist?" Sylvester said, touching the wall where he stood.
Michael chuckled softly and said, "It's not as easy as it sounds. Dad says I'm the heir of WattsHouse. I should keep painting as a hobby. Some paintings are not mine though. I got them at auctions and art exhibitions. Alfred Watts isn't into artworks at all", Michael laughed. Others joined him.
"Who's this? She looks like you", Kelvin asked touching one large painting that hung on the wall. Michael walks to stand beside him as he stares at it for a while before replying.
"That's mom. Elisabeth Watts", he smiled.
"She's beautiful, and you look a lot like her", Sylvester said, also standing beside him.
"People say that a lot–are you guys trying to reassure me, or is that the truth?" Michael said, slightly amused.
"It's the truth. You have her face, but not the eye color", Sylvester replied.
Suddenly there was silence until Kelvin said,
"That's Miss Hena!" Kelvin said, pointing at another painting. The guys adjusted.
"Who are these guys over there?", Kelvin asked.
"My best friends at my former school. It's an all-boys school".
"Why did you leave the school?", Sylvester asked curiously.
Michael licked his lower lip, "I don't know. Dad just got up one day and said he doesn't like that school. He wants me to change. We argued, but he conquered. Especially because Miss Hena helped him", he smiled and shrugged.
"Oh!" Kelvin said, looking at Sylvester.
"I like my new school. If I didn't change schools, I wouldn't have met you guys".
"And I wouldn't have met a Watts, don't you think, Kelvin?" Sylvester said, and they all laughed.
Sylvester picked up a painting by the corner and hollered immediately, "This is me!", holding up another, he shouted,
"This is Kelvin. Kelvin here's a painting of you",
Kelvin collects it,
"Wow! I look so handsome. When did you draw this, Michael?" he asked, smiling.
"A week after I met you guys".
"I'm gonna take a picture", he said taking out his phone.
Looking up from where he stood, he saw a glass shelf. It was big but dark inside.
They heard a phone ring and Michael rushed to answer it. After the short call, he turned to them.
"Guys, I'll be back. Miss Hena wants me to meet her downstairs", he said walking out. When he leaves, Kelvin turns Sylvester's attention to the glass shelf.
"Vester! Look at that!", he pointed at it.
"And?"
"What's inside?", he whispered.
"How are we supposed to know, unless we open it?" Sylvester said, holding the shelf handle.
"Wait!", Kelvin stopped him. Sylvester turns to him. "What if it has a password?",
"Let's check", Sylvester opens the door of the shelf. They took out the paintings. The first one was his mother, his father, and then Michelle–they paused and looked at themselves.
"Mich!" Sylvester looks at Kelvin, who shrugs.
There was another painting of her. About three more paintings of her. They see one where she was in sportswear, but it was her backside. They could clearly tell that it was Michelle. They took out more paintings. It was paintings of boys. Probably from his former school. The last painting surprised them. It was a drawing depicting Michael kissing another guy.
"Is this...", Sylvester was interrupted.
"Let's put them back", Kelvin said, and they put everything back into place and closed the shelf.
"Does Michael like Michelle?!", Sylvester asked.
"I can't tell", Kelvin said.
"Well, since we're still here let's ask Michael for some other fun activities. Are you in?", Sylvester asked.
* * * *
Back in Michael's room, the three of them sat on the floor, they were playing computer games. Each of them is trying so hard to win. Michael was the one losing. Sylvester and Kelvin were competing so hard against each other. Finally, Kelvin won, and Sylvester faked his anger.
"Yay!!!", Kelvin screamed as Michael laughed.
"Today's your lucky day", Sylvester scowled. "Besides, Michael, you have to join us sometimes. There's a computer village downtown. It's quite fun. Would you love to join us sometime?".
"Yeah! Would Michelle be there too?", he asked.
"Uhhh!", Sylvester looks at Kelvin.
"We would ask her to come with us", Kelvin said and Sylvester nodded quickly.
"She's always busy", Michael said softly.
"Don't worry, Michael. Sometimes, she can't help it. But I promise to tell her about it in school or maybe later when I get home", Kelvin assured him.
"Okay. I'll also have to tell Miss Hena about it".
* * * *
When Kelvin and Sylvester were about to leave, Michael pleaded with them to let his driver take them home but they insisted on calling Kelvin's driver to come take them home. They had personal drivers but they stopped using it for a long time because of Michelle. She didn't have a driver because her aunt never supported it. To keep her company, they only came to school in the morning with their private cars but went home with the school bus.
They gave Michael warm hugs at the gate. They were even surprised that Miss Hena also gave them hugs before taking Michael back to the house.
Walking through the long path full of trees that they'd earlier walked in. Sylvester said,
"I saw that picture clearly. It's really Michael. I think his father and Miss Hena know and that's why they changed him from that school".
"He also knows why. He just doesn't want to tell us. Maybe he's embarrassed about it", Kelvin said quietly.
"Yeah! That's right", Sylvester agreed. "I'm so glad he left. What worse could have happened? His father's image and that of WattsHouse?".
"One day, he'll tell us. I've noticed one thing about him. He's not a person of too many words. He says one thing at a particular time", Kelvin said.
"But he's been repetitive about Michelle".
"That's true. Dealing with Michelle is not hard. She just has to stop being scared of him. He's still finding it hard to adjust. Heard when he said he's never dated. That should be about a girl, right?" Kelvin said, and Sylvester nodded.
"Oh! Imagine how lucky that girl would be", He said again.
"That's very true. We'll bring them together", Sylvester winked at Kelvin who smiled.
"Sure", Kelvin answered as they walked towards the black BMW parked in front of them.