CAPTURE THIS (Updating regularly)

Chapter 19

"My name is George Akintola. I am a children's author. I am a great admirer of art and would like to introduce children into the fine world of art in my books. I would like you to be the illustrator for my latest book." 

Amber shook his large warm hand. "Amber Riley. I made this painting." 

She nodded her towards the painting beside her. 

"And I am interested in your offer." 

***

"I wish you spoke to me before agreeing to do this," Alex sighed as he watched Amber get to work in his little art room. 

Amber frowned at him as she sharpened her pencil. "Why? This is my first actual job offer. I thought you'd be happy for me." 

Alex dropped his gaze guiltily. "I am happy for you, Ambs, but he might be taking advantage of you or -" 

"Well then that's my mistake to make, Alex. I can learn from it," she replied curtly, placing the pencil down and approaching him. She took both of his hands which were curled up into fists in frustration. "I'm flattered that you're worried about me but honey... I need to make my own decisions." 

She reached up and planted a kiss tenderly on his lips. He didn't respond at first and Amber could sense the disapproval radiating from his silence. Desperate to break the tension, Amber closed the gap between them, pressing herself against him as she persisted to plant kisses on his lips. His fists loosened as his lips responded to hers, moving in sync with hers, impatient and frustrated. One hand cupped her face as the other snaked up the back of her shirt. His warm hand felt calming on her bare back. She moaned into his kiss in contentment. 

"I got you the place in the gallery, I just feel think you should have spoken to me first," he mumbled after they broke the kiss. He gazed deep into her eyes and Amber knew he was trying to communicate his feelings in that gaze but Amber felt herself lose her grip on her temper. 

"I see how it is. You got me that place in the gallery so I need to consult you about everything. You own me and my art, now." Amber thrashed desperately as she tried to loosen his arms around her. "You should have told me there was a price for helping me start my career. Silly little me thinking that you did it because you cared about me." 

Alex's mouth fell open at her words. He was so taken aback that he momentarily let go of her. Amber took her chance to leave. 

"Ambs, please. That's not what I meant. I didn't say anything like that." 

He attempted to grab her wrist but Amber yanked it out of his grasp. "No, you're right. You didn't say any of it but I saw it in your face. You could have pretended to be pleased when I first told you. You saw how excited I was and all I got was a cold 'Why didn't you come to me first?' How about a smile or a 'I'm so proud of you'?"

"But what if something goes wrong?" He demanded, following her through the apartment as she retrieved her bag and pulled on her boots. 

"Well then you hold my hand through it all and hug me if I cry, Alex. That's what boyfriends do."

She hoisted the bag up onto her shoulders and stormed out the door without looking back. In her blind rage, Amber forgot that his apartment was quite the distance from her home and that she had left her bus pass at home. Wiping the tears of frustration from her eyes, Amber pulled her phone out her bag and called Matty. 

He arrived a fully twenty minutes later by which Amber was shivering in the cold and trying to stop the flood of tears that streamed from her eyes. Matty got out of the car, placed an arm around her and walked her to the passenger side.

She was sobbing uncontrollably as he walked past the front of the car into the driver's seat. He didn't press her for questions, just drove silently, occasionally glancing over to her in concern. 

He parked outside his flat and sat patiently as she dabbed the stray tear that made its way down her cheek. 

Amber threw him a wobbly smile. "I'm okay, Matty." 

But the words got caught on the lump in her throat and the tears arrived again. Matty reached over and took her hand in his and squeezed them gently. "It's not like you - letting some prick get the better of you." 

Despite the pain in her chest, Amber was able to manage a smile. "You're right about that... but he isn't just some prick, Matty." 

Her chest tightened uncomfortably even at the mention of Alex. 

"Right, let's get you inside where so you can actually cry on my shoulder without this gear stick getting between us." 

***

Amber spent the night at Matty's place that night. It was too painful for her to tell him what happened. So she just let Matty make her a place on the sofa and find her a pair of pyjamas to wear. She texted her father so that he wouldn't worry. He didn't seem too happy to hear that she wasn't coming home that night but he didn't try to stop her either, for which Amber was grateful. 

"Matty, I know you're tired. Go to bed. You don't need to baby sit me," Amber told him softly. "Thank you for everything you've done. You don't need to feel like a crap friend for leaving me to get some sleep." 

Matty looked torn. She could tell from his bloodshot eyes that he was tired but he shook his head. "I'm getting you through this, Ambs." 

"You can't do that if you're sleep deprived." 

Amber pecked his cheek, her mangled heart swelling in gratification for him. 

Matty gave her a small smile. "You sure you'll be okay?" 

Amber nodded. "I've been through worse." 

She noticed the sadness cloud Matty's eyes. Amber immediately knew that he was remembering the many times that he had consoled her about her mother. 

"You're a fighter," he whispered as he gave her a final hug. "Try to get some sleep." 

Amber watched as he left the living room. It was a relief having him out the room. The tears silently seeped out of her eyes without her consent. She buried her face in her pillow and in an attempt to staunch the flow. 

The sobs wreaked through her body but she felt the tender touch of a hand caressing her hair. Before she knew it, Matty pushed her body gently further into the couch and lay beside her, placing a steadying arm across her stomach as another wave of sobs tore through her. He kissed her hair as she cried into his chest. He tried to hush her sobs but the words tumbled out of her mouth in a tortured cry.

"It's all my fault." 

***

Poor Amber. I actually really feel for her here. But Matty to the rescue! Lemme know what you think of their fight. Whose side are you on? What do you think of Matty comforting her?  I can't wait to read your comments! 

-Fariha x