Chapter 328

Natalia barely registered the chatter of the girl, too lost in her own thoughts. Excitement bubbled in her chest as she stared at the side profile of the artist her co–worker had shown her. It was Hector, her childhood friend Hector! And he was in Rome, of all places!

The square was not far from Natalia’s quaint little apartment, yet it felt like she had run a marathon to get there.

When she finally arrived, led by her co–worker, she spotted Hector from a distance among the street performers. He was as tall as she remembered him, but he seemed to have lost weight. His face held a look of melancholy as if he had shut out the world.

Indeed, it was Hector, the boy who had once filled her life with hope, who had grown up with her, now standing right before her.

Natalia halted, turning to her co–worker. “He’s an old friend of mine. I can’t believe we’re both in such a faraway place. It’s quite serendipitous.

Thank you for bringing me here.”

Although Natalia was a bit flustered, her co–worker could sense her joy. She smiled at Natalia, pleased with the good deed she had done. “It’s no big deal, really You don’t have to thank me. I should head back to work now. Don’t want to keep you from catching up with your friend.”

With a wave, her co–worker left, leaving Natalia to approach Hector.

At that moment, it felt as if everything around Natalia had gone silent. She moved closer, taking in the sight of Hector engrossed in his painting How quickly time had flown. It’d been six years and Hector was no longer the bright, sunny boy she knew. His face was now marked with resilience, and a hint of world–weariness.

On his easel was a nearly finished painting. Even from a distance, she could recognize it was her profile. A few people were gathered around, patiently waiting for the painting to be completed to make their bid.

A pang of sorrow hit Natalia. How was it that time had passed so fast, and she and Hector had not seen each other in six years? She had been through hardships, and Hector was no longer the spirited boy she knew.

That boy, full of sunshine and life, was an indelible part of her life.

“Hector, what happened to you in these years?” Standing a few steps away from him, sadness enveloped Natalia.

She moved slowly towards Hector, her heart aching as she watched him sketch her likeness, his eyes filled with sadness.

After not seeing Hector for five or six years, she had almost forgotten about the bright and optimistic boy in her tumultuous life.

Hector now looked much tougher, his jawline shadowed with stubble, his lips tightly drawn, and his brows furrowing a permanent melancholy. A gentle breeze swept by, lifting Hector’s jacket, and making him look desolate and lonely.

Tears welled and fell from Natalia’s eyes as she watched. “Hector, it’s been a long time”

Every day. Hector would paint at this spot in the square, pouring all his longing for Natalia into his art. It was as if this was the only way to perfectly capture every smile and frown of Natalia.

Just as he was adding a butterfly to the lavender field in his painting of a girl in a white dress, he heard a whimper nearby, followed by hushed whispers The girl was tall and thin, with somewhat pale skin, her petite face carrying tears, and her large eyes staring straight at him.

Hector slowly turned his head back. He must have been dreaming just now. What he saw must have been an illusion. Natalia, who had passed away five or six years ago, couldn’t be standing there. He must have been dreaming!

In recent years, Hector would often experience such hallucinations, often seeing Natalia standing in front of him, sobbing, with a face full of sorrow Hector knew that it must be Natalia’s spirit questioning him, asking why he didn’t protect her back then, why he left her with Magnus, that devill Yes, he was so cowardly back then, watching as the weak Natalia was trapped by Magnus, crying every day Every single day, he was filled with regret, deeply resenting his inaction. “Natalia, I’m sorry, I caused all of this. If there’s a next life, I’m willing to repay the debt I owe for my cowardice, and stay by your side to atone for my sins!”

Hector collected his scattered thoughts, rubbed his furrowed brows, and picked up his brush to continue adding color to the oil painting. He was painting a girl in the flower room, the backdrop a large patch of passionate lavender. Natalia in white dress was dancing lightly among the lavenders He picked up his brush and just added a butterfly to the lavender field when he heard sobbing beside him continuing, and even heard others whispering “What’s wrong with that girl? Why is she crying so hard?”

“Maybe she’s moved by the beauty of the painting?”

Look at her, doesn’t she look like the girl in the painting?”

“Could they be long lost lovers?”

The murmuring brought Hector back to reality. It wasn’t a hallucination. Not only could he see Natalia, but others could see her, too!

His heart pounded as he turned slowly to face Natalia, who stood a few steps behind him. His eyes were wide with anxiety, afraid that if he blinked, Natalia would disappear. With a choked voice, he managed to utter, “Natalia, is that really you?”

Natalia nodded, her tears turning into a joyous smile. “Hector, it’s me. I’m Natalia.”

Hector set aside his paintbrush, gradually making his way towards Natalia. Even though mere steps separated them, it felt like a lifetime had passed He gazed at Natalia in disbelief, words of excitement stumbling out of his mouth “Natalia, is it really you? Am I dreaming? You’re actually standing before me!”

With tear–filled eyes, Natalia nodded at Hector. “It’s me, Hector. I didn’t die. After I fell overboard, I was rescued. All these years later, I can’t believe I found you here. Hector, have you been well?”

Hector reached out, touching Natalia’s face. It was warm, and wet with tears. Yes, it was truly Natalia.

She said she didn’t die!