I scrutinized the lady as she moved toward me.
I sized her up, she is probably in her forties but looks quite alluring.
What caught my attention is the designer dress she is wearing, giving her a classy elegant look. I smell money here.
I squinted my eyes at her. she has this calm confident aura, the kind that intimidates you, making you feel so small or wish you could crawl into a hole.
She gazed at me intensely, I quickly looked away. There was this coldness attached to her gaze.
''I'm Mrs. Smith. I have a Business Proposal for you" she went straight to the point.
"A business proposal?" My eyebrows ached together.
"I have seen some of your paintings. I must say I'm quite fascinated with them," she remarks.
"My paintings?" How? I don't think I have ever met this lady.
She nodded.
I pressed my finger on my pursed lips, narrowing my eyes at her.
''Mrs smith right?"
She raised her eyebrows at me
"I don't think we have met," I said
"That's why I'm here." She brushed me off.
I frowned.
"Mr. Robertson is my agent," she informs me.
My eyes flickered. Mr. Robertson, the art agent? She might be the client he told me about.
My mind shifted to the painting that was slashed. I bit my lips.
He did say he will come for the painting today I'm screwed.
Janice is a psychic or something she knew just the right painting to destroy.
I sighed.
"I'm sorry.....the painting he requested for it..... " I stuttered staring down at my feet.
"I love this one" l shifted my eyes to stare at the painting she had in hand. It was a painting I did a month ago of an African woman carrying a bundle of wood on her head.
I gasped, that is my worst painting ever, and she loves it? I don't see any hint of mockery in her eyes saying otherwise.
"You love this painting?" I asked feeling uncertain.
"Yes, this is a perfect masterpiece. It tells a hidden story, looking at the pain in the woman's eyes. This looks personal'' A flushed creep across my cheeks.
I remember painting this during one of my dark moments. It was a sort of therapy for me.
Have been painting since I was in my teens, it was a form of escape that turn into a hobby.
"You are a prodigy".She smiled nodding
"I'm impressed''
"Mr. Roberson said you paint only part-time."
"Yes I had a job that was very demanding," I confirmed.
"I see, like I said earlier I got a business proposal, that will change your life. Your paintings are going to be worth millions of dollars just in a blink of an eye."
She sounded like those men in TV commercials, the smooth talker type.
I chuckled this sounds unrealistic.
But looking at her demeanor, and the solemn look on her face I don't think she is jesting.
"I have drafted a proposal for you, a one-year contract."
My stomach flutters, Is she serious?
She went back to her car to retrieve a document.
She handed it to me.
My lips curved up a bit. I scanned through the piece of paper.
I felt my heartbeat in anticipation.
"Whoa, a studio of my own?" I asked in a high-pitched tone.
The money involved is huge, looks too good to be true. Like damn who goes around dashing people this kind of money?
She nods.
Hmm, still not convinced.
"Don't you think it risky investing in an amateur like me?"
"After seeing your paintings from the photos Mr. Robertson sent to me and seeing this painting as well. I have no doubts you are going to be my biggest investment."
Hearing this from a total stranger made my chest swell with glowing pride.
"Wish we could discuss the proposal before you sign, but looks like my timing is bad. It seems you are preoccupied". She stared at my stuff jumbled together like a heap of garbage.
She gave me a weak smile. I guess I look so pathetic.
My gaze dropped.
"Okay, this won't be a problem. Come with me"
Huh?
"Yes don't worry about your stuff. I will make sure it is stored up safely.
She placed her arms around me guiding me towards her car.
"Come on"
I suddenly went dumb puzzled. My instincts were screaming what the hell I'm doing following a stranger to God knows where!
But I went ahead like a dummy and entered the car. She got a call and excuse herself.
My pulse jittered. This doesn't look right. For all l know, I have just been kidnapped by a psychopath. I gripped the car door handle and push firmly, it wasn't locked. I step out. She didn't notice my movement, she was still busy on the phone.
Hmm, okay not an abduction, so where is she taking me? A normal girl would have quickly run off but hey this is April Jackson I'm far from being normal.
I'm very curious about where this could lead to, besides the contract looks promising, the money involved can be my ticket out of my miserable life.
I did business management in college, so I know a genuine contract when I see one.
What do I have to lose? besides, I'm homeless. I shrugged and sunk back into the car seat shutting the door gently.
I close my eyes taking a deep breath what does fate has in store for me?
*******
"Dear," I felt a hand tap my shoulder. My eyes lids flip open groggily staring at Mrs. Smith.
I rubbed my eyes and yawned. Jeez, I had to fall asleep.
"We are here," Mrs. Smith said.
I got out of the car. My eyes widened as I gaped.
"Oh my God!"
I was standing in front of a beautiful Mansion. Have been to business parties with my boss a few times, and the mansions I have seen so far, none can be compared to this.
Wow, I know this lady is rich but not this fucking rich.
She chuckled seeing my reaction
I followed her inside and the interior decorations that met my eyes made my knees grow weak, my lips parted, and I stared in awe pressing my hand on my chest.
Have not seen this Kind of wealth before. I'm stunned and intimidated at the same time.
