Bound by Love, Free at Last

The Artist and the Heiress The art gallery was buzzing with the low tones of people's voices, then there was the soft sound of champagne glasses. Ella moved softly along the isles of the various exhibits, her heels was soft on the polished floor. After a while, she was pulled into the next room by a force she could not explain. And there it was. A painting stood inside the room, it was different from all the well painted masterpieces that was in the gallery walls. This one was so emotional that she she stopped to stare at it. This painting is a mixture of colour and texture, it is a puzzle in oil and canvas. A soft voice behind her asked her quietly.) Do you like it? She turned at the sound of the voice, the man that stood beside her does not look like the wealthy people in the other room, he was casually dressed. Ella (She was curious so she hesitated) This painting seem like it is breathing, is it alive? Richard (smiled faintly) That is why it was painted, Art should not be quiet. It should scream at you. Ella (raised her brow) so this one is screaming? Richard (shrug his shoulders) it is screaming of a heartbreak so it wants to be free. Ella(spoke softly) It is beautiful. Richard (glanced at her) Thank you. She blinked her eyes in surprise. Ella- Are you the artist? Richard (grins at her) My name is Richard Calloway. Yes I am the artist. Ella (lifted her head) I don’t think you are a part of this kind of gathering. Richard (laughs loudly) You don’t look like this is your kind of gathering as well. Ella (She smirked slightly) How can you tell? Richard (his gestures were vague) It is in your eyes, you are looking for something which can not be found on these walls. Ella (challenges him) So what do you think that i am looking for? Richard ( softly) You desire something real Ella extended her hand for a shake) My name is Ella. Richard (takes it, he didn't let it go immediately) Ella what? Ella (smiles slightly) It is just Ella. Richard (Still smirking) You are also mysterious, I like it. Ella (She nods at the painting) So, what made you paint this? Richard (He leans against the wall, and crossed his arms) Have you tried to forget someone, but they remain inside your head like a song you can not stop humming? Ella- All the time. Richard (His voice is low) That is the why I painted these, i could not forget a person so I painted them. Ella (quietly) Did it help you? Richard (smiles bitterly) It did not. - It seem angry. But i see love as well. Richard (watching her) Do you see that? Ella (softly) I feel it. Richard (steps closer) Many people just say that it is "dramatic" and they move on. Ella (She looks up at him) Maybe they are not listening attentively. There was a loaded silence that passed between them. At that moment, a woman’s voice was heard from the door. Voice (It was sharp, very entitled) Darling, there you are. Ella flinched. She turned to see her mother, Grace Brown approaching them with a disapproving gaze. Grace(smiled pretentiously) come, the ambassador wants to take a photo with us in the main room. Grace sized Richard up in one glance, she dismissed him immediately. Grace (Spoke tightly to Ella,) Come now, stop delaying. ⁶ Richard (smiles at her) Go ahead Ella, duty is calling. Ella (spoke quietly) I am sorry. That was— Richard (He shook his head) You do not owe me an apology. Ella (Was nervous) Do you think i am a rich girl that is slumming for fun. Richard (softly) No. I think that you are a drowning person, but you pretend to breathe. His words hit her too close. Her lips parted but no words came out from them. Richard (pulled out a card from his pocket) Here is my studio address. If you want to see where the storm lives. Ella (takes it, their fingers brushed) I might. Richard (smiles) I hope you do. She slipped the card into her clothes, their eyes met one more time, it was deep, quiet, electric. Grace (Impatiently calling her) Ella! Ella stepped away, but her heart stayed rooted. The Car Ride Home The sleek car cruised through the evening streets, its headlights casting long shadows on the empty road. Ella sat in the back seat, she was lost in thoughts of her encounter with Richard in the art gallery. She felt a strange, magnetic pull towards, she could not explain it. Grace Brown, her mother, sat beside her, her posture is rigid as always. There was thick silence in the car, but Grace broke it first, her voice was calm, but it was so sharp. "So, who was that man?" Grace asked Ella, "The one who gave you his card. Ella shifted a bit in her seat, her fingers fiddled with the hem of her coat. He is an artist I met at the gallery." Grace narrowed her eyes, "Did you say an artist?" Her tone was filled with disbelief. "Why would he give you his card? Does he expect you to visit him?" Ella hesitated for a while before she replied) "He seem to be a nice man. He was merely passionate about his work. He invited me to come to his studio, so i will see more of his pieces." Grace’s lips pressed together tightly) "You must not go anywhere" she said firmly. Ella (blinked her eyes in surprise) Why not?" "What do you know about him, Ella?" "You can not go to visit a strange man that can not scrap by. He will take advantage of you." Ella (felt defensive immediately.) "He is not not like that. He is different." Grace (voice softened but it sounded insistent). "You are a member of the Brown family Ella, People will want to take advantage of you. You can not trust someone like him, "Promise me that you will not go to his studio." Ella did not respond to her mother immediately, she was thinking of Richard’s kind smile, the warmth in his voice as they talked about his art. But she knows her mother will not give up easily, she will make her feel like she needs to be protected. "I promise," Ella said quietly to avoid disturbance from her mother, but she knew she would visit Richard. The rest of the drive was in silence, but there was tension between them. Richard’s Studio Several days had passed after Ella met Richard at the art gallery, she longed to see him again, her mother’s warning was echoing in her mind, but the attraction of Richard’s art, and the obvious pull that they felt was very strong between them. Although Ella promised not to visit Richard, an invisible force made her drive toward his studio one late afternoon. His studio was in a quiet part of the city, She parked her car on a side of the street, and curiosity drove her forward. She climbed a narrow staircase which lead up to the studio, She knocked at the door lightly, and within a short moment, Richard appeared at the door, his eyes lit up wEllahen he saw her. "Hey," he smiled at her, his voice was warm "I did not expect you to actually come." Ella smiled, she was excited and nervous, i want to see your work." Richard stepped aside to let her in, she walked through the door to behold various canvasses all over the room, the scent of oil paints filled the air. Abstract art is what appeals to me, how do you see them?" Ella turned to him with a look of interest "It is beautiful, her fingers brushed a textured surface. "It seems like it is alive, reaching out to me. Richard smiled, his gaze softened. "That is exactly what I want. "You are so talented," she spoke softly, her voice was a whisper. Richard (smiles reaches his eyes) "Thank you, It means a lot to me coming from you." (They were quiet for a while, before Richard took her to the small seating area in the corner of the studio). Do You want to sit for a bit? I need a break." Ella nodded, so they sat on the couch, where they simply talked about his art, their preferences in life, the attraction between them increased as they talked, their conversation grew more intimate, their shared laughter filling the space. They both felt an irresistible pull towards each other. Meanwhile… Outside, a sleek black car stood at a side of the street. Inside the car, a pair of men watched the studio. They had been following Ella for days now, it started once Adam Orwell, the billionaire businessman, had given them their instructions. "She is inside his studio," one of the men spoke into a small earpiece, his voice was low but highly professional. The other man, who was more muscular and imposing, nodded. Inside the studio, Ella and Richard continued to talk, they were not aware that they were been watched. Adam Orwell’s voice came through the earpiece. "Get everything about that man with her, his background, his connections, his finances. I want to know exactly who this man is."