Chapter 24
Daniel
I tap my fingers against the wall, counting down from ten in my mind. I haven’t heard from Derek in a week. The gallery is about to open for the exhibition, but I don’t think he’s here yet.
Shit, did I overreact? But he wasn’t listening to me. It’s like my words weren’t even registering with how insistent he was that there was something going on between me and Jesse. Why didn’t he believe me? If this between us is to work, we need to be equals and he has to trust me.
A shiver runs down my back, pleasant and titillating. Except for the bedroom—I’m more than happy to do as he says when we fuck.
Yes, Jesse and I spend quite a bit of time together, but only because we are both passionate about art. The art classes don’t run themselves!
“Are you ready?” Cassandra asks me as she comes to stand next to me by the second-floor railing. “The turnout is as big as that on opening day.”
The gallery doors open. People in suits and fancy dresses seep in, filling the space quickly. Derek isn’t among them.
I try not to think about him, but it’s hard. I miss him. He stopped texting and calling and I wonder if maybe he’s had it and decided to move on. Fuck. I hope that’s not the case and he’s just busy. Or reflecting. I don’t know what I’ll do if he’s no longer interested in me. In us.
“Are you okay, dear? Don’t worry. We already have buyers for your stuff.”
My heart races. A wave of excitement makes it hard to stand still. That’s not it, but I didn’t know they’d already found buyers! Oh wow, someone actually liked my stuff enough to want it for their home.
“You did?”
“Oh, did I forget to tell you? Sorry. But yes, and they are paying above the asking price, too. It seems like they really want your paintings.”
I’m thrilled. Joy floods my chest, chasing away some of the worry. But even as the exhibition goes on, I can’t shake off the twinge of fear that lurks inside me. Where is Derek? He knows this is a big deal for me, but he’s not even here. Is this his reply?
Just as I am about to say fuck it and go find him, he walks in. His hair is slicked back, and he’s wearing a sexy dark gray suit that makes his eyes pop. I watch him greet a few of the guests, my pulse growing frantic.
Our gazes clash. The world around me comes to a stop, frozen in that moment as I drown in his soul-stealing blue depths. Determination swims in them, resolve too, like he’s decided on something and intends to see it through.
I smile at him. He doesn’t return it, just keeps staring at me like I’m some godly being on a pedestal he’s either dying to worship or wishes to cut down.
My stomach dips, panic and hope tangling together. I’m suddenly short of breath, not sure if my legs can keep supporting me. But I can’t take my eyes off him, afraid if I do he might disappear.
He frowns, his nostrils flaring. Then he rushes through the throng of people like he has somewhere to be.
I lose him, my insides twisting as I grip the railing as hard as I can.
I don’t want to lose him. I could’ve handled our argument better.
He could’ve listened to me. We both have our flaws, our pasts, but if we want to build a future together, we need to look past those and trust each other.
I just don’t know if we’ll get the chance to do that.
Dizziness overcomes me as the stress and excitement leading up to the exhibition drain from me. I push off the railing and head for the chairs by one of the small tables with food bites, only to trip over nothing and lose my footing.
Oh, fuck! Am I seriously going to embarrass myself by falling in front of everyone?
An arm wraps around my waist and pulls me toward a strong body. My heart lurches into my throat as I meet familiar blue eyes.
“Hey, are you okay?” Derek says, a shy smile gracing his lips.
I blink, not believing my eyes. “You came…”
His brows bunch together. “Of course I did. I wouldn’t miss your first-ever exhibition. I know how important this is for you.” His smile grows a little, like he’s not sure if he should allow it to manifest fully. “I’m so proud of you.”
I hug him, melting in his arms. I’ve missed him so much. “Thank you. And thank you again, because this wouldn’t have been possible without you.”
He props his chin on my head and strokes my back. “You are welcome. But I only gave you a little nudge. It’s all you, Daniel. You deserve to be here.” After a moment of hesitation, he inhales me deeply. “I… I’m sorry for the other day. Can we talk after the exhibition is over? Please.”
My heart doesn’t know whether to be happy or scared or both. But being in his arms feels so right, and he hasn’t pushed me away, so I allow myself to be hopeful.
“Yes, I’d like that.” I hesitate before adding, “I’m sorry for overreacting, but you weren’t listening. I missed you.”
He hums and hugs me tighter, but before he can respond, an important-looking lady interrupts us. She introduces herself, but my blood is pounding too loudly in my ears to understand what she’s saying, and then she’s pulling Derek away.
He tosses me a regretful smile, mouthing, “We’ll talk later.”
I’m a little on edge for the rest of the exhibition.
Derek doesn’t return even after an hour, and despite the blissful moment of intimacy we shared, something still feels off.
After a further hour in which I talk to a bunch of the guests, people finally start to leave.
Cassandra comes over and pats me on the back.
“Great job, Daniel. You did amazing. Enquiries are already flooding us about your next exhibition.” She smiles and smooths out a crease from my shirt sleeve, then hands me a slip of paper with a number on it. “I think you’ve charmed everyone.”
For a few moments, excitement displaces the worry in my stomach. People liked my stuff enough to want to see more of it. I am so happy.
“I’m thinking we could hold another exhibition in half a year, maybe. That should give you plenty of time to draw a few new pieces…”
I’m speechless. This is the best day in my life.
