CH 38

It was Odette.

Franz recognized her at first glance.

Odette was elegantly walking around the exhibition room filled with white summer light as if swimming. The gallery owner with a bright smile followed her like a shadow.

While Franz was hesitant to approach, Odette approached a landscape painting hanging in the center of the room. It was a work worth seeing, but nothing special. Unfortunately, it seemed that she did not have a proper artistic eye.

“An excellent choice. It’s a piece that will add value as the years go by.”

Falling for the art dealer’s candy coating, Odette eventually made the wrong choice.

Franz sighed, swallowing the disappointment that spread like a sharp pain. In the moment of disillusionment he experienced every time he conversed with his fiancée, whose intellect was hard to find, Odette turned her back. 

In a corner where light did not reach hung a painting that he had been compelled to buy because of a personal acquaintance with the artist, but was left unattended because it had no chance of selling.

It was the very work of art Franz had chosen.

“Can I buy this painting as well?”

Odette did not think too long and made her decision.

“It hasn’t yet been sold, but an interested customer is here…”

The perplexed art dealer turned his head in amazement. Odette’s gaze also naturally turned to Franz.

“Come to think of it, you two are family!”

Belatedly remembering their relationship, the art dealer exclaimed loudly.

Franz involuntarily adjusted his posture while holding his breath. Odette did not take long to recognize him.

“Hello Franz, long time no see.”

Odette with a sociable smile greeted him first. Nervous, Franz swallowed dryly and stepped out of the shade. His brow furrowed as the bright light stung his eyes.

“The reason…… May I ask why?”

After staring quietly at Odette, Franz opened his mouth after a while. 

While Odette was pondering the meaning of the sudden question, Franz took a step closer.

Perhaps because he had lost weight, but his impression looked more nervous and sharp.

“The reason you want to buy that painting.”  (Franz)

Franz lifted up his glasses with his fingertips and added an explanation. The puzzled gazes around him were not even on his radar.

“Because it is a beautiful piece.” 

Odette eased the awkward situation with a simple answer. But Franz showed no signs of backing down.

“Usually people criticize the artist for scattering colors without even knowing the basics of art. That’s why the painter is still unable to escape the unknown.” (Franz)

“It may be so from a traditional point of view, but I think the standards of beauty are different for each person.”

“Then what do you particularly like about it?” (Franz)

A different color began to appear in Franz’s gray eyes, which had looked gloomy.

“It captures the flow of light and air like a dream. I especially like the colors that capture the time of dusk. The expression or subject matter isn’t clear, but dreams are by nature ambiguous and beautiful. Isn’t that right, Mr. Lindzer?” (Odette)

Odette asked for help by seeking the opinion of the art dealer. Fortunately, he quickly nodded his head in agreement.

“Of course. That’s what makes it particularly attractive. That friend has the same opinion, so don’t worry, Mrs. Klauswitz.”

“The two of you must be very close.” (Odette)

“There is probably no one in the Lutz art world who does not know the name of Franz Klauswitz. He is a renowned collector. He is well versed in art, and when we have such conversations, he changes quite abruptly, but he doesn’t mean anything bad…”

“I’m buying that painting.” 

Before the art dealer could finish talking, Franz suddenly interrupted.

He sent Franz a stinging glare as if he was unhappy about recommending a cheap painting, but Franz didn’t care. He (Franz) only looked at Odette with the same passion when he had discovered a hidden masterpiece.

“Look, Franz.”

“One day that one painting will be worth more than all the other works in this gallery combined. So trust your eyes, Odette.” (Franz)

“But didn’t you decide to buy it before me?”

“It’s okay. I can give it to one who knows the value.”

Franz cautiously moved closer to Odette. His pale cheeks began to glow with new vigor.

The shock and disappointment of the sudden news of his marriage, and the terrible sense of inferiority that stabbed him in his chest whenever he thought of the woman who had eventually been tainted by Bastian, disappeared like snow in an instant.

What that vulgar beast (Bastian) had only violated was, at best, a body that was nothing more than an empty shell. It was not a subject that Franz dared to share spiritual sympathy with this woman. Therefore, Odette remained noble and innocent, a fact that delighted Franz.

“In exchange, could you make time for a cup of tea with me? I would like to help you choose paintings.”

Franz mustered unprecedented courage.

