Paint On Me

Chapter One

Reluctant to feel at ease Sian chose to stay standing. 

She should feel happy, ecstatic even. After all it was every artists wish to be head hunted, have enough interest taken in you to get some form of backing. Instead she was steamed by this last minute change in plans. 

Ten hours ago she'd dashed out the door for work. Put in an almost relentless slog in the Hardware Store that she worked part time to supplement her other two positions.   

To say it had been a bad day was an understatement. The customers were impatient, bitter with long waits for re-stock to come in. And her boss had called staff into the office to talk about possible lay offs. 

All of which she had not had proper chance to process before receiving her friends call. 

Trevor sighed, flicking open the case of his phone," suit yourself, Moody Blues."

He knew she was in a mood. Although from what, he had yet to guess. Whatever was currently eating at her was not the current situation. His orbs lingered on her form, trying to decipher exactly what was going through her head right now.  

After all excitement flowed through his veins. Happy to be the one to bring good news for a change and not the usual dull dregs of life. She was finally getting noticed. The recognition he'd been talking about for years. And he couldn't be happier for her. However Sian looked as if she was about to get a tooth pulled. 

She shot a look of fire his way. Crossing arms over his ribs defiantly, "this ain't a mood Trev "

"Uh huh, "he tapped on the curved screen which lit up his bitten nails eearily. 

"Angy not Moody, there's a difference," she continued, God he could be annoying at times. 

Sighing and clipping sharply across rather impressive wooden floor. They were an original feature which had caught her eye when they first arrived. The smell of wax hung in the air, barely masked by a scent of mahogany. Her nose wrinkled at the traditional twist of mulled wine that prevaded the air. 'Oh so Christmassy.'

Not that she didn't love festive season, but it was too early. Early October and far too soon to be blanketed by such scents. 

"Who demands a meeting, "her voice rose with indignation, ",Demands! "

Trevor rolled his orbs. Which always reminded Sian of 'Hershey's kisses', A childhood treat they both shared growing up. 

"Hardly a demand babe, think of it as a certainty. "

She scoffed, "Certainty. Well let's just see about that! "

Defiant to a fault. It's what had made her an almost raging goalkeeper in junior high on the schools mixed football team. A challenging glint that sparked 'try me'.   

It set her aside from many of the girls. And maddeningly some of guys.  

Competitiveness came as a second nature, a kind of fail safe that Trevor couldn't readily relate to. He was too laid back and analytical eighty percent of the time. It dumbfounded him as to how she didn't get in perpetual trouble. Engaging mouth before brain. 

This five foot seven bottle of fury ready to explode. Hair pulled into a messy fishtail braid that hung between her shoulder blades. Her bareface skin flushed with a light natural rouge. Mahogany eyes blazing. Sharp and deep in thought. 

He let the cell hang on the edge of his fingers flipping the leather cover idly, " be rational Si, this is the best offer you'll get as a virtual unknown. With money like his, Mr Davies can afford to ask whatever he wants. Potential benefactor remember?"

"I'm not for sale, "she snapped, " if I don't like the deal or him, I'm walking. "

"God come on, "Trevor argued, "at least enter this with an open mind. Word is he's been chasing shadows to find whoever painted Eclipse over Manhattan. "

A word that had tracked down the line, teasing her with doubts. Could gossip really be trusted one hundred percent. 

Mr Davies was a name bandied about in Gallery openings and artistic circles combined. He had an eye for the unusual, the up-and-coming. What he touched became gold. But he was synonymous for being a hidden face. So this sudden meeting was out of the ordinary. Nerves were kicking in. 

She nodded, chewing the edge of her rhumbnail muttering an 'uh huh, ' that was non committal at best. But Trevor knew after fifteen plus years of friendship that he was getting through to her. 

Sian Rhodes was easy for him to read. This hostile 'I hate change' was her way of protecting herself. She was hopeful that something good was on the horizon but pigheadedly stuck to picturing the worse outcome. No body was so insane as to chase up an artist of a piece unless they truly were interested in seeing more works.

Not to mention the fact that he wanted to purchase said piece. And as it was Trevor's job to look out for her well being. He was going to put a gritty price tag on it. Whether she agreed or not. 

He got up to cross the five steps to Sian, who now came up to about armpit level, even with heels. 

"Look he wants to fund you, purchase a few pieces. Not buy you.... I don't think Pimp hats suit me anyhow. "

She chuckled, knuckling him in the chest, "shut up, you big goof! "

"Big forgiven goof, "he muttered into her hair as she accepted his hug. 

Folding herself safety into the crook of his arms. He'd sprung this meeting on her less than two hours ago and he was beyond lucky she'd agreed to the proposition. 

