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.

list for a painstakingly long moment. “You’re not on the list,” he said. His voice was gruff and indifferent, and before I could say anything else, he

I replied, clutching my purse nervously as I

look at me, simply scoffed. “I highly doubt the artist personally invited a human. Quit wasting my time and get out of here. You can come back to view the art

said from behind the bouncer,

their way through the line of people waiting. The bouncer’s eyes widened, and without

in through the foyer with his hand on my back. “He’s just doing his job. These art

replied meekly as I looked around at all of the

for coming,” Ethan said with a warm smile. “Unfortunately I have to participate in some involuntary networking with a few of the patrons here, but feel free to take a look around. And have a glass of

nodded, watching as

deep breath and a sip of the champagne for courage, I made my way into the gallery so I

studio, it was even more amazing 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

studied each and every piece of artwork. Each piece seemed to fit into a

to notice it; but I did. I felt entranced by the depiction of a young boy, staring out at the viewer from a black void. His face was sad, but there was also a hint of something

me, breaking me out of my trance. I jumped a bit at the sound of his voice, not realizing that I had been standing in front of the painting

startled me,” I said, feeling my face flush. “Yes. I think this one

favorite, too,” Ethan replied. “I haven’t

There was a bit of a silence before Ethan spoke. “Did you remember to bring some of

reached into my purse and pulled out a single,

drawing. It was the same drawing that I had been working on in my bedroom the night that Edrick told

“this is stunning. You didn’t mention that you

my face go red at the

drawing back to me. “You’ve got some real talent. You should try to tap into it a bit more; I could see you doing really well with your

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255