✧Husband’s Seat✧
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With one look, Franz was certain – the graceful figure moving through the exhibition room, basked in the radiant summer light, was none other than Odette.
As she navigated the space, her movements were fluid and effortless, akin to a swimmer gliding through water. The gallery owner trailed behind her, beaming like a loyal companion.
When Odette took the initiative to inspect the enticing landscape painting hanging in the middle of the room, Franz refrained from doing so. The artwork was beautiful to look at, but it didn’t make an impression on him. However, it seemed that Odette lacked the discerning lens of a true lover of art.
“A wise move. It’s an item that will become more valuable with time.“
Odette was swayed by the art dealer’s sweet talk, but little did she know that her final decision would be a regrettable one.
Franz exhaled and forced a searing sting of disappointment down his throat. The disillusionment he felt every time he spoke to his fiancée, whose intellect was hard to discover, Odette turned her back.
Amidst the dimly lit corner of the room, there hung a painting that Franz had purchased out of obligation to a personal connection with the artist. The artwork, However, had been neglected due to its lack of marketability. Ironically, it was the same piece that Franz had selected for himself.
“Can I also purchase this painting?” Odette inquired without hesitation, revealing her interest in the artwork.
“The painting is still available, but there is another potential buyer who is considering it,” the seller replied, hinting at a potential competition for the piece.
The art dealer was taken aback by the revelation and turned his head in surprise, while Odette’s eyes instinctively shifted towards Franz.
“Come to think of it, you both are related!” the dealer suddenly exclaimed, having belatedly recollected their familial ties.
As Franz caught sight of Odette, his body tensed involuntarily, and he held his breath in anticipation. However, it didn’t take long for Odette to recognize him.
“Hello, Franz! It’s been a while,”
Odette greeted Franz with a friendly smile, prompting him to step out of the shadows. Nervously, he swallowed and furrowed his brow as the sudden brightness caused discomfort to his eyes.
Franz remained silent for a brief moment, gazing intently at Odette before finally speaking. “May I ask why you’re here?”
He moved closer. Since he had lost weight, Franz appeared more restless and alert.
“What is your reason for wanting to purchase that painting?” Franz asked inquisitively, lifting his glasses with his fingertips before providing an explanation. The curious looks of those around him went unnoticed.
“Simply because it is a stunning work of art,”
Odette answered, diffusing the awkward tension with a straightforward response, but Franz appeared unrelenting in his questioning.
“People often criticize artists for haphazardly scattering colors without any basic knowledge of art, which is why some remain obscure.”
“Perhaps, but I believe that beauty standards are subjective and vary from person to person,”
“In that case, what is it about this painting that appeals to you?” Franz pressed further, causing a glimmer of a different color to appear in his otherwise gloomy gray eyes.
“It’s like a dream, the way it captures the flow of light and air. I’m particularly drawn to the colors that evoke the feeling of dusk. Although the subject matter isn’t apparent, dreams are inherently mysterious and beautiful,” Odette explained, seeking Mr. Lindzer’s opinion.
Luckily, the art dealer quickly nodded his head in agreement, offering his support.
“Absolutely, that’s what makes it so appealing. And I can assure you that your friend shares the same sentiment, Mrs. Klauswitz, so you need not worry,” the dealer reassured her.
Odette smiled, “You and Franz must be quite close.”
“In the Ratz art world, there’s hardly anyone who hasn’t heard of Franz Klauswitz. He’s a distinguished collector, knowledgeable in art, and when we have discussions like these, he can come across a bit abrupt, but it’s never with ill-intent.”
“I’ll take that painting,” Franz interrupted, cutting off the art dealer before he could finish speaking.
“Look, Franz,” The art dealer shot Franz an icy glare, as though he regretted recommending a painting that was now being sold for a low price. But Franz paid him no mind, his eyes fixed on Odette with the same intensity as when he discovered a hidden masterpiece.
“One day, that painting will be worth more than all the other works in this gallery combined. I trust your eyes, Odette,” Franz told Odette.
“But, didn’t you make the decision to purchase it before me?”
“It’s alright. I can give it to someone who truly understands its value.”
While he was talking, Franz walked towards Odette with a fresh energy that gave his pale cheeks life.
The sudden news of his marriage and the sense of inferiority that gnawed at his chest whenever he thought of the woman who had been defiled by Bastian vanished instantly, like snow melting in the sun.
At best, the body was nothing more than a hollow shell that that vile beast of a Bastian had just defiled. Franz couldn’t bring himself to empathize with the woman on a spiritual level. Yet, Odette remained untainted, retaining her noble and innocent essence in his eyes.
“Perhaps I could offer my assistance in selecting paintings for you, and in return, would you be willing to join me for a cup of tea?”
Franz summoned all his courage and spoke with a tremble in his voice. The exhilarating rhythm of his heartbeat resonated within him.
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His piercing eyes were inevitably drawn to the vivid and striking yellow car as he scanned his surroundings keenly.
Bastian was about to look away, when a familiar figure caught his attention, leaving him stunned.
Odette. His wife.
She wasn’t supposed to be there. However, there she was, her presence not mistaking his eyes.
