Chapter 22: Crossroads, 22.
"It worked; they left. It seems the damsel in distress role doesn't belong to us after all."
"This isn't our life; it's wrong to follow it. We need to find a way out of this situation," asserted Aster, a determined expression on her face.
Damián agreed, shaking his head with a hint of exasperated humor. "Indeed, it isn't," he responded, furrowing his brows and letting out an ironic smile.
Aster continued, gesturing with her hands to emphasize her words. "We can't merely act on the obvious and fulfill these obligations; it would be madness to do more than we should. We should view things as a starting point, not an end".
With a challenging look, Damián nodded. "We can't accomplish the impossible, but we can work with the conditions we have.
I'm determined to give my best and achieve as much as possible. After all, perfect couples deserve a dash of chaos in their lives."
Aster let out an ironic laugh. "The only thing we've brought from our past lives are our personal experiences. We are not mediocre, and we will not let mediocrity define us. 'Fortune favors the brave,' even if that means breaking some rules along the way".
"We can either sit and cry or stand up and face it; we need an imbalance; standing up requires a change of state."
Damián continued, stressing that there were no obligations to follow what was written in the book. He made it clear he didn't want to know anything about what had been read, as they were not the originals and this is their life.
In an advisory tone, Damián emphasized, "Forget everything mentioned in that book." We are not the original protagonists, and we are not bound by the same circumstances."
He went on to explain that even without being married, there was a truth about relationships: When one person isn't chosen by the other, there's a high likelihood of issues and dissatisfaction.
Damian highlighted the difference between being together by choice and being together by a condition, such as pheromones. He pointed out that when a relationship is based on an imposed condition rather than mutual choice, there's a predisposition to failure.
It was clear to Damián that it wasn't necessary to have a book to predict that the relationship between him and Aster was destined to fail. The situation they found themselves in was a classic example of an unexpected condition rather than a conscious choice.
Aster listened attentively to Damián words, acknowledging the validity of his arguments. Her friend was right; they weren't the original characters of the story and didn't need to follow the script. If she were truly Aster, she would take revenge on Beatrice Phillips.
"Let's mess everything up on purpose; let's show that we are the opposite of what they expect, thus highlighting the protagonists' qualities. Do you know that love is a real hell? Let's attach in a sick way, take care of each other obsessively, and turn sex into a reward game.
Let's show them that all of this is passion, and passion is ephemeral. But being extremely toxic, let's break all these paradigms."
Damián listened to Aster's words attentively. His friend was right; they had the power to change the course of the story.
Damián raised an eyebrow, surprised at the mention of sex, and looked curiously at Aster for an explanation. Aster, in turn, casually responded, as if she were sharing a dark secret:
"Sex? Well, think of Adam as an exotic animal. He's wild, exciting, and full of primal instincts. The important thing is for us to be extremely toxic; what do you think?"
Damián was intrigued by the perspective presented by Aster and let out an embarrassed smile. He realized that, in a way, they were challenging conventions and breaking pre-established paradigms. The idea of exploring this intense and burning side of the relationship awakened a bitter taste in Damián's mouth.
Damián smirked in a gloomy way. Recognizing the sarcastic tone of the plan, he questioned, "Sex as an exotic animal? Wild, intense, and full of primal instincts..."
Both shared a strange look, ready to venture into unknown terrain. They were determined to transform loving intentions into an explosive and liberating experience, defying conventional expectations and boundaries.
With a faint resolve, Damián agreed with Aster. "Let's make everything go wrong. If they insist on controlling us, we'll show that we're wrong on purpose. We'll challenge all paradigms and show that love can be toxic and chaotic. We'll surprise them and show we're not here to follow pre-determined rules."
After a strange smile formed on Aster's lips, he looked seriously at Damián and, suddenly, let out an ironic laugh.
"You know what, Damián? I think you should just be yourself," said Aster in a sarcastic tone."
"The difficult man, complicated, full of habits, who has never been able to maintain a relationship. After all, I think that will work out very well for us. It will be a beautiful mess, a mixture of chaos and more chaos."
Damián looked surprised at Aster. Who then responded: "Don't look at me like that, you know we can be the perfect pair of imperfections, the explosive combination of neuroses and idiosyncrasies. It's what we are."
Both laughed, recognizing the irony and authenticity of the situation.
𝓕𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓸𝔀𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓭𝓪𝔂...
