The sky-blue canvas blotted out the rest of the art like an ocean tide. People floated around it, their eyes drawn irresistibly to its depths. It was so captivating that they forgot about the other artworks in the room. The six-foot tall painting was a beautiful mess of colors, and they couldn't help but get lost in it.
As she listened, she couldn't help but wonder what the crowd thought of it.
“It's strange!” “I could do so much better, ugh.” “Instagrammable, oh my. Babe, let's snap a selfie with that!”
She sighed, regretting not covering her ears. As terrifying as that was, she had a long way to go before receiving professional criticisms from actual art critics.
She supposed she would have to get by with the guests for the time being. She listened attentively. Some described the painting as abstract and modern. Others expressed their displeasure at their inability to grasp what it was trying to convey. For herself, she saw it as a chance to establish a name and gain popularity. If they knew the artist was right there next to them, would they speak differently?
"Good, good, good! If it is not the Selena Chase!" She whirled around, her anxiety quickly dissipating as she threw her arms around the tall man and exclaimed, "Jason! You came!"
"God, look at you," he said as he kissed her tenderly and caressed her face. "You are stunning! I wouldn't miss your debut exhibition for anything in the world."
As soon as he stated that aloud, she silenced him since she could feel everyone's shocked or terrified eyes turning towards her. She tried to hide as she took hold of his hand and drew him out of that narrow world. Once they were far enough away from the crowd, she pouted, "You just had to reveal my identity, huh?"
“Hey, they should know who you are”, he said with an uneasy laugh.
He proudly hugged her waist while admiring all of her chef d'oeuvres that were artfully arranged on the wall. He said, "I must have a tour from the artist herself. How is it going?”
She bit her lip, patting down his tie and said, "So far, so good. You know, I wouldn't have been able to do any of that without you.”
“This is all your doing, love," he said, lacing his arm with hers as she led the way. "All I did was give you a small boost." She thought that each day she was falling more deeply in love with him. He was so dashing in that tailored suit. "Taking a deep breath", she exhaled slowly, "$250,000 is not a small amount!"
She still felt guilty for accepting his financial assistance. She had claimed that she didn't need such a large amount and that she would work harder on her internet page, but he had dismissed her and assured her that going big was the only way to get noticed.
And now, it felt like a dream come true; she had drawn a sizable crowd and sold more paintings than she had anticipated. If only he was aware of how much she appreciated him for all he did for her. She vowed to herself that she would pay him back as soon as she was able to.
As they moved across the marbled floor, her eyes were only for him, listening to him talk fervently about her paintings as he took the time to admire each one. If only... if only he took that small step, then everything would be so perfect.
In their three years of dating, he has never once brought up the possibility of marriage. She didn't believe she could endure another moment of waiting. He abruptly stopped speaking as she reflexively tightened her hold on his arm. He looked away from the cherry blossom trees on a canvas to check on her. "You're zoning out once more."
“I love you.”
He was surprised by her words. She seems to mean it more than ever now. “Look at you getting so emotional”, he softly laughed. “I love you much more, Selena... more than you could imagine. I'd go to any lengths for you.” He has always supported her choices and stuck with her the entire time. What else was there to ask? She sighed. Only her heart was aware of that.
As she drew herself into his arms, the crowd seemed to vanish. "Meeting you once a week for just a few hours is not enough. I want us to be together, you and I.”
“We are together, baby," he said, lowering his forehead to rest against hers after what felt like an eternity. “It's just my job. I could really... really use that promotion.”
“I've waited so long”, she muttered as she placed her hand on his broad chest and noticed a faint blue pen mark near his shoulder.
He bent down to kiss her while lifting her chin. She shuddered. He always did that; coaxing her with one of those endearing kisses. His eyes were ablaze with desire as he withdrew. “Let's go to your flat”, he groaned, letting go of her. “I want to stay with you tonight.”
“And tomorrow,” she said before she could even think twice, as she felt the bliss flow through her body. “and the following day!” She was concerned he would deny her. She worried that she was asking for too much, but his subsequent words gave her comfort.
“Anything for you. I'll inform my supervisor." He took her by the hand and led her outside to his car. She turned around to face the guests. Her exhibition would be accessible to the public for an entire month. Thanks to the man by her side, her career as a modern artist was kicking off.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Cass! Are you there? Jason just made a call. He asked me to tell you that his meetings were extended by a few days.”
