Chapter 7

Adira

The gallery opening was less than two weeks away and I was stressed and excited at the same time.  Though I still had 7 shoots to do before then most of my time would be focused here.  I had sent out all the final prints from my Egypt trip, closing out those contracts and only needed to finish setting up the space here for it.

I could hear Adrian on the phone with one of the newer photographers that I had invited.  This gallery wouldn't just be for my works, it would be a way for new and up coming photographers to show off what they got.  It had actually been Adrian's idea to help fill the space and take some of the focus off of me.  

He had been a find and I honestly don't know if I would have been able to get it off the ground without him.  When I had told Gio that I wanted to open a gallery he helped me set up interviews here in the empty building.  He acted as the one actually looking and I sat in playing the role of secretary.  

Adrian was the only one who greeted both of us and his interview blew me away.  He had been mildly surprised when I had stood up to thank him at the end and offered him the job on the spot.  He had been worth every penny. Over the last year as I watched my vision to come to life I had become much more comfortable around him and would even consider him a friend.  

He had overseen the renovation of the gallery space and the sudio upstairs and managed everything from PR to finances and even managed my bookings for the studio here - adding them to my calendar and keeping me on track.  I might need to hire him an assistant one day.  

"Adira, if you're taking the prints to Mr. Rossi's today, you need to get going.  You've only got a few hours before the Inkd shoots," he called out, covering the speaker on the phone.  I had Gio's pictures by the door for the last few days, but for some reason I had been nervous to drop them off. 

I sent Gio a message asking if now would be a good time to drop them off and his reply was almost instant.  "Alright I'm going now," I replied, walking over and picking up the box of canvased prints.  Adrian joined me at the door, opening it as I walked through.  He stopped Charlie for a minute handing him a treat and sliding an envelop into his vest pocket.  "The tickets for the gallery opening.  Mark will be in tomorrow to set up his corner and then Shelia and Symone will be in on Monday," he said and I nodded in understanding.  They were the last three of our independent photographers to set up as Jose had been through yesterday.  

I loved that each one of them were so unique in their technique and in what they chose to photograph and I was excited to be able to show case them.  

I left the tickets on Charlie knowing I would possibly misplace them if I took them out and then made the drive over to Gio's office.  When I pulled into the parking garage I saw Toni was there waiting next to my spot.  Charlie and I jumped out and greeted him.  "Hi Toni. What are you doing here?" I asked smiling as I opened the back door to get the box of prints.

"Gio told me to help you bring the prints up," he replied nodding and smiling back.  I shook my head and handed the box over to him.  "He's so funny.   I can carry a box ya know?  Anyways," I said rolling my eyes and locking up the truck before we headed to the elevators.  

"We know, but it is a courtsey and I don't mind.  How was your trip?"  he asked as we stepped in.  "Good, very good.  I got an extra 6 contracts while I was out there!  How's Emilia??  Did she pick out her outfits for her senior photos yet?" I replied.  3 years ago I had done Toni's daughter Emilia's quinceneta photos and she had called and asked if I would do her senior ones, as well as a few for her cloest friends.  Of course I had said yes, I was never too busy for people like Toni and Emilia.  They was actually coming out to my house this weekend for their shots.

"You know her - she's picked out like 5 she can't decide on.  The girls were all over the other day and I had to put ear plugs in, their screaming and screetching so loud.  They are so excited and I can't thank you enough for this," he said smiling as the doors opened to Gio's floor.  

"I told you it's my pleasure.  Make sure to drop them off around 9.  We should be wrapped up between 3 and 4 but I'll have her call you.  If you would set the box there I'll get started," I replied, pointing to the empty table next to sofa in the waiting area.