Thanks again to everyone taking an interest in this story, and taking the time to read and comment on it! I'm truly grateful. And some of the compliments have been really encouraging. It's nice to hear thoughts on what's happened and where you think it's going! You never know what may inspire me! And I enjoy reading the reviews and knowing what you're all thinking! I don't think it'll be too long before the next chapter gets posted! Hope you all enjoy this one!
Lauren had spent most of the evening before, and the current morning trying to salvage "The Morrigan" and no matter how much she tried to hide her own vandalism she just couldn't seem to erase it quite enough. She'd always know that it was there, even if, to the untrained eye, it wasn't even remotely visible. And as much as she needed to concentrate on the task at hand, it was also a constant reminder of what had happened that evening at the gallery.
For the past hour, she'd found herself increasingly distracted. She hadn't wanted to contemplate the details of the evening right now, but she knew that she needed to approach the subject. As much as she wanted to behave like an ostrich and bury her head in the sand, she knew that soon a short, sharp reminder would rear it's ugly head. No, she needed to approach this in the best way she knew how. Pull off the band aid and as quickly as possible.
She needed to speak to Evony. And it wouldn't wait.
She downed her paint brush, grabbed her brown jacket and went downstairs. Deciding that bunny slippers were perhaps not the best footwear to ensure a serious conversation, she opted for her favourite pair of brown boots. They would be perfect.
Evony was intimidating enough, and so a little extra height couldn't hurt Lauren in squaring up to the gallery owner if need be.
She was actually feeling nervous. She had no idea where they stood right now. The note that Evony had left for her the following morning seemed jovial enough. So, maybe they would be fine? Maybe Evony expected them to maintain some sort of relationship? Perhaps Lauren would be banished from the gallery? Perhaps she would have to go home early, to Nadia, unable to support herself… and maybe…
"Maybe I think too much." Lauren thought aloud.
It was time to take this particular mechanical bull by the horns and get things straight. She sighed heavily, realising that she had no idea herself of what she wanted to say or even how she wanted things to progress. But she knew one thing for sure, she didn't need or want any further complications in her life right now.
She arrived at the gallery. She saw Bianca talking to a middle aged couple over by one of Lauren's paintings. Bianca was in a tailored skirt suit, which perfectly fitted her small frame. Her shoulder length, brunette hair was tied back neatly into a tight bun. She looked every part connoisseur and business woman combined.
Bianca glanced over, raising her eyebrows at Lauren, and then turned her attention immediately back to the couple.
"And as a lovely surprise, here's the artist herself, Lauren Lewis." she turned back to Lauren, gesturing towards her with one arm, and the look on her face was pleading for Lauren to help her out.
Lauren hesitated and then walked over to the three people stood before "Demeter". The painting was large, and depicted a field of weathered corn, swaying in a suggested breeze. Just off centre of the corn was a woman, in long, cream robes. A golden braid bringing the robes in to accentuate her gentle curves. The woman's back was to the viewer, arms raised above her head towards the heavens. Her strawberry blonde hair forming waves down to the centre of her back.
She wasn't one of Lauren's favourite pieces, which probably had a lot to do with her frame of mind, but 'Demeter' was comforting and hopeful.
"Lauren is our latest signing to the gallery! She's here under an exclusive contract, and so there really is no better time to make an amazing investment in one of her beautiful works! I'm sure you won't be able to get an original for this price in a few months! Lauren, do you want to tell them a little about your painting?"
Lauren couldn't even think properly. "Ummm… it's Demeter. Do you like her?" Her question was brusque.
The woman was visibly a little taken aback, "Well, yes… yes…" She gestured at the man by her side, "We were just saying-"
Lauren shifted her feet a little as she interrupted. "Then you should get it. I am cheap. I mean, this is cheap. I'm cheap, my art is cheap. Get it"
Bianca looked at Lauren in abject horror.
Lauren pointed towards the ceiling, "Evony up there? I'll make my own way up."
Before Bianca could even utter a word, Lauren had turned on her heels and started to make her way to the staircase.
As the stunned three watched her leave, Bianca added. "See, this is the beauty of Ms Lewis. She's a woman of few words." She smiled as much as she could muster, "And maybe that's a good thing."
Lauren knocked on the office door and walked straight in.
Evony's head was down, looking at something on her desk, and without looking up she just said, "Yes?"
Lauren took a breath to speak, stopped herself, and shuffled on the spot a little uncomfortably. That's when Evony raised her head to look at her.
A wide, closed mouth smile etched over her face, she stood and exclaimed, "Lauren! Darling!"
Lauren stood her ground, but Evony was already making her way over, and placing her hands on either side of Lauren's face. She pulled her in and Lauren immediately closed her eyes, recoiling slightly. Evony let the woman's face retreat from her hands and allowed her kiss to the cheek to gently ease away.
