Chapter 62: Chapter 62

"I'm done!" Greyson cried out, breaking the stillness hovering in the air.

When we got tired of kite flying, Garren told us to rest first. Then he brought out coloring materials and three small canvases.

He gave them to Greyson and me and told us to paint something. But here's the catch, he asked us to blindfoldedly choose a piece of paper on which each of our names was written. And we have to give our artwork to the person we picked.

I prayed not to pick out Garren because I didn't want him to poke fun at my artwork. This is one of my fatal weaknesses.

Gladly, the deities heard my prayer, and I picked Greyson's name instead.

Although I'm not really proficient in this field, of course I still exerted an effort. I momentarily forget that I'm with these two and focused all my attention on drawing a rose with a backdrop of a sunrise.

"I'm done too."

I got hustled when Garren announced that. I'm the only one who's not done.

It calmed my nerves. I picked up the pastel blue color and gave the sky and clouds a last touch. I let out a sigh of relief when I was finally done.

I stared at my painting with a smile. It wasn't the best, but I'm proud of it nevertheless.

"Yeheyyy! Now let's exchange our art! I'll go first!" Greyson exclaimed.

"Alright. Who did you pick, bud?"

The latter's eyes almost disappeared as he smiled cordially. "It's you, dad!"

He then flipped the canvas and showed it to us. He drew Superman.

"Superman is my favorite hero! I draw him because both of you are strong. You also deserve the title 'Man of Steel' because you sacrificed a lot of things for me."

My heart warmed hearing his brief yet sincere message. I glanced at Garren. Even his wonted impassive eyes can't hide his happiness.

I even thought that he'd cry because his eyes turned glossy.

"Thank you, son. You're really good at everything like me."

I inwardly huffed at his response.

Greyson turned to me and said that I should go next. So I did. He was surprised when I gave him the canvas.

"Whoa! This is majestic, Cleo!"

I beamed. "I'm glad that you like it."

"I don't just like it! I love it!"

I tousled his hair. "Thank you, baby. If you're wondering why I drew a rose and a sunset. It's because you're a ray of sunshine, and the rose symbolizes my love for you."

That might sound too cheesy, but I really mean it. Archeus will certainly make a face if he hears me saying such a thing.

Greyson lunged towards me for a hug. "I love you, Cleo."

My heart fluttered. "I love you too, baby."

"You guys should stop that now before I get jealous."

My face screwed up when Garren said that. He ruined the moment.

"Jealous of me or Cleo, dad?"

Greyson's question made us cough. I shot daggers at him, but this kid just laughed it off.

The canvas-exchange resumed. But I was stupefied when it dawned on me that it's only Garren and I who haven't received a painting yet.

He obviously can't give it to himself, which means he picked me. I wonder what he drew.

Garren handed me the canvas. I flipped it over, and my eyes fell out of their sockets when I saw what he drew—it's me, while I was painting for Greyson.

Goodness. How talented can this man be?

My mind was blown while scrutinizing the painting. But I halted when I thought of something.

Does that mean he was staring at me the whole time just to draw this? Unless he has photographic memory.

But I didn't excessively probe into that because I was really flabbergasted at how he was able to draw this in a span of thirty minutes.

I smiled genuinely at Garren. "Thank you so much, sir. I really appreciate it. You have the hands of a painter."

He shrugged smugly. "Oh well..."

I let his arrogance off the hook because I'm terrifically amazed.

"Dad, are you Van Gogh's reincarnation?" Greyson asked when I showed him his father's work.

I guess this is also the first time he has witnessed this talent of his.

Garren chuckled. "You guys are inflating my ego too much. Let's take a break and eat some snacks."

That's so fraudster of him. I know he loves hearing praises.

Garren opened one of the baskets and once again took out a couple of food containers. Greyson shrieked in excitement when he gave him the tarts and doughnuts.

"I bought them in my favorite pastry shop. Have a bite."

The child obliged. I chuckled when he lay down after tasting the pastry.

"This is heaven, dad!"

"Don't eat them in one sitting."

"Copy!"

Garren offered the tarts to me. I didn't hesitate to accept them because I hadn't eaten one before.

And since I also have a sweet tooth, I very much loved it. I was having the best time enjoying the tarts and the other snacks when he handed me a clamshell.

Is he planning to give me a toothache? I'm not complaining, though.

I thanked him and accepted it. And once I laid eyes on what's inside, I almost wanted to scream at the top of my lungs.

It's a freaking blueberry cheesecake! This is my favorite dessert. I would literally trade everything for this holy grail.

"I personally baked that," Garren blurted out all of a sudden.

I was tongue-tied for a few a seconds.

"Y-You baked this yourself?"

