Chapter 2

Mel

The front desk was empty when we arrived in the lobby, but I didn’t stop to find the manager. I’d deal with him later. Bastard. They were all the same, only caring about their freaking profits. Scarred girls didn’t fit in their shiny Instagram feeds. Idiots.

The girl followed me quietly, and I had to stop a few times to make sure she was still there. She was definitely not the usual suspect to enter these raffles. Over the years, I’d had everything from men stretching the limits of what they could ask the controversial artist to women wanting to be part of the latest trend. Idiots, all of them, and only the fact that it brought money to my charities made me continue.

The street was empty as we stepped out, and I pointed at the passenger seat of the car.

“Get in”

The girl hesitated.

“I don’t bite”, I said as I climbed inside.

She didn’t answer but opened the door and got in. I picked up the phone. At least we would eat fancy tonight. I dialled the number I’d gotten in my latest exhibition, and the restaurant was more than happy to host the famous artist, even with such short notice. Idiots.

“So, what’s your name?”, I asked as I turned out onto the street.

“Nina…”

She sat staring down at her lap. She was different, to say the least. Getting people to shut up was the most difficult thing on these evenings, but she wasn’t like the others. I turned the corner, and we spent the rest of the journey in silence. It was… surprisingly pleasant.

“We’re here”

I turned off the engine. The girl lifted her head and turned to look out the window. I unfastened the seatbelt and got out, then knocked on the window when I realised she was still inside. She climbed out without a word and glanced around. I wondered if she would run away now when she was finally free, but she quietly followed me as I gestured for her to come.

Luckily, the restaurant was almost empty, and the waitress led us to a table in the corner. Perfect. I couldn’t stand any more dumbasses today. I ordered a glass of wine. It was a weekday, but I deserved it. Nina sat down opposite me, staring down at the table. She really wasn’t like the others.

“So, what do you do?”, I asked when the waitress had brought our drinks.

She turned to look at me, almost as if she’d forgotten I was there, and then whispered,

“I’m a graphic designer”

She stared down at the table, fidgeting with her sleeve. I waited for her to continue, but just as in the car, she stayed quiet. It was… pleasant. Even so, there were certain things expected of me.

“So…”

I leaned forward.

“What did you want to ask me?”

We might as well get it over with. I’d been in these events before, and they never failed to disappointment with the questions they could come up with.

She murmured something in reply.

“Speak up, I can’t hear you”

“Why did you stop painting your landscapes?”

I don’t know what I had expected from this evening, but this wasn't it. My landscapes? Most people knew, of course, that I had grown to fame when I turned to abstract paintings, but few, if any, cared about what I had done before that.

I wondered what I should tell her. Did she really want to know, or was she simply too shy to ask what she really wanted?

In the end, I decided to tell her the truth.

“They aren’t making money”

“I liked them”, she murmured.

She continued before I had a chance to change the subject,

“Do you plan to have any exhibition with them?”

“No”

I wondered if I could order another drink. I’d have more than my share today, but it couldn’t be helped.

“Shame…”, she whispered.

The waitress came with our food, and as she left, I took my chance and changed the subject.

“What about you? Do you live here?”

I must have continued talking, but what we talked about, I could no longer remember. Why had I stopped painting landscapes…?