I glance at the paper she handed me—it’s a cheque with the amount of money I’ve made from sales, after the gallery’s cut.
Holy shit! With this, I don’t have to worry about a second job for at least another year!
It’s the biggest paycheck I’ve ever received!
I grab her hands, squeezing them as I gaze into her eyes. “Really? You mean this?”
She squeezes my fingers back. “Of course, dear. We are all in love with your works. One of the guests even requested to feature some of them in one of his galleries in Italy.”
This is a dream, it must be. Life just doesn’t happen this way.
“Oh my god.”
She laughs. “I’m proud of you. I mean it. And on that note, how are the art classes going? I had a look at the online content you sent me, and I have to say that I don’t have any complaints. It was easy to follow, and I think people will love it.”
We chat for a bit about the direction in which I want to take my art career. She gives me a few ideas about formats and exercises, and I take notes. I can’t wait to tell Jesse about it.
“As for your social media accounts… I’ve got someone working on the content. They will handle the posting and interactions as well. I should have something for you to look at by the end of next week.”
The stars have aligned, the moon, the asteroids, the entire universe. I leave the exhibition lighter than when I came, but just as I think the night can’t get any better, I pull my phone out and find out the battery’s died.
“Fuck.”
How do I call Derek? I really wanted to talk to him. We need to be on the same page if things between us are to work. No secrets, no lies. He said we’d talk later, but he never returned to the gallery… I hope it’s just work and not him rethinking us and deciding I’m not good enough for him.
I check the office before leaving the gallery. Derek isn’t there. I guess he must’ve gone to his company’s HQ. Whatever he needed to deal with must be very important then.
Sighing, I decide to walk instead of taking the bus.
It will take me over an hour to get to my apartment, but I need the fresh air so I can clear my head.
I thought I did well considering how crowded the venue was and how many people I had to interact with, but I think it’s catching up to me.
I’m drained, and my heart is beating a little too fast. My breaths are sharp and shallow, and my chest feels as if something is pressing against it.
Swaying as the head-spinning worsens, I prop my arm against a nearby tree and close my eyes. You did well, Daniel. Good job. But where is Derek? I want to see him. Why didn’t he return? Why isn’t he here to take me home?
Car tires screech nearby. I snap my attention to the road just in time to see a speeding red truck almost run over a couple of pedestrians crossing the street.
My heart lurches into my chest and I feel like I’m going to throw up.
I don’t think I can make it home, but my phone is dead, so I can’t even call a taxi.
The next bus isn’t coming for another half an hour.
Suddenly, I forget all about my good day. I’m tired and hungry. I want to go home. But my legs aren’t working, and I can’t even call for help. I feel like crying.
“Hey… You alright?” a familiar voice shoos away the slithering panic.
I look up and meet Adam’s concerned expression. “What are you doing here? Don’t you normally take the bus?”
I smile ruefully. “I reached my limit for being around people for today. I needed to wind down, but…” I glare at my shaking legs.
As if my evening can’t get any worse, my brain picks that moment to point out to me that Derek didn’t say back that he missed me. My eyes go wide as a pang of fear racks through me. How didn’t I realize that? Shit.
“Jesus, you look about to pass out.” Adam offers me his hand, and I take it. “I’ve parked nearby. Let me take you home.”
We walk slowly, but even that is a challenge. I really don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I suspect part of it is exhaustion and relief that the exhibition is over. I’m so glad I have the day off tomorrow so I can sleep in and chill.
“Why are you still here?” I ask Adam as he helps me into his car. Now that I think about it, I didn’t see him at the gallery either. I’m pretty sure he was there at the start, but at some point, he disappeared.
“Something came up, so I had to step out. Work stuff. It was for a very important client, and I couldn’t say no. So, where to?”
I hesitate, tracing patterns with my finger along the backseat’s empty space next to me. I don’t want to go home. “Could I use your phone? Mine died and I can’t call Derek. He… had a work thing come up too and never returned. He said he would. I’m worried.”
Adam twists his head back at me, a smile tugging at his red lips. “Nope. I don’t think I’ll give you my phone so you can call him.”
My stomach drops. Shit. It’s awkward to ask the ex for help even if he isn’t really an ex, I know, but I’m desperate. “Plea—”
He shushes me. “I think it’s better that I just take you to him, so you two lovebirds can talk things out.”
Oh… I blink at him, confused. A million questions race through my mind. Wait, what?
He shrugs, winking at me. “You two are good together.”
We don’t say anything else for the rest of the ride. He parks the car in front of a tall, expensive-looking building and motions for me to get off. Then, he hands me an access card. “Last floor. The big, glassed-off office is his. Go get your man.”
I’m floored. I think Adam is a great guy. “Thanks!”
He drives off as I enter the building. Scanning the card gives me access to the elevator, which takes me to my destination. Heart in my throat and legs shaking, I traverse the floor until I spot the glass office. It’s the only section with the lights on, and there is someone inside.
I freeze. Fuck, will Derek be angry I came? That I am disturbing him while he’s working? We are supposed to trust each other, but isn’t this the opposite? I really wanted to see him though. Leaving things unfinished just doesn’t sit right with me.
Clapping my cheeks, I steel my resolve. Fuck it. I’m going for it. If he gets annoyed at me for wanting to clear things up so much that I came to find him, maybe we weren’t meant to be.