CAPTURE THIS (Updating regularly)

Chapter 16

They were dancing too closely to flirting for Amber's comfort. Nari distract everyone's attention, for which Amber was grateful. 

"It's not the most abstract painting," she declared bluntly, inspecting the painting. 

There was a pause in the room, as though everyone was holding their breath. Amber's heart plummeted to her stomach. What if she had picked the wrong painting? What if this was her only chance and she had blown it by bringing such a basic painting?

"It's so simple and all the evidence is on the canvas. This is my kind of painting. I envy your skills, Miss Riley," Nari continued before she threw Amber a brief shy smile.

Amber's mouth fell open in disbelief as she digested Nari's words. "Wow, I'm lost for words. Thank you."

The words fell out of her mouth mechanically. She was still recovering from the shock. Nari certainly knew how to pause for dramatic affect. 

"I'm very impressed. Your pitch was so seamless and easy to follow. You're so young and you explained it all like you've been doing it for years," Ruthie remarked with a kind smile. 

Amber felt a lump rise in her chest as she glanced at Ruthie. In that moment, the words might as well have been spoken by her mother. 

"Thank you," Amber mumbled hastily. 

"Okay, well this is what happens now," Carl told her, attracting everyone's attention. "The board is going to have a meeting about you and your painting, which you're going to leave here with us. Then, in a couple of days - maybe even a week - we'll get back to you. If we have the space to exhibit your work and we think you'd be a good match for us, we'll give you a call and arrange a meeting so we can sort out the finer details. If, unfortunately, we don't have the space or the painting isn't what we're looking for right now, we'll send back your painting but we'll keep a hold of your name and details so that maybe later on, we can have you come in and pitch another painting. How does that sound?" 

Amber was surprised to find him launch into such a speech after his short introduction. 

"That sounds great," she replied, glancing at her painting nervously.

She had never left a painting with anyone else before. Even though she desperately wanted to have her painting featured in this gallery, she resisted the urge to grab her canvas and run. Leaving it behind would be like leaving a child behind. Would it be well looked after? Would it be neglected or hurt?

Alex seemed to read the worry on her face. He stood beside her and placed a hand comfortingly on her shoulder. 

"It'll be safe here," he said so quietly so that only she could hear. She threw him a grateful smile. 

Amara rose from her seat and the others followed. "Well, it was lovely meeting you." 

Amber nodded. "And you." 

Amara was the first to shake her hand to say goodbye and so Amber went around the room and shook everyone's hands and said goodbye. 

Carl held her hand longer than the others. "I really hope I see you again." 

He said it so fast and swiftly that Amber almost missed it. If he hadn't been for his seductive smile, Amber would have assumed she had imagined it. 

Her heart thudded in her chest as she glanced at Alex, who was too busy saying goodbye to the others to have noticed. As flattering as Carl's interest in her was, it was wrong but he was gone before Amber could set him straight. 

Amber stumbled over to Alex and held onto his arm. She threw a smile on for the others before they left the room.

They walked down the hall to the elevator in silence. Amber felt uneasy at the thought of Carl. He hadn't done anything wrong: he didn't know she was with Alex but Amber hated the idea of anyone but Alex looking at her like that. 

"Are you okay?" Alex asked as they stepped into the lift. 

Amber grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him in for a kiss. Hesitant at first, it took Alex a moment to wrap his arms around her but then he seemed to be filled with such passion that he pushed her against the back wall of the elevator. 

Now this felt right. Familiar and thrilling all at the same time. Safe and comfortable. Only Alex could give her the attention she needed. 

"Perfect," Amber replied in response to his question, stroking the stubble on his cheek and getting lost in his gaze.

***

Wow, that was a struggle. I had a major case of writer's block in this chapter and I'm so glad to have finished it. Hope you enjoyed it! See you on the next one. 

-Fariha x