The Exhibition Begins
Elijah's POV
The grand hall of The Royal Art Museum gleamed with silver light.
Chandeliers hung like frozen stars, and the polished marble floor reflected every movement, every quiet conversation.
Elijah adjusted his cufflinks as he stood beside the event host. He looked every inch the perfect sponsor — composed, unreadable, dressed in tailored black that somehow made him look both royal and untouchable.
Beside him, Matthew whispered, "Try not to scare them, boss. These are artists, not investors."
Elijah didn't even glance at him. "If they're confident in their art, they won't be scared."
Matthew smirked. "That's not how humans work, but fine."
The first group of applicants began entering. Each artist bowed politely, some nervous, some bold.
Elijah shook hands, his expression polite yet distant, asking short questions — technique, vision, purpose.
Then his assistant handed him the next folder.
Applicant Name: Starl Hayes.
He scanned it briefly — watercolors, oil on canvas, impressionism with emotional undertones.
For a reason he couldn't explain, his fingers paused on the photo of a painting.
White lilies in the rain.
A slow breath escaped his lips.
Something about it hurt to look at.
"Elijah?" Matthew called softly. "You good?"
Elijah blinked once, closing the file. "Next."
But deep down, something shifted — quiet, like a memory he couldn't name trying to crawl back into his heart.
...................
Rin's POV
"Star!! They accepted you!"
Rin's scream could've woken the whole neighborhood. She burst into the living room, waving an email on her phone like a victory flag.
Starling looked up from her sketchpad, blinking. "Wait… what?"
Rin grabbed her shoulders and shook her playfully. "You got in! The International Art Exhibition, capital city! They loved your work!"
For a heartbeat, Starling just stared — shock and disbelief mixing with quiet happiness. Then she laughed, covering her mouth. "Rin, stop lying—"
"I'm not!" Rin yelled, grinning wide. "Pack your brushes, babe. We're going to the capital!"
Starling felt tears prick her eyes before she could stop them. Three years of silence, healing, and hiding — and now the world was calling again.
Her hands trembled as she read the email herself.
Accepted.
"Rin," she whispered. "Do you really think I'm ready?"
Rin leaned close, smiling warmly. "Star, you're more than ready. You're about to show the world what pain and beauty look like when they fall in love."
They hugged, laughing and crying at the same time — unaware that the man who once taught her to believe in art again… would be waiting at that very exhibition.
Elijah's POV
By evening, the boardroom lights dimmed as Elijah flipped through the exhibition file again.
Everything was ready — the banners, the artist list, the sponsors.
Everything… except the time.
Matthew, sitting across the table, sipped from a can of soda. "You know, two days is too short for artists to pack up and travel here. Some of them are probably coming from different cities."
Elijah nodded slowly. "You're right."
Matthew raised a brow. "Did you just agree with me?"
Elijah smirked faintly. "Don't make it weird. I'm saying extend the deadline. Give them a week."
Matthew leaned back in his chair, grinning. "The great Elijah Ashford actually being considerate? I need to write this down."
"Or you could just do your job and tell the committee," Elijah replied dryly.
Matthew laughed, standing. "You got it."
A few minutes later, across the city, an email alert pinged on every applicant's phone —
"Important Notice: Artist Arrival Date Extended to 7 Days."
Elijah closed the folder, his gaze softening at the image of one of the submissions — White Lilies in the Rain.
He didn't know why that painting caught him the most, but it did.
It felt… familiar.
He exhaled and leaned back, staring out the window. "Let's see what this exhibition brings."
...................
Rin's POV
"Star! You won't believe this!" Rin burst into the studio, nearly tripping over a stack of paint boxes.
Starling turned from her easel, wiping paint off her hand. "What did you do this time?"
"Nothing!" Rin said, grinning like a child with a secret. "They extended the date! We have a whole week to prepare!"
Starling blinked. "Seriously?"
Rin waved her phone excitedly. "See? Official mail. That means we can close the bakery properly and travel without rushing."
Starling smiled, a hint of relief softening her eyes. "Guess I owe whoever made that decision a thank-you."
Rin tossed her apron aside dramatically. "Forget that — I'm officially on break! Or I can start another branch till the exhibition's over."
Starling chuckled. "You'll miss your customers."
"I'll survive. But I'm not missing this for anything," Rin said, hands on hips. "This is your moment, Star. Three years of work, and now the world gets to see it."
Starling looked down, smiling quietly. "You're really not giving me a choice, are you?"
"Not a single one." Rin grinned.
They laughed — and the laughter sounded like hope.
...................
Later That Week
The road to the capital stretched endlessly beneath a soft morning sun.
