Chapter 2

"Your work has been approved ma'am and it will be displayed on the day of the exhibition, you just have to come over to the art gallery and sign some few papers,"

The voice at the other end of the phone informed, Nicole resisted the urge to scream in excitement until she dropped the call.

"Thank you so much, this is such a huge opportunity for me,"

"The pleasure is our, your work is too beautiful to be ignored, when will you be chanced to come to sign the papers,"

"The day after tomorrow, if you don't mind,"

"Not at all, take your time,"

"Thank you so much for this opportunity,"

"Alright, we will be seeing you soon, have a nice day Miss Evans ,"

"You too, thank you once again."

Nicole replied as the call ended, she dropped her phone and danced around the room in excitement, her work has been approved which means she gets to show off her art to the world, she couldn't be happier, she had not expected them to respond so early, she submitted three days ago and had been a shock when they called.

"Good job Nicole ,"

She said to herself, smiling at her first huge achievement, she had dropped out of business school in her second year in the Uni to pursue her dream profession, of course, her parents have been mad but she had not let them talk or bully her out of doing what she loved, they never supported anything she did so it was no different when they didn't support her choice, or when they choose not to pay for her training, she had used some of the inheritance she had gotten from her grandma to see her through school.

After Natalie gets married, she was going to finally move out and be free from parents, the only reason she stayed was that Natalie didn't want to be separated, even while Natalie had been in fashion school in New York, she came home more than she could count, she act like she is independent but she doesn't like to be alone and Nicole didn't want her to be alone. Even though she didn't like, and was a little scared of the man her sister chose to spend forever with, she didn't know him that much to conclude, her sister knew him better and if she says he is the right one for her then she was gonna believe her and be happy for her.

"I need to go get the materials for Natalie's wedding present,"

She said out loud smiling brightly, she put on light makeup, checked to make sure she was looking okay, Natalie talked her into dyeing her hair and straightening it out to match hers, she loved the turnout but she won't be doing it again, she loved her hair in it natural curly state more, she put on her glasses, and checked her appearance in the mirror before she exited her room, her parents were scheduled to return by evening, she wasn't looking forward to it.

"Robert?"

She called the staff whom she met in the hallway.

"Yes ma'am?"

"Can you tell Natalie when she gets back that I went out and will be back before dinner time?"

"Sure ma'am, should I get the driver?"

"No, I am taking a cab,"

She replied, she couldn't drive due to her poor eyesight and mainly because she was scared of driving. She never got a driving license for that reason, another thing her parents mocked her with.

She got a cab, and directed him to take her to the art shop in Melbourne, she loved everything about Vhrisma, and that's where she got almost all her art materials from, the house of Vhrisma had everything an artist would need to create a masterpiece, she knew she might as well order at home but she prefers to see what she is buying physically, she also likes to look through the works they have on display, she hoped to own a place as beautiful as Vhrisma someday, not necessarily an art store, but a studio where her various works and other works of talented artist will be displayed, she had dreams, and she was finally taking steps towards them.

It took her so long because even after graduating, she still had doubts as to if she could do a good job and if her work was worth it. Now she is happy she made the decision, it might have taken a while for her to decide but it was perfect, the timing was perfect.

"Miss Evans , hello, it's been a while, you look different today,"

The sales rep greeted when Nicole entered, she has met her a couple of times and they have become some kind of friends, Grace was much antisocial than Nicole herself, she spent almost all her time in Vhrisma, based on what she had told Nicole , she was a cool lady though and Nicole liked how she had answers to almost all her questions, she had been the one to help her pick out the materials she used for the work that got accepted by the art gallery.

"Hey, Grace it's been a while for real, how have you been,"

"I am fine, you haven't come around for over a month, enough for you to change your look, I love your hair, and your dress is really pretty, you look so beautiful as always,"

"Thanks, Grace, you are not looking bad too,"

"You are here to get materials? Are you doing new work?"

"Yes, for my sister, she is getting married."

She replied smiling at her.

"Wow, congratulations to her, I always thought you are an only child, my bad,"

"No, that's wrong, I have a sister, my twin,"

Nicole replied laughing, she and Natalie were rarely seen together outside even though they were quite close, they have different preferences nd their daily life rarely clash, up until they went to high school, they had been homeschooled and even during high school, she mostly took online classes, they didn't attend the same Uni either, Natalie had gone to New York for her fashion degree and modeling, even though she hardly does modeling, right now she mainly worked as a designer for models and Nicole , on the other hand, had stayed in Florida and had attended Miami Herbert business school for two years before she pulled out and had gone to study art, she had graduated two years along and had turned one of the many rooms in the mansion to her first studio, she spent most of her days there and had over hundred works made that haven't been seen by anyone except her sister, her nanny who had passed away a year before she graduated saw some of her works too.

"Wow, are you guys identical?"

Grace asked as she lead her to where she would drop her bag as those weren't allowed inside, they walked into the shop, she saw a beautiful piece and couldn't help but be drawn to it, it was so pretty.

"Yes, we are,"

"She must be pretty like you then,"

"Yes, she is,"

"Cool, I wish I had a twin or at least a sibling, I am an only child, unfortunately,"

"It's all fun until you have to put up with her mood swings,"

She replied laughing.

"You are so lucky to have a pretty sister, I will give anything to have one even if she is a pest"

"Well,"

"Don't feel bad for me I have cousins and nieces to make up for that,"

"That's a relief,"

"Yup, that's beautiful,"

Grace said pointing at the piece that she had been staring at.

"I know right,"

"Did you still submit that work?"

"Yes I did, and it got accepted, I got the call today,"

"Congratulations, the world needs to see your works,"

"Yeah, I agree,"

"I will like to see them too,"

"Don't worry, I will send you an invite,"

"Yah!!!"

She replied excitedly, "I know you will do great,"

"Thanks, Grace,"

She replied looking around, there were new pieces added in every column, she recognized most of the works and the artist that made them.

"You can look around, I need to go, the new owner is arriving a few days and we are trying to make the place as presentable as we can,"

She revealed.

"Vhrisma was sold?"

She asked out of concern.

"Yes,"

"Wow, why? Did something happen with the former owner?"

"No, she retired and her kids didn't want Vhrisma so she sold it, but don't worry, we are not closing,"

"Aha, thank goodness, this is my favorite art shop, I hate to look for somewhere else,"

"You don't have to,"

"Good to know,"

She said looking around as Grace left, admiring the different art pieces, she hoped to get to this point or even further someday, where her works will be seen and admired everywhere, she moved over to the side where various samples of art materials were displayed, she spent the next thirty minutes or one hour looking around the shop, there were so many beautiful materials to pick from, she wanted to do something that Natalie would love, so she took her time picking out colors and blends.

She finally decided on the ones she wanted and went over to pay for them, She saw him a little too late, at first, she thought maybe it was someone who looked just like him or maybe she felt he couldn't possibly be in Florida, not to talk of an art store, She should have at least hide herself to confirm but it didn't register until he saw her too, she made to turn away, but it was too late.

"Natalie?"

"Fuck!"

She caused under her breath as her sister's fiance walked up towards her...