that I have to go back eventually, but at least I’ve had a few days to pull myself together. He did send me a text earlier that said...
Hey Paige. I know that you have probably been avoiding me and I don’t blame you. Again, I am sorry for what I did and I hope that you can forgive me and we can at least be friends. Anyway, I am just texting to remind you about the exhibition that Alfred is putting on tonight. I know that you really wanted to go and I don’t want you to miss out because of me so I will not be attending. If anybody asks, just send my apologies and say that I am not well. Have fun. X
It was probably the longest text that he had ever sent me. Rick hates texting. I did appreciate it; I had been looking forward to the exhibition since I first found out about it but in all that’s happened, it had slipped my mind. There will be work from five new artists displayed tonight and I am eager to see them all. Some of the pieces may be perfect for Rick’s gallery. I feel sad that he will be missing it because of me but I do really want to go. Alfred is a lovely man and his exhibitions are well attended. It’s a great way to network--if you’re into that--and more importantly to see some beautiful pieces of art. Heartbroken or not, I cannot miss it. It starts at seven thirty tonight and if Rick isn’t attending, then I most definitely will be. I didn’t reply to the text but I was thankful.
I decide to pull myself out of my miserable state by rummaging through my wardrobe for an outfit for tonight. Alfred’s exhibitions usually include a lot of well dressed people who go around sipping on champagne all night. They care less about the art and more about the price tag displayed next to it. That’s probably why I’ve never fitted in completely in this world, because I care about the art first. I can’t help but fall in love with the story behind a beautiful painting. There is no better feeling. I get lost in the world that the artist is trying to create; the story that they are telling with each stroke of their brush. If I could paint, I know what my story would be right now, and to think that people are brave enough to express themselves on paper in that way is simply amazing to me.
I pull out a long black cocktail dress from the back of my closet and set it neatly on the bed. I head over to my jewelry box, pulling out a beautiful silver pair of earrings and necklace set that I picked up on a trip to Paris, that Rick and I took. It’s the nicest set that I have and I purposely save it only for special occasions such as these. I lay them on the bed next to the dress, before pulling out a pair of silver heels and a matching purse. Once everything is ready, I step back and smile.
All week I’ve been feeling like crap but I’m going to really enjoy tonight. It doesn’t even matter that I am going alone because I don’t really talk to anyone while I am looking at the paintings anyway. I just get lost in their beauty and the entire world around me disappears.
* * *
I arrive at the gallery perfectly on time. Everyone is heading inside and talking loudly about their fabulous galleries and magnificent turnovers. I’m bored by the conversation already and try and bury myself in the hustle and bustle of the crowd as we all make our way inside. The event is open to the public, although there are a pair of huge security guards standing at the door ready to turn away anyone that doesn’t ‘look’ the part.
When I finally get inside I am in awe. The gallery is huge and every painting seems to have its own private space. I can tell that a lot of money has been put into this event and it makes me smile. I love seeing artists being given the chance to earn from their talent. Certain pieces are on sale tonight but not all. Alfred likes to hold back some for business transactions only, where the buyer is forced into buying several of the artist’s pieces first. It’s quite a clever business move
Hey Paige. I know that you have probably been avoiding me and I don’t blame you. Again, I am sorry for what I did and I hope that you can forgive me and we can at least be friends. Anyway, I am just texting to remind you about the exhibition that Alfred is putting on tonight. I know that you really wanted to go and I don’t want you to miss out because of me so I will not be attending. If anybody asks, just send my apologies and say that I am not well. Have fun. X
It was probably the longest text that he had ever sent me. Rick hates texting. I did appreciate it; I had been looking forward to the exhibition since I first found out about it but in all that’s happened, it had slipped my mind. There will be work from five new artists displayed tonight and I am eager to see them all. Some of the pieces may be perfect for Rick’s gallery. I feel sad that he will be missing it because of me but I do really want to go. Alfred is a lovely man and his exhibitions are well attended. It’s a great way to network--if you’re into that--and more importantly to see some beautiful pieces of art. Heartbroken or not, I cannot miss it. It starts at seven thirty tonight and if Rick isn’t attending, then I most definitely will be. I didn’t reply to the text but I was thankful.
I decide to pull myself out of my miserable state by rummaging through my wardrobe for an outfit for tonight. Alfred’s exhibitions usually include a lot of well dressed people who go around sipping on champagne all night. They care less about the art and more about the price tag displayed next to it. That’s probably why I’ve never fitted in completely in this world, because I care about the art first. I can’t help but fall in love with the story behind a beautiful painting. There is no better feeling. I get lost in the world that the artist is trying to create; the story that they are telling with each stroke of their brush. If I could paint, I know what my story would be right now, and to think that people are brave enough to express themselves on paper in that way is simply amazing to me.
I pull out a long black cocktail dress from the back of my closet and set it neatly on the bed. I head over to my jewelry box, pulling out a beautiful silver pair of earrings and necklace set that I picked up on a trip to Paris, that Rick and I took. It’s the nicest set that I have and I purposely save it only for special occasions such as these. I lay them on the bed next to the dress, before pulling out a pair of silver heels and a matching purse. Once everything is ready, I step back and smile.
All week I’ve been feeling like crap but I’m going to really enjoy tonight. It doesn’t even matter that I am going alone because I don’t really talk to anyone while I am looking at the paintings anyway. I just get lost in their beauty and the entire world around me disappears.
* * *
I arrive at the gallery perfectly on time. Everyone is heading inside and talking loudly about their fabulous galleries and magnificent turnovers. I’m bored by the conversation already and try and bury myself in the hustle and bustle of the crowd as we all make our way inside. The event is open to the public, although there are a pair of huge security guards standing at the door ready to turn away anyone that doesn’t ‘look’ the part.
When I finally get inside I am in awe. The gallery is huge and every painting seems to have its own private space. I can tell that a lot of money has been put into this event and it makes me smile. I love seeing artists being given the chance to earn from their talent. Certain pieces are on sale tonight but not all. Alfred likes to hold back some for business transactions only, where the buyer is forced into buying several of the artist’s pieces first. It’s quite a clever business move
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