Chapter 328
Veronica’s POV
Harmon Designs
I came earlier today as I was determined to complete the paintings for the wedding collection.
Since I came back, today was the first time I smiled at the canvas and no longer saw it as a blank board.
I arranged the paints, and chose a palette.
I took a big breath and remembered what Jonathan told me.
To remember Veronica Smith who began to pain because she loved to and the prodigy she became…Veronica Rollings.
Finally, I picked up the brush, and this time I wasn’t afraid.
I began with soft colors followed by some delicate strokes.
At first, my hand did tremble, but soon enough I had relaxed and was back in form. I painted a bird with little damaged wings, but still flying towards the sky.
And ahead of it in the sky was a coronal.
The bird?
It was me flying free from the metal room.
The coronal?
It was the ring that I saw every day, every night in that metal room, waiting for him.
Our wedding band.
As I watched the painting, I felt Veronica was truly back.
On stepping back, I realized I had painted a complete design as well.
I exhaled at the result and began on the next painting.
My shade color choice was again brighter, and my paintings were vibrant as they always were.
I was painting flowers, mountains, and rivers.
Just then the wall clock chimed and I realized it was already afternoon.
Normally, I would have taken a break, but now?
A break wasn’t an option.
I knew this wasn’t enough for me to say, I’ve healed.
I need to completely let go.
“Veronica?” Mother called out as she entered the office.
“Now that’s my daughter,” she said after examining the paintings.
“I love your choice of color, and the emotion of a wife longing for her husband p>
“Is this from p>
“Yes,” I exhaled.
“It was when I would look over it and hope he would come for me,” I said as I glanced at my wedding band.
“Ever since I came back p>
“He never pushed me, he never questioned me p>
“He just let me take my time p>
I felt happy to know mother and Jonathan were there for me and supporting me all the while.
I was supposed to take them to Jonathan so he could begin designing them, but he told me to draft the designs, and he would only make them.
I placed my painting in front of me and sat across in my chair.
I studied the pattern, the texture, and the feel of the gems that were to be used for the collection.
I examined the stones, the chains, the beads.
I don’t know when, but one by one ideas began to connect themselves in my mind.
Mother helped me organize the drafts.
I exhaled as I realized my creativity was no longer driven by the fear of that room and back to doing what I loved…painting.
Just then Jonathan arrived.
His smile was enough for me to know he loved them.
“Do you need any help p>
I assumed he wanted to help as he was afraid I might still be shaky.
But he picked the pencil and began to sketch.
His hand moved so carefully, I was amazed at the steadiness he had.
I looked closer up and noticed some of my lines were incomplete or a little wobbly.
He was fixing them.
Since I came back, he’s been silently guiding me and embracing me making sure I didn’t feel alone.
Just then he removed a draft out.
“I did a little painting myself p>
It was a necklace that was inspired from one of my previous paintings.
“I know I’m not even an average painter, but I did my best p>
“I just wanted to create something inspired by your painting and gift it to you p>
“When did you make this p>
“To be precise p>
“A day before you were kidnapped p>
“I intended to make it for our anniversary, then you got kidnapped p>
“And I forgot, he design department asked me today, to continue or not p>
“It’s being made right now p>
“I intended the main necklace to be special, something that represents our relationship, something that represents the times we managed to find each other back p>
I was surprised to see how much detail he had put into these designs.
At the same time I was also overwhelmed by the depth of his affection towards me.
“This necklace…it’s for you p>
He placed some other drafts as well.
I noticed each draft carried our story: our separation in the form of a ring made in two parts that did not align as one ring, pointing to his mind, we may never meet again. The pain in the form of a red gemstone pendant. Our reunion is another ring that was split in two, but can be united as one, meaning the way we united.
And then the chain with the letters J-V-J-J set in small diamonds. Our family.
I was overwhelmed by realizing how deeply we understood one another.
I embraced him, surprising him as he was sketching quietly.
“Jonathan? Why do you love me so much p>
“The girls were crazy for you back at the college p>
“You could have chosen any one of those perfect girls who had looks, and family backgrounds p>
“Nicky? I married you because I loved you p>
“I never needed wanted a perfect wife p>
“I never was interested in a girl for that matter p>
“You’re the first one I ever saw as a girl whom I could love p>
“I have to admit, I really didn’t know you loved me so much p>
“Back at the room, when she told she had taken my place, I even questioned how you couldn’t tell it wasn’t me p>
“I’m sorry for doubting your love for me p>
“Hey, we still have some enemies to deal with before we can have a peaceful life p>
“Jonathan, I believed I had seen it all, but after this incident, and the way you recognized me p>
“I fear nothing anymore p>
“I married you till death do us part and I will abide it to my last breath p>
“Nicky,” he said, taking hold of my hand.
“I won’t let you leave me, I promise we’ll grow old together and watch our grandkids as well p>
The following day we announced the wedding collection, and the auction as well.
I was surprised to find out someone was willing to buy the main necklace of the show.
Jonathan created the necklace for me and I was surprised this person was actually asking for it?
I declined it but he kept on persisting by sending emails with higher prices.
I decided to call Jonathan and let him know.
“I found out,” Jonathan said as he walked in.
“This person has a connection with Alex p>
“I think it’s Alex who wants to buy the necklace p>