His Fire

Chapter 7

*This is not edited.*

Chapter 7

Camellia hated Wednesdays with a passion. It was on that day she had to leave the safety cocoon of her apartment and actually meet people. On tthat day she was forced to talk to people, to acknowlege them and be a bit social. Wednesdays were meant for meetings. Once she leaves the house she would meet with her agent Daisy. She would bring in new paintings and would collect her cheques. They would talk about the gallery, the demands in the market and so on. One thing that Camellia has continue doing was her art. She had promised her mother on her death bed that she would pursue with her art and never abandon it. That was a reason why after high school, Camellia had gone to an Art School instead to college like she wanted and has always planned.

After dressing up in blue faded jeans ,a plain black t- shirt and black ballet flats, she made her way towards her mini studio in her apartment. She grabbed the two paintings she had worked on that week, covered them with recycled paper and left her apartment. She placed the paintings in the backseat of her second hand Honda Civic and made her way towards her gallery.

It was her routine on Wednesdays. Once she had parked in her parking space, she got out and headed towards the grey shiny modern building. This building was a gift from David for her twentieth birthday. She sighed, those were the few moments of shere happiness in her life. It was also that year that she had married Ace.

Upon setting foot in the gallery, she was greeted by a smiling Daisy. Camellia forced a smile back and greeted her. At one point in time, she and Daisy were friends, they had an easygoing, informal relationship, however, now they meet because they have to, they had resumed to a formal professional relationship, talking only business.

"Good morning Camellia. How are ya doing today." Daisy said a bit cheerfully. Even though she had lost contact with the friendly Camellia, she was optimistic that one day she will return, she had no intention of giving up. Daisy always talked to her boss like she did before, unfazed by the change.

"Morning." Camellia simply replied. She handed the paintings to the woman and walked towards her office.

She sat on her desk and started reading the files, checking the amounts she received attentively.

Daisy placed the paintings carefully. She ripped the paper covering them and gasped. That was her reaction everytime she saw her work. Daisy was a big secret fan of her boss, had she possess enough money, she would have bought more of her paintings. She had only one of her work at home, Daisy's portrait in guash which Camellia had gifted her for her birthday.

She never regretted working for that woman, her cool and emotionless exterior didn't alter the opinion she had about her. Daisy knew that beneath that was a lovely woman, with a great personality. She was sure of that, everyone who knew Camellia from before knew this. Inside that woman who was sitting in the office was a good person who was hurting and will one day face the world again.

After locking the door, Daisy climbed the stairs and entered the office, not bothering to knock.

"Have you already checked the receipts?" Daisy asked while taking a seat across her. Camellia nodded.

"It was a great week. Two paintings were sold at the auction on Friday; 'Angel' and 'Rush', for $765000 and $1009000 respectively." Camellia gasped. It was hard to believe that people would buy her paintings for this much. She knew she was talented, but really one milloon dollars. While viewing the documents she had come across the number, she had thought that one zero was added by mistake. What would she do with that much money? She had no one left to spend the money on; no husband, no baby...

"Do not look so shocked. You are in great demand, the world wants your paintings and to be honest you deserve this."

"Still one million dollar. I still believe it is too expensive."

"It is not our fault. We started the bid at $100,000. Any way it was I think a sheik who bought the 'Rush' and a hotelier who won 'Angel'. Apart from that, 'Confusion' and 'Black Rose' were sold, $450,000 each by a gorgeous hunk who fell in love with them." She said the last part almost dreamily.

Camellia didn't bother reply to her remark. Even though, Daisy tend to flirt with many guys, she wasn't stupid neither an easy prey for the guys. With her dark auburn hair, generous lips, melted honey colored eyes, dark flawless skin and curvy body, she attracted much of the males attention and she loved it that way.

"I've already banked some cheques for you, the receipts are in the file. As you told me to I've donated five percent of this week's earning in Charity, this week to some project against famine in Africa." Daisy went on to which Camellia nodded.

"Your cash for the week is in the brown envelop in the drawer." She pointed in the direction in which it was. Camellia removed it, peeked in the enveloppe, closed it and put it in her bag. That was her spending money for the week.

"Is that all?" Camellia asked. Daisy thought for some time, contemplating whether she should bother her with the problem or deal with it herself. Daisy decided that she should be aware of it and said. "Well, these last few weeks, the pressure from the media has increased. They insist on knowing who 'you' are and have started many hypothesis on why you insist on anonimity. I've told them you wish to have a private life and do not want any external disturbances but they do not seem to grasp it. They are pretty insistant and I'm afraid that they might pry a bit more than you are comfortable with."

Camellia never wanted fame. She did want money in the past but not fame. Having others poking their heads in your personnal matters was digusting and inacceptable to her.

"Deal with them the way you think best but remember they must never find out about me. Give them a false description and if they try anything which may lead to me, give them false leads. I don't know what you will do but I don't want them on my back." She said in her authorative voice.

Daisy nodded and was about to say something when the bell ,signalling someone had opened the door, rang.

"I better go downstairs, it seems we have a custumer." Daisy said walking towards the door.

"Go, when whoever is gone, you inform me I'll leave then."

"Knock knock knock..." a melodious voice said mockingly from the door, some minutes later. Camellia glanced up from the papers and looked towards the door. There stood a stunning Indian beauty leaning on the door with a smirk...