1. While we were at the art center...
2. ...serena corbin, the artist, had quietly handed me a folded note.
1. "What's this?"
2. "Open it."
1. "WHAT?"
2. "SEE YOU LATER."
1. "Wait!"
1. "?"
1. "MEET ME OUT BACK IN 20 MINUTES, I'LL SHOW YOU A PLACE YOU'LL LIKE."
1. I didn't think too much about it and decided to follow the instructions on the note.
2. It might sound crazy, meeting my favorite artist secretly...
1. ...especially while the event was still in full swing.
2. To be honest, she was practically a stranger, we had only just met.
1. "Wait, I need to get my stuff."
2. "You can leave it in the car. We'll be back in a few hours."
1. "Follow me."
1. But then, she was the s. Corbin.
1. How could I say no?
2. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity..
1. ..and for some unknown reason, she had chosen me.
1. So here I was, trailing behind her, with no clue about where she was leading me.
1. "Where are you taking me?"
1. "....."
1. "....."
1. "Here we are."
1. "Wow!"
2. My breath caught in my throat
1. Throat....
1. ...it was her studio!
2. "Wow, is this your studio?"
1. The center of her artistic universe.
1. I COULDN'T BELIEVE I WAS ACTUALLY THERE.
1. The air was heavy with the smell of paint and thinner...
2. ...evidence of endless hours of creativity spent here.
1. There were various pieces leaned against the counter...
2. ...some were complete masterpieces, while others were just beginning to take
1. Beginning to take shape.
2. "This painting is absolutely beautiful."
1. "Your use of color is incredible, it really brings the artwork to life!"
1. I was so happy to see the space where serena corbin brought her ideas to life...
1. ...where she created the artwork that had moved so many, including myself.
1. "I absolutely love your studio."
2. "It's filled with such creative energy and inspiration."
1. "The way you've organized your space, the ambiance here at night... All adds to the charm."
1. "Seoji."
1. "It feels like every corn-"
1. That familiar voice was now unmistakable.
1. Suddenly, everything made sense and all our previous interactions took on new meaning.
1. It was sera.
1. A wave of emotions hit me...
1. "S... Sera?"
2. Surprise, confusion, happiness, and even a sense of betrayal?
1. This had to be a joke, right?
1. I was so shocked I could barely move.
1. How could serena corbin, the untouchable artist figure...
1. ...actually be nam sera, my next-door sexy neighbour...
1. The one I had wronged and thought I had lost touch with?
1. How the hell was that possible?
1. What were the chances that sera was s. Corbin?
2. "Welcome to my studio."
1. "I didn't realize you were a fan of mine."
1. "I've been wondering if you'd ever talk to me again, seoji."
2. Ouch. Did she called me seoji?
1. "Don't do that."
1. "Don't call me seoji like everyone else."
2. It was the very first time she had called me by that nickname, and I didn't like it.
1. "You've never called me that before."
1. "...."
1. "Aren't I just like everyone else to you?"
1. "No, not at all!"
1. "Surprised to see me?"
2. "Definitely surprised!"
1. "I'm at a loss for words. I can't make sense of this."
1. "Why didn't you ever tell me you were s. Corbin?"
2. "No wait why"
1. "No, wait, why reveal yourself to me now?"
1. "Shouldn't you remain anonymous?"
1. "Isn't that a secret?"
2. "A secret?"
1. "Oh, right. Well, it's not exactly a secret."
2. "A few people know I'm the artist."
1. "But I wasn't one of them..."
1. "It wasn't meant to be a secret from you."
1. "I just prefer to avoid drama at uni, that's why I keep my two worlds separate."
1. It's easier to keep things low-key.
2. Only a few people know about my other life as an artist.
1. "You mean, a really famous artist!"
1. "I'm shocked. You've been right beside me all this time..."
1. "And I just... Don't know what to say."
1. "Why so speechless?"
1. "Does knowing I'm the artist you admire change your feelings?"
