Portrait Girl

"Josh, I'd like you to investigate a young woman."

Elic Cooper, a sophisticated attorney in his mid-forties, handed a photograph to his old friend, Joseph Harris.

Joseph studied the picture for a moment before looking up.

"Who's this girl?"

"Her name is Alexandra Hollden," Elic replied. "I believe she's involved with my younger brother, Andrew. I'd like you to investigate her."

Joseph Harris was forty-six years old and had worked as a private investigator for many years.

He picked up the photograph Elic had brought and examined it carefully.

The girl looked about twenty years old.

She was lovely, with long blonde hair and striking blue eyes.

There was something unusually captivating about her.

Even in a simple photograph, she seemed full of life.

Her smile was warm and genuine, and her eyes held a quiet kindness that was difficult to ignore.

Joseph found himself studying the picture a little longer than necessary before returning his attention to Elic.

Elic folded his arms.

"My brother Andy is engaged and plans to marry in the near future. If he's seeing another woman, we'll be in serious trouble."

Joseph looked thoughtfully at his old friend.

"Elic, I don't think you have to worry about her."

Elic frowned.

"You know her?"

Joseph nodded and glanced toward the door leading to the private area of his office.

The two men were sitting in Joseph's detective agency.

"As a matter of fact, I do."

He raised his voice.

"Alex! Come in for a minute. You have a visitor. Mr. Cooper would like to speak with you."

A moment later, the door opened.

A beautiful young woman stepped into the room.

"Papa, what's up?"

Her voice was clear and sweet.

Joseph smiled.

"Come in, Alex."

The young woman noticed Elic sitting on the sofa.

"Hi."

Elic found himself staring at her.

She was slender and graceful, with fair skin, long straight blonde hair, a delicate face, and vivid blue eyes.

She was even more beautiful than her photograph.

For a brief moment, Elic forgot why he had come.

The young woman standing before him looked nothing like the troublemaker he had imagined.

There was a natural elegance about her.

Even her simple greeting seemed to brighten the room.

"My name is Alex," she said politely.

Elic adjusted his glasses.

"Josh... she's your...?"

Joseph nodded.

"This is Alex. She's my daughter from my previous marriage. She usually lives with her mother and uses her mother's surname."

"I see."

Alex looked curiously between the two men.

"Were you talking about me?"

Elic cleared his throat.

"Actually, yes."

He stood up.

"My name is Elic Cooper."

Recognition immediately appeared in her eyes.

"Andy Cooper's brother?"

"Yes."

She smiled warmly.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Cooper."

Elic hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Ms. Hollden, I'm sorry to disturb you. But to be frank, I came here because I wanted to ask you to break up with my brother. He's already engaged."

Alex's eyes widened in surprise.

"Mr. Cooper, I'm not Andy's girlfriend."

"You aren't?"

She shook her head gently.

"No. We're only good friends."

Elic blinked.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Her smile remained calm and sincere.

"Andy and I study in the same art course at college."

Suddenly Elic remembered the portrait.

"Andrew drew your picture."

Alex laughed softly.

"That's right. It was a class assignment. I drew Andy's portrait too."

She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Andy attends the Saturday class. We study together, but that's all."

Elic remained silent for a moment.

The entire situation suddenly seemed ridiculous.

Elic Cooper was tall and well-proportioned, with blonde hair and pale blue eyes.

People often described him as a strikingly handsome man.

Yet at this moment, he simply felt embarrassed.

Alex smiled kindly.

"Mr. Cooper, we're only friends. Please don't worry."

Elic nodded.

"I'm sorry. It was my misunderstanding."

"Please don't mind."

For some reason, Elic found himself watching her smile.

It had been a long time since anyone had put him so completely at ease.

Most of his days were filled with court cases, clients, and responsibilities.

Yet talking with Alex felt surprisingly effortless.

Then he turned to Joseph.

"Josh, I'm sorry for disturbing you. Please forgive me."

Joseph laughed.

"I told you there was nothing to worry about."

Elic smiled awkwardly, put on his hat, and headed toward the door.

Before leaving, he glanced back one last time.

"Goodbye, Ms. Hollden."

"Goodbye, Mr. Cooper."

As Elic stepped out of the office, he told himself the matter was settled.

His brother was innocent.

There was no secret affair.

No scandal.

No problem at all.

And yet, as he walked down the street, he found himself thinking about Alexandra Hollden's smile.

For reasons he couldn't explain, he suspected he would not forget her anytime soon.