Chapter 229 - An Exhibition

Xie Eun was driven to the venue by Cheng Mo who chattered happily with her as he spoke about his wife. Xie Eun was almost tempted to roll her eyes as he described his wife and her personality. She wanted to point out that they had already met the sweet woman at the wedding ceremony but then kept silent. Let him ramble. It would keep her mind off the other things. She felt a small tickle in her stomach as she wondered just what her husband had planned for her now. She wondered if she would ever be able to get over his surprises. Even though she had detected that he was up to something, she still had failed to find out what! This was now her new personal quest. To discover his surprise before her husband executed it successfully!

As she glanced at the paved way outside, she wondered how he could have planned a surprise here? Was he not here in this country for business? And he could not have expected her to come here to give him a surprise right? Unless Aunt Su had given him a heads up...No, Aunt Su would not have done that. Aunt Su was in her team after all...

Just as she was pondering over this, the car slowed to a stop. Xie Eun turned her head as Cheng Mo came over to open the door. Stepping out she noticed the elegant board that displayed the name, Fiera National Exhibition and Convention Center. Her eyebrows raised, Xie Eun was truly surprised. The Fiera was known for holding world class exhibitions of art. Be it Paintings, photographed prints or even cultural relics, if the curator and members of the committee at Fiera approved and agreed to display your work, then you would be guaranteed success. She sighed in wonder at the beauty. The main beauty of this venue was that it was so elegant that anything that was displayed here would look beautiful. IBut what made it coveted was that Fiera opened it's doors to the artists only once a year. And the work of the chosen artist was displayed here for the entire year. It was estimated that every piece that had once been displayed here would earn more that a hundred million dollars apiece.

Xie Eun's eyes glittered as she thought of her youth. She had once dreamed of displaying her work here. It had been the biggest goal in her life. She had even believed that the only way she would be a successful photographer would be when she was able to display her work here. Sigh! She had not even realized how things would change. Her dream had changed from getting her work displayed here to successfully handling her business and spend time with her Yu Seok and Aika. A pang of regret went through her heart but in the next moment she shook away the thoughts. Regrets for having the beautiful present were not a part of her life. Almost before she realized that she had thought of her dream in the past tense and decided not to regret, she wondered whose work she would get to see. It would be an honor to even visit the place and see for herself the beauty that was displayed here for this year. If she was not mistaken the famous jewelry designer, Pierro's work had been displayed here with the finest pieces being bought by Royalty. And this year's artist had yet to be announced.

Just then, a tall woman dressed in a beautiful red skirt suit walked out of the Center. "French Girls wear it better" was the first thought that was in her head as she looked at the French woman who looked so beautiful even in a simple suit. No wonder the fashionistas loved French models. For the first time, she itched to photograph a woman.. She could randomly click this woman's pictures and they would come out perfect.

The woman smiled gracefully as she walked forward and air kissed her on both the cheeks and said in an accented voice," Miss Xie. It is an honor to welcome you. My name is Louise Follain and I am the Assistant Curator here at Fiera. I will also be giving you a tour today. Let me tell you, here at Fiera, we have a tradition that the first month an artist's work is selected, we have a special preview for our paid members. Only after that the display is opened to the General Public. The Fiera prides itself on exclusivity and thus most of our members bid in advance. For the preview of this exhibition we have had some of the highest bidders and almost all the pieces have been sold out."

Xie Eun smiled a bit awkwardly as the lady droned on. A feeling of sadness and envy made it's way into her heart, making her realize that she had been fooling herself. She had indeed let go of her dream but she was not at peace about it. Somewhere, in the back of her mind, she had hoped to accomplish her dream. Was this what Yu Seok wanted her to realize? Is that why time and again he sent a camera her way. She had always felt that he did not want her to give up her passion and that was why he always made sure that she had a camera handy. But by doing this he had shown her the mirror. She may have relegated the camera to a hobby but her heart still held the dream of her work being displayed. her eyes moistened as she realized that her husband really did know her better than herself. Maybe it was time to let go of the reins of business into well qualified hands and pursue her dream. She had already saved the heritage her grandfather left for her and fulfilled her father's wishes. It was now time to go back to her own wishes before it was too late.