He's the man of my dreams

Morning dawns, so I go downstairs to have breakfast but notice that there is only Joshua at the table.

-Slept well Joshua?, I smiled at him

-Yes, I even dreamed that I had become a dolphin, he replied in wonder.

-That's really cool, I replied, stroking his hair, your dad's not here

-No, the butler told me that my father had something urgent to take care of

I hope it wasn't too bad, I thought as I sat down.

We eat quietly while chatting.

-What else did you do in your dream I asked him curiously

-It's a very long story, he whispered in a childish voice.

The morning passed slowly and listening to Joshua's dream made me laugh a lot, there was so much going on in his little head.

-Mademoiselle, Mr Sheng Xing has prepared a small painting workshop for you upstairs so that you don't get bored this morning with Joshua, the butler told me

-Ah good ? When did he prepare it?, I asked in surprise.

-This morning before he leaves, the butler replied, smiling at me.

Lunch with Sheng Xing's son had been delicious, full of subtle flavors and captivating discussions about art and culture. After savoring every bite, we decided to go upstairs to participate in the activity prepared by Sheng Xing: a painting session.

-Joshua your stool as well as your paint and your paper are here, the butler showed him, installing him in a bright corner of the room

-Okay, thank you, Joshua said happily as he went to sit down.

As I crossed the threshold of the workshop, my eyes were immediately drawn to a painting hidden under a blanket. My curious instinct took over and I approached carefully, pulling back the blanket to reveal the mystery beneath.

Shock came over me when my eyes landed on the canvas. It was me, sitting in the garden, lost in thought. Every detail was captured with striking precision: the reflections of light on my skin, the nuances of light and shadow in the leaves of the trees, and the contemplative expression on my face.

A shiver ran down my spine as I stood there, frozen in front of this representation of myself. How could Sheng Xing capture my image with such precision?

I remained there, absorbed by the canvas, letting my thoughts wander through this representation of my magnified being. For a moment, time seemed to stand still.

My heart was beating wildly, pounding in my chest with an almost painful intensity. I felt heat rise to my cheeks, betraying the embarrassment and emotion that was overwhelming me.

Emotions swirled inside me, mixing surprise, admiration and a hint of flattery. Was this how Sheng Xing saw me? Like a muse, a source of inspiration for his art?

-The painting is magnificent, isn't it?, the butler approached, smiling tenderly at me.

-Yes, I whispered, he has fairy hands

-You know he doesn't like painting very much, he never even comes here, the butler admitted to me, but when he saw you it was as if you were his muse

-Why doesn't he like painting? I asked him surprised, he paints so well

-Alas because he said he hadn't found anything that would inspire him to paint, the butler explained to me, he said he was waiting for his muse

-His muse?, I repeated in a small voice

-Yes, the butler confirmed to me before looking at his watch, I'm going to let you paint, I have a little thing to sort out

-Okay see you later then, I replied lost in my thoughts

I decided to place the cover back on the canvas, temporarily hiding this representation.

After that, I took a seat next to Joshua to start painting.

-What are you going to paint Joshua?, I asked him

-Lots of whales jumping in the sea and you, Joshua told me, focused on his painting.

-I don't know at all, I replied.

To tell the truth, I was still shocked by the painting from earlier.

-You don't paint? Joshua asked me, turning towards me.

-No, I just want to watch you paint, I replied.

-Okay, paint these beautiful dolphins with me, Joshua said to me, making room for me closer to him.

The butler returned some time later.

-Miss Ruby, here is a new telephone for you, the butler told me, we left it on the bedside table in your room

-Okay, thank you, I replied, nodding my head.

We continued painting while the butler left.

-Is my sun beautiful?, I asked Joshua

-It's perfect, just missing the clouds next to it, he said to me

We continue to paint, absorbed in our painting, we don't even notice the hours have passed. It was only when the butler returned that it was noticed that the hour had passed.

