The Bond

CHAPTER THREE - UNEXPECTED CIRCUMSTANCES

LILY

I throw my paintbrush across the room and watch as it lands on the half eaten box of pizza on my table. At least my aim is still on point. My phone chimes with a spam text from a loan shark and I very nearly toss the phone in frustration. I usually reserve my entire weekends for painting but nothing seems to be going right today. The messy black paint on the easel is a testament to how f****d up the entire day has been and to crown it all up, I can feel a migraine starting to come on. I dig into my closet for some aspirin and very nearly yell when I catch my reflection on the mirror.

I look just like a patient on the loose from a psychiatric hospital. There is paint all over my face and my eyes are so sunken, it seems like I’ve been crying for days. I decide to shower first and find something to eat, then maybe I would finally muster enough creativity to paint something worthy. I have just finished stuffing myself with sandwiches and half a bottle of diet cola when my phone rings. My first instinct is to ignore it and just sit staring at the damaged easel until I’m hit with an inspiration but the ringing gets persistent and irritating, so I just grab it and press it to my ear. “Who’s this?” I say a little too sharply. There’s static on the other end and then a rich male voice carries into my ear. “Am I speaking to Lily McReynolds?” “Yeah. And this is?”

“Steve Ray’s personal assistant.” I pause for a moment to digest what I have just heard and then I decide I must have heard wrongly or it must be a prank at the very least. “Hello?” “Oh yeah, I’m here. Do you mean the Steve Ray? I mean, you’re not some fraudster calling to prank me?” A hearty laughter at the other end followed by rustling of papers. “I’m sure it’s hard to believe but yes, I’m contacting you on behalf of the Steve Ray. An email was sent to you earlier with the full details but I’m calling to set up a meeting with you.”

“Hold up, please. You mean Steve Ray wants to meet me? But why? I mean, how does he even know me?” “Well, yes. He stumbled upon a piece you created and it caught his eyes, so he made me find some more of your work. To cut long story short, he loved them and wants to display your art at Grand East gallery if that’s okay with you.” “Of course, of course!” My head is spinning out of control and I don’t even realize I’m shouting until he speaks again and he sounds so soft. “Okay, Miss Lily. Now that I’ve confirmed you’re interested, I’ll be in touch. Please check your mail for further information and note that Steve Ray won’t be in Michigan for much longer so we have to meet as soon as possible.

” I nod vigorously until I realize he can’t see me, so I answer with a breathless sound before the line disconnects. I just stand in the middle of the room looking around and trying to process everything and before I can stop it, tears well up in my eyes. Is this the start of a new chapter for me? I grab my MacBook from the table and check my mail. There is actually one from Steve Ray detailing the plans he has for my works. Without giving it much thought, I reach for my phone and dial Alex’s number. I’m surprised when he answers on the third ring. “What a pleasant surprise, Lily. Who would have thought you knew how to use a phone?” “Very funny, Alexander.” “I take it that you’re not working today?” “No, but I have some big news.” “Hit me.” “You know Steve Ray?”

“The funky guy that goes around wearing those bright head warmers in the summer? He eats attention for breakfast. He’s well known for being a wealthy art collector.” I hold back my laughter and sigh heavily instead. “That’s beside the point, Alex. He wants to showcase my art at Grand East gallery. Can you believe it?” “No way!” “Yes way!” I’m laughing and sniffing back snot now because saying it aloud to him makes it feel even realer. We discuss the phone conversation and email and he asks that we meet. I’m all over the moon as I change into suitable clothes and head out of the house. We meet in his office at Ann Arbor and seeing him in his work space for the first time makes me realize just how out of touch with reality this friend of mine actually is. “This is Robert Chapman, one of the best lawyers there is.” He introduces me to a man in a black three piece suit who he was conversing with when I walked into the office. “It’s my pleasure to meet you.” He extends a hand towards me and I take it. After that, Alex gestures for me to seat on the sofa directly opposite Robert. “I’ll go straight to the point.

” Robert says and taps a brown envelope on the small table between us. “Mr. Alexander here has contacted me concerning your artworks and after thorough appraisal has decided to sponsor your art career.” He hands the envelope to me and I take it with shaky hands. “Alex, what is this?” “Well, a contract if you will. I want to sponsor your career.” “But–” “No buts. I’m not doing this based on sentiments. I’m really impressed by what I’ve seen and I think you’re talented. Trust me, I know never to make a bad investment.”

“You might need some time to make up your mind and when you do, give me a call.” Robert says and digs his hand into his pocket to produce a business card. I watch as he leaves the office wondering if someone will soon tap me awake and I’ll realize I had been dreaming all along. “I’m sorry to spring this up on you but I’d been planning it for a while now and I thought it was best to make the offer before you meet Steve.” “It’s just that this is all too good to be true, you know? My heart feels like it’s going to burst with joy and I don’t know how to handle it. I keep asking myself if it’s okay to be this happy.” “It’s okay.” He says softly.

“I want you to be happy because it makes me really happy too.” He’s looking at me with such sincerity as he speaks that it feels like my heart is melting. I want to tell him that it makes me happy to see him smile too but I hold myself back. It’s better to let whatever I’m feeling right now die a natural death. Am I really ready to get involved with someone so wealthy? We belong in two different worlds and things like this seldom end well. “Do you want to grab dinner together later? We should celebrate this.” I know I should say no to him but I find myself smiling at him and nodding. He smiles back at me and my heart goes haywire and that is how I know I’m in for serious trouble.