Chapter 4
Today was the day of my event and I was nervous as fuck.
I woke up early as hell to go work out, then have breakfast to ease my mind about all that was going to happen today.
When I left my suite, I saw Ms. More down the hall, talking to one of the housekeepers.
I was too busy listening to the bullshit that Zelly was spittin’ about one of our distros and didn’t speak.
So, that put me in a fucked-up headspace when I should’ve been chilling.
“Look, Ion give a fuck what that nigga talking about! Our price is our price. If he don’t like it, he can go get that shit for the low elsewhere.
Fuck he talking about? The fuck is up with this elevator!
” I snapped, becoming even more pissed the fuck off.
I didn’t even notice that the two ladies were behind me waiting for the service elevator, one of them was Ms. More.
“Excuse me, Mr. Porter. You can go down on this elevator if you like,” Ms. More nervously smiled.
“Appreciate that.” I walked onto the elevator and continued my conversation with Z. I thought the two ladies were getting on with me too, but I guess they changed their minds.
“I’m on this elevator, so hopefully this shit don’t go out,” I said to Zelly.
“It’s all good. But I agree with you. Don’t worry about any of this shit, L. Go get yourself together for your event and I’ll handle everything with Lamarcus,” Zelly told me, and I sighed.
“Aiight... I gotta go look at the venue with Aubrey and sign the final contracts. So, I’ma get this workout in and get some of this aggression off me. Hit me if you need anything, aiight?”
“I got you. Good luck.”
“’Preciate it.”
Disconnecting the call, I headed into the hotel gym already pumped the fuck up.
I worked out for an hour then went to the hotel restaurant to have some breakfast. On my way there, I saw Ms. More coming off the elevator.
I didn’t notice before because I was so pissed off, but today she wasn’t in her business attire and had on a hotel smock just like the other housekeepers were wearing, along with a pair of black tights.
The fabric on them muthafuckas looked like they were painted on that ass.
Fuck! That woman was fine ass hell. I hoped she knew that shit because shorty seemed like she was very reserved but I would bet my last dollar that she was a monster in the sheets.
“Hey, I wanted to apologize for yelling on the phone out in the hallway earlier. I’m just a little on edge today and—”
“Ohh, no. You’re fine. I hope your day gets better. It was nice seeing you again.” She smiled brightly, making me do the same shit back.
“Thank you. You as well.” We spoke for a few more minutes about my stay here at the hotel before she walked off, and I watched her until she disappeared.
I headed back up to my suite and made a beeline straight into the bathroom to handle my hygiene and get dressed. An hour later, I called the driver of the car service that I hired, letting him know to pull the truck out front.
Grabbing my messenger bag, I stepped onto the elevator and rode it down to the main floor in silence.
My nerves were all over the place because today was a big fucking day for me.
My whole career depended on tonight and I couldn’t afford to drop the ball.
I had all my pieces delivered to the venue yesterday, and the only thing left to do was to finalize all the contracts.
I’d been putting out fire after fire all morning though, and I felt like my confidence wasn’t where it should’ve been.
“Pull your shit together, Legacy,” I whispered to myself.
Pulling up to the venue, my phone buzzed with a text. Seeing my pops’ name, I almost didn’t open it because I didn’t want to trigger myself when I was already on edge. However, I did, and I was glad that I had.
Pops: Your brother told me about your event today so I wanted to wish you luck son.
Just know, that I am always rooting for you to win.
No matter what it is that you’re doing. Your last name is one of strength and determination.
You’re destined for greatness, so be great. I can’t wait to see your work tonight.
Reading that text stopped me mid-step. I couldn’t have read that shit right because my pops barely ever wanted to discuss my art career, let alone asked to attend something pertaining to it.
I called Logic and continued on inside of the venue where I saw Aubrey and Jack were conversing about the placement of my painting.
“What’s up, L?” Logic picked up on the first ring.
“Yo, is Pops coming tonight?”
“Damn. He told you? So much for the surprise,” he laughed.
“Nigga, don’t play with me. Is he or isn’t he coming?” I pressed.
“We’re all coming Legacy. Why wouldn’t we?”
An unfamiliar feeling exploded in my chest, and I couldn’t help but smile. This was the first time that my family ever openly supported me, so I was taken back. I couldn’t even get my words out.
“Aiight now, is that it? I gotta get ready to head out. I’ll see you in a few, bro. Congratulations again.”
“Thank you, bro. For real.”
“Legacy! Where do you want your grand piece to be revealed?” Ashley, the exhibit director, questioned.
“Mr. Porter, your private room is set up in the back. Your suit is already here, and as you requested, your drink is on ice as well. Aubrey and Jack just need you to go over the last bit of paperwork.”
“Thank you, Anna.” I nodded before glancing back at Ashley. “I want the grand reveal to be in the very front. If you have an easel or something that’s good enough. Keep it covered though, please.”
“Yes, sir.”
I scanned the venue feeling prouder than a muthafucka.
The open floor plan and white walls bouncing off the pristine white floors made it feel endless and unreal.
It gave a heavenly vibe as the lights poured in from above.
