A Stroke Of Light

Chapter Three

Chapter 3

The Unexpected reunion

Early Morning, The city of Paris comes to life,

the normal day to day hustle and bustle

The usual.

Standing before Anaïs was The Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts. It’s elegant and intricate architecture contrasting with the modern style of the city of Paris…

A week has passed since the art gallery saga she has three weeks left to make her decision,

But she’s still pondering on the offer Ms Madeleine gave her, shes really excited but also she’s unsure.

Her dreams are surfacing right in front of her…

Attending this prestigious art school, and beyond her wildest dreams— getting a contract from a woman of extremely high status

But yet she felt everything had the looming presence of Alexis Chalantier…

She arrived in campus strolling along the vast hallways hearing the normal chatter of other students as they paced up and down the hallways

She’s just soaking it all in… taking it all in and just being grateful for how life is treating her right now..

But then she thought about Alexis

“Ohh Lord, I don’t know why that pest won’t just leave my mind! I wish that’s be the last I see if him

But now if I agree to the project we’d have to work together!!” “ I hope he pulls out of the project “ she said putting her hands together in a prayer- like stance..

She’s torn between what feels like the dream of a lifetime and the difficult reality of working with someone that she absolutely can’t stand.

She remembers her mother’s Words “Anais, Change is one thing that’s constant, you have to be ready for it, ready to embrace it , ready to take a leap into the unknown… follow your instincts God blessed us with a powerful gut feeling “

As she soliloquizes she’s zapped back into reality by the sound of a huge bell in the campus area

A bell that reminded her of the grandeur of the place, it’s everything she imagined a haven for creativity… Students moved in and out the hallways their faces lit with excitement and determination.

“It’s a dream come true even to the rich folk” she muttered, a mixture of excitement , anxiety and awe fills Anais continues through the hallway, this is her moment , it feels so surreal she continues taking it all in with the weight of success a bit heavier than she expected.

The Unavoidable Encounter

Anais pulled her camera from her little backpack that hung lazily on one shoulder, she started taking photos of paintings and other artworks and also the intricate symbols around the campus walls they looked almost ancient, she moved forward where a group of art students are gathered, she walks towards them taking pictures as their brushes moved magically across the canvases…

Their whole chatter about tech and vision felt passionate she met some other photographers taking fine art courses at the university too, She feels at home but yet something feels off…

“Don’t think too much Anais!” She said almost faintly muttering to herself “Focus , Focus”

“You’re okay, you got this you’re strong, You’ll succeed “ she continued muttering to herself as she made her way to the lecture hall, mostly excited for what’s ahead but as she arrived at her first lecture…

She sees a familiar face standing by the front of the lecture hall just adjacent to where she stood…

Standing there in all attention commanding confidence is none other than “Alexis Chalantier “He’s casually talking to the professor and scanning the room with that ever-present smirk on his face. When he sees Anais, she was already staring, their eyes lock, and the weight of their past encounters settles between them…

A mix of surprise and irritation stirs within Anais, She thought she had left him behind back at the gallery never to see him again or at least for the next Three weeks… but there he was in the school of her dreams, the very place she’s come to start a new, fresh of her life she initially tries to act indifferent making her way to a sit at the far right of the lecture hall although she couldn’t hide her frustration.

Alexis smirked, noticing the look on her face,

He walks through the crowd of students to where she sat en route to where she was, his arm braised against a girl pushing her a little to the side, before she could fall he instinctively held her by her waist stopping her from falling “Oh My God I’m so sorry hope you’re not hurt” he said as he helped her steady herself “ Tha..Thank you Alexis” she said timidly with a red mark faintly showing from her cheeks as Alexis walks off continuing his walk to where Anais was there was a distant chatter of girls, girls who admired Alexis and the girl his shoved mistakenly was no different “omg I wish I could tript too so Alexis can save me” one girl said “He’s so cute!!” Another quickly responded as the chatter dimmed into the background…

Alexis finally reaches where Anais is sitted

“I knew it you were following me “‘he said jokingly

Anais smirked and looked away, she was not having it.

The professor then steps in, automatically bringing the class to order

“Order Order!” He said, as the class begins, ,he’s a renowned figure in the art world. He introduces the semester’s project “ This first semester going to conduct an intense, collaborative exploration of both traditional and contemporary mediums. Anais feels a surge of anticipation, but the air around the hall feels suffocating with the tension of Alexis’s presence.

Alexis doesn’t sit too far off too, he also sees the chance to play provocateur shortly after lectures start, he turns his attention to Anais.. he has this cocky smile on his face like he was planning to say something that would make Anais fume! But instead he teases her “Well well well it seems like the universe has decided to bring us together again or is it just YOU stalking ME” he said firmly..

Anais tried to place her words so he doesn’t see how affected she really is so she replied “ Yes Alexis , yes maybe this time I’ll have a thing or two to add before you create art” she says dryly, trying to maintain her composure. The playful challenge in the tone of her voice hides her discomfort.

The professor cuts in “The project begins and Student Ms will be divided into pairs for the first assignment” shortly after the selections, to Anais’s horror her partner turns out ti be Alexis

“Good grief! Anais Dupree you just can’t catch a break with this guy can you “ muttering to herself

Alexis postures his elbows on her table as he leans in “Well Madame Anais Dupree correct? Seems we don’t have to wait one month to see how inexperienced you are “

“Hope you’re ready noob” anais responded

Fade to black