Chapter 4

the night was cold and the air in the garage was chill, Chris wore an hoodie and on it a custom jacket, it was fashionable and it would help with his cold, he got in his Rolls Royce and fastened his seat belt ,his friend's gallery opening had already started he was so busy with work, he almost lost track of time Celine would have been so upset at him.

***

where are you going? it's literally Eight pm. Emily asked taking her attention from her laptop.

well I told you about this waitering job I got last week for some fancy gallery opening, it's a one time thing, the pay is huge. So many rich snubs all gathered in one place. Jackpot!! all I have to do is suck up to them and I'll get myself a nice tip, Willow said snickering.

Are you seriously going to be working two jobs? that's not healthy Emily advice.

Willow gave her a side eye, I am a youth, I still have strength in me, I can't waste my time lazing around When I have people to take care of. How do I look she asked as she adjusted her skirt.

Like a hooker, come-on is the net tights necessary? you look like you're about to join a metal band. Emily replied.

Did you see the weather out there? it's cold. Willow protested.

Then wear pants, you have black pants don't you? this skirt is way to short and your tights, hmm hmm girl, Emily continued.

But I wanna look sexy, Willow grumbled. FINE!, I'll change.

Besides you would have only be objectifying yourself. and attracting the wrong crowd.

Oh my God! I said I'd change didn't I?, look am wearing the black pants. God.

***

The air was really chilly, even when I wore a jacket, I was clothed from my head to my toes, but I still felt the cold, Thank God I listened to Emily, because I would have been too proud to go back to change.

Taxi. I called a Taxi.

I knew I had to find a steady second job, at least until I climb my way to the top of ATHONEYS and FOOD, I can't keep waitering for these rich ungrateful snubs, it's doing damage to my ego.

I arrived at the venue a little late and the head waiteress gave me a speech for five minutes.

I kept saying I am sorry, but I think that only fueled her anger, she looked stuck up, mind I remind her that head waiteress is just a title, she's still a waiter like the rest of us.

We weren't allowed into the Hall until the show started which was by 10:00 pm, what was I supposed to do?.

i sat through one long hour of lessons of how not to waiter by our queen waitress. Tsks, she takes the job way too seriously.

The gallery finally opened and I had a tray of sparkling champagne on my hand slightly above my shoulder, I was third in line and we were supposed to walk out when we hear the signal from the queen waitress.

As I stepped out, I was in awe, wow, these were arts not just a blank canvas sprinkled with different paint this person just changed my ideology, not all children of the wealthy are talentless.

Eyes on your job I told myself walking out, 75 percent of the humans here are around my age or a little older.

it's just fascinating how we are all in the same age circle but my life is totally different from theirs.

a girl motioned for me to come and I walked to her direction smiling, She was pretty she had big oval eyes and her makeup complemented her skin tone.

if you need anything just call me, I said in my fake British accent. She nod and smiled.

After almost an hour, queen waitress gave us a break and started her speech again.

We have been doing great, but you can't just stand and look at the paintings for over a minute she said and then glared at me.

What did I do? I thought.

we have a five minutes break then we are back out there, come-on people she yelled.

is this a football team? tsks.

my legs hurt, I shouldn't have worn these compact heels.

We went back for the second round and boy was it raining tips.

Tips from the left, tips from the right, tips from the center, Tips all night. This was the power of a British accent.

Minutes later, a guy wearing a hoodie and a jacket? motioned for me to come.

What was he thinking when he left his house like that? bold move if you asked me, but what do I know am not a fashionista. This guy probably has a designer from Prada that hand picks his clothes for him.

What do you want sir? i asked in my money maker. this time my tray was filled with tiny foods on tiny plates with sticks on them, he looked at me funny, as he tried picking up a plate.

I kept smiling looking up at him even if I was getting annoyed at this guy.

Don't I...

he was about to say before Celine the artist behind these wonderful art works walked up to him and they engaged in friendly chat.

What's wrong with that guy? Staring at me, I know I am gorgeous but still.

***

I called for a waiter, and she walked towards me, she was smiling, I looked at her she looked so familiar.

But I couldn't remember where I knew her from her hair was long and curly and she stood out because of her melanin.

I kept looking at her trying to remember, brown eyes. where have I seen those before.

What do you want sir she asked, She had an accent, it made me confused I couldn't remember any accent.

I tried picking up a plate. and she kept smiling at me, why was she smiling so much?

Don't I...

Chris, Celine came from behind me, I turned and she gave me a hug, I tried turning towards the waiteress again but she was gone.

wow. you really out did yourself this time. I told Celine as she linked my arm with hers and smiled broadly.

This aren't only my works you know, other bright upcoming artists also made this art complete. She said.

Don't be modest, I heard from Greg that all your art work had been sold an hour into the opening, I bought one myself i said.

Really? her face lit up.

I chuckled. yeah.

Am so glad you could make it. I thought you wouldn't be able to ,considering how you've been busy and all she said.

Come-on Celine I wouldn't miss it for the world I said gently tapping her arm.

Huuu, look Chris she said pulling my arm as we got to a painting on a gray wall.

This painting is one of a kind the arti....

The painting. It had a dark purple sky and a dried up oak tree on the left, The lake was pitch black and on the tree, vultures sat on it, there is also a man he sat on the bank of the lake, he was also pitch black, but where he sat had green grass around him, just where he sat, the other grass were dried up and Brown, but around this man, was green grass and pretty flowers, even if he was pitch black he could still give life to the things around him. I breathed out slowly, looking at this art, it spoke things to me.

Chris, Chris? Celine called out to me, do you like it.

Yeah, I do, I'll take it, get the artist to sign it and get it to house, i said.

it's a really great art piece Chris, you have a good eye, she praised and stared at me, I looked down at her. She smiled and without any heads up she pulled me in for a kiss.

of course I kissed her back and smiled, Caressing her lips with my thumb.

I took my attention to the painting again and stared at it for awhile.

I should get going I told Celine.

Why?, She pouted, so soon?.

it's past midnight I have a meeting at nine by tomorrow so am sorry but this is where I leave you, please have my paintings dropped at my house I said giving her a small hug.

Okay, she said letting go of my arm now. call me when you get home okay.

I will, I said and kissed her cheek.