“Hello, Beckham… I was returning your request to give you a call. It seems as though you decided against doing business with us,” I said, almost accusingly.
“That’s simply because I would not be getting much in return on my investment.”
I furrowed my eyebrows. “Was it the price that you were unsatisfied with? Or the projected earnings?”
“The costs, profits, and exposure are not… really forms of currency for me within this… transaction.”
I frowned. “I don’t think I understand.”
“I don’t need any more money, the cost of the space is just a drop in the bucket, and I don’t really care to share my artistry with the world.”
My frown deepened. “Then what is it exactly then that you would want in return?”
There was a heavy pause.
“You.”
His answer didn’t register at first. I thought I had misheard. I almost couldn’t believe he said it as I blinked, almost dumbfounded.
“I-I’m sorry?” I whispered.
“The only thing I would want in return is you. I want to paint a portrait of you.”
I swallowed hard, my hand gripping the edge of my desk
“Beckham... I—no, this is highly unprofessional. One of my clients painting a portrait of me? I-I am a married woman,” I said, almost out of breath as my face began heating up.
“And so it appears that you are…”His tone held no judgment or recognition. It felt like… amusement. Like he knew something I didn’t.“If you let me paint you, I will do what you ask of me and even more. You’re not too desperate for my help at the moment, but you will be soon. I would just rather have a form of return that I am pleased with.”
Painting me would be a form of payment? I could barely wrap my head around his words, let alone think rationally about this conversation as my mind was moving a hundred miles an hour.
“Why?” I asked softly.
“…Because I want to understand you, and the only way I can is through my artwork.”
For some reason, I felt as though he was only telling thepartialtruth of the matter.
I sighed. It had been a wonderful compliment, but this wasn’t professional. I had no choice but to do the right thing.
“I’m sure it’s rather obvious I will have to politely decline your offer, Mr. Garcia.”
This current conversation was only confirmation that he was utterly insane. In addition to the fact that he made me feel uncomfortable at times under his gaze, he seemed overall to be a rather unhinged man.
However, there was a part of me… a not-so-very-good part… that wanted to take that risk and finally prove to Gavin that I could do this on my own. Beckham was right. At this moment, we were stable, but in the next month or so… I didn’t know where we’d be. Despite every warning in my head, the truth was:I was desperate.
He hummed before speaking into the phone rather calmly, his voice holding only a tinge of anger.“Think long and hard about this decision, Rosenna. Because once you decline the offer, it’s no longer on the table and I am not giving you another chance.”He didn’t seem truthful… for a second, it sounded like he was pleading; nonetheless, he made me rethink everything. A war raged in my chest.
I thought of Gavin, of his neglect, his dismissal, his indifference, our recent fights, my debt, my career… absolutely everything came at me in a flash.
My heart raced as I glanced over to my shut office door.
“O-one portrait,” I whispered, my voice shaking.
“That’s all I want, Rose,”he said, sounding very sensual, and I gulped softly as I rubbed the back of my neck.
“I-I guess I c-could.”
He let out a heavy sigh.“Good... Now, about telling your husband. Let’s hold off on that.”
