"So where are we going, Kenji?" I asked after putting on my jacket and stepping outside.
Kenji had randomly rang the bell and told me to get ready. When I asked him wherefore, he told me I'd see it soon.
We got to his car where he opened the door for me and got in later. I immediately connected my phone to the aux and opened my playlist.
Sweet Melody by Little Mix.
People could say whatever they wanted, this song was a straight-up masterpiece.
"Have you had breakfast yet?" Kenji asked me as he navigated us through the city streets.
"No, not yet, I just woke up."
"Okay, we'll make a stopover. Is there anything you crave?"
After thinking for a minute or so I answered stating I wanted waffles.
"Sure, anything," Kenji turned the wheel sharply to the right as we changed routes.
I sat down as Kenji ordered for both of us and came back.
"So," I asked him, "Was this the surprise? Bringing me to my favourite bakery?"
He shook his head. "Just be patient, I promise you it'll be worth it," he said. I folded my arms across my chest and stuck out my bottom lip.
We chatted about Kenji's chaotic driving and the new song that had dropped overnight until our food arrived. Once we'd finished, and I practically licked my plate clean, Kenji tossed a napkin on the table. "Let's get going. We're on a schedule."
I started nagging as we rode for another ten minutes and still got nowhere.
"Kenji, this is taking forever!"
"We'll be there soon," he hushed me.
After another five songs, I asked him again when we'd finally arrive. He looked at me and sighed.
Then he pulled his car to the side to park and then got out. I looked confused at him walking around the car.
This couldn't be it, I couldn't see anything near us except a lot of high apartment buildings.
"Are you coming?" I shot up as Kenji suddenly spoke up next to me. He had opened the car door and was standing outside, leaning towards me with his arm on the car's roof and holding the door open with the other.
"Where am I coming to? There's nothing here?" I asked while unlocking my belt.
"It's just around the corner, come on," he stood up and helped me to get out of the car. As I stood beside him on the sidewalk he closed my door and locked his car, "Come, let's get going."
As we turned the corner a huge poster caught my attention.
"Kenji?"
"Yes?"
"Where are we going? Really?"
A smile creeped upon his face.
"No, we're not," I blurted out, unable to believe he really brought me here.
I wanted to come to this art gallery since it opened, but as much as I asked Kieran to come, he never had time to. Or maybe he just didn't want to come to this gallery, because we still had other dates in the meantime. It's okay, not that I found it a problem, it's just that the gallery is a pop-up gallery and I really didn't want to come alone.
"You were complaining a lot about how that 'boyfriend' of yours wouldn't bring you here. So, the gallery better be worth all the nagging I have gone through," Kenji joked.
"Thank you so much," I said as I hugged him tightly. He patted my back as a sign that I could let go.
"Let's see it first before you thank me."
The gallery was even more beautiful than I had expected it to be. You see, as an architect I, of course, loved art, but this gallery was something else.
There were paintings and sculptures of painters from all over the world with tons of different styles. I darted from one painting to the next, my eyes wide, my hands reaching out as if to catch every detail. "Kenji, look at this! Oh my god, the brushstrokes are insane!" I called, not even checking if he was keeping up.
I would've felt bad for him, but it didn't seem to bother him, so why would it bother me?
After what must have been four hours but felt like only ten minutes we left the gallery.
"So? Was it worth all those days of whining?"
"Most definitely!" I shrieked, "It was so beautiful," I said, my voice practically trembling. I felt like I could run a marathon. My legs buzzing, my heart still racing from the excitement.
Kenji chuckled, "You deserved it. See it as an inducement for you to do good at work this year!"
I looked up at him, "Oh, so that's why we came?"
"You deserved a present for getting hired by the most fun company ever," he exaggerates, "As did you deserve to go to the gallery you wanted to go to."
"Is now the right time to hug you a thank-you?" Before he had time to answer I hugged him and whispered thank you.
After this, we walked back to his car and Kenji drove me home. When he dropped me off he assured me to use all the rest I had before work, because apparently, it's very tough for newbies.
After I wove him goodbye, I walked inside and called for Poyraz abi.
"Hey, Kay. How was the gallery?" he asked me as he jogged down the stairs.
"You knew?"
"Of course, I knew. He's my best friend," he shrugged.
"Well," I started, thinking back to the amazing afternoon, "It was awesome! The gallery was so beautiful!"
"I'm glad you liked it."
"Abicığım?" I called, my voice syrupy sweet, eyes wide and pleading.
"What do you want?" Poyraz abi sighed, the sweet-talking clear in my words.
"I'm going to Kieran's right now, can you cover me at dinner?"
He laughed at this, "Sure sure, don't worry, just stop pouting already."
"Thank you, abicığım," I yelled as I blew him a kiss, "I love you!" and then I left for Kieran's.
Kieran's apartment isn't that far away, only a ten-minute walk.
"Hey, Dove," Kieran smiled as he hugged me when I walked in, "How was your day?"
"Great! I went to that gallery earlier today with Kenji! It was soooo pretty, bae! It's insane how talented some people are," I groaned.
"Really…with Kenji? I'm happy you liked it."
"And how about yours?" I asked as I lay down on the couch next to him.
"It got better now that you're here," he smiled, "I was actually cooking dinner, will you join me for dinner?"
"I will never say no to your meals, K!"
It was true, Kieran's cooking skills were amazing. Which would explain why he'd be working as a sous-chef at a Michelin restaurant at such a young age.
"Wait here, it'll be done soon."
I got on my phone and scrolled through my TikTok FYP while waiting.
After about five minutes I got a notification.
*7 images attached*
It was from Kenji. Pictures from the gallery.
"I hadn't noticed he made these," I mumbled to myself while scrolling through the first six which mainly consisted of me looking at artworks.
But I knew of the seventh. It was a selfie of the two of us, arms around each other in front of a massive sculpture. The same pose we'd struck all those years ago, and Kenji's grin matched the one in the old polaroid I kept tucked in my wallet.
"Dinner's ready," Kieran yelled as he put two plates on the table. I closed my phone and walked up to my boyfriend.
"Hmm, it looks so good," I commented.
"Not as good as you," Kieran answered, after which he kissed my forehead and sat down to eat.