Chapter 34: The Exhibit
Moana

I couldn’t bring myself to avoid Ethan’s exhibit after he had asked me to go so many times. So, after putting Ella to bed, I went to Selina with my hand on my stomach and a frown on my face.

“I’m afraid I might have contracted food poisoning,” I said, feigning illness. “Can you keep an eye on things if Ella wakes up? I’m going to go to urgent care.”

Selina frowned, looking at her watch. “Do you need a driver?” she asked.

I vehemently shook my head. “No. It’s okay. I’ll call a cab.”

“Well… Alright,” she said, pursing her lips. “Be careful.”

After that, I put on a simple dress that could pass for urgent care attire if anyone were to question me, and flagged down a cab outside of the penthouse.

Just as I suspected, the art gallery was packed to the brim when I arrived. As I got out of the cab, I felt a lump rise in my throat; all of the other patrons seemed to be dressed lavishly, which made me feel incredibly out of place.

There was a line with a bouncer to get in. I stood in line, patiently waiting my turn.

“Name?” the bouncer said, eyeing me up and down suspiciously as I walked up to him.

“Moana Fowler,” I replied.

before scanning his list for a painstakingly long moment. “You’re not on the list,” he said. His voice was

invitation from Ethan,” I replied, clutching my purse nervously as I stood to

artist personally invited a human. Quit wasting my time and

familiar voice said from behind the bouncer, “I did invite her. Come on in,

their way through the line of people waiting. The bouncer’s eyes widened, and without another word, he stepped out

through the foyer with his hand on my back.

understand,” I replied meekly as I looked around at all of the wealthy-looking people that

the patrons here, but feel free to take a look around. And have a glass of champagne, too.” He reached out, taking a glass of champagne off of a waiter’s tray, and handed it to

champagne and nodded, watching as Ethan disappeared into the

courage, I made my way into the gallery so I

now beneath the gallery lighting. A jazz quartet played lively music from a small stage at the back of the gallery, creating an atmosphere that almost made the artwork come alive. Groups of patrons milled about, many of them using sophisticated ‘art speak’ to describe the works when, in actuality, they were only trying to impress their peers… But I

glass of champagne in my hand as I closely studied each and every piece of artwork. Each piece seemed to fit into a similar theme, which felt reminiscent of the childhood drawings that Ethan had showed me the night

was small, tucked away in a corner of the gallery, and no one else seemed to notice it; but I did. I felt entranced by the depiction of a young boy, staring out at the viewer from a

that one, huh?” Ethan’s voice suddenly said from behind me, breaking me out of my trance. I jumped a bit at

face flush. “Yes. I think this one might be my

replied.

a bit of a silence before Ethan spoke. “Did you remember

I reached into my purse and pulled out a single, folded piece of paper and held it out

the paper from me and opened it. I watched with anticipation, feeling my heart rate quicken as he carefully studied my drawing. It was the same drawing that I had been working on in my bedroom the night that Edrick told me about the

said after a few moments, “this is stunning. You didn’t mention

go red at the famous artist’s words. “R-Really?”

should try to

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