Leading Us

7. The Gallery

Chapter Seven: The Gallery

The days following Isabelle’s event were a whirlwind of activity for Maya. True to her word, Isabelle had introduced her to several influential figures, and Maya’s phone was suddenly buzzing with invitations to exhibit her work, collaborate with other artists, and attend more high-profile events. It was everything she had dreamed of, and yet, it all felt slightly surreal.

Despite the excitement, Maya found herself distracted. Adrian’s presence at Isabelle’s estate still lingered in her thoughts, his touch haunting her even now. She had thrown herself into her work, hoping the familiar comfort of painting would help her focus, but the more she tried to lose herself in her art, the more her mind wandered back to him.

And now, she stood in front of a new gallery in SoHo, one that had reached out to her through Isabelle. The sleek, modern space was the perfect venue for showcasing her latest series, and the opportunity was one she couldn’t refuse. Still, as she stepped through the glass doors, a knot of nerves twisted in her stomach.

“Maya! Welcome!” The voice of the gallery owner, Elena Monroe, cut through her thoughts. Elena was a petite woman in her late thirties with an edgy sense of style and an enthusiasm that was both infectious and intimidating.

Maya forced a smile as she shook Elena’s hand. “Thank you, Elena. I’m thrilled to be here.”

Elena beamed. “We’re so excited to have you! I’ve been a fan of your work for a while now, and when Isabelle mentioned you were looking for a new gallery, I jumped at the chance.”

Maya nodded, feeling a little overwhelmed by the praise. “I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

“Let me give you a quick tour,” Elena said, guiding Maya through the gallery. The space was open and airy, with high ceilings and plenty of natural light—perfect for showcasing her paintings. “We’re thinking of dedicating this entire wall to your new series,” Elena continued, gesturing to a large, prominent space. “What do you think?”

Maya stared at the wall, her mind racing. The idea of seeing her work displayed here, in such a prime location, filled her with both excitement and anxiety. This was what she had been working toward, but the pressure was suddenly very real.

“I think it’s perfect,” Maya said finally, pushing aside her doubts. “I can’t wait to see how it all comes together.”

Elena smiled, clearly pleased with Maya’s response. “Wonderful! We’ll start preparing the space immediately. We’ll work closely with you on the layout and the opening event. Isabelle has already expressed interest in attending, and I’m sure we’ll attract a lot of attention.”

The mention of Isabelle’s name sent a jolt through Maya. She hadn’t spoken to Isabelle since the event, though she had received a few polite messages from her. The art dealer’s influence was undeniable, but there was something about her that made Maya uneasy. Isabelle seemed to have an agenda, and Maya couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being carefully manoeuvred into place.

But before she could dwell on it, Elena’s voice broke through her thoughts again. “And I should mention, Adrian Blackwood has expressed interest in your work as well.”

Maya’s heart skipped a beat. “Adrian?” she repeated, trying to keep her voice steady.

“Yes, he’s one of our biggest supporters,” Elena explained, oblivious to the effect her words had on Maya. “He’s been following your career closely and is very excited about this exhibition. I wouldn’t be surprised if he made an appearance at the opening.”

Maya forced herself to nod, though her mind was spinning. Adrian’s interest in her work was flattering, but it also complicated things. She couldn’t deny the attraction between them, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to deal with the emotions that came with it—especially now, when her career was finally taking off.

Elena continued discussing the details of the exhibition, but Maya only half-listened, her thoughts drifting back to Adrian. She remembered the way he had looked at her at Isabelle’s estate, the way his touch had sent shivers down her spine. The intensity of her feelings for him scared her, especially because she had no idea where they might lead.

As the meeting wrapped up and Maya left the gallery, she felt a strange mix of excitement and dread. Her exhibition was a huge step forward in her career, but the thought of seeing Adrian again, of facing whatever was brewing between them, left her feeling unsteady.

She had always prided herself on her independence, on her ability to control her own life. But now, with everything moving so quickly, she felt like she was being swept up in a current she couldn’t escape. The stakes were higher than ever, and she knew that one misstep could send everything crashing down around her.

Maya took a deep breath as she stepped out onto the busy streets of SoHo. She had come too far to let fear hold her back now. The exhibition was her chance to prove herself to solidify her place in the art world. And whatever happened with Adrian, she would deal with it when the time came.

For now, all she could do was focus on her work and hope that she was making the right decisions.

But as she walked away from the gallery, she couldn’t help but feel that her life was on the brink of something—something big - something dangerous. And she wasn’t sure if she was ready for it