Chapter 20: The Studio
I watched as Jose' got ready for work he buzzed around me back from his home studio, to the kitchen, the living room. I sat on the couch with my legs crossed sipping on my coffee. I dressed in a black knit dress and pulled my hair in a nice little bun. I wanted to look mature someone that he'd be happy to introduce to his coworkers. He was really excited about me coming to see where he worked. I couldn't help notice that he was a tad nervous. He finally looked as if he was finished getting his stuff together. He plopped down on the couch and grabbed my hand and kissed my fingers.
"You seem nervous," I murmured.
"It's because I am. It's been two weeks since Glo's tantrum and now I'm bringing you into her space again. She apologized and she seemed to really mean it, but part of me thought that you shouldn't come, but I really want you to see what I'm passionate about, besides you that is." Jose' kissed my cheek.
"I don't see the harm and taking a friend to see your work. I am really excited to see some of your other pictures. I also get to see the new studio too right?" Jose' nodded and I smirked at him. "And if she really meant it then she won't mind me in her space." She should really care anyway. What was it to her if Jose' and I are involved he's made it known that he's not interested in her. "It'll be fine Jose' I'll stay out of sight and out of mind for the most part of the day.
"What if I don't want you out of sight?" Jose' teased as her pulled me into his arms.
"Jose' aren't we supposed to be leaving. I mean I could flirt with you all day but I'm pretty sure we'd never leave your apartment." I giggled and he held me tighter.
"I'm not sure if that's supposed to be a bad thing." Jose' and stood up with me in his arms.
"How can you work if you're in the apartment with me?" He put me down and grabbed his work bag. He gave me his award winning smile.
"I don't really plan to work much today. It's more about show and tell. Come on beautiful let's go."
We pulled up to Jose's studio. It was two stories, I wasn't expecting that. It was stand alone and the parking lot was almost full, and on a weekday no less. I looked to Josie I wanted to tell how much of a rarity his success was but I'm sure he'd been told before. He pulled around to the Buick to the side of the building. "I can't go through the front, not if I want to get to my office today." He turned to me and put his sunglasses on. "Come on here Chica!"
We walked up to the door on the side of the building and entered a code. The door opened and we walked through the hall that looked like if had black marble floors. The walls were cream colored and all of his pictures were in black frames. They were all of the pictures of different places all of the photos carried an air of tranquility. I stopped and looked at one of the pictures and the sky in the picture looked like a deep dark purple.
"I took this picture just before a storm. I loved the color of the sky so I snapped a few shots. I was actually there to catch a few shot of the lightening. Those pictures sold very well, but these I kept for myself there's not for sale. Everything down this hall is not for sale actually." He grabbed my hand and led me down the hall and to the office to the left. To my surprise Jose's office was very dark, I was expecting it to be bright with a lot of pictures but I only saw like three pictures and one of them was a picture of Ana. I frowned at the picture that wasn't weird at all. Josie sat at his desk and logged into his computer and frowned at something in his email. He picked up his phone and decided to make a call and by his tone it didn't seem like a happy one. I walked around to his desk and rubbed his shoulders trying to relieve his stress. It wasn't until then I realize that my face was all over his desk, on his desktop and two pictures in bright golden frames.
"I didn't agree to that. I wanted …. NO, I don't want … not for that price. Do you know how long it took me to get those shots? I gave them the price no negotiating, I have two more buyers ready and waiting. I call them myself. Bye." After he hung up he kissed grabbed my hand and kissed my fingertips. "One more call and I'm going to show you around." I went to sit back down and came face to face to the person that I was hoping to avoid. She stopped in her tracks and her cold blue eyes looked as if they were viewing something vile.
"Miss Fuentes," Gloria attempted to greet me and I gave her a small polite smile.
"Hi Gloria." I sat down and wished I could become invisible. Gloria sat some documents on Jose's desk and she turned back to me.
"Can I talk to you alone for a minute?" Gloria asked me and I almost turned around to make sure she wasn't talking to someone else. "Alex?" I looked to Jose' he was so wrapped up in his phone call that he hadn't even heard Gloria's request to me.
"Surree," I hopped up and strolled out into the hall with Gloria. I had a stomach full of nerves and bad feelings. Gloria started talking immediately and looked at me with a look of remorse.
"Look Alexandria, I wanted to apologize. I know, that I came off like a major bitch, but I've talked to Jose' and he made everything clear."
"Okay," I said for lack of anything better to say.
"Yeah, he said that you two were just friends and that he saw you like a kid sister. I am really sorry I miss read the situation. I apologized to him and I wanted to extend the same kindness to you. It wasn't right for me to assume anything." She tapped my shoulder and gave a sweet smile. "Who knows maybe one day we can grab lunch and get to know each other better. Maybe next Tuesday?" She said as she checked her phone.
"I don't know about that?" There was something about this woman that I didn't trust.
"Well at the very least let me show you around the studio. Jose' takes forever in the phone he'll tell you that he's only going to be a moment and then he'll spend his whole day in his office. Trust me." That was just the thing, I really didn't trust this woman, but I felt in the way just sitting in his office and staring at him. I nodded and followed her into the main floor of the studio. The just like the hallway was done in cream and black. All photos were framed in black. The atmosphere was really comfortable and warm, unlike the museum feel that most studios had. It was elegant and sexy and so Jose'. I walked around and Gloria followed behind me.
"So what do you think?" She asked.
"It's great, better than I expected." Gloria looked around at the place as almost as if it was hers.
"Yeah Jose' and I have brought this place to life. We make at least three sells every day, most studios aren't that lucky and at the cost that Jose' sells them all we only need to sell one a day to make a profit. Jose' is a really good businessman. He's such a rare breed so creativity yet filled with book smarts and intelligence. He's every woman's dream." She sighed all dramatically and I'm sure I rolled my eyes. I walked away from the woman and looked at a few more pictures. I loved the landscapes, I was looking at one and the water was so blue and the sun was shining over it and made a shimmering gleam made it look like glitter.
"We were in Jamaica when he took those pictures. We had such an amazing time. There's so much to do and see. Maybe the next we go we'll take you with us." She said sweetly. I narrowed my eyes in confusion and general annoyance. What was Gloria trying to prove?
"There you are! I told you I wanted to show you everything." He looked at both of us as if we had stolen something from us.
"Oh it's no big deal Jose', I knew you'd be on the phone for a while and I'm sure she'd rather be out here than watching you conduct business." He gave me that smile and stepped me right into my bubble.
"Would rather out here or with me?" I gave him my own version of his seductive little smirk. He grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him. "Let me show upstairs." He brushed his lips against my knuckles before pulled me toward the stairs. Gloria went to follow behind us and Jose' stopped her.
"Glo, can you check into Vivian Miller's purchase, she's trying to negotiate. I spoke with her husband but I know you have her direct line, let her know that there's only the flat rate, it cannot be haggled. I'm going to show Miss Fuentes some of my special projects." I noticed the look of annoyance in Gloria's eyes but she acted as if it didn't bother her. She smiled and went off back to her office I assumed. Jose' ushered me up the stairs. The area was pretty much abandoned only a few viewer in the corner. I was glad that we were practically alone I had questions for Jose' and I didn't think they'd be able to wait until home.
Author's Note: Hello all! I hope you are still reading. I have added a page dedicated to What Was Left Behind to my Website! Check it out and tell me what you think of my choices for Jose'. Also tell me if you agree with Gloria. Do you think she's really changed her ways? As always please read, review, and no flames.