Strokes of Fate

Chapter 1.5

"Dr. Vance, Ms. Wescott, this is my sister, Zara," Kai introduced, his voice carrying a hint of pride.

Zara extended her hand, first to Olivia, then to Dr. Vance. When her fingers met the doctor's, she felt that same electric jolt she'd experienced with the drafting tools. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the bustling street around them seemed to fade away.

"A pleasure to meet you, Zara," Dr. Vance said, his voice rich and cultured. "Kai has mentioned your artistic talents. I look forward to seeing your work."

Olivia clapped her hands together, her array of colorful bangles jingling. "Yes, indeed! Shall we head inside? I'd love to discuss the internship opportunity with you, Zara."

As they entered the gallery, Zara was struck by the juxtaposition of the building's industrial past with its current artistic purpose. Polished concrete floors stretched beneath her feet, while the high ceilings and exposed brick walls created a canvas for the artworks on display.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Dr. Vance murmured, falling into step beside her. "Olivia has a gift for curating spaces as much as art."

Zara nodded, trying to ignore the warmth that spread through her at his proximity. "It's beautiful," she agreed. "I love how the space interacts with the art, creating new perspectives."

Dr. Vance's eyebrows raised slightly, an appreciative smile tugging at his lips. "An astute observation. You have a keen eye, Zara."

Before she could respond, Olivia called them over to a small seating area near the back of the gallery. As they settled into the sleek, modern chairs, Zara couldn't help but notice how Dr. Vance's gaze kept returning to her, a mixture of curiosity and something else she couldn't quite define in his eyes.

"So, Zara," Olivia began, leaning forward with enthusiasm, "Kai tells me you're looking for an internship. What interests you most about working in a gallery setting?"

Zara took a deep breath, pushing aside her nervousness. "I'm fascinated by the way art interacts with space and audience," she began, drawing confidence from Dr. Vance's earlier approval. "I believe a gallery is more than just a place to display art – it's a living, breathing entity that can shape how we perceive and experience creativity."

As she spoke, Zara felt a familiar surge of passion, one she hadn't experienced in months. The words flowed easily, her hands gesturing as she explained her vision for engaging visitors and creating immersive experiences.

Olivia listened intently, her eyes sparkling with interest. Even Kai looked impressed, a proud smile on his face. Kai couldn't keep his eyes off Zara. It was cute to think about.

But it was Dr. Vance's reaction that caught Zara's attention most. He watched her with an intensity that both thrilled and unnerved her, as if he could see right through to her core.

"Well," Olivia said when Zara finished, "I must say, I'm impressed. Your perspective aligns beautifully with what we're trying to achieve here at Wescott. I think you'd be a wonderful addition to our team."

Zara's heart leapt. "Really? I mean, thank you. I'd be honored to intern here."

"Excellent!" Olivia beamed. "We can sort out the details later. For now, why don't you show us some of your work? I'd love to see what you've been creating."

Zara hesitated, her hand instinctively moving to her portfolio case. The cityscape she'd drawn last night was the only recent work she had—a night's work, but something held her back from sharing it. "I... I'm afraid I don't have much recent work with me," she said, hating the way her voice wavered. "I've been in a bit of a creative slump lately."

Dr. Vance leaned forward, his eyes locked on hers. "Sometimes, Zara, our most profound works come after periods of drought. The subconscious mind has a way of processing and creating even when we think we're stagnant."

His words resonated deeply with Zara, echoing her experience from the previous night. Before she could stop herself, she found herself unzipping her portfolio case. "Actually, I did create something last night. It's... different from my usual style."

As she unrolled the drawing on the low table before them, a hush fell over the group. The intricate cityscape seemed to come alive under the gallery lights, shadows shifting and buildings almost seeming to breathe.