"Always. "

It was an answer interrupted by the glass door sliding open .

Trevor smiled widely, "hello Mr Davies, it's so good to finally meet you face to face. "

She chuckled to herself. How very like her friend to put on his business voice. He tended to do so with strangers to make the best first impression. Sian slid from her friends hold to turn and look at this unknown 'mentor'.   

Her heart silenced before furiously rushing to life. Shooting heat to her chest and neck. He was handsome. Much younger than she imagined. Stubble worked across the sculpted jaw line , bringing a defined shadow of roughness to an otherwise Michelangelo chiseled face. 

Cheekbones that even Kate Moss would envy. His forehead showed signs of a brow that had been creased by thought too much. The broken lines that she imagined knotted together when frowned we're eased right now. But spoke of character nonetheless. 

But that's not what stayed Sians voice or breath.

A turmoil stormed through her chest. Mind a blind blur of panic.

'Mr Davies' of course it was an alias. 

A cover for none other than Axel Matthews. A guy she had not seen on over eight years. 

And she swore never to be near him again. 

Her gaze was drawn to his face. Bulls eye. He had gotten older and irritatingly more handsome than she ever recalled. 

Axels eyes were dark, a deep brooding swirl of paletted blues that hid intensity under lashes which did much more than frame them. They accented the already smouldering orbs in a scandalous way. So much so that Sian struggled not to stare into them. His nose was a masculine acquine one. A bit buttonesque on the end. It was the only rather childlike feature to an otherwise manly face. 

Sian rubbed her hands down her denim clad legs. f**k. Why hadn't she dressed better. The boyfriend style jeans were faded from years of washing and frayed at the knees. Mostly from kneeling down to help with various odd jobs she'd held over the last five years. 

Her raglan tee was from Art college and had a rather unfortunate 'Frankie says relax' emblazoned over her chest. There'd been no time for a big shake-up in attire after she'd found Trevor in her brothers living room with quote 'the news of a lifetime'. 

They barely had twenty minutes to take before having to make a commute of over an hour to this address. And Sian has chosen to spend those sparce few minutes grabbing some toast to fill her empty cavernous stomach. She'd just finished a six hour voluntary shift at the local childline an needed grease not bread, but what ever. It'd do to quell hunger for the next hour or two. Time wasn't on their side after all. 

Sian had to rely on Trevor's Google maps to find the place. Operating as she was without a SatNav or any ideas as to where Burbank Mews was. It turned out to be a single property just eighteen minutes off the motorway. 

Found after various twists and country lanes, which she'd taken at well over the speed limit. Such was Trevours nervous insistence that they'd be late. She'd scraped the wing mirror on a side-hedge but they found the place. Even after buzzing for entry and dealing with security gates. They'd been running ten minutes ahead of time. She'd snipped at him that he owed her for almost having a heart attack. To which a now calm Trevor smiled and agreed to anything she said. 

Trevor shook their hosts hand, "and you must be the Manager, Mr Billingly,"came an accented greeting Sian couldn't quite place.

She had never been able to. Even when he'd been leisurely drinking with her brother. The urge to ask him was buried under a layer of embarrassment. It was another thing that had attracted her to him in the first place. Nothing on heaven and earth could bring that laser of intrigue my way. My brother would see that I had a thing for his buddy, and Axel... Well that jerk would either gloat... Or more annoyingly gloat. 

Trevor was putting on a voice. It sounded faintly of private school upbringing.

Sian couldn't help her chortle 'manager'? Really? What did he ever have to manage for her. He shot her his 'behave' face. 

"That's correct, and it's my pleasure to introduce you to my client.. "

"This? This is the artist? "Axel cut in, turning gaze to fully rake in Sian. 

She withered under the weight of it. Inflamed and shocked that he could elicit such a reaction. It was rude. Yet her body heaved into some kind of nervous meltdown. Anger dicing through her chest. How dare he?  

Not only had he not recognised her, but he was looking down on her. 

Trevor nodded, "yes, this is Sian Rhodes. "

Axel had swiveled his startling blues to the man as he spoke, but shot the back to her as soon as the sentence ended. 

Was it her imagination or had he realised that the name itself was familiar. Fair enough not the Rhodes, that was her moms maiden name. Taken after her Dad left to live with his 'other' family. But surely Sian was rare enough. 

"Alright. I've seen worse, "he seemed to mull aloud, "it's possible to work this to an advantage. "

"Excuse me! "her words choked, finally freed from frozen rigor by this imposing man, "what's that supposed to mean. You found me, do you not like my work. "

A twinkle of mirth shone in his eyes, "fiesty. "

Trevor gulped, "eh... "

The word had once more been aimed at him. Anger surfaced on Sians face. How dare he keep addressing Trevor not her? 