"Evony. I… I…"
Evony frowned, her perfectly formed eyebrows almost meeting, and then quickly she raised her left brow and studied Lauren for a second.
"Well, that was cold Lauren. Icy even! Especially after our little rendezvous at the gallery."
She stood back, just observing Lauren, while the blonde got increasingly uncomfortable. Evony watched her shift her weight from one foot to the other, and place her hair behind her ear. A sigh noticeably escaped her mouth, and her whole body just told a tale of regret, perhaps confusion, to the other woman.
"I… I don't know what to say."
"Well, clearly."
"Who's Lachlan?"
Evony widened her eyes at the question. "Well, that was 'to the point'! I must say I wasn't expecting jealousy to rear its ugly head at this stage!"
"Jealousy? Who said anything about jealousy? I would just like to know if the person that I'm… I'm… Are you married?!"
Evony gently laughed at Lauren's unexpected outburst. "Yes, I'm married, Lauren. You mean you didn't know?"
"No! I didn't! How would I know, if you neglected to tell me?!"
"Neglected? Forgotten? It's all semantics really."
"Semantics?!" Lauren started to raise her voice, and she felt the anger building within her. "If I'd realised that you was married, then I would have never…never…" She paused to really think about what she was saying, again placing her unruly hair behind her ear. " I wouldn't… we wouldn't have had sex that night. And I was completely inebriated! I never intended to-"
Evony was glaring at Lauren through narrowed eyes, "Really Lauren? You want to go there? Anyone would think that you're perfect. Yes, I'm married. But you have a girlfriend! Lachlan is perfectly fine with my transgressions. But Nadia? How 'fine' is she with what we were doing to each other that night?!" She placed her hands on her hips, and took a deep breath.
Lauren just stood there, looking at her, and feeling the tears rise. She didn't want to break down, appearing vulnerable in front of Evony was not part of her comfort zone right this very moment. And Lauren could tell that right now, she was ready to go for her jugular if she was going to choose to fight. But fighting was not what she wanted to do. "You let him watch! Why?" Lauren let her eyes convey her feelings.
Evony sighed and let her defensive posture drop. She reached over, taking Lauren's left hand in her own, and led her over to the black loveseat she had by the window. Lauren just allowed herself to be led, and sat down in silence. Evony sat beside her, their legs gently touching, she took a deep breath and ran both hands down her pencil skirt clad knees. "Ok. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about Lachlan. The truth is, it was an oversight. I tend to only mention him in business deals that he's privy to, and so when I mention him in passing then I tend to forget to even explain the nature of our relationship."
"Well I think the nature of your relationship is something that I'd like to have known about."
"Lauren. We fucked. Sweetie, get over it."
Lauren was taken aback by the brashness of the statement, and had no retort at hand. "Is he over it?!"
Evony laughed, "Darling, he loved it!" Evony watched Lauren recoil at the statement. "Let me just make this clear. I had no idea that he saw us that night. Well, not until he told me."
"What do you mean, he loved it?!"
"We don't have a relationship in the traditional sense. We barely even get along most of the time. However, our partnership is beneficial in many ways. So, to keep things interesting we tend to go our own separate ways. I have my fun. He has his. Occasionally we bring that all together."
"Bring it together?"
"Lauren, are you really that naïve? We're not opposed to bringing in an extra person to spice up our marriage." Evony winked, "Which, by the way… I can always approach with him, if you're interested that is?"
"What?" Lauren shook her a head a fraction, almost in disbelief of what she was hearing, "What makes you think that I would be interested in anything of the sort?"
"Oh, but I didn't. I just thought I'd put it out there… if you were."
"Well, I'm not. Ever."
Evony sighed a little and pouted, "So, are you saying you had no fun at the gallery that night?"
"No! I mean, I don't know. You weren't exactly on my to-do list. And neither was cheating on Nadia!"
"Lauren, alcohol may have been a wavering factor in what happened between us. But I don't regret it for one second. You can do so much better than Nadia. She doesn't deserve you to stick around for her."
"You don't know what happened between us."
"I know enough, from what you've told me. And I know enough about you, that you're better than that. You intrigue me. And you know I find artistic talent completely irresistible! It's like a drug to me! I get fired up, and well that needs an outlet!" She winked devilishly. Evony squared her shoulders to Lauren and sat up a little straighter. "The truth of the matter is, that I didn't know that Lachlan saw us. And I may be a cold hearted bitch at times, but I'm certainly not into making someone an unwitting part of a threesome. It's really not my thing. That moment was between you and I. When he mentioned it later, it was the first I'd heard about it, and I wasn't happy. Trust me in that he did receive a tongue lashing of a different kind that night!"
Lauren grimaced slightly at the suggestive implication. She ran both of her hands down her face and breathed out loudly "I don't know what I'm going to do Evony?"