There were no distractions. No clutter—just space.
A space where I was telling my story. A space where each wall showcased a part of my soul.
The sound of clicking heels echoed, causing me to turn around and see Aubrey approaching me.
“Did you sign the contract?” She asked.
“Yeah, I got them right here.” I walked over to the receptionist's desk to place my messenger bag down and slid out the stack of papers that I had signed earlier.
“Perfect. Let me just look them over then I’ll get these to Jack so we can start getting ready. You okay?”
I peered around at all the workers carefully hanging up my work. “I’m good. Just taking it all in.”
“As you should. You did it, Legacy. This is just the beginning.” Aubrey smiled before twisting away.
Closing my briefcase, I noticed a small white note had slipped out. I picked it up and read it with a confused expression on my face.
You’re in control of your life; Don’t let the stresses of it control you. Enjoy your day on purpose! *smile*
I reread that shit like five times trying to figure out where it came from or who left it but couldn’t figure it out. All I knew was whoever had left it, left it at the perfect time. Because I really needed that and was truly grateful for that.
Three hours later, I was dressed in my suit and drinking a glass of champagne to calm my nerves.
All the guests had arrived, and the event was in full swing.
Everyone was circling the venue to look at my pieces while silently nodding their heads in approval.
Ashley had done her thing with the décor, and even the refreshments were top notch.
Expensive ass champagne was floating around, giving all of the collectors a nice buzz.
I guess to get them to open up them wallets, which was fine with me.
“Good evening, everyone. Thank you for joining us tonight as we unveil the work of a remarkable and brilliant artist, whose vision, depth, and presence have already begun to leave a lasting impression. Put your hands together for Legacy Porter,” Jack announced.
Walking into the exhibit, I was surprised to see that so many people were in attendance. Jack didn’t tell us that there would be such a big media presence here. Then it hit me—maybe someone got wind that my family was showing up.
“Thank you all for coming out, and I hope that my work will give you a glimpse into a mind that can grasp you beyond the surface and speaks to you with every stroke of my brush.” I smiled as everyone clapped and walked down into the crowd.
I stood there shaking hands and greeting people as they moved to view my paintings, piece by piece.
Soft music played in the background, giving just the right ambiance for the event.
Aubrey and Jack were still going back and forth about the lighting on my larger pieces.
I swear they were going at it like this was the last art exhibit on earth.
No one would believe that this one painting that was on display was done right there in my hotel suite.
I really didn’t want to sell it either. My pops, Senator William Porter, and my mother looked on in amazement as the cameras flashed in their faces.
My grandpop stood in front of my most expensive painting with my brother, and they just stared at the canvas.
After taking a few pictures with my parents, I decided to go stand next to them.
“Your work speaks power, Grandson. I can’t stop looking at this piece, it’s like the beautiful woman’s pain just draws you in.
To have that kind of pain flowing out of her eyes like that and still keep her radiance is remarkable.
It must’ve taken you months to pull this piece of art together. ” He turned to me.
“Thank you so much, Grandpop. But, no. This piece of art was created two days ago. Met a woman and don’t know her, but the amount of pain that I saw in her just poured out onto my empty canvas. She’s beautiful on this canvas and in person.” I smiled as I thought about Ms. More.
I changed some of the features to make her less noticeable, but this painting was indeed her.
Ms. More seemed okay on the surface, but I could clearly see that there were some deep issues within, and I wanted so bad to ask her if she was okay.
The only reason I decided to mind my business was because, even though lil mama was attractive, I needed to keep that shit professional.
“Son, you have really outdone yourself. Your talent is beyond phenomenal, and we’re so proud of you,” my mom said, hugging me.
“Yes, you have really grown over the years. I thought that this was just some hobby for you. But you’ve stepped into something, and the way these people are acting over it shows that you will go far. You have our full support,” my pops said, and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“Wow. Thank you, Pop. That’s big coming from you.” I smiled. He stepped past me, walking toward the painting that was next to the one my Grandpop was admiring.
“This one with the split city of Philadelphia, half dark and half-light is crazy work,” he complimented.
I chuckled because my pops swore he was hip. Talking ‘bout some damn “crazy work.”
“This is raw. It’s like you painted the city just how it is and not how people pretend it is.”
Hearing him say that caused me to look over at him because that’s exactly what I was going for.
On one side of the painting, Philly was shining bright.
I showed a side of the city being showcased with its luxury high-rises and city hall.
Then the other side was the shadows in the dark; the corner stores, the police on every corner, abandoned buildings, blood on the concrete, and these young kids out here doing shit before their time.
That was the side that they tried to sell you and the other was how folks were really living, and there wasn’t nothing wrong with it.
Because some of the most influential people came from out of the hood.
“I would like to buy this painting,” my grandpop spoke, still staring at the painting he was admiring.
“Yes, I would like to buy this one,” my pops pointed at the painting of the city.
Both paintings had a healthy price tag at $100,00 a piece. I spoke with my family for a little while longer then I made my rounds around the room. Before the night was over, I had already sold all of my paintings and made a hefty bag. It was truly a dream come true.