Sal had named the eventWhen Magic Meets Home.Theola had designed the invite, which had deep purple coloring, foiled gold star adornments, and was sealed with a ribbon in a pretty persimmon shade.
“Even your invitation is lovely,” he said, admiring the foiled stars.
“Thank you.”Sal beamed with pride.
A gust of wind passed them just then.The evening air was cool, and it was getting late.Harmon stepped closer.“Are you sure you don’t want me to accompany you?I could always get a taxi back.”
Sal shook her head.“Let’s keep it this way for now,” she said as she pecked him on the cheek.“Thank you for dinner.I’ll see you again on your opening night.”
Harmon bowed, his Korean sensibilities showing.“Good night and good luck, Sal,” he said as she walked to Theola’s car.
The evening had already deepened into a dusted backdrop of bokeh lights against the night sky.Sal breathed in the cool air as she entered her car.In the rearview mirror, she could see Harmon waiting for her to leave, hands in his pockets, and with only the glow of the streetlights framing his face.Sal put down the driver’s side window, felt the breeze caress her face, and waved goodbye as she drove through the Makati city lights.She smiled to herself as Harmon disappeared from the rearview mirror as she drove and realized she would never forget this wonderful day.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
The Midnight Masters
SAL
Harmon’s Opening Night
Salpacedbackandforth, admiring her vibrant sapphire-blue silk dress in her reflection.Her glossy dark brown hair swayed elegantly as she tilted her head, while her white-gold diamond studs and delicate diamond necklace sparkled as they caught remnants of the late afternoon light.The theme of Harmon’s opening night called for formal wear, and because she was an art curator now, she had formal and business clothes at the ready.She chose this dress because it complemented her cool-toned skin, and it made her feel beautiful.One last check of her evening makeup, and she was ready.
Willow met her in the hallway, wearing her usual boot-cut pantsuit.Except this time, her pantsuit was deep purple; she wore it with pumps, and her blazer was low-cut, revealing her décolletage.Straightening her signature big curly red hair into a silky long bob made her look like a different person.Baron had given her an invitation, allowing both of them to attend the opening night.
“Holy hell, Willow!You look like a model.”Sal gasped.
Willow flipped her hair comically.“You look amazing too!”she enthused, jokingly trying to bow toward Sal.
After the two of them had had their laughs, they scurried into Theola’s car.Willow had asked if she wanted another invite from Baron, but Theola insisted she just drop them off instead of joining them.As she put it, attending Harmon’s opening night was too much pressure, and she wanted to focus on their art fair exhibition, which was due the following week.“You guys have fun!”she trilled, and she drove off after promising to pick them up later.
Sal stood for a moment, gawking from the foot of Metro Manila’s newly refurbished National Museum of Fine Arts.The place looked so grand.There was cinematic lighting everywhere: humongous signs hanging from the top of the museum, and powerful lights brightened up the night sky so that anyone from a mile away could see.They ascended the steps and entered a majestic cocktail party on the lower floor, where contemporary paintings hung, and where elegant, glittering people in gowns, jewels, and coats floated about, admiring the art.
“It doesn’t feel like we’re in the Philippines anymore,” Willow whispered.
“I guess that’s what they were going for,” Sal responded.She felt intimidated for a moment, like she had stepped into a battle with someone who was in a class of his own and whom she had severely underestimated.What he called an “art exhibit” was disproportionately different from what she would have defined it.This felt like an otherworldly experience masked as an art exhibit.Perhaps this was what Theola was saying just a while back.But Sal resolved to stay.Besides, I don’t want to waste the dress, she thought.
Out of the corner of her eye, Sal could make out distinguished faces in the art world.“That’s Troy Gallagher,” she said under her breath to Willow.And later on, as they ascended to the second floor, more and more famous faces, both in art and pop culture, came into view.
Willow saw one of her favorite pop singers along with Sal.“Oh my God, that’s—”
“Hey, Willow,” said a smooth British voice.It was Baron.
Sal had never really gotten a good look at the young man because her attention was always cast toward Harmon.But now that he was without Harmon and next to Willow, she was pleased to find that they looked good together.He looked very charming in a deep green suit that brought out the green in his eyes.
Just as she was about to ask where his boss was, a deep voice spoke.
“Sal…”
Sal’s heart gave a sudden jolt as she turned to see the towering Harmon Moon in a tuxedo.He looked dashing with loosely slicked-back hair paired with his well-fitted tux.It had been a week since they had last seen each other, and Sal was convinced that he looked more handsome each time she saw him.I really am falling for this guy, she thought as she exhaled through a smile.
He cast a smile toward her.“How are you liking the show?”he asked, a drink in his hand.
Sal grimaced.“It’s a little overwhelming…”
Harmon’s gaze deepened.“Come, I’d like to show you something…” he said, reaching out.
Hesitantly, she took his hand, and he tugged her gently through the crowd.People greeted him as he passed, and he nodded to each one.Their eyes drifted to Sal and then back at Harmon.“Don’t mind them,” he whispered as he hooked her hand in the crook of his arm.
