What is this weird feeling in my body? I feel light, airy, but also confused and nervous. Why did my heart just skip a beat? Is this arrhythmia? I am having heart problems at twenty-five? Is Wendy’s existence really that bad for my heart?

I just liked the fact that she complimented my artwork. I haven’t gotten them from real people in such a long time. It’s a foreign feeling, but it’s not unwelcomed. I wish I could hear more compliments. I feel like I’m a sucker for compliments. Yeah, maybe my heart’s getting weak because of those kinds of words.

I feel something on my leg and look down to see Gustav sniffing my ankles and then looking up at me with a smile. My heart skips another beat. I lower myself so I am about eye level with him. I slowly reach my hand out; I hope he doesn’t bite. I place a hand on his head and he seems to enjoy the feeling of it; I have been waiting for this moment. I finally got the chance to befriend Gustav.

Gustav is such a gentle dog. He’s friendly too. Wendy did a great job in raising him. However, his name is quite unique for a dog. I don’t think I’ve seen another dog with that name. The first person I think of when I hear the name ‘Gustav’ is the artist Gustav Klimt. The Austrian artist was known for his artwork of the female body. Since Wendy is an artist, maybe she likes his works? In today’s society, I wouldn’t peg his works to be popular with women. However, Wendy seems different from the normal girl. There’s something about her that’s even unusual for a Korean. I wonder what it could be.

Jay then kneels down to also pet Gustav. “Is this your dog, Wendy? He’s so cute.”

“He is, isn’t he? I adopted him from a friend who was going to move to another state. I changed his name to Gustav since he looks like one.” She looks like a proud mom.

“Gustav is an unusual name for a dog. Don’t people usually give dogs easy names like Mocha or Coco?” Why does it feel like Jay is asking all the questions I had thought about aloud?

“Gustav’s previous name was Mocha, but I named him Gustav because I like Gustav Klimt.”

My assumption is correct. “That’s an unusual choice of an artist to admire. Isn’t he known for drawing the female body? I find his works perverse, to be honest.”

My words cause Wendy to click her tongue. “Another artist that cannot appreciate the beauty of Klimt’s artistic expression. He draws and paints the beauty of women and their anatomy. Art is an expression and he is expressing his appreciation for women.”

There’s a glint in her eyes that was different from the glint she had when she looked at my phone. Her behavior and expression make her seem perverse; I don’t think it’s polite to refer to a lady by that word, but she’s the only exception. I don’t want to know what sort of art she draws now. I think I am better off not knowing.

Wendy looks at her phone. “Well, since security is dealing with my ex now, I think I can return home safely. Thanks for the juice.” This is so abrupt, but I’m glad she’s going to leave and not stay the night. I like my peace and quiet.

She grabs Gustav and heads back towards the entrance. Before she put her shoes on, she turns around. “I don’t like being indebted to anyone, so I’ll buy both of you a meal next time.”

“Sounds great.” Jay says as he waves.

Once she leaves, I ask Jay, “Are you sure about that? You have a girlfriend.” I worry because Jay and his girlfriend have been going out for a long time; he is even thinking about marrying her. I just don’t want him to be misunderstood.

“Well, we can just go together and I can bail out afterwards. She will pay, after all.”

I can only sigh. He can be so insufferable sometimes. I’m surprised he’s still in a relationship to this day. “You’re awful.”