Hollow (under editing)

eight ◇

Ally

"Hey, young lady! Are you okay?" I woke up to the sound of an old man trying to wake me up. "When you bumped into me, you just stood there, and afterwards fainted. Ar-are you okay?" He stuttered, concern in his eyes. What the heck?

"Yea-yeah I'm okay. Where is he? Where?!" I hysterically asked, can't even process the situation right now.

"He? Who? We're the only ones that are here my dear." He confusedly replied, doesn't even know what the heck I'm talking about. I swear, I swear I saw him! I saw my stepfather! It can't be just a hallucination. It felt so real. "Hey, are you sure you're okay?" He asked once more, I nodded, as he offers his hands to help me stand up.

"I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you, mister??" I smiled, and offered my hand for a handshake.

"Ben. It's Ben. And you?" He accepted my handshake, and returned a very warm smile.

"I'm Allison Winfeild." I grinned widely.

"So you must be the artist, Allison Winfeild huh?" I heard him murmur.

"Huh?" I asked.

"What a lovely name! I would really love to have a long conversation with you Ms. Allison, but I still got a meeting to attend to. See you soon. So, if you'll excuse me." He waved goodbye, and left.

Wait! Oh no! The meeting. No, no, no. Gina is going to kill me.

So without any hesitation, I rushed my way to the 15th floor, again. As I climbed up the stairs, I tripped, and almost fell. Gosh damn it! Stupid feet.

Finally, 15th floor- rooftop. Thank God! I stopped near the rooftop, and took a little time to catch my breath. After, I inhaled and exhaled, and sighed loudly, then proceeded to the rooftop where the meeting is held.

"I'm so sorry that I'm late Gina." I didn't even bother snapping my head up to Gina and to the client.

"Ms. Winfeild, don't worry you're just in time. Please take a sit." Okay, this time a familiar voice made me snap my head. As I take a sit, I am locking gazes with a very smiling Mr. Ben, and a confused Gina.

"So you two already have known each other?" Gina confusedly asked, pointing her finger to me, to Mr. Ben, and back to me. Me and Mr. Ben nodded in unison. "Okay, so let's start the meeting, shall we?" Gina said, and Mr. Ben nodded.

"I have a quick question." I raised my hand, and Gina gave me a 'what is it' look. "So Mr. Ben is our very important client?"

"Yes Ally. This is Mr. Ben Clarkson, the owner of Clarkson Arts Gallery. He is here today to give us a proposal which is we're about to know when you'll take time to stop asking questions, and just reserve it after the meeting." Whoa! Sarcastic much? I understand her though, I mean this is very important to her.

"It's okay Gina, curiosity doesn't kill all the time." Mr. Ben smiled, and I returned the gesture. "So my proposal is, I want you," he points his finger at me "Ms. Winfeild, to paint atleast 3 medium-sized paintings for my gallery, and I want it done by next week."

"What? 3 medium-sized paintings? Next week?" I huffed, which let me earned a glare from Gina, and a stern look from Mr. Ben. What the juice! How am I suppose to finish that within just 3 days? And pass it next week? I am inspiration less.. if that's even a word.

"I am going to have an art exhibit next week, and there are very important people who are coming. There are also very great artists from Rome who are also coming, and I want to impress them. My daughter here," he pointed at Gina. I looked at Gina and gave her an 'is it true' look, and she nodded. "told me that she has a very great artist friend living in her building, named Allison Winfeild." A smile slowly found its way into my face, and my cheeks tinted pink. This is just too flattering. He is the second person to compliment me with my profession.