Oil On Canvas

Dojin glanced at Luca as if to say, “Why even ask?” That was all.Of course, he hadn’t left yet. He was still at Marisa’s house. The response was absurd, as if someone who had worked themselves to death was answering, but that too, well, could happen.“Damned Aqua Alta.”Muttering, Dojin scooped water with the bucket. He had rolled up his sleeves, fully committed to the task. Water already pooled near Luca. Dojin straightened after scooping more water.“But why have you come back, Mr. Orsini?”Luca licked his lips in response. He had no particular reason.‘Because Dojin’s cheeks were red earlier?’Only absurd reasons came to mind. The true reason for his return was… uncertain. However, Luca hid his hesitation and spoke.“I left something behind.”“Oh.”“But why are you… doing this now, Dojin?”It was an obvious and admittedly foolish question. Dojin, looking at him with disdain, held up the bucket.“Getting rid of water.”“But why is Dojin doing this here?”“Even if the studio is on the second floor, with water rising like this, there’s bound to be humidity issues. We have humidity control upstairs, but still.”The round lips rattled off a perfectly logical explanation. In the quiet night, with the sound of sloshing water, Luca looked down at Dojin.‘Peculiar, or unusual? Hardworking?’Even if those were Dojin’s exact traits, they didn’t adequately describe the complex, agitated feelings Luca had towards him.Between ‘Why go to such lengths’ and ‘Impressive’, somewhere in between but feeling entirely different. Was it professional respect? That didn’t quite fit either.“Mr. Orsini, if you’re not going to help, please step aside.”Dojin bent over again. The water was halfway up the legs of the chairs on the ground floor. It was already that high despite Dojin scooping some out. His white arms were soaked.Watching that twisted Luca’s mood.Among his complex feelings, the strongest emotion was frustration.Luca walked over and took the bucket from Dojin. Standing awkwardly, Dojin gave him a questioning look. Luca clenched his teeth, suppressing an irrational irritation.“Bear with it until morning. I’ll call someone.”“What?”“I understand, but if a painting gets damaged by this much water, it shouldn’t be in Venice in the first place. This happens all the time here. And I didn’t hire you to do this, Dojin.”“Oh.”Only then did Dojin stand properly. He clasped his hands in front like a scolded child. Luca knew Dojin was mostly aware of his cues.‘Why does he do things he wasn’t asked to?’He hadn’t really done anything wrong. Perhaps it was even a time to be grateful. Humidity was indeed the enemy of oil paintings. The restorer’s actions were professionally sound. Luca’s irritation was inexplicable.“How long have you been doing this?”“I was about to leave, but seeing this, I stayed.”“When was that? When were you planning to leave?”“Um… about thirty minutes ago?”It was past midnight.‘Impressive. He deserves a medal.’Luca rubbed his forehead. Rationally, he should be grateful for a hardworking partner.There wasn’t much time left until the restoration deadline.Luca himself had just met a client past midnight. Knowing that, his rising irritation was problematic.“I’m not going to pay you extra for working more.”“You didn’t exactly tell me to leave.”“Dojin, we’re working as equals now, aren’t we? I’m not in a position to order you around. Don’t you know how to manage your condition?”“My plan takes priority over my condition. I’ll manage my condition. Honestly, it doesn’t feel equal; it feels like I’m getting scolded.”His raised chin and sharp voice clearly conveyed his feelings. He wasn’t wrong.‘Then why do I feel annoyed?’This restorer wasn’t a child. Professionally, he was competent. He chose to stay and work extra; so what. Luca sighed again.Dojin’s white cheeks had lost their faint color. His dry arms and chapped, tired face showed the toll of scooping water.‘Looks like a corpse again.’Since their kiss, how much time had passed? Now, the pale face looking at Luca bore only faint annoyance. Luca slammed the front door shut. The sloshing water, everything was irritating.“Mr. Orsini, I was about to leave…”“Have you had dinner?”“No. I’m not hungry, I think I should just go home.”A small voice that didn’t suit him. After a big outburst, Dojin lost his momentum. Strong, then weak, then flaring up again. Luca was starting to understand his rhythm.Dojin’s eyes darted around, as if waiting for permission to leave. His wet arms were annoying. Luca fetched some towels and draped them over Dojin’s arms. Dojin’s awkward gaze shifted to the towels, then he wiped his arms.“Thank… you.”“Where do you live?”Venice wasn’t a hard city to walk around unless you were going from one end to the other. With no wheeled vehicles allowed except strollers, it was easier. An ideal walking city. It’s said Venice’s elderly fear arthritis more than heart attacks.With the right routes, anywhere was reachable within an hour on foot. The problem was the maze-like alleys and the canals at dead ends.“Near Piazzale Roma. It’s not that far.”‘Not far at all.’Piazzale Roma was on the opposite side from Marisa’s house or Cà D’oro. Watching him answer cheerfully despite clearly being exhausted wasn’t pleasant.“Do you want to stay here?”“Sorry?”Dojin’s eyes widened. He wasn’t the only one surprised by the words that slipped out.“I mean, stay here for a while, until the restoration is complete. Your place is far.”Even as he spoke, Luca couldn’t believe his own words. But the more he said it, the less bad the idea seemed. A restorer staying near the artwork made perfect sense, and it would reduce travel time.“Are you trying to make me work more?”“It’s not like you would follow my orders to do more or less work.”“But still, if I keep coming and going, wouldn’t that be strange?”Dojin had a point. Anything that looked unusual was a risk right now. Luca went to great lengths to make everything seem normal.An Asian restorer frequently visiting a house bequeathed to Luca Orsini? It would be surprising if it didn’t draw attention.‘There must be a way.’An uncharacteristically optimistic judgment took over. Despite the rational warnings, he felt like doing it. He already anticipated regretting this decision.“Aren’t you tired of commuting back and forth?”“Well, I am.”Dojin blinked slowly. His eyes looked paper-thin from fatigue. He pressed his wrist to them.‘Even though he’s that tired…’Luca frowned at the strange irritation weighing on him.One thing was certain. If Dojin left now and walked an hour home, Luca would be unbearably upset. He sighed and spoke impulsively.“Then think of it as protecting the artwork.”“Oh.”“It’s necessary. Better for you to do it than hire someone else. You can see the security here isn’t great.”“Shouldn’t I be getting paid for that? It’s like two jobs.”There it was again. Pretending to be meek, yet pricking the other person unexpectedly. Strangely, Luca liked hearing it.“I’ll pay you, then.”“No, it was a joke.”“So you’ll stay?”“Yes, but only until the restoration is done.”His tired voice gave a listless answer. A reluctant agreement due to the circumstances. Even that felt like a great victory.“Alright. Until the restoration is done.”Life was inherently a bit dull.A very ordinary truth. Luca Orsini didn’t mind it.Life’s dullness paralleled its stability. Socially, economically, and personally, Luca’s life had no real complaints. So it was naturally dull.A dull life was a good life. An exciting life meant more stories, but… Being born an Orsini already provided more than enough stories.So dullness was… quite alright.“Don’t get any ideas.”“Me?”“You have that look on your face.”Maybe what he needed was a new stimulus.Looking at the squinting restorer, Luca realized something new.