Something Gained

Chapter 5

As I stood taking in the exterior of the gallery, I cursed inwardly that I hadn't been a part of the effort to enhance the front of house. Unless you were already aware of the event being held tonight, you would be forgiven for not adding it to your social calendar. Bland banners hung half-heartedly fluttered lazily in the evening air, a clear message that whoever had been entrusted with the rather simple task obviously felt it was beneath them or that they had no real love for the place or what tonight represented. I cringed, hoping that the same lack luster effort had not been put into the internal decor. Tonight had to go well. The fate of the gallery depended on it. With a renewed sense of determination, I grasped the bronzed handle and braced myself for whatever lay waiting behind the large doors.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that every effort had been made to turn the inside of the gallery into a beautiful and inviting space. Tiny, golden lights had been woven along the coving and around every beam bathing the walls in a delightful honey. Entrances to each room had been adorned with deep red drapes giving an air of retro Hollywood glam, while well-dressed waiters bustled among the growing crowd offering flutes of champagne. One thing was certain, and that was that Kerry had had a rather large hand in tonight's decor. Not that I blamed her, this was a big night and to make sure anything is done right it is always a sound idea to do it yourself.

I scanned the room eyeing every male in attendance, trying to determine which one could possibly be Mr Shaw. I assumed he would be a well put-together older man with a flawless suit and with Derek no doubt lurking somewhere nearby. It was while I was searching the crowd for our potential investor that my eyes landed on one man in particular. I knew I should keep looking. After all, he wasn't my intended target, but the familiarity of that silhouette kept my eyes firmly magnetized. What was he doing here? He didn't seem to be the artsy type, but he couldn't possibly have come for me. Could he? I shook my head at the thought. How could he be? I hadn't even given him my name, let alone where I work. No, of course not. He probably just lives in the area Cass! I scold myself. Still, before I know what I am doing, my feet are carrying me towards the man that just a few nights ago had made me come undone in a very impromptu session I had since not been able to forget. I find myself coming to a stop just a few paces behind him, following his line of sight to the painting he seems to be regarding. I hold my breath when I realize it's one of mine. I had painted it months ago when Zack and I were still together, when everything seemed fine. It was of a couple standing on a canal bridge, him with a hand around her waist and her standing a little higher up on the lip almost leaning to look over. Funny, now i almost wish i could shout to her. To tell her to jump in and swim away before he inevitably breaks her heart, but alas, she is just a subject in a painting and I, a willing spectator. Besides, it's not as though she would listen. I know I didn't when people warned me about Zack. Snapping myself out of my thoughts, I clear my throat hoping to grab my mystery man's attention, however he seems far too engrossed in my painting to notice. I decided to take a different approach as I placed my hand gently on his shoulder. "Just couldn't keep away, huh?" I smiled at him. Confusion clouds his handsome face for only a second before recognition spreads across his features as he returns my smile at a lopsided angle. My heart leaps in my chest. He looks good, too good, and I curse myself for noticing as images of our encounter begin to flood my mind.

"So you are real" he chuckles, throwing me off guard. Now it's my turn to be confused. "As real as you or anyone else here" I counter.

"I was pretty buzzed" he says, "I wasn't sure if the angel I enjoyed that night was real or a figment of my drunken imagination." I blush at his description as I remember we aren't the only people occupying the gallery. He steps closer and I almost forget to breathe until he dips his head to my ear. "If i had known you would be here I would have made more of an effort" he whispers, as he steps back and again my face flushes. My eyes roam his body shamelessly as I recall what lies beneath, and I wonder how he possibly could have made more of an effort. "So you're not here to obsessively stalk me then?" I ask and am surprised by the tone of disappointment I hear in my own question. It's not like I want a stalker, so why does the idea of him having other motivations for being here make my stomach dip? "No angel, not tonight" he purrs, and my insides tighten at his words. "I'm actually here to meet someone else."

Of course, he is. Probably a date. I sour at the idea before I catch myself. He isn't mine. Gosh, I don't even know him. "I'm Damien by the way." he throws me another winning smile and I realize I have become entirely too distracted. "Well Damien, it was nice to officially meet you." I say a little more hushed than I intended and with that I turn and leave, realizing once again I've left him without a name to my very flushed face. I feel breathless as I dart into the nearest restroom. Now is not the time to lose focus. If Mr Shaw sees me looking distracted he may think that I'm not committed to my work or to the gallery and neither could be further from the truth.

I glared at my reflection. "Get it together Cassandra", I admonished. I stood tall and smoothed my dress ready to attempt my mission once more.

Exiting the bathroom swiftly, I noticed Kerry furiously scanning the room, no doubt searching for me. Her eyes locked onto mine like a predator stalking its prey and I knew that I was in trouble. I stood unmoving waiting for my dressing down as she cut effortlessly through the crowd. I braced. Coming to a stop inches from me, she eyed me suspiciously as if she was expecting for me to have already royally f****d the evening up before it had really begun. Slowly dropping the apprehensiveness from her gaze, she spoke. "Where the hell have you been, Cassandra? Mr Shaw is waiting." I lowered my head hoping she wouldn't see the blush creeping up my cheeks. "I'm sorry," I answered her honestly "I got waylaid talking about my work." There was a half-truth in that that I knew she would accept. She nodded curtly before taking my hand, desperately trying to ground me to the current conversation. "Very well, but listen, he is waiting in your office and I expect you to be at your best, Cassandra. Remember we need this..." She didn't need to say anymore. I already knew what was at stake, and I was prepared to do whatever it took to convince Mr Shaw that we were worthy of his investment. This was it. Confidently, I took the portfolios from my bag, making a mental note of every point I wanted to make before striding towards my office. Nothing was going to go wrong.