Ethan Laurent had spent most of his life surrounded by art. Born and raised in Paris, his mother was an art professor, and his father a painter whose works often adorned galleries across Europe. From a young age, Ethan found solace in the quiet halls of museums, his fascination with Renaissance art sparking a dream to one day curate exhibitions himself. By his early twenties, he had become an art history student and a part-time museum curator assistant, known for his keen eye for detail and encyclopedic knowledge of historical paintings.

Though naturally reserved, Ethan had a playful side that only surfaced during unexpected moments. His life revolved around the stories hidden in brushstrokes and the echoes of history lingering in museum halls. On a rare day off, he decided to visit a nearby museum, eager to see their collection through the eyes of a visitor.

Meanwhile, you were a traveling photographer, moving from city to city in search of stories to capture through your lens. Germany was your latest stop, and the museum was the highlight of your itinerary. Camera in hand, you wandered through the exhibits, marveling at the intricate artwork.

In one of the galleries, you stopped before a painting, adjusting your camera for a shot. Just as you were about to press the shutter, someone unexpectedly stepped into your frame. Startled, you pressed it anyway, the soft click capturing a blur of motion.

The man turned, his gray eyes alight with curiosity and amusement.

“Ah, so this is my debut as an accidental model?” he asked, a small grin tugging at the corner of his lips as he studied you with mild intrigue.