The explosive beating of his heart spread throughout his body. It was an ecstatic, too ecstatic sense of life.

****

The first thing that caught his eye was the yellow car.

Bastian found an unexpected face when he averted his gaze, drawn by the familiar color and shape. It was his wife, Odette. The woman  wasn’t supposed to be here, but he wasn’t mistaken.

Bastian stood in front of the large window in the lobby hall and stared at her.

Odette walked out of the building that stood diagonally opposite the social club he was at. It was across a wide street, but Bastian recognized his wife without difficulty. The man next to her was surprisingly Franz.

While the crease between Bastian’s brow gradually deepened, the two had a fairly intimate and friendly conversation. Franz was talking mainly, and Odette listened with a smile on her face. It was a very different expression than when she reluctantly pulled her mouth up.

Perhaps that place was an art gallery?

It was a place that Bastian passed by every day, but had never paid attention to. It must be a sacred place for Franz, who was crazy about paintings. Maybe even that woman, Odette.

It reminded him (Bastian) of the day when the spring snow fell quietly over a rather interesting scene.

Odette had eagerly walked around the exhibition hall with her eyes twinkling. A deep love for beautiful and useless things. Now that he thought about it, she was quite similar to Franz.

Erasing the memories of the afternoon when he counted the shadows of the snowflakes that fluttered on the face of the woman who was only engrossed in the paintings, Bastian left the club without hesitation.

Why did she come here to meet Franz without permission?

It was just as he descended the final stairway that he changed his mind. He wanted to hear the answer to that question directly from Odette.

Franz held out what looked like a small folded note to Odette, who had just turned away. After a moment of hesitation, Odette eventually accepted it. 

Bastian couldn’t see her face because her back was facing him, but he could read Franz’s expression clearly. It was worth watching, as he was flustered like a dog needing to pee. It was a sight that would make his mother sick for days if she saw it.

As the car carrying Franz left the gallery first, Odette headed towards the waiting yellow convertible. But she didn’t get into the car.

Bastian silently watched the woman act more and more incomprehensibly.

After giving brief instructions to the driver, Odette started walking alone down the silvery, sun-drenched street. The hem of her blue skirt rippled along with her light steps. Although he had no interest in women’s clothing, Bastian was able to recognize it nonetheless. It was the same dress that Odette had chosen on the day of the dinner party with the officers.

Bastian laughed in amazement. It was as if he had caught a glimpse of the secret life of his wife, whom he had thought was meekly doing what she was told.

Bastian lifted the cuffs of his shirt to check the time. All the important work was done, but there was a dinner appointment. It was a gathering for members of the polo club to hang out together.

When Bastian looked up after tidying up his clothes, Odette was just turning the corner. Eventually, the woman’s trace disappeared completely, and the street was just peaceful and relaxed as if she had never been there.

Into the afternoon of a dazzling summer day, Bastian took a big step forward.

***

The sun was hot, but it was not too hot in the shade.

Odette, with a parasol open, leisurely browsed the show windows in the downtown area and then went to the bookstore. Golden dust with the smell of paper and ink floating among the quiet readers.

After purchasing a carefully selected book, Odette hurried to the place marked out in advance. An open-air cafe on the street corner where she had come and gone to deliver lace before.

It was the place where she used to wander around the entrance several times, pondering, and eventually turn around.

“Are you here with someone?”

The waiter approached quietly and asked.

“No. I am alone.”

“Come this way, please.”

The waiter with a kind smile led Odette to a table on the terrace. It was a place with a very nice view.

After perusing the menu, Odette ordered coffee and a piece of chocolate cake topped with rich cream and foam. 

As she took out the book from her bag and opened it, she heard a knocking sound on the table.

“Hello, beautiful lady.”

Came a greeting with a clear purpose.

Odette flipped the page to show that she had no intention of having a conversation, but the man was still standing by the table.

“May I join you?”

“I’m sorry, but that’s my husband’s seat.”

Odette told a skillful lie. It was the easiest and quickest way to get rid of the man who was flirting, but for some reason, the opponent didn’t show any signs of backing down easily.

“Oh, I see.”

The man with an impudent reply took the liberty of taking the seat across from her and sat down. Closing the book, Odette sighed in displeasure and raised her head.

As she made eye contact with the uninvited guest, a sigh broke out involuntarily.

The man smiling arrogantly was Bastian Klauswitz, Odette’s husband.