Liza burst the door open with a few bags on hand, frightening the concentrating Eric who was doing a painting.
“What the hell is wrong with you?! Couldn’t you knock like a normal person?! You almost made me ruin a piece here!” Eric threw the paintbrush he was using at Liza who merely dodges.
“Because,” She started, placing the gifts on the floor and walking up to Eric, “if I remember correctly, you said that you wouldn’t be taking any painting commission or any art related as you will be on hiatus from your work and will take a well-deserved rest. What happened to that idea, hmm?”
Eric sighs, completely forgetting that he really should be resting. “But I am resting. This painting is for me; I had a dream last night and I couldn’t get this image out of my head so I thought I should put it on canvas.” He beckons Liza to stand beside him and see the painting.
When Liza took a look at the painting, her jaw dropped in awe. A painting of a man kissing a woman surrounded by the darkness. “This gives me a Greek mythology vibe.” She commented. “But why are they surrounded in darkness though?”
“Well, in my dream, they were some sort of deities of the Underworld. And they were lovers.”
“That kinda sounds like Hades and Persephone.”
“It kinda is, isn’t it? I need to lay off the books. Those dark romances are starting to get into my dreams.”
“You think?” Liza shot him a look. “I told you, you need to get out of the house every once in a while and socialize, not just stick your nose into a book all the time! You are resting but you can’t just stay cooped up here with just your books and artworks and anime! How are you supposed to give me a godchild if you won’t leave your cave to meet people!”
“Hey! First of all, I do socialize!” Eric tried to defend himself, “just not so often. Second of all, I do meet and hang out with other friends —”
“Yeah, and after that, you need to recharge yourself so you lock yourself after you’re done socializing for the day. I figured as much, which is why this is my birthday present for you.” Liza places a small envelope on Eric’s lap. “Happy Birthday, my sweet BFF!”
“I have totally forgotten my birthday is today. Thanks for the reminder.” Eric opens the envelope and pulls out a VIP plane ticket. “Sis, what is this?”
“I can see that. But why are you giving me a plane ticket to Greece?” Eric eyed Liza. She has been his best friend since high school so she should know that he very much prefers books and anime and food over anything expensive that doesn’t even interest him. A thought occurred to him. “If I remember correctly, didn’t you and John planned to have a vacation in Greece? This is supposed to be your ticket, isn’t it?”
Liza sighs, she should have known her best friend would notice. She knew she should have given Eric books first before the ticket so his mind would be occupied and he wouldn’t have to question her and would have agreed to come with her to Greece right away. She wanted to whack herself for not thinking of that first. “That’s supposed to be John’s ticket for the trip, yes. But he couldn’t come.” She admitted.
“And why is that?” Eric pressed on. He would rather not be the third wheel if ever John has decided to catch up with them later.
“He received an email; there was an emergency at the company and he is urgently needed. I don’t want the tickets to go to waste so why not give it to you as a present. I know your fascination with Greek mythology so I thought this would be a good gift.” Liza grabbed onto his forearm, tugging him. “I beg of you, bestie, come with me on this trip!”
Eric looks at the ticket, debating whether to go or not. While, yes, he was intrigued by the legends of the Greeks — especially, the romance between Hades and Persephone as well as Eros and Psyche — he wasn’t really that interested in visiting the place.
“Please, Eric!” Liza pleaded, giving him the sparkling eyes.
Eric looks away, scrunching his face. No! Her doing those beautiful eyes should not work on him. He couldn’t go, he still has a lot of books that he still haven’t read yet, and a novel that he needs to update. Eric pry an eye open to see if his best friend is still doing her pleading look, and it was a big mistake. He sighs. “If I went on this trip with you, would you be with me the entire time?” Eric finally gave in.
“I would, I would!” Liza’s immediate reply, “I know you have a bit of a phobia of getting lost so I promise I will be with you this entire trip. And we won’t be alone. John signed up for us for a tour, you can fill in his spot.”
“Okay. And how long will this vacation last?”
Eric looks at her in disbelief. “.... What about your job?”
“Don’t worry about it; I can do my job remotely. And you better really take this time to relax. I mean it, Eric. You’ve been working nonstop ever since you became a full–time artist, and you’re locked up in your home, seldomly going out only to buy groceries and books. You’re straining yourself, it’s not good. I’m worried.”
Eric couldn’t reply right away. It’s true that he hasn’t taken a break since he took being an artist seriously and made a living out of it, and he didn’t get to hang out with other friends. At some point, he has forgotten to enjoy his life. “Alright, alright. I’m sorry for making you worry about me. I promise to take a rest on this trip and enjoy myself.”
“But! I’m bringing my Ipad with me. No, I wouldn’t be working so scratch that frown off your face. I can’t just not draw or write, my whole life revolves around it. I wouldn’t pick up the tablet unless inspiration strikes me. Deal?”
Liza thought for a moment. “Deal.”
“Great! Now, help me pack.”
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