Elvie
Two days had passed since that chaotic night at Cassian’s house. Today, Gemma and I were at the city museum working on our latest assignment. As we walked through the grand, halls, Gemma rambled on about ancient history, while I was tasked with taking notes and pictures.
I couldn’t help but feel completely captivated. Seeing all these centuries-old pieces right in front of me filled me with total awe. There was so much raw beauty in art and history, and looking at these masterpieces made me fall in love with my major all over again. It made me proud of the career path I had chosen. There was still so much for me to learn, and being in a place like this proved just how big the world of art really was.
We wandered deeper into the gallery until we stopped right in front of a stunning ancient statue. "Oh My God!" Gemma mouth parted as she leaned in close, almost pressing her face against the glass display.
"Please step back, miss. Leaning on the glass isn’t allowed," a polite voice called out.
Gemma immediately backed off, her cheeks turning a light pink. The man turned out to be one of the museum staff members, wearing a uniform and a friendly smile.
"Sorry about that," Gemma mumbled, stepping beside me.
"It’s alright," the staff member replied softly, stepping closer to the display. "Most people can’t help getting a closer look at this one. It’s actually one of our most remarkable pieces."
He gestured toward the detailed carving inside the glass. "What you’re looking at is a ancient marble statue dating back to the hellenistic period, over two thousand years ago. It was originally created not just as art, but as a monument to celebrate a major naval victory. Notice how the drapery of the clothing looks like it’s clinging to the body? The sculptor carved the stone in a way that captures the exact moment wet wind blows against fabric."
Both Gemma and I listened with wide eyes, completely amazed by his words.
"Even after centuries, surviving war and damage, the mastery in the movement remains untouched," he added. "It represents victory, strength, and pure power."
"Is it okay if I take a picture?" I asked him.
"Sure, go right ahead," the staff member replied with a nod.
I took a picture. Before I could even stop myself, I opened my messages and sent the picture straight to Cassian. As an art professor, I knew he would probably recognize it instantly and have way more insight
.
After the staff member finished his explanation, we thanked him politely and continued walking toward the next stand.
Gemma couldn’t stop talking about the statue, gesturing wildly with her hands. "Can you believe how old that thing is? That was seriously insane!"
"I know, right?" I laughed, matching her energy.
Just then, my phone buzzed in my hand. I glanced down to see a reply from Cassian.
Cassian: It’s a replica of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, We’ll talk more about it when I get home. Make beef tacos for dinner, little birdie.
A soft smile spread across my face as I stared at his text.
"Hey," I said, turning to Gemma. "Let’s go do some grocery shopping after this."
Gemma stopped in her tracks, squinting her eyes at me with a mischievous grin. "Uh-huh... let me guess. Cooking for your hot sex lord?"
My face burned instantly. "Gemma!" I hissed, smacking her arm and dragging her toward the exit while she cackled the whole way out.
**
"No, we don’t need this." I pulled out the box of snacks Gemma had just shoved into my shopping basket, placing it right back on the shelf.
Gemma flung her arms into the air, staring at me like I had lost my mind. "Are you okay? That man sent you way too much money for groceries. Why not buy other stuff?"
I narrowed my eyes at her, holding tight to my basket as I looked around the shelves for anything I might need. "Because we don’t need much. The refrigerator at home is still stocked. He only sent the money because we ran out of beef."
Gemma clicked her tongue, shaking her head. "You’re way too nice, Elvie. That man is loaded. He literally doesn’t care about you spending his money—just imagine all those expensive dresses he bought for you!"
She leaned in close, bumping her shoulder against mine as we walked toward the checkout counter. "By the way... when are you two actually going on a date? You know after that you will....."
My face warmed up, and I gave her a light shove. "You’re crazy."
I stepped up to drop my basket onto the counter, but before I could, someone forcefully shoved my basket out of the way and placed theirs down first.
Gemma immediately snapped, stepping forward. "What the hell—"
I caught Gemma by the wrist, pulling her back just in time as we both turned to see who it was.
Lexi.
Lexi lazily leaned against the counter, popping a pink bubble with her chewing gum as she gave us a smug look. "Why are you looking at me like that? I came here before you."
I looked at her, taking in her outfit. She was wearing a tiny top that was practically holding on for dear life, leaving almost her entire chest on display, and her face was heavily caked in layers of makeup. Well, Lexi was Lexi.
I just shook my head, not even bothered to waste my breath arguing with her.
The cashier scanned Lexi’s items and read out the total bill. Lexi rolled her eyes, casually fishing a shiny card out of her purse and handing it over. The cashier slid the card through the machine, waited a second, and then looked up awkwardly. "Miss... there are insufficient funds on this card."
Lexi’s eyes went wide. "What?!"
Beside me, Gemma instantly burst out laughing, unable to hold it in. I bit the inside of my cheek, trying my absolute best not to laugh right along with her.
Lexi whipped her head around, glaring daggers at us. "Shut the fuck up!" She turned back to the cashier. "What do you mean insufficient funds? Asher—"
She abruptly cut herself off, her eyes flicking toward me.
I let out a sigh and set my basket on the counter. "Can you go ahead and scan my stuff while she gets herself sorted out?"
"Yes, sure," the cashier replied. She carefully slid Lexi’s items to the side to make space for my groceries.
"Excuse me?!" Lexi screeched, slamming her hand on the counter. "Why would you push my stuff away? Is that how you treat customers here?!"
"Miss, I’m just trying to clear the counter until you have a working payment—" The poor cashier tried to explain.
"I don’t care! You don’t touch my things!" Lexi yelled, hurling petty insults at the girl.
I heaved a tired sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose as everyone in the store started staring at us. This wasn’t how I wanted my day to turn out to.
"Lexi, what exactly is your problem?" I asked, keeping my voice calm. "Do you actually have the money to pay for your stuff or not?"
"Mind your own damn business, Elvie," Her nostrils flared as she glared at me like she wanted to scratch my eyes out. "At least I have a roof over my head, unlike someone who is roaming around homeless with no direction of her life."
Before I could even open my mouth to fire back, Gemma stepped right up, putting herself between Lexi and me. Gemma’s eyes flashed with pure fire.
"Oh, look who’s talking," Gemma shot back, her voice dripping with venom. "The only thing empty here is your bank account and your head. Now move out of the way before I push you out of the way myself."
Lexi gasped, her mouth dropping open in utter shock. She looked around the store, realizing that other shoppers were starting to stare and whisper. With a furious huff, she snatched her card back from the cashier’s hand.
"This place is absolute trash anyway!" Lexi screeched, spinning around on her high heels. "Keep your stupid items!"
She stormed off toward the sliding glass doors, nearly tripping over her own shoes before shoving her way out.
A quiet, collective breath seemed to leave the front of the store. The poor cashier let out a long sigh and slumped her shoulders. "I am so sorry about that," she muttered, looking at us apologetically.
"It’s fine," I replied softly, offering a reassuring smile. "It’s not your fault. She’s used to being a drama queen."
We finally got through checking out our items without any more interruptions. Gemma chatted away the whole walk back to the car, laughing out loud about how satisfying it was to watch Lexi’s card get declined in front of everyone.
"I swear, karma is so real," Gemma grinned as we slid into the taxi. I shook my head happy that we put her Lexi in her place.