I feel like I have just stepped into a palace everything here looks majestic and expensive.
I feel like a kid in Disneyland
"Take a seat" she politely said. I sat down still overwhelmed by all this.
"This is going to be your home, free accommodation is included in the contract, so here we are"
When I read it I thought it was going to be a one-room apartment, not this!
My life had just turned into a Mexican soap opera.
"You look tired, you had a long day, it won't be advisable to have a discussion with you. We will do that tomorrow when you are quite relaxed."
She got a point I'm so overwhelmed and jinz up.
She clapped her hands twice.
"Suzy"
A thin woman in maid attire appeared.
"Mrs. Smith"
"Kindly serve my guest a meal."
She nodded and scurried away.
This is just what I'm craving.
" Thank you for ...."
" Ma'am" A tall muscular guy entered interrupting me.
"He has arrived."
Her lips curved up into a smile making her eyes sparkle with excitement.
"That's good news."
She turned to me" Unfortunately I have to attend to someone"
At the time of the night? Weird who could that be, seeing her excitement.
Everything about this woman so far is quite perplexing.
I'm so grateful though, she is indeed my guardian angel. I need to ask her about that. There is more to it. I don't know what would have happened to me if she hadn't shown up at that moment.
"Suzy the maid will show you to your room, make sure you have enough rest, tomorrow is going to be a big day for you, goodnight."
I watched her walk to the door and didn't notice Suzy was already back with my meal.
"Miss" she placed a plate of lasagna, on a small table she had set up in front of me, that was quick.
"Thank you, Suzy, You can call me April."She smiled and nodded
"Miss.... sorry April if you need me, I will be in the kitchen."
I smiled at her.
She strode back to the kitchen.
I wish to ask her some questions concerning Mrs. Smith, but don't want to give her a bad impression. I will pry later maybe tomorrow.
I started devouring the lasagna like a hungry wolf.
Whoa, I was that hungry?
She returned later with a plate housing a chocolate pie and a glass of milk. My dessert.
I thanked her once again and started wolfing down the pie.
Hmm, I moaned this is good, and the milk as well.
Suzy might be a good baker.
I finished up quickly, I feel much better, chocolate has that magic of lifting your mood.
It has been a long day I just wish for the comfort of my bed.
I need to find Suzy, she said she will be in the kitchen.
I got up on my feet.
Where is the kitchen?
She came from this direction, right? hmm, I bite my lips, a habit I often do when I'm nervous.
I walked towards the direction I saw her come from.
I wander off into a huge room. There was a piano in the middle of the room and other musical instruments I recognized.
This must be the music room.
I walked to the piano, I brushed my finger on the keys, and I felt a jingle in my heart.
It has been a while since I played. I used to have piano lessons with AJ unfortunately his busy lifestyle got in the way.
Talking about AJ I've missed the dude it's so unfortunate his pimping business has finally landed into trouble.
"Oh I did warn you AJ"
I'm hoping I can raise enough money from selling my paintings, to get him out of this mess.
I think I will visit here tomorrow, maybe play the piano.
It's quite tempting.
Back to finding Suzy.
I went out of the room not knowing where to go next
I suddenly spotted Suzy walking toward me.
I sighed in relief.
"Miss April I was instructed to show you, your room"
I followed her upstairs, she unlocked a door to a huge room with a queen-sized bed.
Christ! this is a fairy tale except there is no prince involved.
"I will take my leave," Suzy said
"Good night" She added, leaving me in my bewilderment state.
I love the paintings on the wall and the red velvet couch on the left side of the room. But this room looks rather like a bachelor room I shrugged not to my taste but looks cozy enough maybe changing the wallpaper into something more feminine will do. I will ask Mrs. Smith about that later.
I got a glimpse of a beautiful silk nightgown lying on the bed.
I picked it up running my fingers through it.
It looks sexy, and my face flushed with embarrassment.
I normally wear tank tops and shorts to bed, they are more comfortable to sleep in than nighties.
Since my clothes are not here I have no option but to wear this. Moreover, someone purposely places it here for me.
Odd, I will ask Suzy about it tomorrow.
I decided to take a quick bath, it turned out to be my longest bath ever. Hey, this is my first time showering in a state of arts bathroom. If not for how tired I am I bet I would have been in there all night long.
After showering, I quickly put on the nightgown. It fit me perfectly the right size for my willowy figure.
Mrs. Smith doesn't perk me as someone dangerous. There is something off about how quick she was in deciding to let me stay at her house and the issue of the nightgown
It doesn't make sense, She was so sure of me sleeping over here.
And the time she came over to my place is unusual, around 11 pm.
It is weird to have a business meeting with someone at that time.
Not to talk about how the proposal sounds.
All this for free, just for my painting? I'm not convinced I have a nagging feeling she wants something else from me.
What do I have to offer?
My mind was clouded with my thoughts, I'm so exhausted to think deeper. This is where fate has brought me I must well enjoy the ride.
I will address all these doubts later, right now my body needs to rest.
I collapsed into the soft bed drifting off to sleep forgetting to lock the door for the first time in my life.