Chapter 11 #2
When she came out of the bathroom, she noticed a few early birds; mostly some of the artists with their parents.
She breathed a sign of relief when she saw Christine and a volunteer come in with the food and table cloths.
They quickly formed a team to assemble the drinks and food.
Angela managed to get a sticker in her hair but in her haste, failed to notice and so had everyone else.
She checked her watch; 7:00 pm on the dot and everything was ready.
She breathed another sigh of relief. She could finally relax.
Sacha came running to her and gave her a hug.
“Hi, sweetie, I love your canvas,” Angela told her, truthfully. “I’m going to bid on it.”
“Thank You,” Sacha smiled. “Good luck.”
“Oh, I’ll go as high as I need to go.”
“Well, I’ve seen a few people who were interested,” Sacha teased.
“Oh, I’ll get it.”
A small crowd was coming in. Angela beamed at the people.
She was so delighted. She had spent the last three weeks, networking, spreading the word, telling everyone who would listen.
Her marketing skills were used to their fullest potential.
She knew how to gather a crowd and that she did.
Looking at all the faces, she knew this was going to be a success.
With her mind a little more relaxed, she enjoyed a few appetizers.
She chatted with a few people she knew and thanked them for coming and participating.
She browsed at the artwork, yet again amazed at how beautiful they were.
She stood in front of Sacha’s canvas; a simple glowing sun with various blues, oranges, purples and yellows circling it.
It was a somewhat abstract piece which was so beautiful in its simplicity.
“I love that one, too.”
Angela turned at the familiar voice.
He looked at her without saying a word. He looked as attractive as he had in her recent thoughts.
“Hi, Michael, I didn’t expect to see you here.” She hadn’t, despite all her thoughts of him; she had failed to realize he might show up tonight. It made perfect sense; he was after all a big supporter of the foundation.
“I wouldn’t miss it.” He smiled at her as he reached for her hair. The slight feel of his hand on her neck sent shivers through her spine. She felt a slight tug.
“Lorraine’s Catering…” he said as he read the sticker. “She does good work. I just had some of her mini quiches,” he joked.
“Was that in my hair? No one told me”
“I guess no one noticed but...of course... I definitely would,” he said, as he brushed her hair behind her shoulder to get a better view of her face.
She suddenly had the urge to grab him and take him to the coat check room. Check all her inhibitions; why, why did she have to be so good.
“I missed you,” he told her. He wasn’t making this any easier.
“I missed you too.”
They stood, looking at each other. Although there were dozens of people around them; to each other, they were the only ones in the room.
“Are you bidding on that one?” he asked, looking at Sacha’s piece.
“That’s the plan. I’ve got to have it.”
“You have good taste,” he told her, his smile fading.
“I was wondering if we could talk?” he asked.
Yes, yes. In the coat check room.
“Um...sure...” she hesitated. She wondered what he wanted to talk about.
He nodded his head in a sign to follow him.
She was about to go with him but didn’t get the chance as Christine made a sudden appearance and greeted her old friend.
Seeing as Michael was not getting out of this conversation anytime soon, Angela took advantage of the time to write her bid for Sacha’s piece; one hundred and fifty dollars.
She continued to mingle with the guests, every now and then, shooting a glimpse around the room to look for Michael.
He was always engaged in conversation with someone or another.
She suddenly wished people at the show would all suddenly disappear and she could have him all to herself.
At this rate, she would never get the chance to speak to him again.
He finally saw her in the distance and gave her his trademark crooked smile.
Could someone ever die of unfulfilled lust, she wondered.
She wasn’t sure how much more of this she could take.
She went to check her bid again. Someone named Albert Walkin had outbid her; three hundred dollars.
She felt a little frustration but when she remembered it was all for a good cause, she wrote her bid of three hundred and fifty dollars.
Her finances weren’t that great, but this was definitely worth the expense.
She set herself a limit of five hundred dollars.
She helped herself to another glass of wine.
She spoke with various people including Sacha’s parents.
Their pride was quite evident as they spoke of their daughter; to have raised such a kind and giving daughter was their greatest accomplishment.
She eyed the room again for Michael who was leaning over to talk with a petite elderly woman.
People, could you all leave him alone already.
She went over to check on her bid once more.
What the heck.
Albert Walkin had just raised his bid to $450. This was crazy; no other piece had fetched near this so far. She figured he must be a family member or a friend. She debated bidding again and went for it one last time; five hundred dollars.
She finally saw Michael leaving a conversation.
This was her chance. Her curiosity was killing her.
She practically sprinted towards him, knocking over some ladies’ pita roll in the process.
She instantly kneeled down to help her and apologize.
When she got up again, she looked around.
The good thing was; no one had seemed to notice her clumsiness, but the bad thing was; Michael was in conversation again.