Sweet Sinner

Chapter 5

"Did you know this many people would show up?"

Elena shook her head, clearly excited, "No, but this is sure to be good. It's been killing me trying to figure out who the artist is."

"Why's that matter?" I asked, following her inside Pace.

The first thing I could appreciate was the simple black and white - of course that was how every Pace gallery was set up.

The second thing I noticed was that the artwork on the walls wasn't horrible. Then again I didn't know much about art, but it was...aesthetically pleasing to look at.

"It matters because I'm curious. It's always a surprise to see who the artist really is." she said, slowly working her way around the packed room.

There were plenty of people, some college students, some around my age, and some Elena's age and older, all wandering around, talking and admiring the paintings.

"So what do you think this artist looks like?" I asked her.

She sighed, "A girl...probably young."

I studied the paintings, but none of them really caught my attention - probably because half the time I was glancing around the room, curious of if Ms. Spellman would be here. It seemed like her scene.

"I'm going to ask around for the artist." said Elena.

I nodded and turned, continuing along the wall of paintings.

A few minutes later I found one that actually did catch my attention. It was a silhouette of a woman standing in the doorway to a balcony looking out at a downtown skyline - one that wasn't Seattle. There was a slight glow around her from the full moon that hung in the sky, one could make out her long hair falling down her back, and everything was lit with a blueish tint.

It was...enticing.

And for whatever reason, I wanted it.

I turned to find someone working the event so that I could buy the painting, but I ended up locking eyes with Elena. She was facing me and talking to a girl, but I couldn't see her because there were people in the way.

I headed towards her, and managed to pick up the last bit of their conversation.

"...Anthony Dark."

Hannah turned around, clearly surprised when she saw it was me.

"Anton, this is Hannah Spellman. This is her gallery." said Elena with a smile.

"Mr. Dark." she said, extending her hand.

I shook it and said, "Nice to see you again, Ms. Spellman."

"You've met?" asked Elena, her eyes narrowing slightly.

I nodded, my eyes not leaving Hannah's, "She interviewed me for a magazine."

"So you write and paint?"

Hannah shook her head, turning to Elena, "No, I only did it as a favor to my friend Tricia...I'm sure she's around here somewhere."

"Well your artwork is beautiful." said Elena, "I'd actually like to buy a few pieces."

Hannah's eyes widened slightly and she asked, "Really?"

"Of course."

"Well Patrick's right over there in the white suit, he'll help you."

Elena nodded and headed over to Patrick, leaving Ms. Spellman and I alone.

"I can honestly say this is the last place I expected you to be." she said, turning to face me.

I smirked, "Shows how little you know me."

"I don't think so." she said confidently, "I'd bet that you only came because Mrs. Lincoln wanted you to."

This seriously wasn't about to happen again.

"I think you undervalue my appreciation for art."

"I think you undervalue art." she said, pointing over to a painting, "I mean what do you see when you look at this?"

"Isn't art interpretation?" I asked, staring at what looked like a mess of colors.

"Of course it is, but the 'interpretation' shouldn't be random colors just thrown onto a canvas. Logically that's what this is - that's what all these are - but art isn't logic, it's emotion...and that, Mr. Dark, is where I think you're lacking the depth to understand art."

"Lacking the depth?" I asked, eyebrow raised.

"Emotionally."

What was she, my therapist now?

"Because I refuse to believe that art is a job?"

She sighed, "You work in business, and you're very successful at it, and I would assume a lot of that has to do with the fact that you're logical," she tilted her head to the side and added, "Maybe even a little ruthless. But that also impedes your ability to appreciate the simplicity of a piece of art."

"Certain art is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, Ms. Spellman, but that's as far as it goes."

"For you." she answered with a shrug, "Now if you'll excuse me, Patrick's waving me over. Do enjoy the rest of the gallery though."

I watched as she walked away, her hips swaying in that -

Red.

How the f**k hadn't I noticed that before?

She was actually wearing...

Fuck me.