Secrets In The Sunset | KTH 18+ ✔️

Chapter Forty Five

I pull up to the gallery and quickly turn my car off to run inside. I'm hardly ever late, but of course today of all days, my professor decided to continue to lecture us even after class was supposed to be over.

"Ava, come on! They're not here yet." Lucas waves over to me to rush inside as he holds the door open.

I rush past him, thanking him as I run into the office to set my things down and take a deep breath.

"I'm so sorry I'm late Mrs. Bailey." I apologize as I try to steady my breathing. "My class ran late."

"It's okay, Ava. I'm just glad you got here before they did." She smiles and hands me an unopened bottle of water.

A well known artist and his wife were due to be here any minute. Mrs. Bailey wanted me to help persuade them into letting us host his new collection since I did such a good job with Ethan's show and his works were almost completely sold out already.

"They just pulled up." Lucas states as he peeks inside of the office.

Mrs. Bailey and I walk out, both of us checking our teeth in the wall mirror before greeting them in the lobby.

"Hello! Welcome to Bailey's Fine Arts." I reach out to shake his hand with a bright smile as well as shake his wife's hand.

"Hello. You must be Miss Young." The gentleman dressed very fashionable in all designer clothes says back to me.

"Yes, I am. Nice to meet you Mr. Bradford. Would either of you like some water while we discuss any questions you may have?" I ask as I gesture for him to follow me into the main part of the gallery.

"No, thank you." He smiles down at me. His wife was silent but polite as she shakes her head with a smile.

Mrs. Bailey and Lucas introduce themselves before Mr. Bradford starts walking around on his own to look at the paintings and sculptures up close.

"He gets like this. Very involved in the details." His wife whispers to me as she stands beside me.

"I get it." I whisper back. "I'm the exact same way."

"I heard from the person who recommended me to you that you have almost completely sold all of the last artist's paintings. Even up-selling some." Mr. Bradford stops to look at me, placing his hands inside of his coat pockets.

"That's true. There's actually only one painting left to be sold. That one right over there to your left." I point to the large painting hanging by itself on the wall. "The artist decided to go with oil paints instead of acrylic to give it the desired effect he was looking for which I think he captured beautifully."

He walks over to it and admires it like he had the rest, but with a wide grin spreading across his face this time. His chocolate brown skin glowing with joy as he views the details up close.

"That one has been harder to sell due to the price and size. Not many people can afford it or they just simply don't have the wall space for it." Mrs. Bailey adds.

Lucas walks over and stands on the other side of me, clasping his hands in front of him.

"How much?" Mr. Bradford questions.

"$1,500." I answer, tucking my hair behind my ear.

"I'll take it." He firmly states.

"Excuse me?" Lucas asks with a shocked expression. We've never sold a painting for that price.

"I like it. I'll take it." He reiterates as he walks back over to where we all stood. "Now, let's discuss the details of hosting my art show here in the early spring."