NYSSA
What can I do at this point? Nothin’ but watch the show come to an end.
My eyes fixed solely on the woman so I didn’t lose access to her in the end.
Finally, the auction came to an end and I was ready to confront the woman: maybe ask her why she was very interested in the piece and at the same time, get to know her mind and if I was truly the artist.
What if I was just overthinkin’?
“Are you okay?” I turned to look at the voice behind the question, catchin’ the gaze of Lysander who smiled at me. “Is there an issue?” He asked again and I shook my head, reachin’ for my handbag while I kept in touch with Ariadne who turned to look at me at some point.
I knew it!
Why would she look at me if she didn’t know a thing ’bout me?
Why would she look at me if she doesn’t know that piece is mine? I thought ’bout it and looked away, low-key lookin’ at her and in her direction once in a while until the auction was officially brought to an end by Ariadne who was added by the main host.
“Time to get home.”
I looked at Lysander, shakin’ my head also. “I need to use the washroom, Lysander,” I said and looked at Ariadne who still did some catchin’ up with the host of the show. “I need to use the toilet and use my makeup quickly. Will you wait for me?”
“I will wait for you. Let me have your stuff.” He urged and I looked Ariadne’s way before Lysander’s way once more. I handed the glass and jumped on my feet, placin’ my handbag on the chair I got up from as well as leadin’ my way to the door of the bathroom.
I wasn’t pressed, not for any moment. The only thing I needed was to look into the mirror and adjust my makeup if needed, as well as rehearse how I’d talk to the woman I wanted to speak with.
What if she was gone already?
I thought ’bout it and shook my head, realizin’ I could have lost that woman.
What if she was sent by Kazmir who wanted to keep an eye on me?
What if she wasn’t sent and Kazmir himself was keepin’ tabs on me directly in the toilet where I was?
I changed my mind ’bout usin’ the washroom. In moments, I was done washin’ my hands, after which I walked towards the door but stopped in my tracks ’cause someone was comin’ in also.
I waited so I could walk out and at this point, it didn’t seem to me like I would be walkin’ out of the room but instead, finishin’ what I started in my head.
It was Ariadne.
“Hello, my hero.”
What?
What was she tryin’ to do?
Does she recognize me? I wondered and looked around to be certain I was the one she was talkin’ to before reactin’. “Are you talkin’ to me?”
“Yes, Nyssa. I’m sure you don’t remember who I am but how can I forget you? You who was an artist. You are still an artist, in fact. You won’t be comin’ here if you no longer feel the spark and you know what?”
Stunned, I couldn’t speak.
When did all of this start?
The woman who I wanted to approach and talk to indirectly ’bout the piece she was holdin’, had come to me with talks ’bout myself. The answer I have been seekin’. “It’s so nice to meet you. Before the accident, I used to be your fan. I still am your fan, in fact, and I just wanted you to know how amazin’ you are.”
“It’s-it’s nice to meet you,” unsure of what to say, I said those words and even took a bolder step. “You won my piece as the guest of honor for the auction. It’s a pleasure to see you and other women who have a massive love for art. What’s your name?” I knew but just had to ask again, for confirmation purposes.
“Ariadne. My name is Ariadne.”
“It’s my pleasure to meet with you, Ariadne. Thank you for comin’ to speak with me.”
I wanted to walk away, but she held my hand from behind. “I’m afraid I wanted to speak with you ’bout somethin’, my lady. I came to use the washroom but since you’re here already, we could talk. I don’t want anyone to hear of my plans.”
I looked at her hand on mine and she let go, mutterin’ words I didn’t hear. This had to be the best day of my life since the accident I had and when I returned home. “It’s alright. What do you want to talk ’bout?” I also didn’t hesitate to act like a celebrity. It was only for the moment, after all, and I was goin’ to enjoy the moment to the fullest.
“It’s nothin’ serious, actually,” she said and walked to the front of one of the mirrors, looked into it, and then faced me once more. “I thought you’d be interested in becomin’ my personal artist. It’ll be my honor to have you work with me and not for me, as well as paint many more arts for my home collections. You’ll get paid and all the money you ever need and look out for will be yours and in reality. What do you think?”
I looked at her face.
When I wanted to speak, she cut me short.
“I know this shouldn’t be happenin’, which is why I wanted to see you in private rather than in front of your manager, Mr. Lysander who came with you. I hope you take my request into consideration and let me know what your thoughts are, Nyssa.”
I didn’t know what to say.
From defendin’ Lysander and makin’ ‘im who he is instead of who he’s not, to makin’ her know of my inability to paint in the meantime. Or was it ’cause I hadn’t used any paint yet? I looked up at her and said. “Mr. Lysander is not my manager, Ariadne. He’s a friend who brought me here with ‘im. Bein’ kind doesn’t make ‘im my manager or don’t you think so?”
“I’ll be honored to be your manager if you ask me. I don’t see anythin’ wrong with that, but what do you say to my proposal? Are you willin’ to work with me or not, Nyssa? I should let you be so they don’t think I have done a thing or two to you. But this is my card in case you want to talk.” She handed me a card. “I don’t want anyone to know ’bout this conversation we’ve had, also. Have a great day.” And that was it, the older woman walkin’ away from the room and leavin’ me stunned.
How did I get here?
Does this mean that many others in the hall recognized me at some point?
What does this mean?
I looked around and walked out, headin’ to Lysander who looked worried. “I’m sorry. I had a button to fix.” While tellin’ the lie, I looked at my dress to be certain there was one button on it, puttin’ the card Ariadne gave to me without ‘im also knowin’, and then finally meetin’ his gaze. “You still have somethin’ to do?”
“No, let’s get home, Nyssa. Or would you want to spend some more time here? Meet people?” He asked me with a smile and there was me who shook my head. “We’ll leave for the house, then. Come on. Let’s go.” And I followed ‘im, turnin’ around at some point to see if I would see Ariadne but she was gone from my sight.