-Madam and young master, it's time to go eat, the butler told us, Mr. Sheng Xing is waiting for you at the beach

-At the beach?, I asked in surprise

-Yes, the butler replied respectfully before leaving.

I waited for Joshua to put down these brushes and paints before we headed to the beach outside the house.

We walk towards the beach, the salty, cool ocean air filling our lungs. The sun was setting gently on the horizon, painting the sky with warm, golden hues.

When I arrived at the beach, I was amazed by the beauty of the place. A large blanket had been spread out on the golden sand, adorned with soft cushions and flickering candles. Paper lanterns hung from the branches of nearby trees, creating a magical ambiance as night fell.

Sheng Xing had organized a surprise picnic for Joshua and me. He was so thoughtful it made me want to cry but I held back.

-It's magnificent, I said to Sheng Xing in amazement.

-Yeah dad, it's beautiful!, added Joshua excitedly

-I'm glad you like it, Sheng Xing smiled at us

Sheng Xing had prepared all our favorite dishes: fresh fruit cut into heart shapes, delicious sandwiches, and even a bottle of champagne to celebrate this special evening. Joshua was already running on the beach, collecting shells and laughing out loud.

I stood up in turn, attracted by Joshua's enthusiasm.

-Are we joining Joshua? Sheng Xing asked me with a teasing smile on his lips.

How could I refuse? The idea of ​​feeling the cool sand beneath my feet and being intoxicated by the salty air was irresistible.

So we set off, following in Joshua's footsteps as he happily frolicked towards the ocean. His steps were light, as if he were floating above the sand, carried by the excitement of the adventure that awaited him.

Arriving at the water's edge, Joshua stopped abruptly, amazed by the spectacle before him. The waves broke with infinite grace, delicately depositing treasures from the ocean onto the shore. Shells of various shapes and colors sparkled in the dawning sun, like so many jewels scattered on a carpet of sand.

Without hesitation, Joshua began frantically digging through the shells, picking them up one by one with childlike concentration. I leaned next to him, captivated by his determination and innocence.

-Are you collecting shells?, I teased him amusedly

-Yes!, exclaimed Joshua in a serious and joyful tone

-I'll help you fill your shell collection, I said to him, taking some shells from the beach

It was then that Sheng Xing discreetly approached us, a mischievous smile on his lips. Without warning, he stretched out his arms and sprayed us with a jet of ice water, triggering bursts of uncontrollable laughter.

Soaked to the skin, we looked at each other, surprised but laughing.

-Joshua prepare yourself, we are going to take revenge on your father, I said to him with a smile on my face

-If you can catch me, Sheng Xing smiled mischievously at us.

-Come on, let's run, I said to Joshua

I pretended to fall.

-Ouch, I muttered

I saw Sheng Xing armrest towards me, so I winked at Joshua who quickly understood.

-Lost dad, Joshua laughs, wetting him

-Checkmate, I laughed, getting up as if nothing had happened and getting him wet too.

-You got me, sighed Sheng Xing amusedly, but there are two of you, I'm all alone

-Too bad for you, I replied, sticking out my tongue

We got each other wet before we started to get tired.

-Shall we rest on the tablecloth? Sheng Xing suggested to us

-Good idea, I replied out of breath.

-Yeah I'm tired, added Joshua

Sitting on the blanket, we laughed, talked and watched the sun slowly disappear over the horizon. The waves arebroke gently on the shore, like a soothing melody in the background.

It was one of those moments where time seemed to stand still, where nothing else mattered except the warmth of our hearts and the happiness of the present moment. As night fell and the stars began to shine in the sky, I felt deeply grateful for this magical moment the three of us shared.

Thinking about the painting, I didn't have the courage to ask him what it meant to him that evening.

-Would it be okay if we eat the evening meal here?, Sheng Xing suggested.

-Yeah!, exclaimed Joshua very happy

-It's perfect for me, I replied.

Maybe another day I'll have the courage to ask him?