The Vanishing Portrait

chapter 3

The weekend passed in a blur of nervous excitement for Lana. Though her aunt was thrilled that she had landed such a prestigious job, Lana couldn’t shake the lingering anxiety that came with working under someone like Aiden Lauren. His presence during the interview had been overwhelming, and his cold, unreadable gaze had stuck with her ever since she walked out of his office. 

By the time Monday morning arrived, Lana felt both eager and apprehensive. The Lauren Gallery was an incredible opportunity for her career as an art historian, but the weight of Aiden’s expectations hung over her like a cloud. 

She dressed carefully, choosing a sleek, professional outfit that made her feel confident but comfortable. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. *You’ve got this,* she told herself again, repeating the mantra that had gotten her through the weekend. 

After grabbing a quick breakfast, Lana set out for the gallery, the cool morning air doing little to calm the butterflies in her stomach. As she approached the building, she marveled once again at its sheer grandeur. The sprawling estate stood proudly against the backdrop of the city, its towering columns and intricate architecture a testament to its long-standing history. 

When she reached the front doors, the same friendly receptionist from before greeted her with a warm smile. “Welcome back, Miss Lana,” she said brightly. “Mr. Lauren has instructed me to take you to your workspace and introduce you to the team.” 

“Thank you,” Lana replied, grateful for the warm reception. She followed the receptionist through the gallery, her eyes flicking over the countless works of art that adorned the walls. Every piece seemed to tell a story, and she couldn’t wait to immerse herself in the world of preservation and curation. 

They soon arrived at a spacious office area located on the second floor of the gallery. The room was filled with large wooden desks, shelves stacked with reference books, and tables cluttered with research papers. A few employees were already hard at work, their focus entirely on the tasks in front of them. 

“This will be your desk,” the receptionist said, motioning to a clean, organized space near the windows. “You’ll be working closely with the curators and restoration team to help research, catalog, and preserve the gallery’s collection. Your role is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the artwork here.” 

Lana nodded, taking it all in. The view from her desk overlooked the gallery’s lush garden, the greenery providing a calming contrast to the intensity she was feeling. 

“Mr. Lauren will be checking in with you later this afternoon,” the receptionist added before excusing herself, leaving Lana to settle into her new workspace. 

For the next few hours, Lana focused on familiarizing herself with the various projects the gallery was working on. She was quickly pulled into the meticulous process of researching the origins of several paintings, reviewing the conditions of older works, and learning about the gallery’s restoration techniques. The work was fascinating, and Lana found herself getting lost in the details. 

But as the clock inched toward noon, her thoughts kept drifting back to Aiden. The tension from their interview still lingered in the back of her mind. How would their working relationship unfold? Would he be as cold and distant as the rumors said? Or was there more to him than the stoic exterior he projected? 

Her musings were interrupted when one of her coworkers, a woman named Minji, approached her desk. Minji was a senior curator at the gallery and had been working there for several years. 

“Hey, Lana,” Minji said with a friendly smile. “I just wanted to introduce myself. I’ll be helping you get acclimated to the gallery’s operations. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.” 

“Thank you,” Lana replied gratefully. “I really appreciate that. There’s so much to learn here.” 

Minji laughed softly. “Yeah, it can be a little overwhelming at first, but you’ll get the hang of it. The Lauren Gallery has one of the most extensive collections in the country, so we take our time with every piece. No rushing the process here.” 

“That sounds perfect to me,” Lana said, feeling a bit more at ease. “I’ve always believed that preserving art should be done with care and attention to detail.” 

Minji nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Aiden’s family has been very protective of the gallery’s legacy, and he takes that responsibility seriously. He can be... intense, but it’s because he wants everything to be perfect.” 

Lana hesitated for a moment before asking, “What’s it like working with him?” 

Minji’s expression shifted slightly, her smile becoming more cautious. “Well, Aiden isn’t exactly the easiest person to work with. He has very high standards, and he’s not afraid to let you know when you’ve fallen short. But if you can meet those standards, you’ll find that he’s deeply passionate about the gallery and the art we’re preserving.” 

Lana nodded thoughtfully. “I see.” 

“Don’t worry too much, though,” Minji added with a reassuring smile. “Just do your best, and you’ll be fine. If you need any advice or support, we’re all here to help.” 

After Minji left, Lana turned her attention back to her work, but her thoughts were still racing. She wondered how Aiden’s intensity would manifest in their interactions. Was he as difficult as people said, or was there a reason behind his rigid exterior? 

As the afternoon wore on, Lana immersed herself in a particularly challenging project—researching the provenance of a rare Renaissance painting that had recently been acquired by the gallery. The piece was stunning, but there were gaps in its documented history that needed to be filled before it could be fully authenticated. 

Lana’s concentration was broken by a soft knock on the door. She looked up to see Aiden standing in the doorway, his tall figure framed by the light from the hallway. He was dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, his expression as unreadable as ever. 

“Lana,” he said, his voice low and commanding, “I see you’ve settled in.” 

Lana stood up quickly, her heart racing at the sight of him. “Yes, sir. I’ve been going over some of the recent acquisitions and familiarizing myself with the collection.” 

Aiden’s eyes flicked to the painting she had been working on, and he stepped into the room, his gaze sharp and assessing. He moved closer to her desk, inspecting the documents spread out before her. 

“This piece,” he said, his voice soft but firm, “is one of our most important acquisitions in recent years. Its authenticity is in question, and I expect nothing less than perfection in the research you conduct on it.” 

Lana nodded, feeling the weight of his expectations. “Of course. I’ll do everything I can to ensure that the provenance is thoroughly researched.” 

Aiden’s eyes met hers for a brief moment, and something flickered in his gaze—something almost like approval. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. 

“Good,” he said, stepping back. “I’ll be reviewing your work personally. Make sure you don’t miss anything.” 

With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Lana standing there, her heart still racing. The intensity of his presence lingered even after he had gone, and Lana couldn’t help but feel a mix of fear and determination. 

She returned to her desk, her mind buzzing with thoughts. Working under Aiden was going to be more challenging than she had anticipated, but it also excited her in a way she hadn’t expected. There was something about the way he carried himself—something that drew her in, even as it intimidated her. 

As the sun began to set outside the gallery, Lana continued her work, determined to prove herself. The day had been overwhelming, but it was just the beginning. She could feel that her time at the Lauren Gallery was going to be more than just a job—it was going to change her life.