She was right here, yet he chose to speak to him instead. Fair enough, if she was unremarkable once she could take that, but not twice in her life. Not with this particular jerk. No way. No longer was she some simpering young girl who made excuses to drop in on her brother when his friends were around to sneak a peek at a cute guy. She was an adult woman. With real god-damned thoughts and emotions.  

He would address her. Axel owed her at least that much after what he'd put her through. 

"I do of course find you pieces interesting, "he started, forcing her to shelf her tyrade, "but art is much more than canvas. You will need work. If you are to become a brand per say. "

Sian jutted out her chin, "Mr Davies. I can call you Davies right?" he looked at her slightly confused," the two things are separate. I do not intend to become the face of my work. You can relate I'm sure. That's what I have Trevor for. "

Her friend grew at that statement. His chest filling. Sian was uncomfortable at the for front to anything. More or less enjoying virtual annonimty in the shadows. People, crowds made her nervous. 

Axel smile amused, and damnation if she didn't find even his dimples cute. She'd forgotten those bad boys. How could one man be so arrogant yet so damn irrisistable? She'd insist on no further dealings with him that was for sure.

Even after all this time he effected her. 

Made her feel ill at control over her body. And for Sian having a modocom of control over at least one small aspect of her life was so much. She craved that hold. Everything else was dictated and demanded of her. At least so far painting could be hers and alone. 

"Usually the management takes a backseat" he drawled, " I don't know if I'm prepaired to have the talent I'm funding hidden behind the face of her agent. "

Sian looked to Trevor for some form of input, but he was nodded in agreement with Axel. 

"He's right Sian. You should be out there front and center. More impact that way. "

"But.. "

"If you're camera shy, "Axel proposed peering levelly into her eyes, "I'll happily hold your hand. As your benefactor of course."

He would come out of veritable invisibility for her benefit. To ensure the 'brand' didn't fall to pieces. She knew she should be happy, honored even at that sentiment. But no. An entirely opposing emotion arose. Fear. 

Sian got jittery just thinking of it. Art shows, opening night or exhibitions with Axel Matthews at her side.

Christ! Here they were in an expansive room, with Trevor and she was already hyper aware of his presence in it. Walls closing in and pushing them closer together invisably. 

"If my benefactor is going to have such a public role, "she battled, "it's only fair that my management does too. It's my stipulation. Trevor has always supported me, I'm not benching him to sub you in, no matter how much money you throw at it."

"Ah Mz Rhodes," Axel said smiling slyly, "I've no intention of pushing anyone's nose out of joint. He's more than welcome to be just as physically present as we are."

"Good."

He nodded, "glad we could come to an accord. Now I'll have some contracts drawn up and presented to you by the end of the week."

"That would be fine."

"Would you like legal representation to help read over them?"

Her eyes narrowed, "no thank you. We will organise our own solicitors."

He shrugged, "if it's what pleases you. But keep in mind I have quite the team of representative's. I'm more than happy to extend their services."

Sian became equally suspect, "all things considered I'd much rather a non biased advisor. Not to be offensive you understand, because it makes more sense and is in my own best interests. "

.....

"Where the hell are we gonna get legal aid Si?" Trevor argued as they pulled past the security gates. 

"I don't know we'll work something out, "she shot back .

"He offered his team.. "

She wrentched the car into third gear, "and I don't want to take hand outs. "

"He's your benefactor ,"Trevor pointed out matter of factly. 

"Don't be a jerk Trev, you know what I mean. I don't want more from him than the bare minimum. That's it. He's already talking like he owns Me, not adding fuel to the fire. Well find a way okay. All he is , is a shoe in essentially. "

She had never told Trevor the name if her mystery crush. The one who'd smased her heart like slivered fiberglass. The very crush who just moments ago offered to fund her art for the forseeble future. That same guy she spent far too many sleepless nights weeping over. A man who did not even recognise her. A girl whose life he took and squeezed ever light of joy from. 

Sian didn't want to name the beast that hurt her. Because lord knows Trevor would want to hear him a new one. 

She preferred to leave her friend in the dark for now. That was a time in her life she wanted to forget. And honestly she had. Until now. 

Her friend drew her out of her quiet mulling. 

He nodded, "okay babe you're right I guess. I mean if it was me I'd jump at the offer. "

"Trev. " 

If he thought she was being stubborn. Fine. She could live with that. 

"Okay okay, it's your big break you call the shots. I'll just be the voices of reason, 'he soothed. 

"Thanks. "

It was what Sian needed too hear, especially seeing as she'd a feeling nothing ,absolutely nothing would be done her way from here on out. Axel would see to that .