"You are enough"

Chapter 4

Staple needed a few hours to process that something was actually wrong. The last two hours of work were languishing, as she couldn't focus on whatever she thought she needed to do. She was analysing the morning talk with Ronnie. How sad the girl sounded later. And how she hadn't texted her for the whole day – as she always did. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

When she finally left her office it was already dark outside. She was going to her car still thinking what may be the reason for Ronnie's mood sudden change. She recalled the girl's words about going somewhere. Or her reaction to the fact that she's going to work. She got into the car and that's when she understood. It was the last Saturday of the month – the day of Ronnie's exhibition. The Saturday about which she should have remembered. It was her – she made Ronnie sad.

"Fuck!" she hit the steering wheel

Ellie drove to the gallery – infringing probably every possible traffic regulations.

"Pull yourself together, Ellie!" she said looking at her reflection in a car's mirror, before going inside

There were still some people there and seeing them marvelling over Ronnie's works Ellie sighed with relief. Thanks god she didn't miss it. The woman strolled through the gallery trying not to pay attention to the people looking at her and whispering something. She was admiring every piece of art that her precious girlfriend had created. She wasn't surprised – she was well aware how talented Ronney was. But when she saw the last one of the paintings – hanging at the end to be exposed more than the rest – she was speechless.

It was her – Ronnie painted her. It was suddenly too much for Ellie. The psychiatrist covered her mouth still not being able to move from there. Her heart was speeding making her feel as if it was going to spring out her chest at any time.

She fucked up – there were no doubts. She was well aware that her words and the fact that she had forgotten hurt the girl. And now seeing the picture – her sitting in a huge armchair, which seemed to be a kind of throne, among black roses – she was angry with herself even more.

The psychiatrist took a deep breath to calm down and moved to read some inscription hanging next to the painting.

'Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the rain...

You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain'

She had never felt loved by someone so much, as she did at that moment. Ronnie used an extract from "their" song – the first which they had listened to together. Ellie smiled reading the inscription and wiping a tear that streamed down her cheek.

"I'm sorry" a young man came to her "I'm a journalist. Can I ask you a few questions?"

Ellie looked at him, but before she could say anything the man continued

"Ronnie claims that you're her inspiration. How does it feel when someone dedicates you the whole exhibition?"

The woman looked at him – she could feel how her eyes become teary again.

"Amazing" she answered and wanted to pass him

"That's not the end..." he said confused

"I'm sorry. I need to find her" she smiled apologetically and wandered off

It took her some time, but finally one of the guards told her that Ronnie had walked out to the balcony upstairs. Ellie wiped away the rest of the tears and went after the girl.

There she was – resting against the guardrail with a cigarette in her hand. But she wasn't alone. Next to her there was a man dressed in a black suit.