Chapter 195
A few weeks later, I am busy at the art gallery checking out all the works that artists have brought in and also supervising the new painters. Roxy and I have been working hard towards the upcoming exhibition and we don't want anything to ruin that day. Everything must be perfect!
I love perfection and that is why I have been working tirelessly so as to make the exhibition a success. We've been having sleepless nights for a very long time.
Nothing in life comes easy. If you want something so bad, then you must work hard for it.
"Hey, Joe... Uhm, could you help me move this painting to the other room? I'm reserving this particular spot for the best piece of art that we'll end up having," I say as I point at an old framed painting of a woman who is holding a child, as they both cry.
Joe is one of the best people around here. He's John Pierre's son and he comes around twice or thrice a week to help us out. He's actually really sweet and very helpful. Dark hair, hazel eyes, always smiling, and has quite a nice physic. He mostly helps me move stuff that are pretty heavy. He's been like a big brother to me. When I first came here, I never knew that much about art, but Joe taught me alot of stuff. How to paint and blend in different colors using different kinds of brushes. It was all so fascinating. It still is! I used to claim that I loved art until I met him. He's way more than addicted to art. He knows so many artists from across the globe and the names of their works. It's like every single day, I learn something new from him.
He walks towards me while eyeing the painting and takes it off the wall.
"Alright. Let's see where we'll put this heavy baby. You still haven't found the perfect piece yet?" he asks as he walks into the store room and I shove my hands into the pockets of my dungarees. I have spots of paint all over it but I don't mind.
"Nope. Not yet. But something tells me that I'll find one soon. I don't know how soon, but... I believe I will," I say as I look around the gallery.
"Good luck with that. Everything else is in order. You guys have really outdone yourselves," he says as he walks out of the storage room while rubbing his hands on his trousers.
"Thanks," I chime. "We couldn't have done it without you and your dad. We owe you guys so much," I say and he chuckles.
"Don't sweat it. We're both glad to be of help around here," he sighs and stands with his arms akimbo, making his muscles flex at the right places.
"Anyway, where's Roxy? I haven't seen her today?" he asks and I grab a wooden chair and sit on it.
"She's busy planning this whole sleepover thingy. Her man will be coming to see her today. But she'll definitely come over once she's done shopping for foodstuffs," I inform him and he nods.
"Okay. I'll be at the front incase you need me," he says and walks away.
I choose this moment to tick off everything that has been done and adding any new tasks that have to be attended to, in my blue pocket-size notebook.
A few minutes later, Joe finds his way back to me and informs me there's a lady who insists on seeing the owner. Well, I'm not the owner but I'm the only one close to that. So I strut my way to the front together with Joe.
"Where is she?" I ask as I turn to look up at Joe.
"She had to use the ladies room, but she left me her portfolio. She says she's interested in the upcoming exhibition and she would want to see if we can buy her art," Joe says as he shows me one of the most beautiful paintings I have ever come across.
I wonder who this person is and what their story is, behind this beautiful and fascinating painting.
I hold the canvas in my hands and stare at it. A smile forming on my face. The painting is of a street lamp illuminating a dark street and below it is a woman standing under a black umbrella while it's raining. Her face is pale and her clothes are dark, and at the center of her heart, there's a golden glow. I can tell the artist used oil paints.
My fingers slowly move from the top of the painting to the bottom and for a moment I am lost in my thoughts trying to figure out what story is behind such a beautiful peace. Joe clears his throat noisily, bringing me back from my thoughts and I lift my head quickly only to find Sabrina standing in front of me.
"What are you doing here?" I ask her.
She seems surprised too.
No.
Surprised is an understatement.
Terrified is the word that fits how her face just turned pale in less than a second.
"She's the owner of that painting," Joe says. "It's quite breathe-taking," he tells her but then he notices that both of us are staring at each other without saying a word.
"I guess I should leave you two alone," he says and walks away to the painting room.
I swallow dryly.
"I didn't know you're the owner of this place. If you don't like my piece or... I know you don't want anything to do with me so I'll just get going right now, so–" she says but I cut her off.
"Sabri– I mean... Bethany. Bethany, your painting is out of this world... I love it," I say and I notice her face lighten up abit. "Relax. I'm not going to do anything questionable."
She heaves a sigh of relief and licks her lips.
"Thanks," she says, "You have a really cool place right here."
"It's... actually Roxy's place. But we've been working together for two years now. She's not around, but she'll be here later," I tell her while scratching the back of my neck.
Silence.
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