Rin's head rested against the bus window while Starling sketched quietly, the pencil moving in calm, slow strokes.
Each town they passed felt like a chapter turning.
Each mile like a promise.
When they finally reached the capital, the city was alive — cars, lights, art posters on every corner.
Rin stepped out first, breathing in the air. "Wow… even the wind feels rich here."
Starling chuckled, adjusting her bag. "You're impossible."
They found a small apartment near the exhibition center — bright, cozy, and perfect for a short stay.
Rin instantly claimed the couch. "This place is it. I can already see you painting by that window."
Starling smiled softly. "Let's make it home — at least for now."
Outside, the city buzzed with life.
Inside, two hearts prepared to step into a story fate had been quietly rewriting.
And miles away, in another part of the same city, Elijah stood on his balcony — unaware that the woman whose art he couldn't forget was breathing the same air again.
Starling's POV
The capital looked even more beautiful in daylight.
Wide streets, tall glass buildings, and banners fluttering in the wind — "INTERNATIONAL ART EXHIBITION — 3RD ANNIVERSARY SHOWCASE."
Rin practically skipped ahead, clutching the registration form. "Star, can you believe this? We're actually here!"
Starling smiled, adjusting the strap of her portfolio case. "It feels unreal."
They joined the long line outside the hall. Artists of all ages crowded around — painters, sculptors, photographers. Some carried canvases wrapped in brown paper; others held sketchbooks tight to their chests like dreams they didn't want to lose.
Inside, the hall glowed with morning light streaming through glass ceilings. Volunteers hurried about, organizing name tags and welcome kits.
Rin leaned close and whispered, "Everyone looks so serious. Maybe we should act like professionals too."
Starling chuckled softly. "You're the one who told me to wear sneakers, Rin."
"Stylish ones," Rin corrected, straightening her jacket.
When it was finally their turn at the desk, the lady smiled politely.
"Name?"
"Star Hayes," Starling answered, her tone calm.
"Ah, yes." The woman scanned the list. "You've been selected under the independent artist category. Welcome to the exhibition, Miss Hayes. Please submit your first set of works tomorrow for preview."
Rin nearly squealed. "We made it!"
Starling turned to her with a small, genuine smile. "We really did."
They stepped aside, holding their badges and information folder.
Outside the glass doors, the city shimmered — and Starling felt something she hadn't in a long time.
Anticipation.
...................
Elijah's POV
By late afternoon, Elijah arrived at the exhibition hall with Matthew. The event organizers were waiting, showing them around the venue.
Matthew looked impressed. "You sure know how to pick the fancy spots. This place screams money."
Elijah ignored the comment, his gaze sweeping across the half-decorated hall. Large canvases leaned against walls, and the air smelled faintly of paint and new beginnings.
He stopped near one corner, where a white canvas rested — blank, untouched, yet somehow inviting.
He stared at it for a moment, the silence between his thoughts growing heavy.
The organizer spoke beside him. "We've received most of the registered artists already, but a few will still arrive tomorrow. We extended the deadline like you suggested."
"Good," Elijah said, his voice quiet.
As they moved along the hall, laughter echoed faintly from the far side — two young women, chatting with a volunteer, their voices light, warm.
Elijah's steps faltered for half a second. Something about that laughter tugged at him.
He turned slightly…
But the crowd shifted, and the sound faded into the noise.
Matthew tapped his shoulder. "You okay?"
Elijah blinked, coming back to himself. "Yeah. Just… thought I heard something."
They continued walking, unaware that just a few feet away, on the other side of the partition wall, Starling and Rin were taking photos for their registration IDs — laughing softly, unaware that fate had already brushed past them.
...................
Rin's POV
"Smile, Star!" Rin held up her phone, snapping pictures. "We need to post this later — 'Two small-town girls taking on the capital!'"
Starling laughed. "You're unbelievable."
"And you love me for it."
"Unfortunately," Starling teased back, but her eyes softened.
They left the hall a little later, sunlight washing over them.
For a fleeting second, Starling turned back toward the glass doors — feeling a strange pull, like someone familiar had just passed through.
But when she looked, there was no one there.
Just the empty hallway and the quiet hum of destiny waiting.
......
Elijah's POV
The car door closed behind him as he and Matthew left the venue.
From the tinted window, Elijah caught one last glimpse of the exhibition building — its glass reflecting the sky.
He didn't know why he couldn't shake that feeling — that he'd almost seen something, almost heard someone.
"Matthew," he said quietly as the car pulled away, "doesn't it ever feel like life circles back sometimes?"
Matthew raised a brow. "You mean fate doing its thing again?"
Elijah looked out the window, the city lights beginning to rise.
"Maybe," he murmured. "Maybe it's already started."