DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE NOR ITS CHARACTERS.
Mercedes hummed lowly as the music filled the studio, squeezing the paint into the pallet. She was so over it today, not being able to find the muse she needed. She had to have something done by tomorrow because the art show was this weekend. Mercedes Jones was a twenty-six year old artist from Maryland living in Brooklyn. She has been drawing and painting every since she could pick up a pencil and brush. She had received an Art scholarship to one of the best art schools in New York. After she finished, she opened up her a studio with one of her good friends that she met at school, Alyssa. They taught classes, while simultaneously creating their own work to enter in shows. It was such an amazing feeling and she was so blessed for everything that she has accomplished over the three years. Hearing the knock at the door, she closed the bottle and made her way over, opening it up, smiling once she saw the man, "Hey, you must be Sam?"
"I am." He responded with a smile of his own, "And you're Alyssa?"
"No, that's my friend and colleague. I'm Mercedes."
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise, come on in." She stepped aside, closing and locking the door when he passed her, "Security didn't give you hard time did they?"
"They did actually, but nothing too bad."
"Sorry about that. They're just making sure we're safe and no crazies come when we are by ourselves or do ad calls. Speaking of, how did you come across this one if you don't mind me asking."
"A friend told me about it and I thought why not. I'm in town for a minute and have nothing else to do."
Mercedes chuckled as she raised a brow, "So, you're an adventurous type when bored and have free time? I can dig it."
Sam smirked a bit as he looked around, taking in the space as he crossed his arms over his chest, "How about you? You a painter too."
Mercedes sighed as she took a seat on her stool, watching as he walked around and took in the artwork on the walls, "A struggling one at the moment."
"How come?"
"I have no idea what I'm going to do for a show that's in two days. Drawing blank."
"I'm sure you'll figure something out."
The way he said that made her think for a moment as she stared at him from his side. Just maybe...she laughed her thoughts when she heard her phone ding, indicating that she had a text.
Hey babe. I won't be able to make it.
Sam turned around when he heard her let out a low groan, seeing her texting back furiously on her phone, "Is everything alright?"
"No, Alyssa just canceled. I'm sorry you had to come all the way out here. This isn't-" She started, only to be interrupted by her phone going off again. Looking at the text, she read it and rolled her eyes before closing them.
Please do it for me. The check is in the drawer. Smooches.
"Never mind, seems like you're stuck with me if you want to be." Mercedes commented as an idea popped into her head, "How do you feel about being naked?"
Sam was definitely caught off guard by the question but decided to see where she was going with this, "Like shirt off only or..."
"Like butt ass naked. I just had a creative thought and it's definitely a nude drawing. If you're uncomfortable, that's okay."
"Actually, I'm not."
"Then that's perfect. I think you may be what I need." She got up from the stool and went to the table, grabbing a clean sheet, going over and laying it across the loveseat that was in the corner, "Don't worry, everything is cleaned and sanitized."
"Yeah, me too. I took a shower before I left home." Sam watched as she went back to the counter and grabbed something else.
Mercedes giggled a bit as she handed him a robe, "This should fit. The bathroom is down the hall to your left." When he nodded, she went and dimmed the lights some more. Heading to the refrigerator, she grabbed two bottles of water and a snack bag, placing them on the table where Sam was going to be. She then headed back to her area to get her supplies.
Sam came back out, dressed in nothing but the robe as he sat his clothes down on the table. He her getting her things together, telling him to sit on the couch like he normally would.
Mercedes moved her hair back into a ponytail as she took a seat on her stool, that was sitting directly in front of Sam. She grabbed her pad and one of her sharpen pencil from her cart, "If at any time you need a break, just let me know."
"Okay."
"Don't worry, I'm not going to have you just sit up here naked and be fully exposed the whole time." Mercedes laughed a bit when he did, "I'm going for something subtle, yet risqué at the same time. We're going to work our way down, starting with your head then you'll drop the robe by sections. I'll guide you. Just relax and enjoy the music and free snacks."
"Yes ma'am." Sam watched her pick up her pencil and begin, "What made you want to become an artist?"
"Both of my parents." She answered as she sketched her outline, "My mom is a sculptor and my dad is a painter."
"The love for art is truly in your blood then."
Mercedes giggled as she looked at him, sketching out the shapes of his eyes, nose and mouth as she spoke, "You can say that."