"Well, I can't decide that for you, darling. I can advise, if you want me to. I can be here for you. I can provide you with what you need to stay here, while you decide. Although god knows why you wouldn't accept my offer of the penthouse, instead of that crack shack you call a home!"
Lauren's mood lightened a little and she laughed. "I have everything I need there. And it inspires me."
"Well, as long as it keeps inspiring you, and you don't get murdered by someone looking to settle a score with an old inhabitant!"
"I know, I know… I'm starting to make new friends here. And I do appreciate all that you're doing for me." Lauren looked deeply into her eyes, "I don't want things to get too complicated, between us I mean."
"Complicated?! Well what about twisted?!" Evony winked again.
"If you're suggesting we play a game with a floor mat, then I need to warn you that I do practice yoga." She winked back.
"Are you suggesting naked twister?!"
"No, I'm not! Oh lord, what have I started now?!"
They both laughed, and Evony clasped Lauren's hands between her own. "Keep me happy Lauren, and we will carry on making a lot of money together, trust me!"
"That sounds almost ominous!"
"Not at all! I just have faith in you! Now, go get some work done! How's the abstract going by the way?"
"Oh The Morrigan? Yes, thank you for stopping the terrorist in me, from violating my own painting!"
"Oh, I tried to stop you! You can be a very determined woman when you're drunk. You actually threatened to poke my eye out with a paintbrush at one point, unless I unhanded you."
"Oh god! Really?!"
"Yes. This was of course, all in your underwear. Which I found rather distracting and unbelievably hot. You in black lace & heels, painting comical accessories on the focal point of my next gallery masterpiece. I don't think I can ever look at that painting again without conjuring that image!"
Lauren blushed, and moved on from the immediate subject of her lack of dress that night. "Well I think it's salvageable. But I'm sure I'll always be critical of it."
"I have every faith in you. You're a brilliant woman."
"Well, this brilliant woman needs to move. I'm off on a night out this evening! Going to see a band!"
They stood up from the couch, a stark contrast in both women's demeanours, now noticeably lighter and amiable.
Lauren walked to the door, Evony close behind her.
"Well let me know how the band is! If I wasn't so busy, I'd join you! I've been considering getting into the entertainment industry, so if they're good, check if they're signed. I trust your artistic opinion!"
Lauren turned to say goodbye, "I will." As she turned, Evony leaned in, taking her face in her hands. Gently pulling Lauren towards her, she placed a soft kiss on her lips, holding it there for a few seconds. They both slowly pulled away, Evony opening her eyes and briefly tasting her own lips.
"There's talent in your very soul." She added, "I can taste it."
Lauren smiled. "I have to go, but let me know if you need me. Otherwise, I'll contact you in a few days."
She left the gallery not quite understanding what just happened, but also not feeling distraught or as confused as she was when she first entered the building.
Evony's office phone rang. She allowed it three rings, before picking it up. "Hello?" There was a brief pause from the other end of the line. "Nadia?"
Lauren picked up some sushi on the way home, quick, easy and delicious was the best way to go. It allowed her time to actually get ready and not have to worry about cooking a meal or not eating and risking drink going to her head once again. No, eating was definitely the way. She managed to eat more than she had intended, as she was hoping there would be some left over for breakfast the following morning, but it was all too delicious to not just eat in the one sitting. She would worry about breakfast in the morning.
The next task at hand was choosing something to wear, so she made herself a coffee, her sixth that day to be precise, and took it upstairs to complete the task at hand.
She hadn't brought a huge amount of clothing with her, and so was picking up the odd piece here and there since she'd moved in. Evony's gift had been more than welcome as an addition, but even if that wasn't at the dry cleaners right now, it would have been a little too flashy for tonight. She had decided on smart casual. She started to ponder on what that even meant. Smart casual? An oxymoron, if ever she'd heard one. She didn't want to be too much of anything tonight.
So, she settled on a long, cream coloured, cowl neck top. It had a small fabric belt around the lower hips to give some shape, and had an amazing neckline, allowing a slight plunge. The halter neck perfectly displayed her toned shoulders and arms. She realised that she'd also need to take at least a light jacket in case it was chilly in the bar and at the end of the night. To go with the top, she chose some black leggings, which had a slight sheen to them, and a pair of comfortable kitten style heels.
She'd tied her hair up into a knot, while it was slightly damp, which would then fall into loose waves and curls when released.
Her make-up she'd decided to keep subtle. Pale browns and a light peach blush, and again her favourite lip gloss, with a hint of glitter.
She had no idea what the band was going to be like, or what kind of crowd it would be. Which did make it all the more difficult to decide what would be appropriate, but she decided to go with this as a safe, but reliable option.
She looked at her clock, it was already six, and so not long now before she had to set out, but she was already wishing the time away.
