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The loud voices and the bright glow of the overhead chandeliers jar my senses. My stomach continues to churn, threatening to make me sick.
I snatch a glass of wine from a passing waiter and swallow it in one go.
Dad gives me a side glance. “Don’t get yourself drunk this early,” he whispers while jubilantly waving at an elderly lady. “Pace yourself through the evening.”
The wine worsens my roiling gut. Sweat gathers on my forehead and it becomes difficult to breathe. “Dad, I need some air,” I mutter, hurrying away from him.
He gets swarmed by people, so he doesn’t get a chance to stop me.
I make my escape and walk out of the crowded hall.
The outer hallway is almost deserted. I instantly feel better as my lungs expand, gulping in the fresh, cool air that’s not tainted with the scent of artificial perfumes.
After loitering around the expansive corridor, I become aware of the impressive paintings that line the wall. For the first time, I’m realizing that the Richmonds are not just wealthy. They have excellent taste in art too.
Now that I’m feeling calmer, I decide to check out the art exhibit. Hoping the place won’t be as crowded as the main hall, I stop a passing valet.
“Where’s the exhibit being held?” I ask.
“It has been arranged on the second floor, ma’am,” he replies quickly. “Keep walking down this corridor and you’ll come across a staircase that’ll take you there.”
The man hurries away before I can thank him.
Taking a deep breath, I stride forward. Since there are hardly any guests around, I feel comfortable going to the upper floors by myself.
The second floor is thankfully deserted too.
A valet rushes toward me and ushers me inside the vast, luxurious hall that is displaying the paintings that’d be auctioned off this evening. As expected, the whole room is empty except for a few interested people.
The impressive paintings adorning the walls easily distract me. My mom used to paint and it was she who sparked my love for art. When I was younger, I wanted to be an art director at a museum like her.
When I went to train at the omega academy, I was almost sure that’s what I wanted to do with my life. Somehow, I forgot about everything when I met Jake. His charm blinded me to everything, even the things I enjoyed.
A sliver of disappointment flares through me. How could I let myself get swayed by a fraud like him?
As I slowly walk around, soaking in the beautiful paintings, I wonder whether there’s still hope for me. Will I ever go back to the person I used to be? Can time truly heal the trauma I’ve suffered?
I stop and look up at a painting of lilies, set against a background of the setting sun. The vivid shades of pink, yellow, and orange mesmerize my senses. Mom’s favorite flowers used to be pink lilies, so I can’t help being transfixed by the image.
“Ahh!” a gasp escapes me as I bump into a solid wall.
“Hey there!” a deep male voice breaks me out of my temporary daze.
I look up and find a pair of intense blue eyes staring back at me.
He’s so beautiful, my mind whispers while I scramble to straighten myself. Dressed in a black tux that enhances his tall, muscular build, he looks dashingly handsome.
It’s a moment before I become aware of the cold, wet sensation that spreads through the front of my dress, soaking into my skin.
Tearing my eyes away from the beautiful stranger, I look down. A dark stain is quickly spreading over my dress.
“I’m sorry I ruined your dress,” the man says in a deep, gentle voice, attracting my attention back to him.
“It’s not your fault I bumped into you,” I say, staring at the stain. It’s not too noticeable on the dark maroon fabric but it’s uncomfortable to feel the dampness against my skin. “Please, excuse me.”
“Hey, wait,” the stranger calls out before I can step around him and walk away. “Do you like this painting?”
I glance back at the lilies and can’t help the smile that blossoms on my lips. “Yeah. I think I’m going to bid on it.”
