The future feels like a big question mark, each twist and turn shrouded in ambiguity, leaving me adrift in sea of indecision, questioning the path my steps should take.
My feet tapped on the floor rhythmically as my nerves were through the roof. "Please be careful with that" I told the worker carrying my painting. I sighed and collapsed on a nearby chair.
A pair of hands slid up my arms rubbing them lovingly. "Don't stress it will all go over well" my boyfriend kissed my head.
"I've never participated in an art show this big before, what if something goes wrong? Or worst, people don't like my work" I said worriedly.
"Why wouldn't they… it's my face after all" he smiled and that warmed my heart and made me smile as well.
After everything was packed and ready, I had to go to the gallery a few hours before the actual time to set up my space.
"Josh I'm leaving" I called out by the front door, "You'll be able to make it to the show on time right?"
He met me by the door and placed a searing kiss on my lips. "I wouldn't miss it for the whole world baby. I'll be right over as soon as finish the urgent meeting"
His words put me at ease instantly, I honestly don't know what I would do without him or where I'd be if he hadn't come into my life.
"Now go on" he ushered me out and I couldn't stop laughing because he was tickling me as well.
"Alright!" I joined the others in the car and we set out to the gallery venue. I surveyed and directed them to the casing where I'm to put my piece. I looked over everything once I was done and closed the protective glass and waited for the guests and collectors to arrive.
* * * * *
The room was packed, there were people everywhere while I just stood quietly in front of my piece ready to answer any question concerning it.
A lot of people passed by admiring it and taking pictures. My goal of tonight apart from sharing my art with the world, is to get a collector to purchase it for a decent amount.
A group of people walked over to my space, one of them I recognized to be the organizer of the whole show.
"Here is a beautiful piece by one of our newest artist, Lillian Quinn" I mustered the best smile I could.
"Absolutely astonishing I don't think I've seen anything quite like it" a lady spoke.
"Thank you so much" I grinned.
"What is your story?" a man standing behind the small group spoke. He was wearing a rather dashing suit, he had dark brown colored hair and gray eyes, he looked quite older than me. He gave me the most charming smile I'd ever seen. "Miss?"
I snapped out of my trance instantly. "Sorry?"
"What was your inspiration for this piece? The hyper realism is insane and intricate" he asked again.
"Thank you… my partner is my inspiration for this, I poured my heart and soul into it focusing on every single detail. Right here…" I went into full on art mode.
"If this is how he looks like, I would love to meet the man in the picture" the lady said and others agreed with her.
"I wished you would have too but he seems to be running late, maybe later in the night?" they settled with that and left to check other pieces. The handsome man I addressed lingered for a few seconds before walking off on his own.
Finally alone I pulled out my phone and called Josh for the fifth time this night. When his line went to voice mail like the previous four tries I texting him again but his phone must be far away because he is not getting any of these.
Still there are more people to address tonight, I have to do my best even though he isn't here with me.
The art night was slowly coming to an end, people already started leaving to the after party.
"Hey Miss Chen?" I finally caught the gallerist alone. "Can I leave a little early?"
"That's not a problem but is everything alright?" she asked noticing my uneasiness.
"I'm fine just tired" she congratulated me on a good job today and bade me goodbye.
I took a cab back home prepared to unleash all my wrath on my boyfriend. I stormed into the house. "Baby you better have been in an accident because that's the only thing that can save you now" I saw his phone on the living room table, all the calls and texts from me were unread.
"Josh?" I took a look around but the room was silent. "I swear if he fell asleep I'm gonna kic-" my leg tripped over a purse on the way to our room, that wasn't there before and neither does it belong to me.
No this can not be happening.
"Josh?" I called out checking each room on my way to the bedroom. It took me several deep breaths and mind fortification before I turned the handle and opened the door.
My shoulders lowered in relief when I didn't see anybody, the bed was still properly made like I left it. I heard sounds of water from the shower coming from the bathroom.
I opened the door, "Josh where have yo-" I stopped when I saw Josh fucking another woman against the shower wall. Her moans were drowned out by the shower noises but now they bounced off the walls and into my eardrums.
His phone slipped out of my hand and clattered against the bathroom floor. That seemed to function as a notification sound, notifying them of someone else presence.
His eyes went wide when he saw me, "Lillian wait!" The woman in his arms tensed at my presence and ended up making Josh nut in her.
I shook my head and slammed the door shut. I almost reopened it to make sure what I saw wasn't in my imagination but the loud moaning from that bitch behind the door cleared all my doubts.
With angry tears I walked back out of the house. As if to add more insult to the wound it started raining.
Just fucking great.
Josh opened the door wrapped in a towel at his waist. "Lily baby wait!" he tried to pull me back to the house but I resisted his touch.
"So this is why you couldn't make it? You were fu-" I couldn't even get the word out.
"It's not what you think"
"Oh really?" a pained laugh/sigh escaped my lungs. "How long has this been going on?" he hesitated before giving me an answer and now I know this isn't his first time.
"Did you even love me? Has everything a lie?" he shook his head contradictorily, "I left my parents, my old life, to be with you because you made me feel loved, I felt like I could accomplish anything with you right by my side"
"I've never stopped loving you Lily, your parents were holding back your potential. This is... this was not supposed to happen" his hand brushed against mine briefly before I swatted his away.
"Don't ever touch me again!" I walked into the rain just following my legs.
"Lillian let me explain" I ignored his voice and just focused on the wet path in front of me.