Chapter 14 — When I Learn How to Bloom Again

The man who once occupied my youth, almost ruined the second half of my life, just left my world in a miserable and pitiful manner. From now on in my life, there will no longer be the name Chu Van Bac, I don't even have any feelings to regret, he is like a symbol appearing on social news, has nothing to do with me. Luc Triet Vien didn't ask further, he just quietly looked at me, in those clear eyes there was no curiosity, just enough concern and a kind of discreet understanding, making me feel strangely comfortable and assured.

“Let's go home.” I said.

"Okay." He nodded, naturally taking the color palette and documents in my hand. "I'll handle the materials, you can rest assured, it won't affect the progress."

On the way back, the atmosphere in the car was very quiet. The sunset shines through the glass window, covering my body with a warm golden layer. I turned my head to look at the scenery moving quickly outside, the cranes at the port, the ships in the distance, the brilliant clouds, all like a moving oil painting. I felt an unprecedented sense of peace in my heart, like everything was finally stable. The old life has completely turned over, and the new life is slowly opening, and the person who is opening that new page with me... is sitting right next to me. I secretly looked at Luc Triet Vien's profile. He was driving very focused. The sunset sunlight clearly portrayed the contours of his face, high nose bridge, neat chin, and the light reflecting on his gold-rimmed glasses made his whole body seem to be covered with a layer of gentle aura. My heart suddenly skipped a beat. I quickly turned away, my cheeks heating up a bit. In the following days, the project was implemented very smoothly. Luc Triet Vien handled the micro-cement issue satisfactorily. The Italian side quickly transported by air a batch of materials of the correct color I requested. The cost increased a lot, but he did not mention a word, just said over the phone: "The perfection of the work is more important than the cost." That sentence touched me for a long time. My house, under the coordination of the two of us, becomes clearer day by day. The basic construction is gradually being completed, the walls, floors, and ceilings all express the true feeling in the drawings, a minimalist, high-class space that still has its own "breathing" has gradually taken shape. I started choosing the furniture, from sofas, lamps, curtains, to carpets, each item was hand-selected by myself, and Luc Triet Vien always provided professional suggestions that were just enough, subtle, and accurate. We can often sit all afternoon just arguing about the color of a sofa cushion, or the shape of a standing lamp. It doesn't feel like work, but like creating together, a very pure joy. Our relationship also gradually changed along with that process. It's no longer just the lessee and the constructor. We are designers, collaborators, friends... and more than that, soulmates. He understood all my design language, and I also understood all his steadfastness towards art. Between us, we don't need too many words, just a look, a gesture, is enough to understand what the other is thinking. That day, I was choosing plants for the terrace garden when Luc Triet Vien sent me a photo. In the photo is an antique bronze chandelier very special shape. Below is a short sentence: “I think it fits your dining room very well.” I looked at that lamp, from the curve, the gloss, to every small detail, everything was exactly the same as the image I had imagined so many times in my head. I sent him back a smiley face. “It's truly a hero meeting a hero.” He immediately replied: "Let's come and see it this weekend, okay? There are many interesting things there." My heart started beating faster again. Is this… considered a date? I looked at the phone screen for a long time, hesitated for a while, and finally only answered one word: "Okay." That weekend, the weather was very nice, clear sky, mild sunshine. I specially chose a newly purchased saffron yellow dress, applied light makeup, then stood in front of the mirror and turned around a few times. The woman in the mirror smiled brightly, her eyes had light, it was the best version of me that I had ever seen before. Luc Triet Vien came to pick me up. Today he didn't wear a linen shirt like when he worked, but instead wore a simple white t-shirt and khaki pants, looking comfortable, youthful, like a gentle neighbor. When he saw me, his eyes lit up slightly. “You are very beautiful today.” He spoke very sincerely. My face immediately became hot. "Thank you." We went to a store located in the creative district renovated from an old factory, quite quiet, called "Time". The space inside is not large but very special, filled with antiques collected from all over the world. Old record players, old leather suitcases, antique typewriters, and all kinds of lamps and furniture bearing the traces of time, each item seems to tell a story. He and I were both immediately attracted. We were like two children who found a treasure, walking around the store without getting bored. The bronze chandelier was also there, in real life it was even more beautiful than in the photo, I decided to buy it right away. In addition, we also found many other interesting things, a carved wooden mirror frame, some old faded posters, and an antique bronze showerhead. Luc Triet Vien also found a set of German architectural drawing tools from the 30s. He hugged that wooden box, his eyes shining like a child who had just received his favorite toy. I looked at him and couldn't help but laugh. That man, who was always calm and serious, turned out to also have such a lovely side. We stayed there all afternoon. By the time we stepped out, it was dusk, the sunset dyed half the sky red.

“Let me invite you to dinner.” Luc Triet Vien was carrying a few bags and looked at me. “Let's say thank you for leading me to find so many interesting things.”

“I should have invited you.” I laugh. “Thank you for helping me find the perfect lamp.”

He looked at me and also smiled. “Then next time I invite you.” He took me to a restaurant located on the hillside, with a panoramic view of the city at night. We sat next to the window, in the distance was a bright light like the Milky Way, in the near distance was the warm flickering candlelight on the table. We talked a lot, from design, travel, movies, to music. I suddenly realized that we have so many things in common, and our aesthetic tastes are surprisingly similar. That harmony is becoming more and more obvious. After eating, Luc Triet Vien took me home. The car stopped in front of my house. Neither of us… were in a hurry to get down. A sound rang out in the car gentle English music, unknown name. The air... carried something very vague, very close.

“Tan Tranh.”

Luc Triet Vien suddenly called my name. This is the first time... he didn't call me "Miss Tan".

“Um?” I turned my head to look at him.

The streetlight shined through the glass window and fell on his face. His eyes... gentle, but serious.

“My house… will be completely completed next week.” he said.

"Really? That fast?" I was a bit surprised.

He was silent for a moment, then looked at me and asked very slowly and clearly.

“The day of completion… can you be my first guest?”

My heart... feels like someone gently touched it. I looked into his eyes. There is waiting, there is appreciation... and something deeper, that I don't dare to name yet. I nodded. The voice is very light… but firm.

"Of course."

“It's my honor.”