Page 30

CHAPTER THIRTY

SEVERAL MONTHS LATER

The few remaining guests left the building as the art exhibition came to a close, and Gabriel started packing up the remaining paintings from the display. Enzo helped him place the canvases in the protective art travel cases and bags, looking at Gabriel with a smile.

“You sold so many paintings, it’s amazing,” Enzo said.

Gabriel smiled, feeling his body radiating with warmth and happiness.

It had been an excellent day, and he’d met many people who were interested in his work. Although he hadn’t sold all of his available paintings, he’d sold more than he’d anticipated. Gabriel hadn’t expected his first solo exhibition to be this successful, but today had proven otherwise. It gave him more confidence in his work, knowing that he’d be able to do this again in the future.

It was a dream come true, and Gabriel knew he had gotten to this point because Viktor had encouraged and supported him in pursuing what truly made him happy.

“Thanks for being here with me today,” Gabriel said as he looked at his best friend. “It means a lot to me.”

“I wouldn’t have missed this for anything,” Enzo said as they continued wrapping things up.

Once they were finished packing up, they pulled on their jackets and walked out of the warm building. They made their way outside, boots crunching on the snow, which was now beginning to dissipate as the wintery months were coming to an end, making way for spring.

A silver sedan was parked out the front, and Viktor was standing by the vehicle, dressed in a charcoal-gray coat, black fitted turtleneck sweater, jeans, and boots. His eyes were immediately on Gabriel.

Gabriel smiled as he approached him, and one of Viktor’s men opened the trunk of the car, taking the paintings and gently placing them inside before shutting it.

“Do you need a lift?” Gabriel asked as he turned to Enzo.

“It’s okay,” Enzo said. “My ride should be here any second now.”

And just as Enzo had said, a maroon car arrived and parked by the side of the road.

“We’ll catch up again soon,” Enzo said as he hugged him.

“Yeah, I’ll see you,” Gabriel said, and he hugged him back before they parted.

Enzo got into the back seat of the vehicle, and Gabriel waved as it drove away.

Gabriel turned around to face Viktor and wrapped his arms around him as he looked up at him. Smiling, he pecked his lips. “It went pretty well. At this rate, I might be doing another art exhibition very soon.”

Viktor, holding Gabriel close to his body, smiled back at him. “I’m sure you will be.”

Gabriel kissed him again, feeling the warmth of Viktor’s lips on his own.

“Ready to go home?” Viktor asked once their mouths had parted.

“Yeah, let’s go,” Gabriel said.

They settled into the back seat of the sedan, and Gabriel leaned his head against Viktor’s shoulder as they were driven home. It was cold outside, but in here he was warm and content.

Holding Viktor’s hand, Gabriel looked up at him, and Viktor gazed back. Never would Gabriel have imagined he’d be living his dreams as a painter, selling his artwork in a gallery, all the while being with the man he loved. The only man he ever wanted.

Viktor leaned in and captured his lips, and Gabriel fluttered his eyes shut as he kissed him back, happy, loved, and not wanting to change a thing.

The End.