"Welcome to my humble home" he gestured around the grand house.
His house was the most elegant I've in my entire life. It literally sparkled, the ambiance of the room just screaming gold and luxury.
"If this is you being humble, I'm curious to see how you indulge yourself"
He laughed at my comment. "I see you have taken the time to pack" he cocked his head to my bag and a butler that has been with us since I entered picked it up. "Burn it"
"Understood" he walked off somewhere with my things.
"What? Stop!" I called but Duke stopped me.
"Trust me you won't need it" he smiled then walked away to somewhere else and I followed him.
He led me to a spacious bedroom "This is your room" the room was really pretty and spacious but my eyes could not tear away from the easel in the corner surrounded by different brushes, paints, spray cans, blank canvases and all.
"What is all this?" I asked admiring the quality of the wood of one of the brushes.
"That's European oak, I had it specially made. This is where you'll create your art and pieces, all to your heart's content"
I was too dumbfounded to speak wondering what he gets from all of this.
"I took the liberty of stocking your wardrobe" he open the grand doors to reveal different clothing strung up still with their price tags. "If they are not to your liking I can have them thrown out and we can shop for your taste"
This is all too much.
"Please just stop, pause…. what is all this? Why would you go to such lengths for me?"
He sighed before staring ahead, not looking at anything specifically.
"Ensuring that my artist is comfortable and is in the best state of mind to make me the best paintings she can" he winked at me and passed by not before whispering… "You've worked so hard for your dream, own it"
He left me speechless and still more puzzled than ever.
What does he know about me?
* * * * *
I still don't trust this man has good intentions but so many ideas are running through my head that I can't resist painting one picture.
My eyes were glued to the canvas for the next two hours, it wasn't until I heard a clink from a tray that I noticed someone was in the room with me.
"I brought some snacks for you" a young lady probably a few years younger than me came in dressed in a maid outfit.
I stood up to meet her, "Thank you so much" there were cakes, sweets, cookies, chocolates, a big variety to choose from. I took a cookie and gave one to her as well, she thanked me and left me alone for a while.
I went back to my seat and continued with half the cookie between my lips.
There was a knock on the door and I saw Duke leaning on the frame. "You've been busy" He slowly walked to my back and observed my work.
"That is magnificent" he praised. "I would love to have this hung up in my room and be the first thing I see in the morning"
"It's not finished yet" I bit back a smile and continued while he stood behind up until I finally finished the painting.
"You were definitely born to be an artist" he had a satisfied smile on his face, "Now that you're done, come join me for breakfast you must be starved" he took my hand and led me to a grand dining hall where an elaborate breakfast have been served up.
"Are you expecting guests?" I asked wondering how two people can finish all these.
"I wasn't sure what you liked so I had my chef make plenty of options to choose from. Is it not to your liking?"
"No it's just… way too much for two people" I murmured the last part and let him pull out a chair for me.
"Better too much than too little" I stared at the table not sure where to even start. He served some food for me and we started eating. A few minutes in he slid a black card across to me.
"What's this" I put down my fork and picked the card with my name on it.
"That's your credit card" I slid the card right back to him.
"I can't accept that, you have gone to some very unnecessary lengths already, I can't collect any more from you" I stood my ground but he pushed it back.
"The money isn't free, the amount in there came from my purchase of your painting from the art gallery. That's how you make your income from now on, that's how this works between us" he encouraged me to take it and I did.
"So you'll buy any painting I make? No matter what it is?"
"Don't misunderstand me, I may seem like I spend money so often but only on what I deem worthy of my time. You seem like you'll be worth that and more, but don't think I'd pay you thousands of dollars for a stick figure painting"
"Fair enough…. do you live alone?" I noticed how we are the only ones here apart from the maids and butlers I've seen around.
He took a sharp breath in and I took the hint it's not a question he fancies.
"I do live alone, well not anymore now that you're here" I leave it at that not willing to ask any more questions but for a really wealthy man he doesn't have that many close friends but what do I know, I just recently came into his life there's probably more to it than that.