Day One: Art

If you asked Nathaniel Kurtzberg a week ago what his Friday night plans were, he would have said staying home and sketching. Never could he have imagined himself at an underground art auction. The club above had a heavy bass beat, but the basement was somewhat quiet with hushed conversations. Being invited and even presenting a piece was not his intention yet here he was, in his best formal wear surrounded by all sorts of people.

A week ago, he had been sketching in the park, hours had gone by and he had many drawings but couldn't pick one to finish. A man, later known to be Alan, had noticed him, and started a conversation about his art, they had traded tips and Nathaniel found out he was an art dealer. It seemed too good to be true when Alan asked for a commission from him. Of course, he said yes, to turn down an art dealer was like career suicide. The guidelines were simple, he wanted a painting that Nathaniel thought was best and to have it done in a week. This caused a nervousness in his stomach, but determination beat it out. Yesterday he brought the finished painting to the gallery Alan worked at, he loved it, then, Nathaniel found the catch. The painting was not going in the gallery but to a secret auction held the next night. He should have been flattered that he was picked to present a piece, even if it could be illegal. He didn't think so, but it was strange that the auction was secret, what else could they be selling. Nathaniel was worried, but Alan assured him that he would be getting 25% of the sale if the painting sold for over three thousand. Nathaniel was skeptical, but he needed the money if he wanted to go to art school next year, and if he did well tonight then perhaps Alan would let him participate again.

Looking around the current area he noticed some important Parisians and others he simply couldn't recognize. Grabbing a champagne flute off a nearby waiter, he was determined to blend in and network. If his painting generates conversation he might be commissioned for real, instead of some gathering in a club basement. Just as Nathaniel was about to take a small sip of the liquid he caught a familiar flash of honey blonde. Lowering the glass his teal eyes searched the room for her. He couldn't be sure it was her but seeing high profile people in the room he had an inkling she could be here. Walking in the direction he saw the flash he soon discovered he was right, a distasteful look on her face and her fake laugh was confirmation. Chloe Bourgeois was here, a secret auction, with- with Alan? Nathaniel was confused, what was Chloe doing on Alan's arm? She looked bored, more than her usual in class boredom, her face would occasionally sneer up like she wanted to be anywhere but here. Curious to find out why she was with Alan to begin with, he went over to strike up a conversation.

"Hello Chloe, Alan, this is something isn't it?" he tried his hardest to seem casual, but the curiosity was eating him up inside.

"Red! Oh my, such a surprise to see you here!" Chloe launched herself from Alan's side onto his right arm and took his flute from his left hand. She downed it and put it on a passing tray. "Come, we simply must dance!" She practically dragged him away and to the small dance area. What was happening? Was she drunk?

"No, I'm not drunk you stupid Tomato, and yes you did say that aloud." She huffed. Nathaniel couldn't contain himself any longer.

"Chloe, what is going on? Why are you here? Why are you with Alan? Why are we dancing!?" He was in a bit of shock but kept holding her while they swayed.

"Listen here Red, no one can know I'm here. Alan knows something about my father, so I come and supervise his little auctions. I loathe being here with him. Such unsavory people, and for once your company is preferred over others. Now, what are you doing here? You definitely don't belong."

"Alan wanted my art, I thought he was going to put it in his gallery, but he wanted it for tonight. If it sells over three thousand I get 25 percent, and, well, we all can't be the mayor's daughter." Nathaniel blushed a little, Chloe looked at him with kind eyes, something he had never seen before in her blue orbs. She rested her head on his shoulder and rubbed a hand on the back of his neck I a gesture of comfort. Too soon their dance ended, and a gong was rung to signal the start of the auction. Many things were auctioned, all for thousands, jewelry, more art, even land and houses. His piece was bound to come up next.

"So, Tomato, what did you end up painting?"

"Just the heroes of Paris, I figured since they're my favorite they would be someone else's." Nathaniel had painted the trio of heroes sitting and laughing on the Eiffel Tower. His painting was up now, and he could see Chloe's reaction to it. Queen Bee was in the center, Chat Noir on her left with his head thrown back in a laugh, Ladybug on her right leaning toward both with a huge smile on her face. Bee was his favorite hero and she looked radiant in his painting, everyone else noticed too. Chloe couldn't stop staring at it until Nathaniel spoke. "That one is mine."

"Twelve thousand!" Nathaniel jumped back in shock from Chloe's loud voice. She had bid on his painting. He heard the auctioneer say sold but now he was staring as Chloe left his side to go to the stage and sign for her piece. Nathaniel went to Alan to discuss his payment.

"Come by the gallery tomorrow and I'll have your money. You did well kid, there might be a next time after all. Ah, Chloe, did my boy here convince you to buy his art, instead of some jewelry?" Chloe came over with her new purchase neatly tucked under her arm, she lightly shoved it into Nath's arms.

"I'll have you know that Nathaniel is very talented, and I bought this because it was the only brilliant thing offered tonight. Now if you'll excuse us, it's getting late and I want to hang it up." A quick, disgusted peck on Alan's cheek, and Chloe grabbed Nathaniel's hand and they left upstairs through the club. Chloe's limo was waiting, and Nathaniel tried to open the door for her, but she wrenched it open and threw herself inside. He went to follow her, but the door closed. A second or two went by before he heard something like 'Tomato!' and he opened the door himself, climbing inside. Chloe sat curled up on the side seat, her shoes off and legs tucked under her golden dress. Nathaniel gently placed the painting on the seat next to him, it wasn't long before they pulled up outside her father's hotel.

"Tell the driver your address, he will take you home. Thank you for making the night bearable." She gave him a courteous cheek kiss in passing on her way out of the car. Leaning back in for the painting on his seat, she looked at him and he was in shock. "You really live up to the name Red huh? Also, this painting will look great in my room maybe one day you will see it." Nath was blushing so hard at this point he was sure Chloe was both tipsy and sleep deprived with how nice she was being. It was complete opposite of their school interactions, granted he never met her outside of school.

"Goodnight Chloe, I too had a good time." He managed to kiss her cheek before she completely pulled herself out of the limo and closed the door. Red Faced by his burst in confidence he told the driver his address. Chloe went up to her room, a slight blush still on her cheeks. What was with her tonight, Pollen was rubbing off on her. She sighed and put the piece of artwork on her desk, she would get someone to put it up in the morning. For tonight she would just be happy she finally had something of Nathaniel's that was of her, Queen Bee, and her favorite Lady and Chat.