After twenty minutes, Sam watched as she got up from her stool and moved closer to him, his nose being assaulted by the smell of warm vanilla and brown sugar coming off of her.
"Want to make sure I get every single detail." She mumbled lowly as she studied his face, capturing the crinkle of his brow as she took her pencil and made a sharp line before detailing and spacing correctly. She stayed like that for five more minutes before tapping his shoulder and going back to her seat, "Stop your robe at your waist."
Sam did what she did, listening to the music in the background as she stayed silent for a few more minutes before she told him to completely remove the robe. He took note that her face stayed serious and her eyes never roamed once. Fifteen minutes passed before he said something again, "I've never been around someone so mature. You know, I'm sitting here with my goods out and you're seriously focused on what you're doing."
Mercedes smiled as a chuckle surpassed her lips, taking her black coloring pencil to make the portrait more defined, "Well, this business requires that. Besides, art is my passion, and when it comes to something I'm creating, I take it seriously."
"I respect that."
Mercedes smiled as she went back to what she was going, "You can put your clothes back on. I'm almost done."
"That was quick." He commented, noticing that she was done before it even it an hour. He got up and went to redress. Once he got himself back clothed, he walked over to where she was, "Can I see?"
"Sure." She responded as he came on the side of her, holding up the pad, "I'm going to fill it in and clean it up some more then add like my special glaze over it but this is pretty much finish."
"Wow." He said in shock as he looked at himself, shaking his head in amusement, "Holy shit."
Mercedes snorted as she looked up at him, "You like it?"
"Love it. You're beyond talented, like beyond."
Mercedes felt her cheeks heat up at the compliment, "Thank you."
Sam shook his head at how surreal it looked,"You should use this for your show."
"Oh, that would be great but I just can't hijacked what was meant for Alyssa."
"She wasn't here so." Sam shrugged as he looked at her seriously, "Plus you did it, not her. This is your work, not here to take credit for. Use this."
"I think I will." Mercedes offered before she got up from the stool, sitting the picture on the easel before going over to grabbed the envelope from the drawer. She went to Sam and held it out for him, "Here's your money."
"Keep it." He said once he saw the confused look on her face as he headed for the door, "You just make sure you kill it at the show. Have a good night."
"You too and thank you." Mercedes got out before he closed the door. Well, that was a first. No one ever turned down money, but he didn't know how much of a blessing he truly was tonight.
Mercedes walked around the room taking in the artwork. It was refreshing to see other artists creations. Not only was that reason for her uplifted mood, but she just felt so good after being able to get back in her creative space. Hearing a low whistle, she turned around and frowned when the person made a comment about how hot she looked. She was dressed in a long sleeved rust colored short wrap dress paired with a pair of nude block heeled sandals. Her hair was twisted into some bantu knots while nothing but oil, mascara and gloss sported her face, "You flaked the other day, went M.I.A yesterday but showed up today? Wow, Alyssa. You got some nerves."
Alyssa rolled her eyes at her friend's dramatics, "Calm down. I had something really important to take care of that I can't speak about yet."
It was Mercedes' turn to roll her eyes. Leave it to Sneaky Alyssa, as she called her. She always had something up her sleeves.
"Forgive me while showing me what you created." Alyssa wrapped her arm around hers and began to walk, smiling at some of the people as they made their way to the center, stopping when she came in front of what was obviously her friend's work, eyes wide. She could tell her work apart from anyone's at any given day, "Mercedes."
"What? What's wrong with it?"
"Nothing. I love it." Alyssa moved closer to look at the details, tilting her head, "It's like a subtle nude...not full blown, but done in a tasteful way."
"He was easy on the eyes too, so that helped my inspiration." Mercedes chuckled as she looked at her friend, watching as she let out a smirk causing her shrug, "I was on my best behavior as always."
Alyssa giggled as she took a sip of her wine, her eyes finding someone in the back. She signaled for them come over, turning to the side when she saw a couple and Shimon.
"This is Mercedes Jones and she's the artist of to is magnificent portrait."
"I saw it earlier." The woman said as she looked at the young girl up and down, "It's quite lovely and I'm willing to pay three for it."
"That's kind of low for this piece." Shimon side eyed her, shaking his head, "But it's already been brought for twenty, so let's move along."
