The gallery suddenly seemed to be devoid of people, even if their chatter had gone up a notch. She drowned out the noise unconsciously, unnerved by the looks in their eyes. “Seen what?” Rina looked from Isaiah to George, wondering what that was about. It didn’t seem like something she would be ecstatic to find out, but then again, Rina knew there hadn’t been enough ecstasy in her life since the spread of the rumors started.
“Didn’t you see the people gathered at the entrance of the gallery?”
“The oil paintings lining the wall?” She angled her head, even if anxiety was eating away at her.
George nodded, then sighed. “I think it’s best you see it yourself. I must warn you though, there’s nothing joyous about it.”
“There’s nothing joyous about what my anti-fans think of me,” Rina murmured, allowing George to lead the way while Isaiah came up at the rear. The small crowd that had gathered parted ways and whispers graced their lips as the trio approached the line of paintings. They stopped in front of the one in the middle, and even though no one else noticed it, Rina’s steps faltered.
Her eyes grew wide as she took in the painting on the wall, of her in a compromising situation with a man whose face wasn’t shown. She was in a white night dress with a strap coming down her arms, and her eyes hazy. Rina remembered that scene. It was from a series she’s starred in, about a married woman having an affair with a young man outside her unhappy home. It sure looked real, from how passionate her gaze was. But it was only because Rina was a damn good actress and everyone she worked with knew it.
“All those rumors have always been true,” someone snapped from the crowd. “She has just been parading herself like a saint like we were the ones lying against her.”
“I have always believed those young actors who said the truth about her,” another person said, while Rina just stood there, staring up at the painting, trying to wrap her head around it. “Didn’t you guys see how she suddenly came into the limelight? There was just something suspicious about it.”
Rina wanted to yell at them, to say that she had only come into the limelight because of her hard work and dedication, but she stayed quiet, with George and Isaiah flanking her on both sides. “What are we going to do about this?” George whispered. “Everyone here thinks this is the reflection of something that really happened, but I remember that it was from a series because I was there through it all.”
“This doesn’t look good,” Isaiah whispered. “It doesn’t.”
Rina’s head reeled from the situation that had been dumped onto her lap. Pushing away the worries that were arising in her head, she leaned in closer to the painting, looking at the signing at the base. “R,” she whispered to herself. “Who could this be?”
“I don’t think I have ever heard of this artist,” Isaiah murmured. “R. It’s not a very popular name. Maybe it is a young artist.”
“Or someone with a personal vendetta against Rina.” George was back to his first thought. “It is obviously that. Don’t you see how the man’s image was hidden with shadow technique? Whoever the artist is, he or she doesn’t want the public to realize this didn’t actually happen, but they also want it to harm you.”
“George…”
“It’s too much of a coincidence, don’t you think?”
The crowd around them was still talking, and Rina half expected someone to throw something at her or pull her hair. As if reading her mind, George took a small step to the back, hovering behind her protectively. “I think we need to get out of here. The crowd might not take to surfing these walls with you in the room.”
“No.” Rina shook her head. “I can go on my own. Isaiah needs you here. I really wanted to see your works, but I guess nature has other plans for me tonight. I will see you some other time.”
“Let me walk you outside.” George leaned in to peck Isaiah on his forehead before sauntering out with Rina, placing his hand around her back without actually touching her. He looked behind them at intervals, checking if any angry anti-fan was tailing them with the intent of hurting Rina. George knew he couldn’t allow that to happen on his watch, because not only would he feel so bad, he would also have Zayn to answer to.
Outside, Rina waited under the night skies for the valet to get her car around. She sighed and rolled her eyes at how dramatic her life had become. Igor appeared around the corner and nodded in acknowledgment at George before planting himself on the other side of Rina.
“R,” George mused. “I can’t get over the feeling that we’re missing something. The name teases something in my brain, something I cannot get a grasp of. But it’s there. I’m certain of it.”
“Someone is definitely behind this,” she replied. “But we’re going to need time to get to the bottom of it, and I don’t know whether we have enough time for that. I still haven’t found an agency or production house to take me in, so the more we focus on the art, the more it pulls me back.”
“Still, what is the assurance that this R wouldn’t try to sabotage your chances with whatever you try to get on to? I mean, it already happened once with the first agency that reached out.”
The car came around and the valet stepped out, handing the key to Rina with a grim expression. He sure held his own opinion about her but knew enough to keep it to himself.
“So, what do you think?” Rina was already whirling with thoughts in her head, but she needed to go home and get away from all the noise.
“I will get back to you,” George said. “Just take care of yourself.”