Chapter 4
As Michel received his monthly scroll, this one had more than just the usual instructions in it. He was to be professional and courteous at all times. He was not to ask a lot of questions, as well. Anyhow, he waited for the knock on the door and when it did sound, it was a softer knock. He opened it to admit a young lady with the shiniest blond hair and the bluest eyes he had ever seen. She was quickly followed up by a young man in a suit combination. He looked like a nobleman, but Michel knew it was another member of the family of the Doctors. He seemed young and almost immature, but he knew he and the girl were more than just friends. "Michel, how are you doing, my friend?" and greeted him with the warmest of all handshakes. "My apologies for…my other …family member. He tends to be very moody. This is my friend, Rose." "Ah, Sonora Rosita, welcome to my home." Michel said and kissed her hand gently. "Rose is celebrating her birthday today and I promised her a portrait for her." "That I shall do and yours, as usual." Rose giggled, but she actually did make a good model. Michel tried to capture as much of her essence as was possible. Dinner was as usual cordial with mainly small talk. Rose was the more vocal of the trio, but Michel could sense something was going on with the Doctor. It was as if the Doctor was pining for her, but never had the sense to know what to say. Finally, one night after Rose had gone to sleep, Michel saw the Doctor looking out at the stars. "Doctor, my friend, something troubles you this night and every night. Does it have to do with Rose?" "Is it that obvious; does it show on my face?" "She looks at you the same way you look at her. You both know what is in your heart, but have none of the courage to up and say the truth." "Michel, my friend, how could I tell her? What could I say to her?" " Tell her what you feel, what has been in your heart for all this time. Tell her that you would give up what you are doing to have her for all time. Tell her she is the one thing that is on your mind in the morning and she is the last thing at night. Tell her she is the one, not just anyone." Michel left The Doctor with a lot to think about.
It took a week for Michel to paint both Rose and the Doctor. When he finally showed them their portraits, Rose hugged Michel and Michel was slightly embarrassed, but he maintain his composure and both of them gave Michel very high praise. The Doctor and Rose both wished him well. As the Doctor stood to leave, it was Rose who left first. The Doctor paused and said to Michel "Thank you, for what you said and did. I am not going to forget what you said and it was high time that I told Rose how I truly felt." Michel beamed, but said to the Doctor "Doctor, just say what your heart feels."
As for as fame went, Michel had made his name known. Unfortunately, word of his success also carried over to the mayor of Florence, a Medici you never said no to. If Michel knew what would happen to him, he probably would have.