Aster and Damián stood before the entrance of the Stonehenge Gallery, their eyes traversing the imposing facade of the building. They were the antagonists, ambitious individuals with a passion for art, although they didn't belong to the social elite. The gallery was situated in a part of the city that was emerging and quickly growing in the artistic and sophisticated scene.
Dressed elegantly, Aster and Damián stood out in the transforming environment. Aster paraded with confidence, the long cream-colored coat wrapping around her like an elegant armor. The luxurious fabric and neutral color of the coat accentuated her slender figure, while the black and white striped shirt underneath added a touch of personality to her style. The black pants and high boots completed the refined look, underscoring her elegance and sophistication. Her black hair, carefully arranged, contrasted with the cream coat, and her blue eyes with hints of violet shone with determination and enthusiasm.
Damián, on the other hand, radiated a relaxed and casual charm. His light blue coat highlighted his reddish-blond hair, perfectly matching the immaculately ironed white shirt. The dark jeans and white sneakers added a touch of modernity to his relaxed look. Complementing the ensemble, a pair of sunglasses gave a hint of mystery to his style. Together, Aster and Damián were an example of style and elegance, representing the emerging energy of the region.
As for the environment surrounding the Stonehenge Gallery, it was like a precious jewel situated in the heart of a part of the city that was rising in the artistic and sophisticated scene. International designer shops and gourmet restaurants with exquisite cuisine lined the street, inviting visitors to explore their offerings. Attractive bookstores invited a pause to leaf through the pages of literary works of art. The best hotels in the region, while not as luxurious as the elite's, offered a pleasant experience to visitors. The vibrant energy of art and the entrepreneurial spirit merged harmoniously in this emerging region.
The facade of the Stonehenge Gallery was a true symbol of hope and ambition. Its large glass doors, framed by details in polished bronze, invited visitors to enter. A Stonehenge logo, artistically sculpted, adorned the entrance, adding a touch of prestige and class. Strategic lighting highlighted the architecture of the building, making it stand out as an unmistakable landmark, even as night fell.
With a final look of admiration at the Stonehenge Gallery, Aster and Damián entered the building confidently, ready to seize the opportunity to step into the rising art scene.
Despite the familiarity of the memories, Damián and Aster moved through the gallery as if it was their first time, a curious and investigative look in their eyes. They began by visiting each space of the gallery, observing the air circulation, checking the functionality of the mandatory security equipment. Their expressions were serious, focused, as they moved methodically from room to room.
They verified the authenticity of the artworks and photographs, Aster's trained and meticulous gaze leaving no detail unattended. The gallery was a place pulsing with creative energy, each piece a story, each artist a new world to discover.
In a world dominated by the virtual, the gallery held onto its beacon of importance in the art market. It still taught vocabulary, supported and advised artists, even in a world where independent careers thrived. Damián looked at Aster, an approving smile forming on his lips.
There was a palpable energy of innovation and progress, with ongoing projects seeking artists who shared the same wavelength with the gallery. The gallery was gaining ground in the virtual world with virtual tours and presentations, already attracting critics and admirers.
Aster, the discerning curator, and Damián, the shrewd director, were the heart of the gallery. Emeline, the tireless right hand, was introduced as the operations manager, the driving force behind the gallery's efficiency. They favored more intimate exhibitions, focusing on the quality of the art and the viewer's experience.
Damián then walked into the gallery's office, determined to ensure that the Stonehenge Gallery maintained its high standard. Damián's office was a reflection of his refined taste, with a classic modern design and an aura of luxury. Shelves filled with ancient books and modern sculptures, a tasteful leather couch, a polished mahogany desk, and carefully selected arrangements of plants and flowers completed the environment.
The entire gallery was a model of organization. There was a meeting room with an ebony conference table and cushioned chairs, as well as private offices for Damián and Aster.
The gallery's operation was a model of professionalism. The team consisted of highly qualified and passionate professionals in various areas, from history and visual arts to architecture and philosophy. With departments of sales, logistics, communication, and institutional relations, the gallery operated efficiently. Damián and Aster quickly adapted to the gallery's operations.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Lee_8053
Lee_8053 “I want you all to know that each one of you has a light inside that is absolutely unique and bright. Never stop chasing your dreams, because the world needs that special spark that only you have. Always remember that you are strong, you are brave, and you are absolutely amazing, just as you are!
And to add a little extra joy to your day, I have some great news to share! Get ready to dive back into the magical universe of Star Dragon, as tomorrow is the day for new chapters!
Stay well, keep shining, and see you tomorrow!
With all my affection,
[Lee-8053]”
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