WITH EVERY BREATH I TAKE

A GHOST AMONG THE GUEST

“OMG!! You look gorgeous, you are so pretty OMG!! Celeste, it’s criminal to look this fabulous,” Julie said.

She wore a backless red dress which ascents her curves. The dress was meant for her as if it were custom-made specifically for her.

They were preparing themselves for the gala. To Juliet, it was a normal social life. Unlike Celeste, this was not her crowd, but today she has to go. Her father’s death will weigh her down with grief, and she needs to be outside and meet people.

Her father was an artist, and she loved art so much. His life was full of imagination, and he made them real by drawing them, and he taught her just that, to expand her imagination and to be whoever she thinks she can be. She decided to major in Art History.

Her father used to draw art pieces, and they were so catching, but he never wanted to be famous, so he sold his paintings anonymously. He never took direct credit for his art; his life was low-key, but Celeste wanted more, and she plans to honor her father’s legacy as an art curator. Taking his art into the world, and it starts by meeting influential people.

The event was organized by Dream Atelier’s Co Ltd (DACL). They are the biggest art company in Italy; they constantly hold the biggest auctions. Since their artworks are so magnificent, they are now expanding to France.

She must be there. She has an eye for art, and she needs a start, and this gala is her start.

When they entered the gala, she was so nervous, but her best friend assured her that nobody would notice anything; everyone here was so self-consumed, only focused on how to present themselves and their business to the major players, they wouldn’t notice unless you create a scene.

“After all the formalities, here comes the most important part of the event networking segment. Your focus should not be on how you are going to blend, but on how unforgettable your presence must be.

99% won’t notice you, but the 1% you meet must not forget you. I'm going to be there, so don’t worry, bestie. And now we start there with Mr. Maxwell De Luca. He is the acting CEO of Dream Atelier Co Ltd. They are the ones who organized this. Their HQ is in Italy, and they are expanding there, so this is more like a launch gala for Network + Partnerships, Julie said.

“And he is Niklaus’s Uncle,” Jullie added.

Juliet: Mr. De Luca, may I introduce you to my friend, Celeste?

De Luca: Pleased to meet you, Celeste.

Celeste: The pleasure is mine, Mr. De Luca.

Julliet: Celeste is an art curator from Marseille.

De Luca: Oh, that’s interesting. What kind of work do you do exactly?

Celeste: I focus on conceptual and contemporary art exhibitions. My goal is to create engaging experiences that connect artists and audiences meaningfully. I’ve worked on several gallery projects in America, and I’m looking to expand collaborations internationally.

De Luca: I see. So, do you manage exhibitions and artists directly?

Celeste: Yes, I handle curatorial research, exhibition design, and artist collaborations. I also consult on collection management and cultural programming for institutions. Essentially, I bridge creative vision with audience engagement.

De Luca: That sounds very promising. Are you exploring any partnerships at the moment?

Celeste: Absolutely. I’m particularly interested in projects that combine contemporary art with community engagement, as well as cross-cultural exchanges between European and African art spaces. I believe these initiatives can create meaningful dialogue while building sustainable networks for artists.

Julliet: Celeste has a very strategic approach; she thinks about the audience, the artist, and the cultural impact all at once.

De Luca: Impressive. I’d like to hear more about your projects sometime. Maybe we can set up a conversation over coffee or at the office.

Celeste: I’d be honored, Mr. De Luca. Thank you.

Celeste was very excited that she managed to convince the major player of the event. It was a big moment for her, so she went on meeting various influential people with her charm, she managed to attract the attention, and hopefully, she will have major players as partners.

The night started to get boring when Nicklaus took Julie, and she sat down, as she was very tired of moving around and talking.

She picked up the glass of wine and took a sip, lost in her thoughts. The music started to play, everyone was coupled to dance, then she heard his voice.

“May I have this dance with you?” he said.

She thought she was hallucinating, she suddenly felt cold chills all over her body, since her imagination wouldn’t be accompanied by his scent, he was surely here at the gala asking for her hand to dance.

“You look like you have seen a ghost,” he said.

“No, no, sorry,” Celeste said

“What are you sorry for? Are you going to say no?" he said.

He made a heartbroken gesture, and Celeste smiled. Leo extended his hand, and Celeste took it without hesitation.

She didn’t know that there would be neither an escape nor a way back.