ILIYA NARA POV
The hall is wide and spacious. The lighting is also perfectly arranged on the ceilings. We have been working hard and preparing everything for the last two months. This is a yearly event. An extravagant one. Something when everyone puts their best effort into it. Including me.
This year, it's our batch's turn. There were forty students involved in this matter with more than a hundred art installations to be shown off. And starting from today, until the next three days, we'll show all the best artworks that we have been worked so far.
"You look nervous..."
"Ah, good morning, Ms Stacey…"
She walked closer and snugged me with her elbow. Confidence clearly seen in her eyes while I was doing oppositely. I gulped a lump inside my throat.
"Calm down, you did great. Everything will be fine..." She whispered slowly in my ears. Trying to calm my thumping heart because of my own nervousness.
I nodded and excused myself to the restroom.
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I looked at my own reflection in the mirror. Gosh! I look ten years older today. Okay, I officially did not get sleep properly last night. My eye bags confirmed it. They're big and dark. Make me look like a zombie.
"Gezzz… not good…not good"
I snorted and grumbled at myself while my fingers took the makeup purse and add more foundation to cover it. Today is a big day for us and I don't want to ruin it. As a junior curator who will be fully in charge for the next three days, I screwed up. I haven't rested well for the past week. Maybe only three or four hours because I need to make sure that everything would be done perfectly. No mistakes allowed. I and my team had been doing all the preparation for the presentation and in-house marketing. Rechecked all the artworks which need to be hung or shown. Creating the proper information which is proper necessary for this exhibition. So many details that need to be prepared and completed before the big day. I even memorizes every piece of art and their stories, so during the exhibition, I won't be ended up as a blank sheet when somebody asked me about the virtues of each piece.
I wore a sleeveless asymmetrical midi dress and a blue marine double-breasted button blazer as the outer. Made me look casual and neat at the same time. I also put light makeup on my face. Just to keep my face looking fresh as a summer breeze. A delicate touch.
At last but not least, I put on my strappy ankle boots. Perfecto!
Now, I'm ready to serve the day….
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The exhibition will be started at 9 AM and when the entrance finally opened, people flooded and rushed in like a stream. I should give a salute to our marketing team who have been working so hard to promote this event through social media rapidly. Even before the clock hits twelve in the daytime, the crowds are merrier. I could see the enthusiasm in their eyes when they stared and observed each of the works which were shown off in our gallery with great amusement.
I know art is not for everyone. Some of them probably think that piece of art is just another piece of trash or rubbish that has no meaning at all. Some of them were able to appreciate their values or their virtues. Even a few of them, we called them, the collectors, had a sharp eye for some works which able to be sold to the highest bidder. But, that's not our goal yet.
The purpose of this exhibition was to educate our society on the real value of art and prepared us as an artist. And, it was quite impactful…
We had numerous requirements from some managers and café owners who already bought and demand some more pieces from our works as decorative stuff in their property.
I was so excited about this progress. This is really mind-blowing and beyond our expectations for sure. This exhibition is a great success!!
And it was not only me who felt hilarious at this moment, I saw some other faces too. The face of my classmates who are tired but also happy with this event. We all keep working hard until it almost gets to closing time.
When the crowds are dissipating and there were not too many people inside, I was finally able to get some rest. I sat down on a chair and stretched out my legs.
Julian, one of my classmates, passed me by and hand over a can of cold soda.
"Good work, Nara…"
"Thanks…." I replied to him shortly with a smirk on my face.
"Get ready. We'll close in the next twenty minutes…"
I nodded my head. "Okay..."
After ten minutes of peaceful rest, I stood up. The gallery is almost empty now. Julian and my friends have marked some paintings and sculptures that had been sold off. I stood up and was going to help them when suddenly my eyes captured a sight.
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A man was standing in front of my digital painting. And he kept standing there quietly like a living statue. He gazed sharply at the painting like he was so familiar with the figure inside the painting. I was mesmerized and captivated by his beautiful feature. He's tall and has broad shoulders. His eyebrows are thick and his gaze looks like a knife that can cut you down into million pieces in no minutes. His inky black hair fell over behind his shoulders but it was tied back neatly. His ambiance is alluring, yet, intimidating at the same time. Tempting me. Luring me to get close with him. And that was what I do right now.
"Ehm…. Sir?" I cleared out my throat and gave him my best smile.
"Good afternoon, Sir…"
"I'm so sorry to disturb you but I need to remind you that our gallery will be closed in the next five minutes…"
"Oh… really??"
There is an apologetic look on his face. But, when he turned his head away and stared back at my eyes, I froze. My heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Damn!! He's beautiful!!
Why there is such a goddamn creature in here? Right in front of me?!!
His dark orbs but I can see the sparks of light inside them. I never see any human as beautiful as he is before.
"Miss?"
He tapped me gently who was still hypnotized by his well-being.
"You were about to say something before?"
Shit!! Even his voice is so sexy!! O Lord, this is so unfair!!
"Oh..okay. Pardon…" I shuttered and tapped my forehead nervously. Damnnnn!!!
Why do we have to close just now? Just when I have just met the man in my dream. My inner goddess spontaneously cursed and protested loudly inside me.
"How can I help you, Sir?"
My grin even wider now,
"Whose painting is this?" He pointed at the painting before him.
"Well… it's mine, Sir. And actually…"
"I want to buy it…"
"B…But, Sir…" I flabbergasted. I would like to explain that the painting has been sold off to someone else.
"Double price. Is it enough??" He gazed back at me sharply. His aura even feels more intimidating right now. I know his request is not negotiable. It only has one meaning. Absolute order.
"Err.. thattt…." I stuttered.
"I'll pay triple from the original price, Miss…"
"Do we have a deal, Miss Nara…??"
Huh?? How come he knows my name? Suddenly, I feel an eerie crawling on my spine.
I was speechless for a while when he finally smirked.
"I take that as a yes…"
Then, he took something from his wallet. A card.
"And I would like to invite you for lunch whenever you're available. If you don't mind, Miss Nara.."
I was still stunned by him but my hands moved on their own and accepted it.
There's a name on it with a single phone number.
Monav Mokshit.
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