CHAPTER 3

 "Zurich is Switzerland's largest city, located at the North-Central part of Switzerland, at the North-Western end of Lake Zurich. Aside from it is Switzerland's largest city, it is also the major transportation hub and the busiest place of the country due to the airports and railways. Zurich is also one of the world's financial centers for it has a lot of financial institutions and banking companies despite its small population."

 "It is also a top starting point for travelers for it has a variety of places and features for adventure and traveling. We have more than 50 museums, 100 art galleries, mountains for height lovers, lakes, and other bodies of water for those who love fishing, swimming, and other water activities. Our mountain tops and lakesides are perfect for camping and bonfire. We also have several shopping places for those who love shopping. One of them is Bahnhofstrasse, the finest shopping strand in Europe."

 Dion is silent as I explain the features of Zurich. From my peripheral vision, I can see him changing his facial expression from time to time. Sometimes amaze, sometimes his eyes narrowed, and sometimes he nods his head. A sign that he is listening and trying to digest every word I say in his head.

 We are currently having a street walk. Our first stop is in Khunstaus Zurich, also known as the Art Museum. It opens at 10 am and we are on our way there. And while walking, I start explaining to him the features of Zurich.

 Earlier at the coffee shop, I feel so shy in front of him. I feel so small and poor, especially when I saw the brand of his shirt and white shoes. Gucci and Puma. Maybe he noticed that one, so he chuckled and told me not to mind the brand of his clothes.

 "It's just natural for me to have these branded clothes because you know, my father. But, you shouldn't feel shy to me or feel poor. I am not rich, my father is. And besides, I want people to treat me as me, Dion."

 And our talk earlier made me smile. He is not bossy or formal, Dion is a down to earth man and it is easy to be close and to be friends with him.

 We just met this morning but we already talk a lot. We just met but I already know a lot about him. Like he is a painter, and that he loves art so much. That's why the Art Museum comes first on our list.

 I also found out that he has a Brain Hemorrhage, and his condition is worst. Dion is in between life and death. Anytime, anymore, he can bleed. And once he bleeds, he would be in a very critical condition. As of now, he is enjoying every moment of his life by traveling Zurich.

 Zurich is actually his mother's hometown, and that means he is a SwissAm, a Swiss-American. But sadly, his mother died when he was just nine years old due to a car accident, that is also the reason why he has a Brain Hemorrhage. He got internal bleeding back then which turned into a Brain Hemorrhage. He was actually in comatose for two years and when he woke up, his mother was gone.

 "Until now, I am still mourning for her. And I keep on asking, why does she have to die? Maybe because she's too kind and precious that's why she came back in heaven earlier than expected? I mean, I was there. I was with her when the incident happened. So, why does it have to be her? Why not me instead of her? It could be me, not my mother."

 Since then, he became aloof to everyone, especially to his father. He knew his father has the same question, why does it have to be his mother?

 "And now, I am starting to be the friendly and bubbly Dion again. And it feels good to be the old me."

 I wonder why did he open up that topic to me. I mean, we just met and that one is a bit personal and deep. Nevertheless, I should keep that one since he entrusted me with it.

 See? A short matter of time but I already know a lot about him. Not that much, but yea. Also, he's starting to crack some jokes which made me shook my head. His jokes are too corny.

 "Welcome to Khunstaus Zurich, the Art Museum!" I exclaimed.

 Standing in front of us is the entrance of Art Museum, at the left side of it stands Auguste Rodin's famous sculpture, 'The Gates of Hell', with its height about 6-7 meters and width of 4 meters.

 "La Porte de I'Enfer." Dion murmured.

 I faced him with my brows knitted together. "Huh?"

 "Auguste Rodin's La Porte de I'Enfer, or in English, The Gates of Hell."

 My mouth formed an 'O' when I realized what he is talking about. "So, you know this one?"

 "Of course." he smiled. "I am an art lover so, I know. Besides, Auguste Rodin and this sculpture of him were mentioned several times in my art class."

