6.A Beauty Beneath
1443 Words
S' POV
I sipped my coffee, letting the warmth linger as I leaned against the gallery railing. My assistants moved quietly below, adjusting frames and placards with practiced ease.
I smiled faintly. They did their work well-enough that I could simply watch, appreciate the flow of it all.
A client wandered past, eyes tracing a painting they didn't fully understand. I nodded politely, letting them feel seen without interrupting. The gallery was mine, but I didn't need to do anything to enjoy it. Everything ran as it should, and I could savor the quiet control.
I took another sip.
I'd always had a love for art. The colors, the time and effort they took, the intricacy of the details-they were perfect pieces that deserved to be shared with the world.
"Day dreaming again, are we?"
I smiled at the voice.
She took a stance beside me, her braids making their presence known before she did.
"Not really," I replied, lifting the cup for another sip.
"Guess what?" she chirped, spinning around far too quickly.
Her braids nearly took my eye out, and I had to ask myself-why did women work so hard to bury what was already beautiful? Makeup, wigs, lashes stacked like armor. The beauty beneath it all was enough and I wished women would see that.
I glanced at her from the corner of my eye. "If this ends with me giving you money, the answer is no."
She scoffed playfully. "You're impossible."
"So I've been told," I said lightly. "Repeatedly. By very credible sources."
She laughed, the sound easy, unguarded. "You are. But anyways, I want a treat tonight."
I raised a brow at her. "Aren't you tired of digging into your older brother's pockets?"
She tapped her chin as she hummed. Then a wicked grin cut across her face. "No I'm not. I'm your only sister remember?"
"Yes I do remember," I answered. "And you have enough money to leave mine alone."
She huffed, flipping her braids over her shoulder. "They are not speaking to me right now."
The cup paused at my lips. I looked at her for a good five seconds before bursting into a fit of laughter.
"It's not funny," she grumbled out, lips twisted into a scowl.
When I finally calmed down, I dug for my handkerchief and wiped my eyes.
"What did you do this time?" I asked, and her features softened.
"I threw a fit. They both haven't visited or sent me any money. It's devastating."
I hummed low.
By they, she meant her 'sugar daddies.' Sianna was a 'sugar babe' as she called it. She doesn't like to work-no matter how many times I'd introduced her to different job opportunities, it's always the same thing-'I don't need to work.'
"Besides," she said, taking a step closer," what are you saving up all of your money for?"
I gasped playfully, slapping a hand over my heart. "For my future wife and children of course," I answered.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Mia isn't-
"I never said I was getting married to her," I cut her off.
"Wait," she started, pushing her face closer towards me," are you cheating on her?"
I straightened up and turned towards her. "Sian, Mia and I aren't together. It's just benefits."
Realization flickered across her face. "Oh. It's just that she's always bragging about wanting to get married."
My lips curved into a scowl. "Who would want to marry a woman who sleeps with five different men a week?"
She burst into laughter, doubling over, and I shook my head slowly.
"You are devious," she said between laughs. "I still don't get why you sleep with her, though."
I shrugged. "You remember we were friends for a while? I actually liked her. But when I realized she was giving herself to every man, I stepped back."
Come to think of it... I wasn't sure why I still slept with Mia.
Maybe it was simple. Until I found a woman I could call mine-and mine alone-Mia filled a space that didn't ask for anything more.
"Anyways," I said, changing the subject, "what type of treat do you want?"
She grinned. "It's ladies' night at The Devil's Bar. We might even get a male stripper to dance for us."
I stared at her, expression blank.
Of course.
Then a name surfaced, uninvited.
Kaelani.
Beautiful face and an impression that lingered longer than it should have.
I tilted my head slightly. "You realize this means I'll be traumatized for the rest of the night."
She laughed. "Please. You'll survive."
I groaned in defeat.
Devil's Bar it is.
But... maybe there was a part of me that was looking forward to it. Maybe it was the thought of seeing those brown eyes again.
Maybe.
***
I took a small sip of the liquor in my glass.
Ciroc Vodka.
Tasteless, but the burn? Definitely memorable.
The bar was dim, shadows pooling in corners where people laughed a little too loud. Music thumped under the low hum of conversation, but I barely noticed. I was in VIP after all.
My eyes kept finding her-not that she was trying to be seen, of course. She never did. She made herself invisible, and it struck a small nerve inside. Why? She was beautiful. Maybe she doesn't see it-but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
"How do you drink that stuff?" Sianna asked, a scowl creasing her face.
"With my lips, of course."
She rolled her eyes, and I chuckled softly.
"I feel sorry for your wife when you get married," she said.
I raised a brow. "Why?"
She dug into her purse and pulled out a pocket mirror. "Because you're going to tease her to death. Your humor is... exhausting."
I smirked. "Don't blame me because yours is dry."
"That's not what the men say."
I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly saw my brain.
"Careful," Sianna said. "You'll lose what little you have left."
I snorted, lifting my glass again-but didn't drink.
Kae.
She didn't look at me. Didn't look at anyone. Just dipped the mop into the bucket and started working, focused, unbothered.
And somehow... that was the problem.
She turned her back, keeping her eyes lowered while mopping like VIP was on fire and she wanted to hurry and get out.
"I'm seeing... something," Sianna started, her voice laced with menace.
I sighed. "If you say a ghost, I'm leaving."
"No," she said. "You're staring at the janitor. Hard."
My eyes flicked towards her. She caught it instantly, giggling as her brows lifted knowingly.
"There's nothing wrong," she whispered. "She's beautiful."
I cleared my throat. Loud. Intentional.
"Kae."
Her name landed between us.
She paused.
Didn't turn right away. Just enough to let me know she'd heard it. Then she looked up, eyes meeting mine like they were checking something off.
Her fingers tightened around the mop, but her feet stayed rooted in their spot.
"Kae," I repeated.
I kept my eyes on hers, not once looking away. I watched as she lowered her gaze and took slow, careful steps towards me.
"Mmm," was the sound that left her lips.
Because, of course, Sianna had to speak first. "Hi. What's your name?"
"Kaelani," she said quietly, voice low but steady.
Sianna grinned. "That's a beautiful name."
"Thank you," Kae responded, her voice barely above a whisper.
I shuffled to the edge of the couch, resting my elbows on my knees. "How have you been, love?"
"Love?" Sianna cut in, a smirk tugging at her lips. "You gave her a nickname? Interesting."
I groaned internally.
I turned my attention back to Kae. For a second, I didn't see those beautiful brown eyes. All I saw was exhaustion-the kind that clung to her like a shadow, refusing to leave.
"Is..." she trailed off. "...everything okay?"
I rose to my feet, and she instinctively took a step back. Not just a step-there was something in her eyes. Fear. But why?
"Umm..." I started, but she cut me off.
"I-I have to go."
Without another word, she turned and walked away, grabbing the bucket as she left.
"You scared her off," Sianna said, flipping her braids about, her voice low.
I exhaled.
"Just ask her out," she added, eyes locked on mine.
I froze, my gaze tracking the space where Kae had been moments ago. The polished floor reflected the dim lights, empty seats, and the faint clink of glasses around us-but she was gone.
Sianna nudged my shoulder. "Move," she whispered. "Now."
I didn't.
And just like that, the moment slipped through my fingers, leaving only the echo of her presence behind.
- Writer
