Chapter 3 Suprise

Jonas's POV:

"Okay?" I said out loud to myself. I was reacting to the curt reply Elise had given me.

"Just okay? How dare she reply to me like that? I apologized for heaven's sake." I continued, disappointed.

Well, I wouldn't blame her, my pride would not let me apologize properly. My ringing phone jolted me back to the present.

"Hi, babe," I started, it was Rachael.

"Hey sugar," She answered sounding so jovial. I wondered what she was excited about so early.

"Why are you all giddy?" I asked, surprised.

"It's just the party you know, I am so excited about it. Can you guess the dress I got? I promise you, it will be the most expensive dress at the party and I will be crowned 'Best Dressed of the Night'. I will be turning heads tonight. My makeup artist is none other than..." Rachael was saying before I interrupted her.

"Babe...Rachael..., please," I begged.

"What? You don't want me to talk about it?" She inquired, a hint of anger in her voice.

"No, babe, it's not that. It's just that you didn't even ask if I slept well and you just jumped into talking about the party. The party will only last for a few hours and after that, we'll still be here," I explained.

"Whatever. It is going to be our last day of high school, everyone is going nuts about it. Why aren't you?" She asked.

After waiting for an answer and not getting any, she asked again, "Have you picked out a dress yet?"

"I was considering staying at home today and just resting, you know."

"Don't you spew that to me? You're my boyfriend and you're expected to go to the party with me. Everyone in school knows that." She was whispering, possibly to prevent her many friends from hearing what it was she wanted to say.

"You can find somebody else," I suggested.

"I'm not finding anybody else, that will only fuel the rumors that we have broken up. You better find something to wear and show up at the party, and this is not a request." She finished.

"Are you...?" I asked and she already hung up the phone. She hung up on me, imagine that.

"You alright in there?" Christabel asks.

I sighed and said, "Yeah, I'm good."

"Women trouble, eh?" She asked mischievously.

"Shut up," I yelled with a smile.

"But it's true, I just knew from the sound of your voice." She insisted.

"That was Racheal, threatening me to better make it to the party." I let out.

"Did you have plans of not going?" Christabel asks with raised brows.

"Well, yes," I answered rolling my eyes.

"You've got to be kidding me, and stay up all night doing what?" She continues with her numerous questions.

"I could sleep, would be a good rest for me," I said, doubting that myself.

"Oh, like you did last night?" She mocked.

"You!" I gasped.

"Oh, I knew. You couldn't sleep but I just imagine must be from whatever happened to you yesterday and by the looks of it, you have not gotten over it yet."

"Look I'm not saying you should forget about it, all I'm saying is that you should not miss this. I mean, it's a memory you deserve to have, one of your last days in high school. Come on now, what story would you tell your kids?" She finished with a wink.

"Alright," I admitted, "I think I'll go to the party."

"Yas! Now let's find you something to wear," she says offering me her hands.

Elise's POV:

"Please don't say no", I said to myself.

The cold stare from Mom gave me goosebumps, this is going to be hard.

After what seemed like hours, mom's decision was, "alright, you girls can go. Be responsible".

Staring at Kiera,I could see the excitement, and I secretly thanked God for mom's decision.

"That was a tough one. I trust you both. Be good", mom said with a sigh.

I was so curious to know why she finally agreed, even when it seemed like a closed case. So, I asked mom; "why did you agree?"

"Well, this is the end of high school, go and have fun before college comes. Have fun but remember that spies from your colleges may be there. Do what you're proud of and what you wouldn't sigh about in the future, okay?, She replied.

Her question kept popping up in my head. I hope I make the right decision tonight.

"That's enough, get your lazy ass up, we're late. I hope we don't miss much", she said.

We sprinted up and dashed out of the house. Mom took the wheels since she doesn't let us drive.

We journeyed down north, chatting and listening and singing to our various artists.

The car halted at a very large compound, mom was beaming with her cute and lovely signature smile.

We got down, while I adjusted my glasses. I stared around, this place gave me chills right down my spine.

As we approached the door, a young man appeared, gave mom a slight nod and walked up to me with gorgeous eyes.

Those blue eyes...

I stifled a laugh, when I saw Kiera drooling over him. Well, he deserved it.

"Alright ladies, follow me", he said.

We followed him and as we entered the building, I couldn't help but be amazed.

"Woah, an art museum. Mom's the best", I said.

I loved art.

We got in and met the curator, he showed us around. It felt so unreal.

He took us to the different sections: history, science, children, nature etc.

Each section had something unique to show.

The paintings, carvings, sculptures, photographs, fabrics and lots more.

I couldn't help but take every picture, touch the ones allowed, feel every piece.

This was the first time I was seeing the famous Mona Lisa painting. It always looked different, every time you looked.

By the time we were done, it was mid day but the best was yet to come. Mom kept smiling mischievously and I couldn't help but wonder what was about to happen.

We got to a big hall and saw it decorated.

"What's going on?", I asked Kiera.

She just shrugged, having no idea.

We were given seat numbers and directed to our seats. We sat patiently but full of curiosity.

Mom was no where to be found. I tried calling her phone but it kept going to voicemail.

"She's busy", the young handsome guy with us said.

"How do you know?", I asked.

"I am her Assistant. I'm Lucas", he said with a warm smile.

"Her assistant?" Kiera shrieked.

"Did you know this?" She asks me.

"I'm as confused as you are," I admitted.

Turning to Lukas, I asked, "Excuse you but I'm a bit lost here, you're my mom's assistant and you work in this museum?"

"Yes, I do. But for now, let's enjoy the presentation, shall we?" Lukas suggested.

"Do you think Aunt Kathy is hiding something from us?" Kiera asked.

"I do not think so. It would be pretty much hard to hide anything from the both of us now, is it not? But this, I am surprised. I've always wondered where my love for art came from but with this, I do not have to worry anymore." I said with a sigh.

"Yes, it sure feels good. Anyway, like Lukas said, let's enjoy the presentation." She added and I nodded in agreement.

The silence between us only piqued our curiosity more.

Soon, the presentation began and we began to look at the works of one of the greatest painters in the history of art, Leonardo da Vinci.

He was introduced as a Painter, Sculptor, Engineer, Scientist, Theorist, and Architect who was known for painting, drawing, engineering, botany, geology, etc.

His most notable works were shown to us as well, such as the Virgin of the Rocks of 1483-1493, Lady with the Ermine of 1489-1491, The Vitruvian Man of 1490, The Last Supper of 1495-1498, and perhaps his most popular work, the Mona Lisa of 1503-1516.

"Oh, my God!" I gasped.

Kiera was in tears from the presentation. We just got to see the works of Leonardo da Vinci firsthand, something most notable artists couldn't even boast of.

"I love you, Mom," I mouthed. This was a day I would never forget in years to come, it was one for the history books.

The audience stood up clapping as my mother made it up to the stage as the presentation came to an end. It was a beautiful presentation.

She put an end to the show noting that it was sad that we never got to see how much more of what Leonardo da Vinci could do as he died at the age of 67.

While we exited the showroom, I was lost in thoughts and Keira must have noticed because she asked, "Are you alright, El?"

"Yes. Do you remember what Mom said in her closing speech?" I questioned.

"Never be afraid to do what you want to do, who knows, you could be the next Leonardo da Vinci?"

"Yes! That part of never being afraid." I smiled.

"What about it?" Keira asked, confused.

"I think my plans for the party tonight just changed." I blurted out.

"Ooh girl, I like the sound of that. Mind telling me what plans changed?" Keira asks mischievously.

"You'll find out soon enough," I assured her with a smile.