Brad's point of view
"Good morning Mr. Smith" I was greeted by April who was in my study when I walked in. I was a little startled seeing her.
"What are you doing in my office at this early hour?"
I glanced at my watch, it was 6:45 am.
I gazed at her, her face looked weary. I bet she didn't have enough sleep.
"Miss Jackson, how long have you been here?"
"Since 5 am" I stared at her amusedly
"We have a meeting today don't you remember?" she added
"What meeting?"
"Oh, Mr. Smith you forgot what today is," she said batting her eyes at me.
I frown narrowing my eyes at her.
"It seems you have a low memory," she said.
I would have gotten pissed off if someone else had said this to me, but she got me feeling amused.
"Oops" she gasped fidgeting with her hair.
"Sorry I didn't mean to Mr. Smith,"
I chuckled seeing how fretful she was.
"Of course you meant it, you just called me dumb" I peered at her intensely making her feel uncomfortable.
"It's not what I meant " she chuckled nervously. I moved closer to her making her take a step back with her eyes wavering in fright.
I chuckled walking back to my desk.
"You can relax, if I wanted to hurt you I would have done that already, the moment after you hit me with that hair clipper the other day."
She grunts in annoyance.
" I know today is the deadline. Don't you think it's too early for your presentation?"
She shrugged.
"Mr. Smith I don't recall you telling me the exact time for the presentation, So I chose my own time"
"5 am?" My eyebrow jerked up
"Yep," she said with a grin
"Did you go for the mental evaluation I suggest?"
Her face fell into a frown
"If you don't have a shrink, I can recommend you one. The next time you break into my study without my knowledge, I have no choice but to treat you as a burglar"
She gasped, folding her fist. Her eyes glisten.
I stared at her with a smile. She looks like a beautiful Amazon woman with her wild hair and the fury in her eyes. My lips pursed as a smile creep across my cheeks.
I looked away I was getting drawn too much.
"I know you always have a tight schedule. I didn't want my paintings to be the last thing you see today, I don't want a poor judgment from you in case you have a very bad day today, and you let out your frustrations on my paintings."
I chuckled.
"So you chose this time"
She shrugs.
"It's your fault you didn't state the exact time. That means you didn't believe I can pull this off" she frowns at me.
Yeah, I didn't think she could finish up three paintings in two weeks.
"Where are those paintings of yours?" I asked
She gazes at the clock and grins.
" It's not yet time "
I frowned
"Then why are you here?"
"I didn't know the exact time you will be stepping out. A cliché saying goes, the early bird catches the worm"
I laughed.
Her eyes flickered.
I frown, did I just laugh, I rarely do, this crazy girl is stirring something up in me, and I don't like it.
"You should do that more often, it suits you well," she said with a teasing grin.
I glared at her.
" Are you going to sit here and stare goofily at me"
She rolls her eyes.
"Wait for it Mr. Smith, I'm going to blow your mind away," She said with a confident look in her eyes.
She gazes at the wall clock. It was 7am now.
Her face beam with a smile.
"It's time"
"Let's go to the garden" She gestured for me to follow her. I reluctantly followed her.
Her paintings stood in the middle of the garden, covered up with a white cloth.
"Okay here we are" she rubbed her palms together nervously.
She took off the white cloth.
My eyes widened as I gaze at the paintings.
It was breathtaking as the sun rays filters the paintings. I was dazed in awe. They are perfect masterpieces.
I understood now why she wanted me to see the painting at this time. The beautiful sunlight makes the paintings come alive. The garden was a perfect place, it's like the paintings belonged here. She has an artistic eye.
I studied the first painting, it was a painting of the garden. But looks different. she painted it in such a beautiful way, adding a magical touch. It's like a replicate of the garden of Eden.
The second painting was a painting of a little boy on a swing at the lakeside with beautiful swarms around him. What caught my eyes was the reflection of the sun on the lake and how the little boy's eyes were sparkling with happiness. It was an amazing happy painting
I was taken back staring at the third painting. I'm not an art person but I can see the painting tells an emotional story. There was a clouded dark grey sky with drizzling strokes of the rain. A slender lady with long dark hair in white was playing piano with pain look in her eyes. It looked gothic and very captivating.
I stared at her, I realized she has the same pain look the lady in the painting had. I feel this is her story. I couldn't help but feel affected by the sad expression on her face. What caused that pained look in her eyes?
Her face eased into a smile that didn't reach her eyes, when she noticed me looking at her, trying to hide the gloomy look.
The atmosphere was awkward. I cleared my throat.
"What do you think?" she asked.
I was still captivated by the paintings. I'm quite amused she painted all three in just two weeks. She is right, my mind is blown away. I thought she was an amateur, she has proven me wrong. This is a real talent. She is a prodigy.
"I'm impressed"
Her face lightened up into a beautiful smile that made her eyes glow.
My heart jingles. I wish to see that smile always.
"So?"
"What ?" I asked.
"I won, I'm getting the 60% right?"
"45%," I said unwaveringly.
"It was a bet, there is no room for negotiations." She glares at me.
"I didn't say there won't be. Okay, I'm going to be fair. 50% with a monthly payment."
Her lips curve as her face became tedious.
"Okay fine it's a deal"
"Alright expect an advance payment after you sign the contract. Which I will send to you tomorrow" I said.
She nods in excitement, hugging me unconsciously"
I freeze, I felt the warmness of her body.
She quickly pulled away, she gaze at me, muttered sorry, and took to her heel, running out of the garden.
I was at a standstill, trying to get a grip of how her body was pressed to mine when she hugged me.
I run my hands through my hair, sighing. The more time I spent with her, the more the feeling I'm developing for her increase. I need to get over these feelings or else there is no way I can start planning my next move on her. This feeling can get in the way, making it very complicated for me.