 I nodded. "Oh, that's why."

 "Yea."

 "So, does that mean I don't have to explain further things to you about this one?"

 "Nah. You should still explain since I am your client."

 My eyes narrowed, and before I could even say a word, he chuckled. "Just kidding, Zhanaia. Let's go inside now."

 And then he starts walking, leaving me with my eyes still narrowed. This one, I think we would get along. I can say base from what I can see.

 Most of the arts displayed in the museum are artworks from the great Swiss artists and some from Frenc artists. Some artworks from some famous international artists are displayed here as well.

 After we paid for the museum's entrance fee, Dion immediately went inside and roam his gaze to the artworks displayed.

 His eyes glowing because of the artworks displayed. Miniature and mini-sculptures on glass walls, paintings hanging on the walls, and big sculptures on the side.

 "This is a haven for me!" he exclaimed which put a wide smile on my lips.

 His voice is full of energy, he looks excited than anyone else and a wide smile is plastered on his face. I feel like a mom watching my son happily roaming the first floor of the Khunsthaus Zurich.

 I shook my head.

 "Hey, Zhanaia!" he called me. "Come here, see this one."

 I walk towards him. He pointed out the artwork of a nude woman in fire.

 "Do you know this one?" he asks.

 I nodded. "Yes. That's artwork from one of the important contemporary artist of Switzerland, Pipiloti Rist, entitled 'Swimming In A Bath Of Lava'. This is a miniature video of a woman swimming in a bath of lava that captivates a mixture of wit and powerfully visual of the woman in the fires of hell. And it is said that the subject of this artwork of Rist is about a self-confident woman in a fervid environment that mixes eroticism and assertive feminine physicality." I explain.

 "Hmm... so, you know a lot about this artwork, huh?"

 "Nah." I shook my head. "It's just that, I've been here countless times now, and I am a tourist guide so it is required that I should know things about some artworks in this museum."

 "Oh." he nods his head. "So, are you're into arts?" he asks then looks at me.

 His ocean eyes met mine, and believe me, his eyes can drown you in a short period. It's like, I am staring at the ocean and there is a water current pulling me to be drowned by it.

 "Yes. I am." I answer then look away.

 I can't bear to look at his eyes for too long. I feel like, I'll be drowned in any minute, and even in just one look. So, to avoid having eye contact with him, I keep on roaming my gaze to the surroundings and tries not to look on his way. I just do gestures whenever I say something to him so that I won't be called disrespectful.

 We reach the upper floors where the iconic artworks of some famous international artists are displayed. One of them is Vincent Van Gogh's iconic self-portrait with a bandage on his ear, which usually attracts tourists' attention.

 "Vincent Van Gogh's self-portrait with a bandage on his ear." Dion mumbles. "One of his most iconic paintings."

 A smile plastered on his naturally reddish lips. And instead of me, explaining to him since I am his tour guide, Dion starts casting words about Van Gogh's self-portrait. And the way he says the words, he's too confident and proud. He explains like a skilled professional art teacher who knows a lot about this artist.

 "Did you know that Van Gogh used a mirror for this one? That's why most of the people who had already seen this mistakenly thought that Van Gogh lost some part of his right ear, when in fact, it's the left one."

 And as he continues explaining, I keep my mouth shut and just listen. By this, I can say that he is really into arts for he knows a lot than me. Every word that comes out from his mouth are precise, and he really speaks proudly. You won't see any hesitation from him or hear anything like that as he explains. His pride is too high.

 I was silent the whole time we roam the museum. I won't talk if he won't ask. Dion is the one who speaks, and sometimes, he would ask me some things which I answer with a simple smile, shrug or just nod my head in agreement.

 If it's not because of his Gucci shirt, branded jeans, and shoes, plus his appearance that screams what kind of person he is, people may have thought that he is the tour guide and I am the tourist.