Dr. Cassandra York rummaged through the stacks of files in her drawer for the sixth time while simultaneously checking the database on her laptop. She had been wanting to analyse the results of one of her morning patients since yesterday.
“Hey! So, did you hear me?”
“What?” Finally, she looked at her nurse, mildly bemused by the worry on her face.
“It's the eighth day in a row, Doc, “ Jillian sighed. “I believe you should ask him what is going on.”
“I'll text him later,” she grumbled while drumming her fingers on the desk. “He probably got a ton of work. Forget about him. Where the hell is that file?”
"The Darwin one? I will search for it. Mrs. Sanchez has been waiting for you. She seemed to be somewhat anxious.”
Cassandra got to her feet, feeling stiff as she made her way to the waiting area for the medical checkup. Her body ached for a break; she had been working too many hours.
She cordially greeted the woman who was laying on her back on the exam table, clad in a blue gown with her legs wide apart by the stirrups. The woman shifted uncomfortably, trying to smile despite her embarass, ""Hi again, doctor."
After washing her hands thoroughly, nurse Emma gave her her mask and gloves. She quickly put them on and walked over to her patient, assuring her, "You'll be alright." She fetched a stool and sat in front of the anxious woman. "I'll begin the pap smeart test now. I need you to relax."
She stretched out her arm to the side towards her nurse. When nothing was handed to her, she spared her a glance, "Em? The speculum?" The latter gulped, feeling alert as she hastily rushed to the tray of tools, looking for the device and handed it to the doctor.
Cassandra frowned slightly, taking it, examining it and handing it back to her. "I need a 2.5 size." Her nurse apologised profusely before correcting her mistake, bringing her the right tool. Even her staff seemed exhausted today. A few more sessions and she would be done for the day.
As she did the routine check-up, she thought about what her nurse assistant, Jillian told her. So eight days, mmh? Funny how she didn't even remember to check on him once in those times. She vaguely recalled seeing texts from him and dismissing him with quick 'ok's as she succumbed to exhaustion at night.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
At the glimpse of the sunlight, Selena awoke slowly, her back pressed to his bare chest, her arms holding him tightly to her. These past nine days have been the most mesmerizing time in her life. They went shopping, to amusement parks, to the beach, to movie theatres and did everything a couple could do together.She should have been ecstatic but as the days went, she realized it started looking superficial. She wasn’t a fool. This was too sketchy. He did so hard to please her to a point that she began questioning it all. There was not a single flaw in him and everything she asked for, he would give it to her without even questioning her. She should be feeling cared for but somehow, it felt suffocating, as if she barely had space to breathe.His mouth touched her shoulder and he started lingering kisses up her neck. There he started again. “Mmm, Jason. Stop…” “Tell me what you want.” “You.” His hand caressed her slender waist, dipping across her stomach, lower as he squeezed her thig
Selena checked her watch constantly and then looked at the building where Jason was. She pursed her lips. 18:05. He should already be out right now. She spotted him and she exclaimed, “That’s him. The guy wearing that sexy white shirt.” The taxi driver gave her a conspicuous look as if he was judging her but right now, she didn’t care. She was focused. She was a spy. She would not let guilt get to her. She watched Jason getting in his car and she commanded, banging her fist against the driver’s seat, “Come on! Follow that car!” “Alright... alright! No need to get excited.” The man muttered as he started the engine. He was going to charge her additionally for making him wait that long. Was she being paranoid to doubt him? She tightened her grip on the car seat, the taxi driver occasionally asking her if that was what she really wanted to do. She knew it wasn’t right. But… what if that ‘doc’ was not a colleague but an actual doctor? What if he was hiding a deadly illness from her a
Selena stood in her gallery, looking disheveled. Hair uncombed, still wearing yesterday’s clothes and she hasn’t slept a bit. This scenery which had mesmerized her before felt as if it was engulfing her right now. Her head ached at all those paintings which surrounded her.Guests glanced at her as they maintained their distance with her. It had been three days now since she found out about that bastard. She raised the bottle of whisky to her mouth, took a last sip as she wobbled her way to the director’s office.She barged in and he jerked at his desk, accidentally slamming down his laptop. He stood, sweating profusely, completely taken aback, “What the— Ms. Chase? My God, what happened to you?” She arched an eyebrow, cackling as she stared at the laptop, “What were you watching in there, huh?” The director reddened, “I was just—Nothing of your concern. Why are you here? And in that state?!”She approached his desk, tears threatening to fall off, “Shut down the exhibition. Wrap it a
