While I was busy running around like a chicken with its head cut off as I sped back and forth to my office and the buyers, I purposely ignored the room that seemed the most popular as the event went on. Curiosity loomed in the air about the significance of the paintings with the woman who was virtually priceless.
As I watched a few of my employees roam about to give me intel on more purchases, I was stopped when I heard a familiar voice.
“Rosenna.”
I turned to see the man who had started it all. With a smile on my face, I walked over before he pulled me into a warm, fatherly hug.
“Mr. Garcia, it’s so good to see you.” I beamed.
Jessica and Sebastian Howe, from Vincent’s billionaire brunch, were in attendance too. Sebastian seemed rather excited to see me; however, Jessica was impassive, her smile forced.
“Mr. Howe, so glad you could make it.” I grinned.
“I could never miss this. You’ve done well with the place. I best get to looking around to make an offer before Kira finds me.” He chuckled, and I laughed.
Vincent chimed in. “Never thought I’d see my son’s art in any place other than my warehouses.”
I simply smiled as they continued to joke.
However, my focus was on the main entrance, where I could see Gavin checking his phone as he entered casually. My heartrate sped, though it was soon calmed as Kira came into view. We weren’t too far from them, so I tuned out Vincent and Sebastian and listened nonchalantly to Kira and Gavin’s conversation.
“Gav! So good to see you. That tie looks lovely on you.”
“I need to see Rosenna—”he began, but she cut him off as she grabbed his arm.
“Well, as you know, she is a bit busy at the moment. However, I did last see her in the basement looking for some extra supplies… let’s start there.”She smiled before he could protest, and before I knew it, they’d disappeared.
Letting out a silent breath, I turned back to the conversation. Sebastian was just excusing himself, along with his daughter. Vincent and I smiled; then the Howes were gone, and I was alone with Mr. Garcia.
He took a sip of his champagne and motioned for me to walk beside him.
“Great turnout, hmm?” he asked.
I nodded, taking notice of the large number of rather rich investors and elites walking around and examining the art. Regardless of their influential presence, Beckham’s name was on everyone’s lips, his work commanding the room—and yet he was nowhere to be seen.
“It truly is all thanks to you and Beckham, Mr. Garcia.”
He pressed his lips together. “You know, there’s a reason I gave you and Kira a chance with my son’s artwork, Ms. Hart. You both are persistent, hardworking, determined, and very stubborn and headstrong women. Helping you both… it was never a chore. It was almost an obligation. There was no way I could let you not succeed.”
His kind words filled me with warmth.
“Speaking of the man of the hour, it seems he hasn’t arrived yet.”
“I have a strong feeling he won’t,” I whispered. Beckham wasn’t coming…I hated that I wanted him to.
“And why do you suppose that is the case?” Vincent asked.
I shrugged softly, not wanting to go into the details of what happened. “Just have a hunch.”
Vincent hummed, placing his hand on my upper back. “Rosenna, my darling, Beckham doesn’t create without purpose. He never does anything without meaning… This entire exhibit means something to him…to you.”
Slowly, he turned me, and again, I was faced with the exhibit of my worst nightmares and best dreams. My face flamed in utter embarrassment.
Vincent sighed as he leaned into my ear.
“So… if I had ahunch, I’d say you should be a bit more optimistic about him turning up… I think you’d be among the first to know that my son can often be quiteunpredictable.”
Chapter thirty-eight
