MOANS BEHIND THE EASEL

Chapter 1

NIKOLETTE POV

"Please, Ley. My brother really needs a nude painter. You said you are looking for a model, right? For your Greek God personification theme, right? My brother is really willing to be painted, besides he wanted to have a copy of himself. What do you think?" 

John Bossini was my friend and classmate back then in France. I am indebted to him. Because of him, I was rescued in that hell basement. He told me that Frank had escaped and gone back to Spain, his hometown.

"I didn't know that you have a brother." I creased my forehead on him.

"We didn't talk about him, but you always talk about your sister. Can you hook her up with me? She's exactly my type. Feisty." John smirked.

"I'll think about it. About my sister… I really don't know if she's into men as of now. I thought she had a girlfriend.”

We were fixing my finished paintings in my studio and choosing which I would display in my exhibit.

"I am nervous, John. What if no one will come and see it? It is okay if they don't buy these. But I want them to see my art." I touch the canvas of my abstract painting.

"It will be all sold out. This is not your first exhibit. Your patrons will gladly buy again. Let's just be positive. So? Do you agree with painting my brother?"

"After this exhibit, I will be free. He can come so we can talk about the details,” I agreed. John won't stop bothering me until I won't agree. It’s his attitude.

"Yes!! Thank you, Ley! You're an angel!" He kissed my cheek. 

"Gross, Jom!" I wiped my cheek. "Ew!"

"As if! No malice! Gotta go!" He scoffed and waved at me. I waved back. 

I haven’t seen this brother of his. 

I am sure he is good-looking because John is equally handsome. 

****

ADAM'S POV

"Son, let's go attend an art exhibit in the Sicily Gallery." My mom was a sucker for paintings. She has a whole room for all her painting collections.

"But, Mom! I need to finish writing a song. My studio needs a brand new song for the young ones." I rubbed my nape. I felt so pressured. 

"No. We only have bonding time now. John will be there. I really want to buy a painting of this artist." My mom used her card again to win on me. Her sad-looking face. 

"And it's Nikolette Gutterez' exhibit. Does the name ring a bell?" She smirked at me. 

Of course! I adored Nikollete a year ago when my mom dragged me to an art exhibit. Her gloomy face, her sad eyes, and her consistently bandaged wrists. I didn’t know if my brother knew her. I didn't ask about my brother's circle of friends. He's a social butterfly. He's a friend of everyone. I'm sure they knew each other because they were in the same circle. 

If my mom has a room for paintings, my studio has a spot for Nikolette's painting. If given a chance, I would love to ask her to paint me. But I have already talked to John. I'll see first if this friend of his can meet my expectations. 

After hearing that it was Nikolette's exhibit, I hurriedly changed to make myself handsome and suitable just in case we bump into each other. I am prepared. We both arrived at the Sicily Gallery. People were scattered and looking at the paintings hanging on the wall. 

"Oh my gosh, this is a real masterpiece!" She exclaimed. "I will look around. Choose anything, son. Mommy will buy it for you.” I just nodded. 

I sigh. Looking at my Mom mesmerized by the paintings made me somehow proud of Nikolette. She's a naturally talented person.

But what intrigued me most was her eyes. They said that the eyes are the windows of your soul. Her eyes are lifeless. There's no glow on them, no spark.

I hope one day I will see her eyes glow and spark, her chestnut lips will smile. That will be awesome. 

I walked around and took a look at what I will get for myself.

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EVERY Exhibit I had, my mom and sister would handle the talk of the willing clients who wanted to buy my paintings. Ever since that incident, I became aloof to everyone except my mom and sister and John. He's the closest friend I had.

"Ley! I've been looking for you! My brother is here. If you want to talk to him, I can call him now." John came from nowhere. I didn't notice him, he just appeared on my side, or maybe I was just preoccupied with my thoughts. 

"Yeah, sure. I'm kinda free. My mom and sister handle the clients, and about my sister, I'll try, okay?" I tapped his shoulder. 

"Don't sweat it. It's okay. I can approach her now if I want to. This is a chance. Stay here. I'll call my brother." 

I nodded before he left, but My phone rang, and I answered it.  "Nikolette Gutterez, hello?"

"Ma'am Ley, your father is in the hospital as of the moment. He had an attack, and I can't call your mom. She's unreachable. This is Jonas, your father's driver." 

My eyes widened. No matter how much I hate my Dad, I still care about him, and I still want us to reconcile. Why now? 

I moved to look around for my mom and Gracie. I found them, and I told them what had happened. I hurriedly told the organizers to cancel the exhibit because an emergency occurred then we went to the hospital. 

****

ADAM’s POV

I was sweating and nervous as f**k. My brother said he would introduce me to his painter friend who wanted to get me as a model. But she was not there when we reached her spot. John kept on calling her, but his phone was unreachable.

Gladly John went to the organizer to ask about her. Then and there, I realized that my brother's friend was the one and only Nikolette Gutterez that I adored.

What a small world.

Guess Nikolette is just a snap away from me. Now I can reach her easily.