I heard it loud and clear, of course. But I couldn't bring myself to believe it.

He nodded. "I'm exploring various things, including baking. That's one of the first pastries I made, and I wanna hear your thoughts."

I was relieved. I opened the lid, and the gourmand fragrance of blueberry pervaded my nose. If I'm not with them, I would've let out a moan of satisfaction.

I took out the plastic knife inside and took a slice of the cake. I took the cheesecake in my mouth, and my eyes rolled back at how delicious it tastes.

Now I'm wondering if this is indeed his first time baking.

"So... how was it?"

I beamed cordially. "It's flavorful, sir. The cheesecake is fluffy."

"Thanks. I knew you would love it."

I arched my eyebrows. What does he mean by that?

"What about me, dad? Didn't you bake me my own cheesecake?" Greyson chimed in.

"Of course I also baked one for you too, bud. Oreo flavor, your favorite."

His son rejoiced.

I offered Garren the cheesecake, but he refused it. After we finished the snacks, we played the Scythe game, wherein you have to earn fortunes and claim land in order to win.

But of course, we can't leave the park without taking photos. We actually spent almost half an hour just for that because Greyson wouldn't stop posting and taking pictures.

Garren served as our photographer.

When the time hit five thirty in the afternoon, we went back to our spot and cleaned our mess. Then we transferred to the hillside so we can have a better view of the sunset.

We didn't wait long enough, because after a few minutes, the evening sun began casting fiery shadows on the field. It came in its boldest blaze, blossoming upon the cloud like a wildflower, bathing everyone and everything in a sepia tinge.

The slanting rays of the setting sun brush the sky with fire hearts, like it's a canvas of art. It appears like a smooth color-burst over the horizon.

I love sunsets. They symbolize peace. that the night is about to come, and your soul needs to pause and relish the solitude of darkness.

I glanced at Greyson. Then my eyes drifted to his father. His lips bear the semblance of a smile, enough to show that he's enjoying his thoughts, whatever they may be.

As if he's an interesting movie, I can't take my eyes off of him anymore. He mumbled something, but I failed to read his lips.

The wind blows, and his hair dances in perfect harmony with it. Odd as it may seem, but he looks magical at that moment.

Unexpectedly, our eyes to meet. He smiled, a subtle yet alluring one.

I can feel my cheeks scorching more than how the sun above us. I looked away.

I secretly held my heart as I felt it thumping inside my chest.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I drove that strange feeling away and immersed myself in admiring the picturesque skyscape. Even after the sun disappeared, we remaining sitting and relished the glory of the early night.

We only decided to pack up at exactly six in the evening. While carrying the baskets towards the parking lot, the sky started turning black. Later on, a thunder rattled the ground.

"I should've brought an umbrella. We have to hurry," Garren muttered frantically.

We quickened our pace, but before we could reach the parking lot, it began drizzling.

I was worried about Greyson. Fortunately, his father is wearing a jacket. He took it off and put it over his son's head.

Garren turned to me. "Didn't you bring a jacket with you?"

"Don't worry about me, sir. I can manage."

He stared at me for a couple of seconds before averting his gaze.

We're almost in the parking lot when it started raining cats and dogs, completely soaking the two of us.

I was already dripping wet when we reached the parking lot.

"Don't get inside yet," Garren said.

We waited for him outside as he got something from the car. He came back later carrying towels that we used to wipe ourselves before going inside the car.

"You okay there, bud?" He asked his son who's sitting in the back seat.

The latter nodded. The drive was ruled by silence. It's understandable because I guess all of us are pretty worn out already.

I was fine at first, but I began shivering because of the aircon. I wouldn't be frozen stiff if I hadn't been soaked in the rain.

I hugged myself tightly and rubbed my hands together, hoping that it would fend off the coldness. But it wasn't enough to keep me warm.

"Cleo."

I glanced at Garren when he called my name. I mumbled a silent "yes, sir?"

He frowned upon seeing me. He shook his head. "You're as pale as a ghost."

I looked away in embarrassment.

"You should've told me that you're feeling cold."

I didn't reply.

He pushed a button, for the Aircon perhaps because the temperature inside the car had increased. What he did definitely lessened the deathly chill I'm feeling.

Seconds later, Garren gave me a towel.

"Wrap yourself with this. I haven't used this towel, don't worry."

I stared at his hand for a couple of seconds before I hesitantly accepted the towel and wrapped it around me. It indeed helped to alleviate the coldness.

"Thank you, sir."

He responded with a hum.

I nuzzled on Garren's towel and smelled the familiar scent he always wear. For some incomprehensible reasons, it gave me a sense of comfort. I could feel my eyelids getting heavy. The last thing I saw was the streetlight before my eyes gave up on me.