Bastian stood transfixed, gazing through the expansive lobby staring at his wife. Across the wide street, she emerged from the building like a crescent moon, and even at a far distance, her ethereal presence was unmistakable to him. Yet To his surprise, she wasn’t alone. A man, very familiar to his eyes, was walking beside her, and as he peered closer, he recognized him suddenly.
Franz Klauswitz.
Bastian kept watching with growing unease as they engaged in a surprisingly friendly and intimate conversation, his forehead furrowed deeper upon seeing the scene. Franz was speaking, while Odette listened attentively, beaming into a smile that was far different from the forced one Bastian was accustomed to see that she usually wore.
Bastian had walked past that place countless times without giving it a second thought. But as he watched Franz and Odette engrossed in conversation there, he wondered if it was an art gallery.
His mind drifted back to a memory from long ago, when the delicate snowflakes of spring had fallen silently over a captivating sight.
He had watched as she wandered through the exhibition hall, her eyes shining with excitement and wonder. She had always possessed a keen love for all things beautiful and merry, much like Franz. The similarity had never occurred to him before, but now it seemed so obvious.
Bastian wondered what made her come meet Franz without my permission. He then made a deliberate effort to forget the afternoon when he had counted the shadows of snowflakes on the woman’s face while she was lost in the art.
As he descended the last stairway, he suddenly had a change of heart. He now desired to hear the answer to his question directly from Odette herself.
Franz extended what appeared to be a tiny, folded note towards Odette, who had just turned her back. Odette accepted it. Although she got a little hesitant.
She was facing him with her back to Bastian, so he couldn’t see her face, but he could tell exactly how Franz was feeling. It was entertaining to watch him become agitated like a puppy who needed to go potty. If his mother had seen it, she would have been sick for days.
Bastian silently, observed his wife increasingly bizarre behavior as she started walking towards the waiting yellow car as the automobile carrying Franz departed the gallery first. She didn’t, however, get in the car.
Odette provided the driver with short instructions before embarking on a private stroll along the sun-kissed, glistening street. Her light footsteps caused the hem of her blue skirt to flutter rhythmically. Despite having no inclination towards women’s fashion, Bastian could easily identify the garment. It was the exact same dress that Odette had donned for the officers’ dinner party.
Bastian gasped with astonishment. He had believed that his wife was quietly following orders, but it was as though he had caught a glimpse of her deep hidden secrets.
With a flick of his wrist, Bastian elevated the cuffs of his crisp shirt to glance at his watch. His crucial tasks had been completed, leaving him with only one commitment – a dinner engagement. This particular soirée was a gathering of the elite members of the prestigious polo club, who would be congregating to revel in each other’s company.
As Bastian meticulously smoothed out his attire, his heart raced with anticipation. Suddenly, he looked up and there she was – Odette, gracefully turning the corner. But just as quickly as she appeared, she vanished into the tranquil serenity of the sun-drenched street, leaving no trace of her presence behind.
Undeterred, Bastian took a deep breath and propelled himself forward, boldly striding into the dazzling abyss of the scorching summer afternoon.
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Under the blazing sun, the heat was almost unbearable. But in the cool embrace of the shade, the air was refreshingly pleasant, like a soothing balm for the skin.
Odette unfurled her parasol, its vibrant colors a stark contrast to the bustling cityscape as she strolled leisurely through the vibrant downtown streets. She casually perused the dazzling show windows, admiring the stunning displays before making her way to the bookstore.
Upon entering, she was greeted by the intoxicating scent of freshly printed books, intermingled with the faint aroma of ink. The golden dust settled around her as she quietly immersed herself among the sea of readers, enjoying the tranquil ambiance of the literary sanctuary.
With a carefully selected book tucked under her arm, Odette hastened towards her pre-arranged destination. She made her way to the open-air café situated on the street corner, a place she was intimately familiar with having visited it in the past to deliver delicate lace.
This was the very spot where she would often pace back and forth, her mind consumed with deep contemplation, before ultimately turning away.
Silently gliding towards Odette’s table, the waiter inquired in a hushed tone, “May I inquire if you are accompanied by anyone this afternoon?”
“No, I am here alone.” Without hesitation, Odette said.
“Come this way, please.” With a warm and welcoming smile, the waiter beckoned her to follow him, leading her towards a table on the terrace. It was a prime location, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
Odette ordered coffee and a slice of chocolate cake with rich cream and foam after looking over the menu. A knocking sound came from the table as she took the book out of her bag and opened it.
“Hello, my dear, you look absolutely stunning today.”
Odette, determined to rebuff his advances, calmly flipped a page in her book, giving the man a clear indication that she was not interested in engaging in conversation. But the man was undeterred, lingering around the table and boldly inquiring, “May I have the pleasure of joining you?”
Thinking on her feet, Odette quickly concocted a lie, informing him that the seat was reserved for her husband.
“Sorry, but that seat belongs to my husband.”
“Ah, I see.”
To her surprise, the man refused to back down and continued to hover around the table, making it clear that he wasn’t going to be dissuaded easily.
“Oh, you…”
Odette’s unwanted guest’s eyes met Odette’s own, and an irrepressible sigh from her lips. She was shocked to see that the man standing in front of her was indeed her husband, Bastian Klauswitz, who had a haughty smirk on his face.
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