Gifters

Money bags

The door opened, revealing six people, three men, and three women.

Some were in a bad mood, while others had a blank look.

Chloe smiled trying to break the tense atmosphere, had a habit of smiling in moments of tension or discomfort.

— Sorry for the delay, my name is Chloe Chatzi, the owner of this humble gallery. Dear guests, welcome to "Art Fatum", please come forward. — Chloe said while smiled

— I just stayed to wait until she showed up to tell her how unprofessional her work is, make us wait ten minutes late, who do you think you are? Rest assured that my acquaintances will find out about your lack of work ethic, thank you for the loss of time. — Said one of the women to then leave.

— We will also withdraw, thanks for the hospitality. Expect a bad recommendation from us. — Said one of the men who, accompanied by a lady, left to never return.

Chloe felt a dagger pierce her heart, as soon as she started, she had already lost half of her chances and they even got a bad impression.

Although her soul was crying over the loss of money, Chloe kept her smile.

The three people who stayed said nothing and entered the gallery.

This calmed her nerves, if everyone left she was sure that she could fall into a chronic depression for a few days.

Observing her guests, he recalled the information she had about them.

The woman's name was Julia Johnson, a painter with a successful career and praised by the most relevant art critics.

At only twenty-five years of age, her fame was enviable as was her bank account.

As for the other two men, one was young and the other was mature.

Dorian Drum, a handsome rich young man whose known hobby was spending his money on anything that interested him, business, sports, art, real estate, etc.

The older man was called, Pascal Durand, he was well known for his great experience in the field of art and business.

He was characterized by having a bad temper, since he used to get angry quickly, especially when things did not happen the way he wanted.

Chloe was surprised that this grumpy mogul hadn't left along with the others because of his mistakes.

Continuing her journey, Chloe led them to her best creations.

Julia with a serene expression observed everything in detail while making the odd comment, Chloe could not help feeling that she had great professionalism.

Dorian seemed more casual, he enjoyed every painting they saw, his comments about the details of the painting kept coming out of his mouth, you could tell that he was enjoying the tour.

Mr. Pascal kept his face sullen but did not comment.

Chloe was dying to know what she was thinking.

The tour was fluid, the gallery was not ostentatious, but it was illuminated and arranged in such a way that harmony could be perceived between the decorations that made a beautiful contrast with the canvases.

In the middle of the journey they stopped to appreciate a large painting, it showed a landscape that contained black earth in whose center was a tree with white bark and crimson leaves, a field of flowers surrounded the tree while white stones were placed on it. the earth formed a path towards the majestic tree that rose helplessly towards the sky.

Finally, in front of the tree, there was a woman with red hair, the woman was young and wearing silver armor, she was kneeling making a supplication to the sky or the tree in front of her while the sunlight rested on her face.

Appreciating the image, none of those presents spoke, not even Dorian Drum who was the most animated of them.

— It's a beautiful painting. — Said Mr. Pascal, who until now had not expressed words.

Julia nodded affirming Pascal's words.

Dorian admired the painting in silence.

— I consider this to be one of my best works and at the same time one of my favorites, it is inspired by a dream that I once had, I liked it so much that I couldn't help but paint it, its name is quite simple, when I finish it I won't call it, I thought for several days a name for her, but not being the best at naming things, I just put "My plea that reaches heaven through you." — Chloe said

— I buy it, how much do you want for it? — Asked Dorian Drum

Chloe felt her eyes sparkle after hearing the word "I buy it", after all this waiting, her money finally arrived at her door.

Although she had to admit that she would feel nostalgic if she sold it, she was not lying when she said that it was one of her favorite paintings, it was also her first painting that she considered a "masterpiece", because of this she could not decide whether to accept the offer or not.

— I appreciate your interest Mr. Drum, but if possible I would like you to give me some time to think about it, I have a great love for this canvas. — Chloe said embarrassed

Dorian did not seem to care about Chloe's feelings or perhaps he too had fallen in love with the painting, he took out a check and began to fill it out, once he finished smiling he offered it to Chloe

.

— This is my best offer, if you are not willing to accept this amount then I see it difficult for us to reach an agreement, I have loved this painting so I want to have it, I hope this amount shows my sincerity in this transaction. — Said Dorian Drum

Chloe only heard the first part of her words, when she saw the amount of the check she stopped paying attention.

How much money!

She almost believed that she was dreaming.

If she accepted this offer she could buy many things, even a vacation abroad would be easily paid for.

Internally apologizing to the painting of her for betraying her she said.

— I'm sure you will take good care of her Mr. Drum, we have a deal. — Chloe said with a smile

— Very well, I was confident that you would make the best decision, do not worry about the transport, later I will have someone take care of it. I would also like us to be able to maintain a business relationship, other paintings interest me that I want to buy. — Dorian said with a smile

Ecstatic by the closing of the purchase and hearing the possibility of future sales Chloe began to jump for joy without realizing it, she could not retain the emotion of her, now with this money, she could say goodbye to her for a while of her habits of stinginess.

Realizing her precipitous outpouring of happiness she regained her professional composure.

Trying to hide her outburst of joy he thanked Mr. Drum

— Thank you very much, Mr. Drum, I promise you that I will not disappoint her trust. — Chloe answered full of joy

— I'm sure you won't, also just call me Dorian from now on, if you tell me Mr. Drum I feel like an old man. — Dorian said

— Okay, thanks, Dorian. — Chloe said with a smile

Dorian smiled in response and offered his hand to Chloe.

They both looked into each other's eyes, then Chloe keeping her smile shook her hand.

By doing so everything that she was in front of her eyes changed from her, she was no longer seeing Dorian Drum nor was she in her gallery.

Now she all that she could see was immersed darkness, no matter where she looked she could see nothing.

This darkroom was familiar to Chloe, since she was a child she had a special ability that allowed her to see visions of the past and the future, she had tried to control it many times, but she could not use it at will.

These visions that arrived without warning at any time and place only had something in common, a dark preamble before everything began, with the experience of the years she had stopped feeling nervous, rather she felt grateful for this small space that allowed her to concentrate to pay attention to what is most important.

She remained calm awaiting the arrival of a glow that grows to show the truth.

Once the light fades Chloe can see herself in a dimly lit large room, in front of her is a man she recognizes.

That man is Dorian Drum, who is not looking at her with joy now, in her hands he holds a pistol pointed directly at her.

She is unarmed, she notices that she is injured in some parts, her clothes are a complete disaster and on her face, she has an expression of pain and anger.

Both stared, just as they did a few seconds ago, the problem is that there are no longer smiles and joy, now there is only tension, regret, and obvious anger.

They looked at each other for what seemed like an eternity without saying a word, though it was only a few minutes.

Dorian Drum pulled the trigger on her pistol and a bullet shot in her direction.

At the sight of her everything happened in slow motion, he could see the bullet getting closer and closer to her without being able to avoid it.

For Chloe, everything goes dark again and the vision of her ends, bringing her back to reality