Hi There! I am glad that everyone liked the first chapter and seem to be looking forward to reading more….that makes me feel happy.
Erik is not physically in this chapter either, but he is talked about, and the stage is set. We will meet him in chapter 3.
Thank you to Mlle.Fox – my wonderful friend and beta – for all her contributing suggestions, constructive criticism, and honesty – she's the best.
Enjoy.
MAN OF SORROWS
CHAPTER 2
Christine watched as the photographer fussed over Meg like a man possessed. He had her making love to the camera and Meg was doing a tremendous job of looking as though she was doing just that.
I don't know how she does it. Christine thought. It wouldn't matter how cute the photographer was or how badly I needed the job…I could not look like the smoldering temptress at the snap of some man's fingers.
Christine quietly chuckled and smirked at her thoughts, There is no way on God's green earth that you would ever be a smoldering temptress.
She slinked back into the corner and hoped she just blended in with the drab gray walls. She felt uncomfortable amongst the beautiful people, but she knew that Meg enjoyed her presence.
Meg smiled her bright smile and stepped off the platform toward Christine.
The lights were extremely hot and Meg appeared flushed and slightly dehydrated.
"How did I do?"
Christine raised one auburn eyebrow, "As always, you looked smashing."
Meg grabbed an Evian and gulped it down, almost without taking a breath.
"Ms. Goldwyn, I need you back here at 6:00 tonight, we have another photo session and the designer is going to be involved with this one – it's the only time she can be here."
Sam Bannister, Meg's agent, was talking as he approached them. He ignored Christine, leveled his gaze on Meg, and smiled vibrantly.
"Come on, you know you want to…you're my star client, Ms Goldwyn…it's a rare opportunity."
He accompanied her out the door and toward Meg's sleek, slate grey Jaguar. Christine trailed behind them like a faithful lap dog.
Mr. Bannister seemed content and confident in the attractiveness of his offer – he knew there was no way that Meg could resist the opportunity to make more money and further her career.
"Be here at six tonight to get ready…the session starts at seven sharp." Sam instructed.
"Why are you catering to this designer's schedule, Sam…the designers never come to promotional photo sessions?"
"This one does…and it's a rarity…she is seldom seen in public and even more seldom then that, allows her designs to be sold stateside."
Meg's eyes lit up and a giant smile spread across her forehead.
"How Sam, how did you arrange for this?"
Sam couldn't believe it either, it had been a case of seat assignments on an international flight from New York to Paris.
"Let's just chalk it up to good luck and leave it at that." Sam grinned.
Meg put her hands to her mouth to try and hide her excited smile. She knew this was her most important photo shoot to date…it had to be perfect.
The ride to the gallery was not a very long one, but in New York traffic, it could take a little while to get there. The first ten minutes passed with Meg chattering about the photo session she had just finished.
"So, who is this mysterious designer the two of you were discussing?" Christine finally asked; eager to know what, or rather whom, the fuss was all about.
Meg shrugged her shoulders, but the look of pure joy on her face was enough to ensure that she was excited.
"I don't want to bore you with the details….I know you don't really want to know."
Christine clicked her tongue against her teeth in a mocking gesture, "So, now you deem to be aware of what I want to know or do not want to know?"
The look of amusement on Christine's face told Meg that she was just kidding.
"Evie Sybille. She's really big in Paris and her designs are the most innovative and provocative designs to hit the fashion world in decades."
Meg paused, shortly, giving Christine a chance to respond. When she didn't, Meg gave a flustered sigh.
"Her clothing line is called, Just Be You."
Christine's face finally showed some semblance of recognition and Meg rolled her eyes. If it had nothing to do with art or music, Christine was completely lost.
"She has never sold her designs in the United States before…this is so awesome!"
"Why?" Christine asked, amazed at that bit of information.
"No one knows…she doesn't do many interviews and gives the press limited attention."
"How odd….it's strange that she would not have branched out…it means more money in her pocket."
"Maybe money is not the issue."
Christine glanced at Meg and considered her words. Few people, very few people, in today's world didn't want to make more money…especially in the line of work Meg was in.
They pulled up in front of the gallery and marveled at the beauty of the building. The previous building had been an eyesore, to say the least; the new owner had started from the ground up and redesigned the entire building.
In a matter of weeks, the building was up and the doors were open; that was power and influence at its finest. Whoever this new gallery owner was, he sure knew how to make an impression.
They parked the car in the side parking lot and walked to the entrance; noting the fine, carved maple door. There were no windows, as the sun served to fade the colors on a canvas quickly and effectively.
