Holding the brush with her injured hand, Leah's eyes remained on the empty canvas in front of her. After a second of contemplation, she began to sketch out a basic figure from her memory.
Minutes had passed since the painting began to have more and more details added to him, coming to life.
Unlike her usual bright and naive hazel eyes, those depth were covered in dark gloominess— dull and lifeless. Underneath it, there was paranoia and other complicated emotions hidden.
She wore a white dress covered in paint stains, sitting on chair. Her straight hair fell on her back, few strands messily scattered across her forehead.
"Leo Zhen."
She repeated the name when the vague silhouette of the man could be made out. Instead of his face, the back of his hair faced her, and he wore a white white.
Her gaze fell on the gray paint, dipping her brush into it. Then came into form a pair of odd-looking eyes, staring straight at the audience. There was an air of glum despondence and chilliness around it.
Her hands then continued to draw a skull around it, cracks embedded on the white grey surface. Right then, the sound of the thunder distracted her.
She turned her head, staring at the drops of rain falling on the glass window. As she shifted her gaze, she noticed the pots of paints she had bought the other day.
Leah got down from her chair and slowly made her way over to the shelf. The colors were bright shades of pinks, purples, blues, yellows, greens, and oranges.
An impulsive thought went through her head.
She grabbed the paints, collecting them in her arms and greedily holding as much as she can. Then, Leah carried them over to the easel and placed them down.
After that, she began to work on the painting. The white canvas behind the figure was painted in the brightest shade of blue, softs light of yellow representing the sunshine covering the man's figure.
As if there wasn't enough colors, Leah tried to add as much colors as possible. A subtle rainbow could be made out in the background.
Once she was satisfied with the painting, Leah found herself covered in the color from head to toe. Touches were made on her cheek as well.
The slight growl in her stomach made her check the time. It seemed that she was here for twelve hours straight, missing her lunch time.
A burst of dizziness spread through her, black spots appearing in front of her eyes when she stood up. Shaking her head, she opened the door and went downstairs.
Taking out the meal from the refrigerator, she placed it in the microwave when the door opened.
Her hazel eyes shot towards the main door. They brightened up, filled with their usual infectious joy, and she hurried towards Leo.
"Welcome home!" Leah cheerily greeted.
"Well, you look like quite a mess," Leo commented.
Stains of paint was left all over her dress, arms, and face. Extending his hand, he tried to wipe the blue paint off her cheek, only to press in and have no residues come out. It had dried off.
"What did you paint today?" Leo asked.
Leah smiled mischievously. "It's a secret."
"A secret, you say." Leo arched his brows.
That's when, the microwave rang, notifying Leah that the food had warmed up. After washing her hands, she eagerly opened the microwave door, only to end up scalding her hand from the hot dish.
Immediately, she touched her ears.
Leo helplessly looked at his wife and helped her take out the dish, using a pair of napkins. Then, he placed it on the table.
"Thank you, Husband," Leah expressed.
Once Leo pulled the chair back, she sat down, and he brought over the chopsticks for her. Wrapping the thick stir-fried noodles around her chopstick, she was about to take a bite when Leo reminded her: "Let it cool down. Don't burn your tongue."
Leah immediately closed her mouth in caution.
Noticing her open hair, Leo gathered them all and furrowed his brows when he noticed the green and yellow paint specks on her hair.
"You got your hair dirty as well," he commented before reaching out for the hair tie in his pocket and securing the bunch with it.
Leah finally took a bite out of the noodles, and her protesting stomach finally felt satiated. With the food in her mouth, she responded, "It's alright. If this doesn't wash off, there are scissors. I will just cut it off."
Is that why the strands of her hair was uneven?
She cut them off when she found it too troublesome to handle?
Although it made her silly, Leo thought his wife was adorable like this.
Leah then thought of something, turning her head to ask, "Are you hungry? Should I leave some for you?"
The man shook his head. "I already had dinner."
After that, he removed his blazer, holding it in his one hand. With his other hand, he unbuttoned first few of his shirt before sitting down beside Leah.
"Leah, did you go through the properties transferred to your name?"
Leah sheepishly smiled at Leo. "It's all too complicated for me. Anyways, since they are all registered under my name, shouldn't I be getting the money?"
"Leah, since you're the owner, you need to learn to manage them. However, since you're inexperienced, this will be burdensome to you. What about I get a professional manager for you? They will help you learn," Leo proposed.
Although Leah was capable of living on her own after the divorce happened, even then he wished the path this time would be smoother for her. In case anything were to happen to him, she can easily go on with her life.
"If you think that will be good, I will follow you, Husband," Leah causally replied.
Leo's stern voice then came, "Leah, I want you to clearly think and state your opinion. Even though I will do everything possible to make your future easy for you, you need to know it's dangerous to depend on others.You need to hold the ropes of reign of your own life."
Her eyes then met with her husband's solemn, darkened pairs, and she straightened up instantly.
"Got it, Husband. I will learn everything and make a lot of money, so that I can support you," Leah said, "then, you don't have to run around and stay home— like a canary."
"A canary?"
Leah nodded.
"Yeah. I will let you not leave the house, cage you, and control your life. You will have to listen to everything I have to say, Husband," Leah slowly uttered.
Underneath that naive foolishness, gloominess crossed through her eyes. Although a bright, wide smile played on her face, sinister intent started to take root in her chest— making her seem almost creepy.
Leo chuckled as if oblivious to the sudden shift of atmosphere around her.
"You dream big for someone who has hard time ordering food delivery, Wife," Leo pointed out.
Leah furrowed her brows. "You're being mean to me again!"