Chapter 108: Chapter 108

JONEA

I stared at Hunter’s hand still gripping my wrist. There was desperation in his grasp, like he was holding on to something that had already slipped away. His breath was heavy, and the blood at the corner of his lip hadn’t dried. But I knew it was time to end this—not with anger, but with clarity.

I gently pried his hand off and knelt in front of him. Now our eyes were level, and I could see the depth of his pain. But this wasn’t something I could heal.

“Hunter,” I began softly but firmly. “I’ve said this over and over, but I’ll say it again—I’m in love with Aland.”

His eyes blinked slowly, as if trying to reject the truth.

“I don’t want to give you false hope,” I continued. “I respect your feelings, but I can’t return them. So tell me, what do I need to do to make you let me go for good?”

He didn’t reply. Tears rolled down his cheeks, but he didn’t wipe them away. I stood up and exhaled heavily. My heart ached, but I knew this was the right thing to do.

Without looking back, I walked away from Hunter. Each step felt lighter, as if I was shedding a burden that had been weighing me down. Now I could focus on myself—on my purpose.

When I returned to my canvas, I saw Aland already standing there. He waved at me with that warm smile of his, the one that always made my heart feel at ease.

“I’ve been waiting for you. Where’d you go?” he asked casually.

“Oh, just went for a little walk,” I deflected. “Are you ready? Let’s put on a great show for this exhibition.”

Aland chuckled and nodded. He stepped onto the small platform we had prepared. Visitors began gathering, curious about what we were about to do. I took my place in front of my canvas, preparing my brushes and paints.

When I glanced at Aland, he was already unbuttoning his shirt. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd. When his shirt came off completely, a few gasps and cheers could be heard.

I froze for a moment. In the sunlight streaming down on him, Aland looked like a living marble sculpture. Every contour of his muscles was defined, and the sheen of his skin under the light made him look like a Greek god.

But all eyes—including mine—were drawn to the massive tattoo on his back. A dragon’s wings, spread beautifully, extending from his shoulders to his waist.

“What is that?” someone whispered in the crowd. “Are those dragon wings?”

“He’s so bold, isn’t he?”

I didn’t hear a thing. My focus was entirely on Aland. He sat on the chair with a pose that was relaxed yet regal, like a god who had descended to earth. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

My hand moved instinctively, picking up the brush and starting to paint. I wasn’t thinking—I was feeling. Every stroke of the brush felt automatic, capturing every detail of him.

The murmurs and cheers of the crowd faded into the background. It was just me, the canvas, and Aland.

His blue eyes held me, making me feel as if I wasn’t standing on solid ground. It felt like we were in a world of our own, where time stood still and nothing else existed but art and beauty.

“Am I sitting here too long?” Aland’s sudden voice broke through my trance.

I shook my head quickly. “No, no. You’re perfect.”

He gave a small smile and returned to his pose.

The painting began to take shape. I captured the contours of his muscles, the shadows cast by the sunlight on his back, and, of course, the mesmerizing dragon wings tattoo. I didn’t care that some people tried to peek closer. This was my moment.

When I was almost done, I wiped the sweat off my forehead and looked at the painting. It was incredible—I couldn’t believe it was my work.

Aland stood up, put his shirt back on, and walked over to see my painting. He was silent for a moment, then smiled.

“This is amazing, Jonea,” he said softly. “You’ve captured everything perfectly.”

I felt my face heat up at his praise. “Thank you,” I said with a small smile.

The crowd began clapping, and I realized our performance had drawn a lot of attention. But for the two of us, it felt deeply personal, like it was just me and Aland in that moment.

When he looked at me again with those blue eyes, my heart raced. For the first time, I felt certain I had made the right choice.

*

ALAND

I sat on the wooden chair in the middle of the small platform, letting the warm afternoon sun wash over me. Jonea’s gaze behind the canvas was intense, completely focused on every detail in front of her. Her hands moved continuously, creating harmony between colors and lines. She looked so alive, so captivating in her element.

But my mind couldn’t fully settle.

I could feel a sharp stare from someone in the crowd. No matter how bustling the place was, my years of honed instincts always picked up on danger. This wasn’t just the curiosity of an ordinary visitor. It was a gaze full of intent.

Maybe it was a mistake to show up here so openly. But from the beginning, I’d decided to stop hiding. If the Red Dragon warriors wanted to find me, so be it. I wasn’t running anymore.

“Are you okay?” Jonea’s soft voice broke through my thoughts.

I looked up and saw her concerned expression. She must’ve noticed my distraction.

“Of course,” I replied with a small smile, trying to reassure her. “I’m just mesmerized watching you. You really bring everything to life.”

She blushed and returned her focus to the canvas.

But inside, I couldn’t shake the wariness gnawing at me. Something was in the air—something invisible but very real.

When the painting session ended, Jonea stood proudly to admire her work. I put my shirt back on and approached her to see the piece.

“It’s incredible,” I said honestly. The painting captured every detail perfectly, from the dragon wings on my back to the sunlight’s play on my body. “You have an extraordinary talent, Jonea.”

She smiled shyly. “Thank you, Aland. You’re an amazing model. You made it so easy.”

We walked away from the small platform toward the booth where the painting would be displayed. The crowd was still buzzing, with some snapping photos of the painting and the moment.

Among the sea of faces, I spotted a familiar figure. Standing tall with part of his face hidden under a wide-brimmed hat, I recognized his aura. One of the Red Dragon warriors.

My heart raced, but I kept my expression neutral. I didn’t want to alarm Jonea.

“Aland, you’re zoning out again,” Jonea said, frowning.

“Sorry,” I said with a faint smile. “I was just thinking about how great today has been.”

“Then let’s celebrate. I’ll treat you to coffee at the café nearby,” she said, tugging my arm excitedly.

I nodded, letting her lead me away.

In the café, the atmosphere was much calmer. We sat in a corner, slightly hidden from view. Jonea ordered two cups of coffee while I kept an eye on the movement outside the window.

“Is something bothering you?” she asked suddenly.

Startled, I quickly composed myself. “No, just a bit tired. The exhibition really drew a crowd.”

She studied me, like she was trying to read my mind. I knew she sensed something was off, but I couldn’t tell her. I didn’t want her getting further involved in this dark world.

When the coffee arrived, I steered the conversation toward light topics about art and the exhibition. But my mind stayed on the figure I’d seen earlier. If they were here, it meant my time was running out.

Later, as the exhibition wound down, I leaned toward Jonea and spoke quietly. “I need to step out for a bit. There’s something I need to handle.”

She looked at me with concern. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry,” I said, touching her shoulder gently. “Stay here and don’t go anywhere, okay?”

She nodded slowly, though I could see the worry in her eyes.

I walked out of the exhibition area, heading toward a quieter spot. As I expected, one of the Red Dragon warriors emerged from the shadows.

“You really thought you could run from us forever, Aland?” he said mockingly.

“I never ran,” I replied coldly. “I was just waiting for the right time to end this.”