As they entered the modern, gothic-like building, Christine glanced back at the skyline; it was threatening to break loose with a rainstorm any minute, and thunder could be heard rumbling in the far distance.
"Great, the humidity is murder on my hair." Meg fussed.
"Oh please, you look perfect no matter what you do." Christine scoffed. "It's a really annoying trait you have."
Meg giggled at Christine's compliment. She knew that beneath the compliment and between the words was an annoyance that she seldom revealed.
The inside of the gallery was as spectacular as the outside. The lighting was subdued and understated, with each partition devoted to one single piece of art.
Christine recognized many of the artists, all of them renowned in their own right. She was in awe of many of the collector's pieces that were on display. Many of them were lovingly and beautifully arrayed, but not for sale.
So, he collects as well as sells; and he appears to have a great eye for the rare. Christine was pulled from her thoughts by a male voice speaking English with a very pronounced French accent.
"Hello, welcome to Rouen Gallery, is there something I can help you find?"
Christine turned around and smiled at the handsome man, "No, thank you…I am just looking for now…every piece is stunning."
Julius was trying not to stare, but the woman's graceful movements, sparkling eyes, and mannerisms reminded him of someone who had been dear to him.
Loraine. He whispered in his mind.
"Let me know if there is anything I can do for you, Mademoiselle."
She moved onto the next picture and noticed that the man kept glancing at her with a whisper of sadness dwelling in his hazel eyes.
She supposed he really was handsome - in a Ken doll sort of. Christine couldn't fathom why he would be watching her, especially with Meg in the room – besides, she was certain she had seen a wedding ring on his finger.
"Excuse me, but are you the owner?" Christine asked, hoping to make him feel awkward for staring at her.
The man chuckled lightly and shook his head, "No, I'm not…the owner is my brother-in-law."
"Is he here?"
The look in his eyes remained, but he was attempting to hide his interest in her – and there was a wedding ring on his finger.
"Oh yes, he's always about, but seldom seen – he prefers to stay behind the scenes."
Christine found that rather disturbing. This man, whoever he was, was obviously an artistic genius; and yet, he chose to keep to himself.
"Will he be available at your grand opening on Friday?"
The announcement of that event was on an easel in the front lobby. Christine immediately made a mental note and knew she wanted to attend; perhaps Meg would be willing to come with her.
Julius frowned, unsure of how much he should reveal about his enigmatic brother-in-law.
"He has not yet decided."
"It would be an honor to meet him – I am always interested in the artistic minds of others – and he obviously has great taste and an expert eye." Christine clarified.
Julius' mouth curved into what was supposed to be a smile, but there was a hint of sadness present, "That he does…in everything."
Christine smiled and nodded, not at all surprised. She moved on to the next piece, which happened to be an original Argeneau.
Christine could not believe the rare gem she had happened upon. Argeneau had been a world-renowned artist whose pieces touched millions of people.
The painting depicted a myriad of non-blending colors, strewn into an abyss of black nothingness; out of the abyss came two hands, elegant and full of grace; they captured the colors, organized and formed them – and within the once dark, uninhabited abyss, there rested the most beautiful baby.
As the observer moved back from the painting, it was plain to see the outline of a mother- to-be, holding her unborn baby within her womb, as the hands of God knitted the infant into being.
It was simply entitled, "Creation".
Christine felt tears pooling at the corners of her eyes. She had never seen such a peaceful and intimate image put to canvas.
What would inspire a man, of all things, to paint such a picture?
Julius watched Christine's reaction to the painting. He could tell a great deal about a person just by the way they viewed art.
"This is the owner's absolute favorite." Julius whispered, standing a breath away.
Christine almost turned to him and asked the owner's name, she longed to meet this man and ask how he had obtained such a rare work of art.
Instead, she continued to admire the picture. She had heard a great deal about the legend named Argeneau, everyone had; but that had been about five or six years ago; then it was as though he dropped off the face of the earth.
"I would very much like to attend the grand opening celebration." Christine asked, appalled at the pleading tone she was trying so desperately to hide.
Meg chimed in, "Me too."
Julius bowed his head in respect, "Well, that settles it; I will see you back here on Friday night."
He handed them both a business card and smiled brightly, "I am Julius Tremaine, the curator for the gallery…use the card to get in the door on Friday."
"My name is Christine Daughtry, and this is my best friend, Meg Goldwyn."
Christine expected him to go gaga over Meg, but the man didn't even blink an eye when her name was presented.
He led them to the door and gave a low, sweeping bow.
"It was indeed a pleasure to meet you…" as he raised his head, his eyes focused on Christine, which she found rather odd, then he seemed to remember Meg, "…both."
For once, Meg was not the center of attention.
TBC