Chapter 5: Fake Painting

WADE’S POV

My mood had not improved after the encounter with the b*stard outside the Havana club. Such arrogant fools always made me want to punch them in the face and break their noses. To make it worse, from the corner of my eye, I had seen my angel accompanied by Elaine.

Did he witness the whole incident? What did he think of me? The questions ran through my mind as I cleaned the house. I must have sighed for too long when I heard Pa’s voice ring loudly, “If you don’t stop sighing, I will smack your head.”

I turned around and found him standing by the door. I knew he was jesting as he walked over and sat down by the kitchen table.

“So, I heard what happened outside the Havana,” he stated.

“Pa, don’t listen to Auden's gossip.” I shook my head. “He always exaggerates stuff.”

“It wasn't from Auden,” he informed me. “You know very well I have friends all over town. You promised no more getting into fights.”

“The guy started it. I restrained myself. Don’t worry, Pa,” I responded meekly.

“But I know something else is bothering you. Spit it out.”

“It's nothing to concern you, Pa.” I smiled.

“It concerns me since you have been moody and irritated for weeks. I can feel your bed creak at night and the way you pace up and down your room. You haven't been sleeping well and the beer in the fridge seems to be less and less each day.”

Pa knew me too well. He had been observing me like a hawk. What did I have to lose? I would tell Pa some details of my turmoil and get his opinion while pretending it was someone else’s problem.

“Pa,” I started.

He nodded in encouragement.

“Pa, there is this friend of mine. He met someone but this person is out of reach from him, and he does not know what to do. The person he met comes from the elite society.”

Pa’s eyed widened and then I continued. “So, he asked me to help him. I’m not sure what to do. You know how cruel our society is. Can you offer me advice?”

Pa stood and walked over to the kitchen window. “Son, there is a reason why the elite society doesn’t mix with people like us. The one who ends up hurt is not the elite society but the lower class. Money is a factor and even if you have money, there are still those that will look down on you and break your heart.”

I had never heard Pa speak like this. I walked over and he turned around and then put an arm on my shoulder. “Wade, my son, you are my pride and joy. I never want you to get hurt. Never mix with them. Advise your friend to keep a distance.”

I nodded and then said, “Thank you, Pa.” I picked up the bucket and walked out into the backyard and then stood staring at the vast skyline.

The truth was I wanted my angel badly. But Pa’s advice rang loudly in my ears and his words had every bit of truth in them.

***

The next few days were busy until one afternoon a customer was interested in buying an abstract painting of St Paul’s cathedral of Selmunett. I was finalizing the inspection of the painting when I noticed that the lines in the abstract art were off. Looking closely I realized that the painting was a fake.

I rushed to the curator department office and summoned Auden. “Auden, come help me wrap this painting up. It’s a little bit heavy.”

He must have read the urgency in my tone because he stood up and we walked into the dispatch office. “What's wrong,” he asked hurriedly.

With my hand, I showed him the painting on the desk. “Check this painting for me.”

He lowered his head and did the inspection. His eyes widened and then he took the magnifying glass from the table and then did another swoop.

“Sh*t, it's fake,” he said in disbelief.

“Exactly,” I affirmed.

“How could a fake painting end up here unless someone swapped it?”

“Impossible. I feel like proper inspections were not done on this painting.”

“We need to inform Mr. Winston.” I nodded and we locked the dispatch office and headed to the manager's office.

Auden knocked and after an answer from Mr. Winston saying to enter, we both strode into his office and locked the door.

He looked up from his computer and in displeasure muttered, “What is it?”

“The abstract St Paul’s Cathedral painting is a fake,” I announced.

“What? What the hell do you mean it's fake?” He moved from his desk, and we rushed out of his office, hot on his heels, and entered the dispatch office. He inspected the painting and after a minute he cursed and swore.

“Who was the first to discover it?” he asked passing a look between us.

“I did.” I moved forward and stood staring at him.

He squinted his eyes at me and proceeded to interrogate me further. “When did you discover it was fake, and how long has it been?”

“Mr. Winston, I discovered this when I was inspecting the painting for dispatch as per the gallery's procedure. Sir, this is one of the new sets of paintings you brought from Selmunett.”

The accusation in my tone was clear. I was not going to let the lazy b*stard accuse me. Auden moved forward and stated, “Sir, you assigned yourself the batch for inspection.”

Mr. Winston looked shocked for a moment then he recovered and said, “Yes, I will handle this matter. Go back to the office,” he ordered.

We walked out of the dispatch office and headed back to the curator department. We had escaped a bullet and knew it was only a matter of time before he pinned another mistake on us.

We could hear the loud yelling as the customer complained and Mr. Winston tried to calm him down. My days in the gallery were numbered. He clearly had not inspected the painting or was trying to sell fake paintings.

At the end of the day, we left the gallery and stopped by the beach to watch the sunset. I could see the worry on Auden's face and laughed. “Calm down. If he fires us, we shall fly out of Malta and take up godfather’s offer to settle in Italy.”

“Shut up, Wade. You vowed never to leave Malta. My parents and your Ma are buried here.”

He must have been worried for him to remind me of the little vow. “We can always open a beach bar and sell cocktails by the seaside.”

“Pa would kill us. Seriously, Wade, I am worried. Mr. Winston is a man with no scruples, and I don’t understand how he can be friends with Papa.”

“The gallery receptionist told me to be careful when I am dealing with him. She must have heard him complaining about me,” I said.

“Pa does not need to worry about us. Let's have a backup plan. If we get fired, we must find work immediately,” Auden suggested.

“Mmhm.”

“I see your mood improved after talking to Pa. I listened to your conversation. You finally opened up.” Auden was always this shameless.

“Did it? You know very well that he cautioned against mixing with the elite. I tried to hide it but Pa knew I was asking about myself. You know I saw him again. My angel.” I tilted my head sideways looking at Auden.

“What? Where?” Auden questioned.

“Outside the Havana. He was standing by the exit with Elaine and another guy.”

“Ahh, that explains why you were in a bad mood afterward. He saw you being an a*shole and you felt guilty,” Auden responded.

“Do you always have to speak your mind,” I scolded.

Auden laughed and answered, “You need someone as strong-willed as me around you, Wade. Or else trouble will follow you everywhere.”

“I never said I am a good guy,” I drawled.

“So, what are you going to do? Knowing your mind well, I know you want to possess him and make him yours.” Auden was laughing at his words.

“It’s impossible for us. The elite doesn’t mix with people like us,” I whispered sadly.

“Love is uncontrollable, Wade. It's only a matter of time.”

“Shut, Auden,” I scolded him again, but I knew the truth. I wanted Vaughn and if given the chance would possess his mind, body, and soul without a care in the world.

We were lost deep in thought when the first raindrop hit our faces. We rushed to the car and laughed all the way home. Pa had already made dinner and was at his workshop painting.

After dinner, I lay in bed with images of my angel flashing through my mind. “Angel, I wish to own you one day,” was the last thought in my mind as I fell into a deep sleep.