 After an hour and a half of roaming the whole Khunsthaus Zurich, we stopped at the museum's huge library. The smell of books, old and new, evade our nostrils the moment we stepped in.

 I was a certified book worm, inhaled the scent of the books, recharging me and bringing back my energy. The scent of books is like an energy-drugs to me.

 "Recharging by inhaling the smell of books?" I heard Dion's low voice from the side.

 I hummed as an answer. "How did you know?"

 He let a heartily laugh. "I'm an introvert."

 That made me turn my gaze at him. "Come again?"

 "I said, I'm an introvert. Aside from arts, books are my thing as well. Their addictive scent sents energy in me."

 With that, my mood instantly changed. I start talking to him about the books he loves, his favorite, did he already read that or this, I was hyped up by knowing that he is an introvert.

 And as I talk to him, I found out that he doesn't actually have friends. As an introvert, he loves to be alone and spent his time reading, than to spent his time on nonsense things. Also, I found out that we have the same favorite author, William Shakespeare, and J.K Rowling. He is also a reader of Erik Larson and Lang Leav.

 He said that the Khunsthaus Zurich is a perfect place for someone like him. A place is full of artworks with a huge library with towering shelves full of books.

 "Now, I want to have a house with a theme like this museum."

 On his status, he can have his dream house to be like Khunsthaus Zurich. There's nothing impossible with rich people. They can do and make everything because of their money.

 By afternoon, we decided to take lunch at the nearest restaurant in Khunsthaus. Dion's treat, thank God.

 And as I expected, he ordered a steak dish for a wealthy person. I on the other hand ordered a pasta.

 "Just pasta? Why don't you try another dish?"

 I shook my head. "I'm fine with this. I don't eat that much."

 He just nodded as a response, but he doesn't seem convinced. And as we eat, we talk about random stuff, until our conversation went to his life in US.

 Dion was born in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is the only son and heir of Dr. Fidel Augustine Dausel, the owner of Dausel Medical Center, one of the top rising and known hospitals in US. He studies at Harvard University, a medical student, but because of his condition, he stopped studying. He stayed at the hospital for five months for medication and stayed home for two months to take a rest, and when he regained his strength, he decided to go and have his trip in Zurich—his mother's hometown.

 "Dad didn't allow me to go back to school for my condition is in the worst state. Anytime, I can bleed, and the only thing that prevents it to happen are my medicines. But taking them will be useless if my brain will be triggered or overstressed. I am not allowed to think too much and to be stressed."

 At first, his father didn't allow him to travel Zurich, but eventually let him for he is too persistent. He actually has a bodyguard and nurse, but he didn't let them come with him today for he wants his first day to be bodyguard-free.

 "So, tomorrow, we will tour with my bodyguard, and my nurse. Tonie, and nurse Stell."

 Having a tour with a bodyguard and nurse is new for me, but I think I'll be easily used with this if I get close to them in a short span of time.

 "Ahm... are they kind?" I ask.

 He chuckled. "Yes, they are, so no worries. You can get along with them easily, just how it happened to me."

 Our lunch went well. As we eat, we keep on talking about some things, and so about ourselves. I found out that aside from art and reading, we have the same taste in fashion. Simple and plain. Just a shirt or blouse, jeans, and white shoes or sneakers.

 When the clock strikes at 3 pm, we decided to go home since we are scheduled to tour only the Khunsthaus Zurich for today.

 Tomorrow, and to the next following days, we are scheduled to tour 2-3 places a day, and meet earlier than 9 am. So, on our way home, we talked about our meet-up time, and the meeting place for tomorrow, and the rest of the month.

 Dion is the one who decided for the meeting place which happened to be on Miró Coffee, while I decided on the meet-up time which happened to be 8:30 am.

 As we reach the street where we need to part ways, Dion and I bid our good day to each other.

 "So, let's call it a day?"

 He nodded, "Sure." then smiled. "I had a great day today. This is a good start for my Zurich trip."

 "See you tomorrow, sweetheart."

MICS ARTEMIA