Cyril and Rene nearly choked with laughter, their eyes glued to the spectacle.
The couple before them were the living definition of
"More money than sense."
The man, a portly figure squeezed into a crimson, too-tight disco jumpsuit, sported yellow suede shoes.
His companion's hat, a gravity-defying creation, seemed to have a life of its own.
They were locked in a tense, almost argumentative exchange with the gallery owner, who, to their faces, refused to sell them his prized artwork, declaring them a joke –
A sentiment seemingly reflected in their confident, yet outlandish, attire.
A silent understanding passed between them, a shared recognition of the unfolding absurdity.
The couple, after a prolonged and heated negotiation, finally secured the owner's attention, haggling down the price to thirty-five dollars for a five-months ownership..
A wave of bitter laughter erupted from Rene, followed by Cyril's echoing chuckle.
The couple shot them a withering glare, but they quickly feigned interest in the painting before them.
As the couple turned away, Rene's arm casually rested on Cyril's shoulder as they listened intently.
The artwork, an assemblage of metallic pieces, was a stark depiction of pain, a piece that resonated deeply with many.
It felt fundamentally wrong that it was being considered by this garishly dressed pair.
The argument finally reached its climax when the couple, defeated, decided to abandon the purchase, their faces contorted with rage.
They loudly proclaimed themselves as well-known content creators, vowing to expose the owner's supposed arrogance, conveniently forgetting they could have done so immediately with their phones, if they truly possessed such influence.
They watched, a mixture of amusement and revulsion, as the couple radiated pride, oblivious to the chaos they caused and the silent mockery surrounding them.
"Can you believe it?"
Rene finally asked, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye.
"Would they even appreciate this painting after buying it?"
Cyril, still recovering from a fit of laughter, nodded vigorously.
"Exactly! It would not be a source of income for the piece owner if he sold it to them."
Cyril replied, shaking his head, the corners of his mouth still twitching with suppressed mirth.
"The sheer absurdity of it all is almost unbearable!"
He exclaimed, still struggling to contain his laughter.
Rene turned to the painting, observing,
"This paint captures today."
Cyril, puzzled, turned to the painting.
"Why do you say that? Can you tell me about your day?"
He inquired politely, and she nodded.
"I turned a year older today, and it was even better than I'd hoped. The best birthday ever, all thanks to a best friend like Eliana.
She always outdoes herself on my birthday, while I struggle to reciprocate, often giving cheap gifts when she invests so much in me.
Look at the painting; there are two girls, one lifting the other from the ground.
One is in black, the other in red... the background representing our lives: chaotic yet whole.
We have our dreams and aspirations, willing to do anything to achieve them, but for me, things just don't align.
In this picture, I'm the girl in black, and Eliana is the one in red, always supporting me and this friendship! I love her dearly but sometimes….
I feel like a burden she's kept a secret for so long."
She exclaimed softly.
"I swear, I heard everything else you said, but it's your birthday? How are you the first lady here not to announce it?
I've already heard 'it's my birthday' twice in this room,"
Cyril said, and she laughed, smiling up at him. She shrugged,
"I'm not one for birthday announcements, but Eliana is. We're different but love each other dearly,"
She said, turning back to the painting. Cyril sighed,
"Honestly, I wish I had a friend to support me like you two do."
"You don't?"
Rene asked, grinning at him, and he shook his head.
"No. Just acquaintances who want something from me, not to visit me in the hospital.
I have one friend, more like a sibling, we used to be really close but we've drifted because our parents are pushing marriage down our throats."
His words hit hard, and she reached out to shake his hand.
Cyril, confused, giggled,
"What's happening?"
He asked, slowly shaking her hand anyway.
"Hi, I'm Rene Claire Dubois, and I'll be your friend without wanting anything from you.
Well, except maybe food, then we're good!"
He said, laughing and shaking her hand properly.
"I'm Cyril James Carter, and I'll be your friend without wanting anything in return as well. Until there's a need."
She said, a wide smile spreading across her face.
