The Return of Ariadne: NYSSA
It was a blast!
Doin’ such a thing and brin’in’ more content to the internet was a good thing to behold.
“Yes.”
A sigh ran out of my mouth the next moment while I gazed at the number of views we had on the piece. “I have put ‘im where he should be, after all.” Speakin’ only to myself, I looked at the door and there was Kazmir walkin’ into the space with a smile on his face.
“I still can’t believe you did that, you know,” sittin’ on the couch not so far from the bed, he let out. “I’m so proud of what and who you are becomin’.” He heaved a sigh and got on his feet. “I need to go to work today. I’ve missed so much since last week and should catch up on them as soon as I can. Darius has tried enough and I want to give ‘im the week off so that he can rest.”
“That’s great,” I nodded, snatchin’ the duvet off from my body. “I know you cooked. Thank you so much but can you stop doin’ the things I should do? That’s my job, especially now that I am fully back to my senses. Not completely but this is a phase and you know.”
He walked to the door of the bathroom with the towel he snatched a while ago. “I’ll join you at the table after my bath.” And he was out of my sight. I walked to the door after snatchin’ my phone. There was a lot to see, especially the downfall of Lysander who had yet to come back to speak. Everyone was waitin’ for ‘im and there was no sign of ‘im comin’ on live to talk ’bout the things I said, not even defendin’ himself.
In the dinin’ area, I took my seat and started to eat. A lot was goin’ ’bout in my head while at some point, I abandoned the phone and faced my meal.
When I finished, I dished out the meal Kazmir would eat before doin’ the dishes. By this time, he was out of the room and dressed for work.
“Do you need me to do somethin’ for you?”
I shook my head.
“No. Not at all. You have done more than enough already, haven’t you? You should eat, else you’ll be later than usual.” Pointin’ at his meal, he kissed my cheeks and walked to the chair where he sat while I led my way to the livin’ room where I would relax in the meantime. Meantime? I had no plans for the day so it seemed like I would spend the whole day here.
“Bye, honey.”
It was almost an hour later. Kazmir was ready for work.
“Have a good day at work, Kazmir Draven.”
I waved at ‘im while he walked away, leavin’ me in the house as usual. I should be paintin’ somethin’ new, but I was tired and unready to start another task. Not until next week, after I must have had all the rest I know I should have.
Suddenly, the house bell rang.
I wasn’t expectin’ anyone.
So who was that?
Standin’ on my feet, I walked to the door entrance and then out of the livin’ room. The house bell rang again, forcin’ me to hasten my footsteps.
Catchin’ up with the gate, I perceived a fragrance I was certain that I recognized. “Ariadne?”
It has been almost a month since I heard from her. What happened to her line? Why? In haste, I opened the gate and mopped at the beamin’ woman who took her time and waited for me to ask her in.
“Ariadne?”
“Nyssa? Look at you.” She exclaimed before walkin’ in. “I thought I should come to see you. How are you doin’?” She was in the compound and lookin’ around as usual. “Why are you actin’ like you’ve seen a ghost?”
Haven’t I seen a ghost?
“I called and called and called and called, Ariadne,” when we were seated in the livin’ room, I complained. “I don’t know if I did somethin’ wrong to you and that’ll make you not take my calls.”
Shakin’ her head, the woman heaved a sigh. “This isn’t even ’bout you, Nyssa Draven. I just got so busy with my personal stuff and barely had the time to reach out to you and keep in touch, which I apologize for.”
What could I do?
“It’s fine-” I said.
“How are you doin’? What can I offer you?” Standin’ on my feet, I was held back down by the woman who looked like she didn’t come for a chitchat. She ne’er did, anyway. “What is the matter?” I had to ask and she sat up, smilin’ now.
“I came to speak with you ’bout somethin’ very important.”
“Tell me ’bout it.”
“Don’t you think it’s high time you started paintin’?”
I moped at her.
What was she sayin’?
“Don’t I paint, Ariadne?” I asked. “Well, I haven’t been postin’ my paintin’s of late but you of all people should know I have been doin’ it for some time now so what are you talkin’ ’bout that I don’t know?”
She got up.
“I know,” she sat back on the chair. “I want us to do somethin’. Somethin’ I expect that you’re okay with. It’s this simple. It’s a sort of exhibition that’ll help you and your career in the next three years when you may no longer get to set an eye on me or rather, reach out to me like you presently do.”
What was she sayin’?
“Look, Nyssa. I’m sure you recall what I told you at the art exhibition that day. When you were there with Lysander. I made it known to you that I’d love you to paint for me, although I wanted it to be me alone which I have reconsidered and realized also that it makes no sense. This way, you get paid for anythin’ you paint for me and I give you self-awareness from my end. It’ll brin’ more fans your way and more beauty to the walls in my large house. Don’t you agree with me?”
My thoughts started.
Out of the blues, this woman shows up and makes such a request.
What was her motive?
I couldn’t help but wonder as I gazed at her from where I was seated. She would not hurt me, would she? Just like Ember, Jane, and Lysander did, will she?
Lookin’ up finally, I nodded. “I don’t think somethin’ is wrong with it, is there? I’m ready to work with you, Ariadne. How do we go ’bout it?”