Future Chapters for AHA: If Only (Precious Treasure)

Kody was standing outside of his favorite gallery. It was the MarkRosa Gallery and it had a new display of jewellery in the front window. All of it was BEYOND expensive, but that didn't stop Kody from staring at one ring in particular that had caught his eye and made his heart sing with joy at the thought of wearing it.

He looked at his watch and considered whether or not he would indulge in his fantasy a little more by going in and asking to try it on. No point in dreaming about it if the thing didn't even fit he figured... not that he would ever be able to afford the precious treasure, but he still had over half an hour before he had to be at work and he'd already finished his lunch before heading to the gallery.

He pushed open the doors, his stomach was in knots. He mentally slapped himself in the head and told himself to stop acting like a schoolgirl about to ask a boy on a date.
A handsome man in his mid twenties came over as soon as he walked in and offered his hand confidently "Hello, I am Mark Rosa. Are you just viewing the gallery today, or was there something in particular you wished to see?" He asked with a knowing little grin on his lips.
Kody was shocked to realize that this was the man who made all of the beautiful work he was looking at, and completely mortified to realize he'd obviously been seen gawping through the window. His grin deepened to a smile as Kody's face turned a delicate shade of red, then without waiting for an answer he walked over to the window display, unlocked it and got out the ring Kody had been admiring. He gently handed it over and quietly said "Try it on, it won't bite".

While he gently put it onto his fingers one-by-one, seeing which finger it fit best on, Mark spoke up in a relaxed but thoughtful voice "I've always believed that art speaks to a person’s heart if it is meant to. That's not to say that the piece is meant to belong to every person that it speaks to, obviously, just that if something does seem to touch your heart in whatever way, I believe one should take the time to really examine it. Absorb whatever it is that your 'soul' is trying to accept about it. That's why when I see someone looking at one of my pieces with as much intensity as you were, I like for them to come in and try the piece on... I'm really glad you came in to do just that".
Kody smiled sadly "I just wish I could afford it. If I could, I'd buy it in a second flat" His smile suddenly became happy again "But, I can still dream right? Who knows what's around the corner..."
"Exactly" Mark laughed.

They continued to talk and were getting along so well that it was another 15 minutes before Kody realized he was going to be late back to work if he didn't hurry back. He reluctantly took the ring off and handed it back to his newfound friend with a shy little grin. "You know I'll be back in again to try it on if it's not already sold the next time I'm around?"
Mark chuckled "I look forward to seeing your friendly face again then".

Kody was in such a hurry as he left, that he didn't even notice the familiar figure watching him curiously from the front of the shop next to the gallery he'd just exited.