"Because…I like you the way you are," I replied before smiling at him.


    Reality was harsh and Hayden was far from the standard guy in my dream. He was demanding, intimidating, bold, hot yet cold, devilish but looked like an angel, a mafia but also a caring doctor and so many more contradictions that I still couldn’t understand; however, if he was any different, this man standing next to me wouldn’t be Hayden anymore.


    "Sounds good. The other one isn’t bad, but I would turn too many heads if I looked like that," Hayden joked.


    "I guess you already turn many heads…" I mumbled, realizing his words to be true.


    "True," Hayden said like it was nothing.


    "Do you think my work is good enough?" I asked as my eyes returned to focus on my sketches.


    "Good enough for…?" Hayden asked as he hugged me softly from behind.


    He bent down and his chin rested on my shoulder. I could feel his breath blowing softly against my ear as he pulled me closer to his body. His warmth and his smelled enveloped me and my heart started beating faster and faster.


    "Umm…you know, for the clients…" I replied as I tried to control the wild beating of my own heart.


    "Of course. It’s always been good enough," Hayden replied without hesitation.


    If he says so…


    Although I knew that Hayden didn’t really have an eye or talent for the arts, his words still gave mefort and the courage to take the next step which was to prioritize themissions and finally start working on one.


    …


    I sat in front of myputer as I started rereading themission requests again with the intent of sorting them into priorities based on howfortable I was withpleting the request. Of course, I knew that this wasn’t very scientific, and it relied a lot on my personal feelings and confidence, but I believed that it was the best way for me toplete as many requests as possible.


    As Hayden had suggested, I prioritized themissions that did not require me to meet the client face-to-face first. After that I looked at the specifics of their requests to see if it fits within my skill range. There were some requests for oil paintings which I put asst priority due to its difficulty.


    For the first priority, I put requests for pencil sketches first and then requests for watercolor paintings.


    Even after applying those filters, there were still around ten requests. It would probably take two to three months toplete them all if I worked my ass off all day and early in the evening. I started typing emails to contact the clients for those requests to ask them for more details.


    After receiving some more inputs from them, I’ll start providing price quotes for theirmissions and then lining them up in a queue.


    It took a while, but I managed to send all ten emails to my potential clients. My shoulders felt a little stiff, so I began stretching. Little Haydeny at my feet looking bored and sleepy. I wonder where Hayden is right now? He didn’t go to work so he should be in this mansion somewhere…


    Since this mansion was too big for me to go and walk around to look for him, I decided to gather up my courage and give him a call instead. It wasn’t long before Hayden answered my call. What am I supposed to say to him now?


    "Umm…Little Hayden seems bored…" I mumbled the first thing that came to my mind.


    No! What did I just say!?


    "What?" Hayden said cluelessly.


    No surprise there…


    "No, I mean. Where are you right now?" I asked.


    "I’m home. Did you need something?" Hayden asked casually.


    "I just finished sending emails to the clients for themissions and I was wondering if you want to…take Little Hayden out to the garden together?" I asked a little hesitantly.


    There was a silent pause on the other end of the line, and I started holding my breath without realizing it as I waited for his response.


    "Ok. I’ll be there soon," Hayden finally responded.


    "Ok. Thank you, Hayden…" I replied after letting out the breath that I had been holding.


    …


    Hayden turned up soon after in his casual clothes which I thought looked very good on him. Then again, everything seemed to look appeasing to the eye when Hayden wore it. Hayden had a short sleeve white shirt on and a basic pair of light blue jeans. The vibe around him was rxed and homey and I couldn’t help but feel very drawn to him.


    "Should we go out now?" Hayden asked as soon as he walked in.


    "Yup. Let’s do that," I replied.


    I bent down and scooped up Little Hayden into my arms to carry him outside along with us. Hayden watched me with a cold look in his eyes.


    "Why do you have to carry him? Isn’t he getting heavy? Let him walk on his own," Hayden said dispassionately.


    I looked down at the wide-eyed corgi in my arms and hugged him a little tighter to my chest.


    "He’s gotten bigger for sure, but I still like to carry him around. He’s so soft and all…" I replied before smiling down at Little Hayden adoringly.


    "Don’t spoil him so much…" Hayden muttered before taking the lead walking out of the room.


    I quickly grabbed some toys including a ball, a frisbee and a rubber bone before quickly following Hayden out to the gardens.


    We arrived at the garden, and I ced Little Hayden down onto the grass. The puppy was instantly joyful now that he was outside and began running around in circles on his short legs. I watched him andughed at his funny reaction. Hayden watched Little Hayden for a while before turning to smile a little at me.


    "I think he was a little bored being cooped up indoors with me in the art studio. Want to y ball with him?" I suggested as I handed Hayden the ball toy.


    "…Ok…" Hayden replied without much interest; however, he still took the ball from my hand.


    --To be continued…