Mercedes looked at him wide eyed, "Excuse me?"
"You heard me correctly." The man smiled as he handed Mercedes the ticket before leaving the two women.
Mercedes looked down and read it, really confused when she saw the name on there, "What the hell?"
Mercedes Jones- "The Ad Man"- Sold for $20,000. Buyer: Sam Evans
"Did you think I was going to let this get in the hands of someone else?"
Mercedes turned around when she heard his voice, confused as she looked at the man she met the other night. He was dressed in an all black suit, his hair nicely gelled back as he stared at her with the biggest, sexiest smile, "Sam...what...I'm so confused."
Sam glanced over at Alyssa, "You still haven't told her?"
"Told me what? You two...what?"
"You've outgrown this city. Your talents need to be broadcast beyond here." Alyssa smiled as she looked at the girl in front of her before her eyes went over to Sam's, "Mercedes, you've met Sam but you don't really know who he is. Let me introduce you to, A.S."
"What? Hold on, huh? What are you talking about? Nobody knows..."
"A.S. stands for Anonymous Sam. It's something I came up when I first got started. I wanted my work to be appreciated for what it was and not for who it was done by. You've probably met Alyssa's cousin Lyla, well, she's married to my sister so that's how we know each other and that's how she found out." Sam smiled at her as he took his hands out of his pockets, "It's a pleasure to meet you again, Mercedes."
Mercedes mouth dropped, along with her heart, "Oh my..." She just stared at him in complete shock, gulping loudly before excusing herself.
Alyssa watched her practically run away and grab a tray of drinks from one of the servers before exiting out the building. She turned back to Sam and laughed, "It's going to take her a minute to process."
"Let me to see if I can talk to her." Sam responded with a chuckle before he started to head into the direction that she went in. Asking the server, he pointed outside, prompting him to go through the doors. He found the woman sitting on the steps, the tray of flutes next to her while one occupied her hand, "I don't think I've ever had someone run away from me before."
"There's a first time for everything." She quipped lightly before looking over him as he took a seat beside her, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be." He watched as she gave him a nervous smile before placing the glass back to her lips, "I'm sorry that I had to deceive you but I just wanted to see you in your element. It was worth it. Honestly didn't expect to get naked but the experience was a good one. That portrait will most definitely be kept in my private collection, don't want family scarred when they come to visit."
Mercedes laughed lowly as she grabbed another champagne flute and downed it quickly. She couldn't believe that this was actually happening. This man was such an inspiration to her and she had been in close contact with him. What was her life right now? "I fucking love you." She blurted out, eyes going wide as she shook her head, the liquor obviously making her a bold, nervous mess, "Not like in love but I love your artistry and-oh God, let me shut the hell up."
"I knew what you meant." Sam laughed, kind of in disbelief that this was the same woman from the other night, "You're so talented Mercedes, seriously. It's been awhile since I've seen quality work and professionalism. And not just talking about the portrait you did of me, but Alyssa showed me more of your work. Incredible."
"Really?" She asked meekly, watching as he nodded his head. She took her eyes off him and looked out towards the streets, "Although I'm very confident in my work, sometimes I can get insecure and lately I've been just that."
"And that's okay, because a lot of great artists have those moments." He reassured her with a smile, "You're something real special and I want you to be able to showcase that to the world. I'm here to offer you a chance to travel with me. I'm going on three month summer European trip. One month in Italy, one month in France and one month in Greece. I'm going to be exploring the art cultures, going to shows and even taking a few classes to broaden my skills. I'd like for you to come with. All expense paid. All you have to do is say yes and pack your bags."
Mercedes honestly didn't know what to say as she still couldn't wrap her head around all this information she was getting tonight. Opening and closing her mouth repeatedly before the dinging of her phone interrupted her thoughts. Looking down, she saw that it was a text from Alyssa.
I figured he had asked you by now and that you're probably still in shock and skeptical. Let me ease your mind. Sam is a really great guy and super trustworthy. He's family and I trust him with my life and most definitely with yours. So, if you're worried about that, don't be. Go. This is your time to explore different countries, showcase your work and even learn more skills.
"Why me?"
"Why not you?"
A/N. Yes, I ended it like that on purpose. And don't even ask you badgers, there's going to be a second part. *insert eye roll emoji*
