“I apologize for being late.My assistant is on sick leave.And my…group was late to the meet-up point,” he said, eyeing Sal with a hint of annoyance.
“No problem.We are very honored to have you visit the museum.This way, po.”She let out an impressed smile and began their tour of the museum’s highlights.
Every time Harmon asked about a piece, the director answered with extensive knowledge, but when Sal asked, she answered curtly.It wasn’t surprising that people working at museums would fawn over his celebrity.If he was known in their community, then it made perfect sense everyone would want him to choose their museum for the honor.Imagine the coverage!And if you were the museum director, working with Harmon Moon would be an important addition to your resume.
As they concluded their tour, there seemed to be an event taking place at the pocket garden.From Sal’s point of view, it looked like a photoshoot.
“Sir!”trilled a voice.
A few people from the event they saw surrounded Harmon like a pack of wolves.“We’re doing a shoot for the museum and wanted to ask if you’d pose for a couple of photos?”they asked him.
“He looks sooppa,” giggled and whispered one girl who gathered near him.
Harmon was very attractive—heck, the guy looked like a Korean actor alongside her supermodel-looking friend, Willow.Come to think of it, Sal looked like an imp compared to them.She grimaced at the thought.How was she ever going to be taken seriously against him?
“Ma’am!”The same voice that trilled behind them resounded beside Sal so clearly that she took a few steps back in surprise.“You’re so pretty!”gushed another person who once had his full attention on Harmon.“You and Mr.Harmon would be great for the photos.The director humbly asks that you guys take a few photos by the fountain?I hear you’re both respected art curators.”
Before Sal could agree, the two ladies who had fussed around Harmon ushered her to the fountain with him.“Um…Willow?”Sal looked back.“A little help?”she called out.
Willow held back a laugh and just sipped on her water jug.
“Ma’am, could you move closer?”the photographer called out.
“This is fine.”Sal frowned and straightened her back.
“But you’re too far apart.”
True, they were nearly a meter apart, but that was as close as she would get to Harmon.“Guys, just take the photo,” she said in Tagalog.
The photographer let out a disgruntled sigh.But after a few seconds, his face lit up, and soon after, Sal felt a shadow loom over her.She turned slightly to see Harmon standing so close to her he blocked out the glare of the sun.But before she could object, he said, “I dislike this as much as you do.So let’s just get this over with.”
Sal cleared her throat.Fine, she thought begrudgingly.Her cheeks felt hot, though she couldn’t tell if it was because of the heat or because of his proximity.
“Could you both please turn to each other, like a three-quarter view?”
Harmon positioned himself as requested.
“That’s perfect, sir!”The photographer moved his hands to gesture that Sal needed some further direction.“Ma’am, please turn more toward Mr.Moon.”
Sal’s heel caught on the corner of a rough cobblestone, and she almost lost balance before Harmon held her elbow.She heard him clear his throat, and in an alarmingly tender motion, he slipped his hand to the small of her back.
“That’s it!”the photographer yelled excitedly.
Sal couldn’t stop her heart from pounding.She took a few silent, deep breaths and forced herself to smile for the camera.From afar, she could see Willow sipping from her tumbler, looking amused at the sight of them.
“Closer, please,” the photographer requested.
Harmon moved her closer.Surprised at the gentle tug toward him, she accidentally placed a hand on his chest to steady herself.He looked hesitantly at the feel of her hand on his chest, and they locked eyes.
Sal’s breath caught as his dark eyes pierced through her.For the first time, she could see the fine lines on his porcelain skin, a freckle here and a small scar on his temple.There was a solemnness to him as he looked at her.An electric jolt shot through her from this sudden connection—his hand on her back, hers on his chest—a fleeting moment that felt endless.
Then a click of a camera sounded and pulled her from the trance.“That’s my shot!”said the photographer with a big, bright smile.“Thank you!”
Sal pulled herself away from Harmon and nodded as she walked toward Willow, who still had a teasing grin.“Okay, shut up,” she said as she walked past her.“Let’s just finish this and leave, please.”
Willow burst into a fit of laughter as she strode beside Sal.
Flustered, Sal rummaged through her tote bag to check her phone and saw missed messages from Rafa.She hadn’t thought about Rafa all day; a pang of guilt ran through her as she read through his messages and replied as quickly as she could.Why was she having all these reactions to Harmon?I need to get a grip,she thought.She locked her phone and told herself she’d call Rafa later that night.They were running behind schedule and still had a lot to cover.So she stuffed her phone in her bag and tried to focus on the itinerary.