"Wonderful! Now you have a genuine friend,"
And he laughed, staring at her as she gazed silently at the painting.
Just then, a clearing of the throat cut through the air, drawing everyone's attention.
"My people, are we done here?"
Eliana asked, her voice carrying a playful lilt.
A soft giggle escaped Rene's lips, followed by a gentle nod of agreement.
In a moment of shared affection, Rene's arm instinctively wrapped around Eliana's waist, a silent gesture of closeness.
Eliana, in turn, brought her arm around Rene's neck, drawing her closer in a tender embrace as they stared at both men.
Cyril, ever the charmer, subtly pulled out his phone, offering it to Rene with a hopeful glance.
"Could I be privileged to get your number?"
He inquired, a polite question hanging in the air as Rene shared a knowing look with Eliana.
As Rene began entering her digits, Cyril's gaze met hers, a silent question forming on his lips.
"What should I save the name as?"
Before Rene could formulate a response, Eliana, the ever dramatic one, stepped between them, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"How about 'My Wife'… or perhaps 'My Lady'… or maybe even 'My Favorite girl'?"
The suggestion sparked a chorus of laughter, Rene's exasperated scream punctuating the air as she pulled Eliana back, handling Cyril's phone back.
Cyril, unfazed, met Eliana's playful gaze with a sly look of his own.
"I think 'My Art Piece' works,"
He declared, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Rene's eyes widened, and she playfully tapped Cyril's arm.
"My Art Piece! Really?"
Then he shrugged,
"I mean why not? Didn't we meet at an art gallery and are you not the perfect masterpiece created by God?"
Eliana, shaking her head in mischief clapped twice, a laughter escaping from Ryan's lips as she smiled.
"Preach brother Preach!!!
You know what, I think that's an excellent choice of name, Cyril, well done!"
Then Rene shot her with a stern but playful look.
She turned, her arms in the air, pointed at Rene. She exclaimed, her voice filled with amusement.
"I mean look at her! What a confident booster. Look at the highlights…"
"Fling…Fling…Fling… Haibo!!!"
Rene completed her joke as they all burst into laughter.
.........…
After a few glasses of wine, laughter, and brief conversation, they made their way out of the gallery.
The men accompanied the ladies to their car.
As they approached, Cyril, leaning in, smiled,
"This might seem forward, but will I see you again?"
She chuckled,
"You'd be amazed at the questions I've accumulated over the years. Let me get home first."
Rene replied, and they both laughed.
"Can I give you a hug?"
Cyril asked, and she nodded, embracing him warmly.
Immediately after, they turned to see Ryan and Eliana locked in a passionate kiss... Rene clapped,
"Excuse me, isn't that a bit too much PG for us to watch unsupervised?"
She asked, and Cyril chuckled,
"Right!"
He playfully agreed as Eliana shyly pulled back, sensually wiping Ryan's lips with her thumb before wrapping her arms around his waist, turning her face away.
Then she turned to them, licking her lips,
"You're above and beyond PG, if you don't know!"
She exclaimed, and they laughed.
Rene settled into the car, and Cyril closed the door after her.
"Drive safe, babe. Call me when you get home." Ryan said kissing Eliana's forehead.
She smiled, kissing his hand in return, playing with his shirt collar.
"Sure. You too, love."
"Um, hello?"
Rene called from inside the car, a playful chuckle escaping her lips as Eliana laughed,
"Girl, hold your horses. This is my man!"
She exclaimed playfully, Rene rolling her eyes.
"We are clearly aware!" She yelled back.
Just as he turned, she playfully smacked his butt and sensually played with her tongue before getting into the car,
Ryan gently closing the door after her as he giggled shaking his head.
"Finally!"
Rene exclaimed, and Eliana laughed, starting the car and honking loudly as she drove off slowly, both waving at the men.
"Get home safe, ladies!"
Cyril yelled.
"Call me when you get home, babe!"
Ryan added as they drove off.
After they left, the men exchanged contacts, chatted briefly about the art exhibition they'd just seen, then parted ways…
Heading into their cars and driving home.