CHAPTER 3

"Jade let out a scream that reverberated through the house, her face radiating pure joy. 

'What happened?' Jasmine asked, her eyes wide with curiosity. "I just got an invitation from Elysium Arts Gallery, the one I've been longing for,'Jade replied, her voice quivering with excitement." 

"Oh my God, Jade, that's incredible!" Jasmine exclaimed, rushing over to hug her. Congratulations, my baby! I knew you could do it. Jayla chimed in, her smile warm. So, what are you going to wear to the event? 

Jade's cheeks flushed happily. I haven't decided yet, probably the top I bought at Louis Vuitton when we went shopping," she replied, her heart brimming with gratitude. She felt so blessed to have sisters who were always there for her, lifting her with so much love and support. 

As Jayla walked upstairs, her mind still buzzing with excitement about a coffee date with Axel, Jasmine's gaze followed her, noticing how springy her steps had been lately and how often she smiled these days. 

“Hey Jayla,” She exclaims, is everything okay? Her eyes narrow slightly, you've been smiling a lot these days, almost lost in your world, Have you met someone special? Her gaze lingers as If waiting for a crack in the facade to reveal what's going on inside.

Jayla chuckled her thought drifting to Axel I'm still getting to know him sister when the time is right, “I'll let you know” Jasmine nodded, her eyes softening with understanding Alright take your time dear No rush Jade who was still ecstatic over her invitation to Elysium Arts Gallery started singing teasingly Jayla in love! Who's the lucky guy? She begins to do a little silly dance, her laughter infectious in the room. 

Days turned into weeks, and Jayla and Axel's online discussion grew deeper. Stories, laughter, and dreams were shared; day after day, Jayla also felt like she had known Axel forever. 

Jade wakes up to the sound of birds melodiously chirping outside her window as she stretches on her bed, She felt the softness of the sheet beside her skin, the warmth of the sun spilling through the curtain as she got dressed and headed downstairs into the kitchen for her morning coffee.

As she waited for the brew to finish,  her phone buzzed signaling a notification for Elysium Arts Gallery, an art gallery she had been dying for. 

Today's the day Jade whispered out loud,  feeling a surge of excitement coursing through her. She grabs her bag and makes her way out the door, her heart racing with anticipation. 

As Jade entered Elysium Gallery, color and life surrounded her, for art was predominant there. Its high ceilings with large white walls provided an unobtrusive background to the colorful paintings and sculptures that filled the space. 

Soft lighting highlighted each piece, casting gentle shadows that enriched the artwork. 

There was a faint scent of fresh paint in the air, mixed with the earthy aroma of old wood, suggesting both history and creativity.

Her eyes moved from one striking work of art to another. Standing in front of them, the boldness of strokes, the finesse of details, and the expression on the canvas left her breathless. Some spoke of love and longing, others depicted chaos and despair. 

Each of them seemed to weave a story, and Jade lost her place among the feelings they evoked inside her.

She stood before a really large, abstract painting. Colors swirled together in shades of blues and gold, a stormy sea about to meet a golden shore. 

Her breath caught in her throat as the wave of emotion washed over her, some sense of turbulence and yet peace combined, beautiful. She took a moment longer there, letting the painting speak into her soul, feeling she was just where she should be.

Meanwhile, Liam walks in with his friend Axel. Axel's eyes wandered over the space, taking in the grandeur of the gallery. The art, the lighting, the atmosphere—it was different from the places he usually frequented, yet something was calming about it. 

Beside him, Axel was equally absorbed, his gaze moving from one piece to the next, his excitement barely contained. “Thanks for the invitation again. I appreciate it," Axel says with a smile crossed through his face, patting  Liam on the back. Liam smirked, his eyes catching on a striking sculpture to his left. He wasn’t usually one for art galleries, but tonight, he felt a strange pull to explore.

As they moved deeper into the gallery, Axel’s gaze drifted toward the large abstract painting, where Jade stood quietly, lost in the piece. Something about her stillness amidst the vibrant chaos of color caught his attention. Without thinking, he found himself walking closer.

As she examined the painting, she heard a voice behind her. That's one of my favorites. Too startled, Jayla turned to find a young man several feet away. 

He was dressed casually with an earnest look in his eyes. He gestured toward the painting. “It's called tempest." The artist used a technique called impasto to give the waves such texture. 

You can feel the movement can't you? Jayla smiled back, intrigued. “I was trying to figure out what gave it such a dramatic effect. It is amazing how the texture adds to the emotion. 

The man nodded his enthusiasm palpable. Exactly the artist want to convey the power of nature and the emotional turmoil it can evoke. It's one of those pieces that makes you stop and think."

Jayla studied the painting again, her appreciation deepening. "I can see that. It’s like the painting is alive."

"That’s the magic of art," he said with a grin. "It can make you feel something profound, sometimes without you even realizing it."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the bustling gallery seemed to fade into the background. Jayla felt a connection in their shared admiration for the artwork. "I’m Jayla, by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Jayla. I’m Brock," he said, extending a hand. "It’s always nice to find someone who appreciates art."

As they shook hands, Jayla felt the conversation flow effortlessly. They continued discussing various pieces in the gallery, their exchange feeling natural and unforced as if they had known each other longer than just a chance encounter.

She found herself drawn to Brock's easy smile and the passion in his voice as he spoke about art.

They walked slowly through the gallery, stopping once in a while at the painting, then back at Brock. “Well, I actually got an invitation." This place has been on my wishlist for so long. Brock's eyes widened with interest. “An invitation? You must be someone special,"Jade laughed, the sound light and free... “I wish I were; I'm just persistent. I guess persistence is a form of talent, Brock said, his smile warm.

They walked through the gallery for an hour more, their conversation flowing naturally and freely with the colors on the canvas in front of them. Jade found herself losing track of time, captivated not just by the art around her but by the ease of her conversation with Brock. 

His presence felt comforting like they were long-lost friends reconnecting. As they neared the end of the gallery tour Brock stopped and turned to her. There's a small cafe around the corner. Would you like to get a coffee and continue our conversation? 

Jade hesitated for a moment, her mind drifting to her sisters and the story she would share with them later. But there is something about Brock's energy that made her want to say yes. “I'd love that," she finally replied. 

Meanwhile, back at the house,  Jayla was wrapped up in her world.

The room was quiet as she sat lost in her favorite book, lost in a realm of imagination and dreams afar. The sun was setting, casting long shadows that crept slowly across the floor. She didn’t notice the time slipping away, nor the silence settling deeper around her. 

Suddenly, a sharp knock broke the silence echoing through the walls. Jayla jumped, her heart racing as she looked toward the door; for a moment, she stood frozen, the hairs on the back of her neck prickling as she waited, unsure of what or who might come next.