Her phone flashed with an unknown number. She would call back later. Cassandra tapped her pen on her desk, waiting for her computer to turn on. Her nurses were sorting out some patient’s files in specific drawers and working on the test results they have recently obtained. She cleared her voice, finding herself free enough to engage with them, “I heard you two complaining when you were in the lab. Is there anything wrong?” They froze, stopping what they were doing as they slowly looked at her, their face turning white. She could see that they were nervous. Jillian opened her mouth to say something and Emma protectively stepped forward, exclaiming, “Everything is alright, doctor! You don’t have to worry.”She looked back at her screen, launching her email, “Listen, I know work has been hectic lately. You two are my only assistants and you’ve been overworking yourselves.” Jillian laughed sarcastically, leaning against the edge of her desk, “Look who’s saying.” Emma shook her head as
She had never driven so fast before. Thoughts rushed through her mind. Those pictures… He’d been cheating on her. She felt the tears coming in even more now. No. She would not cry. She did not come all this way only to crumble because of some bastard. She was above this. She would see the reason and logic behind this fucking situation. She would handle this like a mature person.The tyres screeched as she reached her villa. She barged in anger, her tears on the verge of falling, “You fucking bastard! Where are you?!” A minute later, he came strolling down the stairs, a towel around his neck as he watched her in bewilderment. Cassandra marched up the remaining stairs towards him and he exclaimed, “Woah hun, what’s wrong?” She raised her hand and before she could slap him, he caught her wrist and stared at her in outrage, “Cassie?” The tears rolled down her cheeks now. She creased her fist and with her left hand she aggressively punched him on his jaw. He released her, letting out a
Selena still felt a faint headache as she gobbled the delicious pancakes. Mr and Mrs York were cheerfully chatting with her and she could barely keep up with their energy. The doctor sure had wonderful parents. She continued, “And after completing my art degree, I tried selling my paintings online but I wasn’t getting buyers. I was pretty demotivated then.” Billy York puffed, waving his hand as if brushing her words off, “Ah nothing’s good on the internet but you should persevere, girl.” She played with a blueberry on her plate, “I got the chance to exhibit my paintings…but I messed it up. I broke the deal and now…I don’t know what to do anymore. I don’t…care.” Maria shook her head, pushing the platter of pancakes more towards her, “Aw, don’t talk like that. Take it step by step. Everything will come out to be alright, you’ll see.” She gazed at her hand. She didn’t feel like painting anymore. Was that possible? To suddenly lose interest in the thing that captivated her the mos
Cassandra buzzed her intercom and said, “Charles, it’s imperative that I’m not disturb in the next hour.” “Sure thing. Er what do I tell the next patient?” “Just send her to the exam room. Jillian and Emma will take care of her.” This Monday, she had to take care of a few formal things. She drank some water, took a deep breath and before she could let her brain get into an argument with itself, she dialed Jason’s number. It rang but he wasn’t answering. She waited impatiently but he wasn’t picking up. She glanced at the other phone. The one which belonged to that woman and she wondered if she should use that instead. She had been constantly thinking if she should just drop it at a police station since she was sure that she’d never see her again. With a sigh, she held the device, turned it on for the first time and pensively gazed at the password screen. She wanted to see the pictures that girl had shown her again but then she would probably end up blocking the phone. What could t
The doctor authoritatively said, lecturing her, “You should have done that when you were 21. And you’re 24. We’re not delaying this any further. Come on.” “It won’t hurt?” “It won’t.” “I mean… you won’t hurt me?” She glanced at the sparkling scalpel which rested on a nearby tray and then warily looked at her, finding that she wasn’t pleased with her comment.“Fine…” Selena mumbled as she looked at that damn chair. It looked like an instrument of torture. She was shaking now. She awkwardly climbed on it and lied back on it while the doctor washed her hands. The latter approached the exam table, standing right beside her. Selena stirred till she was comfortable and then, looked up towards the woman, wondering what she was thinking right now. What was she planning to do with her? What if she killed her and one would know?! Why did she even come here for God's sake?“Relax now. I’m going to perform a breast exam.” Selena tensed as the doctor pushed aside the opening in the robe and slid