Page 168 of Game Over

I wink. "Come on, baby. It's me, we're talking about. My ego's got no more room for inflation."

Another whack sounds against my suit lapel, followed up with a playful giggle, when I snatch Juliana's wrist, stopping us in front of the West Gallery. I flick my chin, gesturing to its open doors. "Are you gonna make me ask again?" I infuse a little warning in my tone.

She rolls her lips, a welcome distraction from the spike in my pulse as I await her answer. "Maaaybe…"

I chuckle low. "So that's how you want to play it, huh—" Juliana wrenches free from my grasp and bolts into the West Gallery, disappearing into the sea of people.

Oh, no, no, no…

I chase after her giggles, offering apologies as I squeeze past guests in the skinny hallway, until I break through the crowd at the heart of the small gallery. "Juliana, wait—"

But she's already there, right where I wanted her, gazing up in disbelief at the newest addition to my collection. Adorned with a gold frame, a large canvas takes up the center of the back wall, beneath rows of ambient spotlights.

I had it all planned, was going to message Mei, have her usher people out, but it seems most are doing that all on their own, recognizing the intimate moment.

"Is that… me?"

On airy steps, I approach her, until her curly locks brush the front of my suit, tickling my arms, and the top of her head grazes my chin. I murmur close to her ear, "Who else would it be?"

She leans back into me, her eyes tracing the lines of her portrait. This one took much longer than her other, and takes on a vastly different style. Most notably that it's not one particular scene or memory… but a scent.

Her signature rosy perfume, wafting through my nostrils this very instant, mingling with the real roses decorating the gallery and engulfing the entirety of the portrait's background. Clothed in a simple pair of jeans and a black tank top, Juliana seemingly lies in a bed of roses, made up of petals and pink-and-red roses, an exact match to those lined below the canvas.

Unlike the last time she discovered a self-portrait, no sappy emotions drip from her features, just… pure happiness. And somehow, it's even better. "How'd you manage to keep this one from me? It's even bigger than my birthday present."

"I have my ways."

"You matched the roses with the real ones. Wow…" Not veering her gaze, she sighs longingly and melts into my touch as I sweep a hand down her arm, leaving a wave of goosebumps. "And that necklace you painted on me is gorgeous."

I hold back a grin, my heart fluttering when I sink a hand into my pocket. "You think so?"

"Yeah. I've never seen anything like it. The attention to detail is incredible, more so than anything out in the main room."

"Sometimes, it helps to have a reference."

Her body tenses against mine, but before she can whip around, I crane my arms over her shoulders and flip open the delicate box, presenting her with a string of perfectly graded, flawless diamonds. A necklace of impeccable value, with a price tag just shy of twenty times that of the one I gifted her in high school.

"Hayden…" Her voice wobbles. "It's… unbelievable. I-I don't know what to say. It's absolutely beautiful."

"You don't have to say anything," I murmur, wanting nothing more than to hook the chain around her neck, anything of substantial worth to show the men of this world that she's mine.

A ring is better. For now, a necklace will suffice.

Gently, I sweep her hair off to one side. "It'll look even more beautiful on you."

Overcome with a fit of jittery excitement, she whirls around, closing her eyes. I snicker, watching her sneak a peek, confusion cinching her brow tightly.

"You have to face away, baby. Not toward me."

Eyes bulging, she twists back around, mumbling something below her breath, and when I loop the chain in place, a blush creeps up her neck. As I fiddle with the latch, she stares at the painting once again and gestures to the gold plaque below.

"It says this one's not eligible for bidding."

"Of course, it isn't. I'd never sell any portrait of you."

She looks to the side, catching my eye in her peripheral, a lock falling perfectly along her jaw. The irrefutable proof that no necklace or portrait will ever do her justice. "Then why bring it to the showcase at all?"

"Because, my sweetest Jules…" I hook the latch and bring my lips to her ear. "For one night only, everyone should have the pleasure to gawk at you."