Strength After Him

Chapter 7 - Behind Her Success

Moments later Ms. Maria walked in from the room into the sitting room, with a huge smile on her face. Her expression was impressive as she raised a hand, thumb pointed skyward. “You did really well, Ava”. I am so proud of you. "Ensure you stay consistent – your hard work is paying off," Maria said.

Putting my palms together, I thanked Maria, knowing I couldn’t have achieved this success without her support.

I looked at Ivy in her crib. Her smile was soft and sincere, and it melted my heart. “Ivy was so calm during the exhibition,” I said softly.

Maria responded with a smile, saying she would stay for a few days before leaving to make sure we were perfectly fine. That night, we were so tired that we skipped dinner and just snacked on what we had at home.

I woke up that morning urgently needing the bathroom, and after I was done, a faint noise came from Maria’s room. Curious, I paused by the doorway and overheard her on the phone, warmly thanking someone for bringing in people who supported me during the exhibition. Many of them had bought my pieces and even asked for my contact, offering more contracts. She also mentioned she would send him some money for a job well done. Maria said to the person on the phone that she doubted whether I would have any sales without her support. Hearing that, a wave of sadness washed over me.

I whispered to myself, with the thought that I had attracted the clients naturally because they loved my art, not realizing I had been quietly helped. I tiptoed back to the sofa and sat down. Feeling like a failure. My mind raced as to why she organized people to buy my pieces. This wasn’t what I wanted for myself.

When Maria came out that morning and saw me sitting, lost in my thoughts, she paused and asked gently why I looked so sad. One part of me urged me to ignore it, to let it pass, while another part insisted that I had to speak.

I took a deep breath, my voice barely above a whisper. “ Ms Maria, I overheard you thanking someone for organizing the people who came to support my art.” I looked down at my hands, twisting them nervously. “I wasn’t expecting you to do that. Now I feel sad, because it feels like my efforts weren’t entirely my own. You pulled the strings.”

Maria went silent for a moment, her eyes softening. “I know how you feel,” she said gently. But I just needed to do it to support you, especially since it’s your first exhibition. "I didn’t realize this was the last thing you wanted for yourself.”

“I wanted to do it all by myself,” I said, my voice shaking slightly. I wanted to face my mistakes, take my losses and my wins. It would have helped me improve. Right now, I’m not even sure the people who took my contact will come back to buy, because it felt like they were forced. I don’t feel happy about it.”

“Don’t say that,” Maria said, moving closer and putting a hand around my shoulders. They will definitely come back. Take it from me: The people who came and bought from you did so because they valued your work. They saw the beauty in your pieces. No one wastes money on something they don’t want.”

But she was right, I thought, they wouldn’t have bought my art if they didn’t like it. I gave a small nod. She smiled and assured me that even if I didn’t get contracts from those who promised, I should remember that my work had been seen by a large audience, which was a strong starting point for my success.

That evening, Maria left. I was tidying up when I came across the pieces of paper where I had written down the contacts of those who had shown interest in my pieces during the exhibition.

I needed to call them to set up meetings and have proper one-on-one discussions. I wanted to start as soon as possible. I reached out to five people, but only one responded positively. I felt sad again, realizing that the others weren’t the right audience for me. I chose not to let that bother me and decided to keep my head up and keep going. Funny enough, that same night, I received an urgent call to meet a client the next day regarding a job contract. He said he had been one of the guests at the exhibition and wanted to discuss things further.

I got ready to meet the client, my mind racing with anticipation of the upcoming discussion about the job contract. Ivy was in her stroller as we hit the road, bundled in a soft blanket, the morning sun casting long shadows on the pavement. I pushed the stroller past the busy streets, the sounds of traffic and distant chatter filling the air.

I arrived at the quiet restaurant, and spotted a man in his 50's seated at a corner table. I had expected to see someone younger, but that was far from it. He rose slightly from his chair, a warm smile on his face as I approached.

“Hi, Nice to meet you, Ms. Ava,” he said, extending his hand for a handshake. After the greeting, he went on to introduce himself, his voice steady.

He explained how he had first seen my paintings displayed in a client’s office and managed to get my contact. Then, with a calm but steady tone, he offered me a contract. When he revealed how huge the contract was, I couldn’t help but spring up from my chair and let out an excited scream.

“Forgive my manners, please,” I pleaded as I slowly sat back down. “I just wasn’t expecting such a huge offer.”

That offer was set to change my life for good. I was to create several pieces for his offices, each one tailored to the spaces he described. He also promised to recommend me further, mentioning the names of top influential people he knew in London.

I took down every detail needed to get the work done, and he made an upfront payment to enable me to start the project. As he stood up to leave, he said, “I hope you do a great job, Ava.” On his way out, he noticed Ivy in her stroller, paused to take a closer look, walked past her, then turned back again.