my closet. The rest are fakes.
So yeah, I wear fabulous fake furs. Happy now?
Stella Rhodes
_____________________________________________________________
MY EYES COULDN’T TAKE in everything all at once and my brain cannot wrap around the fact that I’m strolling the majestic grounds of Punto Fiamma with Akiko Hara while her arm is looped around mine—she’s 60 years old— and that she’s the mother of Raiden.
Raiden is following quietly behind us. It’s as if he’s letting me enjoy Akiko. I’m still starstruck I could hardly speak. I can’t believe I’m speaking with my all-time idol!
I want to tell her she’s been my idol for ages but I stop myself. I don’t want to freak her out. I’m being welcomed as a guest here, not as a fan. But I’ll tell her how much I admire her before I leave, for sure. I wish I can take a selfie with her but I don’t have my camera or cellphone with me. I sigh in regret. I can’t capture this momentous event, after all. But never mind, I’ll just store everything in my memory.
My god, she’s a goddess!
Two hours ago, Akiko greeted me with a hug and the kindest smile. She welcomed me into her home, The Gallery itself where her extensive body of work is on display, with the magnificence of nature as its background.
The artworks are jaw-dropping awesome. I wish Tom could see them, too. He wouldn’t believe it when I’d tell him later, for sure.
Akiko has prepared a sumptuous breakfast for us, French style, I’ve noticed, which she has cooked herself. I sampled her tea which she made from her rose garden inside her giant aviary.
We just came from the aviary and I got to see a botanical wonder with a collection of some of the most rare species of orchids on earth. Colorful-feathered birds flew above us, some so tame they landed on my shoulders!
Now, we’re strolling on the grounds of Punto Fiamma and I’m beholding more artworks scattered everywhere, some so huge they span two floors.
After gawking at Akiko’s giant canvasses and installation art at The Gallery, I’m now treated to a sculpture exhibit. I’m running out of superlatives and I mostly just stare in wonder.
“These are magnificent! Who made these?” I ask faintly, still overwhelmed by what I’m seeing. It’s like a secret world created by art geniuses. I’m allowed a chance to enter their inner sanctum and I’m afraid the experience will end too soon.
“These are Raiden’s,” Akiko states proudly.
My jaw drops lower this time.
Whoa!
“He started sculpting when he was five, with clay. We let him run wild in these grounds. He’s been busy all these years, as you can see.”
I slowly glance at him behind us.
He smiles at me. His eyes are shining with a glow that I’m afraid to interpret, but they make me feel…beautiful.
So beautiful.
Oh God. He made these?!
Yay! Extraodinary genes! Genius level! Go, go, go! My ovaries are screaming like a cheering squad.
“Son, take Ella to the cliff. Show her your best works.”
“Are you done monopolizing her?” he teases his mother.
Akiko smiles. “I’ve got plenty of time to bond with her. She’s staying the night, right?”
“Why don’t you ask her, mother?”
Akiko looks at me expectantly.
What else can I say? You don’t say no to an invitation from Akiko Hara and this is a direct one, probably a once in a lifetime chance. “I would love to. Thank you, I’m so honored, madam.”
She touches my cheek gently, her palm, warm and comforting I suddenly wish I have a loving mother, too. “Call me, Akiko.”
I smile at her, my eyes going misty. Jesus, now his mother is making me want to cry, too. Mine remains a stranger to me to this day. We tried to be closer but maybe it was me who couldn’t form a connection. Too many old hurts inside me. “Akiko,” I utter softly.
“Better. I’ll see you both at the house for lunch. I’ll cook something special for Ella.”
“You’re so quiet.”
Quiet is an understatement. I
So yeah, I wear fabulous fake furs. Happy now?
Stella Rhodes
_____________________________________________________________
MY EYES COULDN’T TAKE in everything all at once and my brain cannot wrap around the fact that I’m strolling the majestic grounds of Punto Fiamma with Akiko Hara while her arm is looped around mine—she’s 60 years old— and that she’s the mother of Raiden.
Raiden is following quietly behind us. It’s as if he’s letting me enjoy Akiko. I’m still starstruck I could hardly speak. I can’t believe I’m speaking with my all-time idol!
I want to tell her she’s been my idol for ages but I stop myself. I don’t want to freak her out. I’m being welcomed as a guest here, not as a fan. But I’ll tell her how much I admire her before I leave, for sure. I wish I can take a selfie with her but I don’t have my camera or cellphone with me. I sigh in regret. I can’t capture this momentous event, after all. But never mind, I’ll just store everything in my memory.
My god, she’s a goddess!
Two hours ago, Akiko greeted me with a hug and the kindest smile. She welcomed me into her home, The Gallery itself where her extensive body of work is on display, with the magnificence of nature as its background.
The artworks are jaw-dropping awesome. I wish Tom could see them, too. He wouldn’t believe it when I’d tell him later, for sure.
Akiko has prepared a sumptuous breakfast for us, French style, I’ve noticed, which she has cooked herself. I sampled her tea which she made from her rose garden inside her giant aviary.
We just came from the aviary and I got to see a botanical wonder with a collection of some of the most rare species of orchids on earth. Colorful-feathered birds flew above us, some so tame they landed on my shoulders!
Now, we’re strolling on the grounds of Punto Fiamma and I’m beholding more artworks scattered everywhere, some so huge they span two floors.
After gawking at Akiko’s giant canvasses and installation art at The Gallery, I’m now treated to a sculpture exhibit. I’m running out of superlatives and I mostly just stare in wonder.
“These are magnificent! Who made these?” I ask faintly, still overwhelmed by what I’m seeing. It’s like a secret world created by art geniuses. I’m allowed a chance to enter their inner sanctum and I’m afraid the experience will end too soon.
“These are Raiden’s,” Akiko states proudly.
My jaw drops lower this time.
Whoa!
“He started sculpting when he was five, with clay. We let him run wild in these grounds. He’s been busy all these years, as you can see.”
I slowly glance at him behind us.
He smiles at me. His eyes are shining with a glow that I’m afraid to interpret, but they make me feel…beautiful.
So beautiful.
Oh God. He made these?!
Yay! Extraodinary genes! Genius level! Go, go, go! My ovaries are screaming like a cheering squad.
“Son, take Ella to the cliff. Show her your best works.”
“Are you done monopolizing her?” he teases his mother.
Akiko smiles. “I’ve got plenty of time to bond with her. She’s staying the night, right?”
“Why don’t you ask her, mother?”
Akiko looks at me expectantly.
What else can I say? You don’t say no to an invitation from Akiko Hara and this is a direct one, probably a once in a lifetime chance. “I would love to. Thank you, I’m so honored, madam.”
She touches my cheek gently, her palm, warm and comforting I suddenly wish I have a loving mother, too. “Call me, Akiko.”
I smile at her, my eyes going misty. Jesus, now his mother is making me want to cry, too. Mine remains a stranger to me to this day. We tried to be closer but maybe it was me who couldn’t form a connection. Too many old hurts inside me. “Akiko,” I utter softly.
“Better. I’ll see you both at the house for lunch. I’ll cook something special for Ella.”
“You’re so quiet.”
Quiet is an understatement. I
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