A/N: Fun Fact: I loved Joey already but I pushed myself to start this book after the Mr Robot season 2 premiere(if you dunno what it is, its a show that he's in and its good asf but if you gone watch it start from season one or you'll be lost af lol)😂 Like when I found out he was a good actor, it made it easier for me to imagine him as a character. And this is weird but I love JoVaughn's legs(MM) lmao. Happy Reading:)*unedited btw*
Regine Iman Thomas
The day was finally here. It was friday, the day of Joey's art event. I was super nervous. This was the first time that I would see him since what happened.
My plan was to go, let him see me from afar so he'd know I had come, but stay out of his sight. I would probably leave if he tried to speak to me.
I wasnt ready to talk to him.
I showered and got dressed. My outfit consisted of a white fitted long sleeved shirt, a skirt that I had, and some thigh high boots. I put my hair in a top knot bun and changed my nose piercing to a stud. I finally did my makeup super simple and glossed my lips. I was now ready to go and nervous as fuck.
Denzel texted me saying he and Nicole were outside. I made my way out to the car and got in.
"Look at Reggie all sexy for her man" Nicole joked as I got in the car. I chuckled awkwardly. They knew Joey and I werent on good terms, but they assumed it was because of something stupid. I hadnt told them what happened.
"Where your clothes at Reggie?" Denzel frowned.
"On my body, dad."
He sucked his teeth. "Fuck up" he said as he started to drive. I laughed quietly.
We got to the gallery in about twenty minutes. It was in the middle of an art district. It was much fuller than I expected. There were people of all sorts around inside and outside. New Person, Same Old Mistakes by Tame Impala played outloud. I could hear it from where we parked
even though it wasnt very loud.
My nerves kicked into gear as we approached the door. I was terrified of facing Joey.
When we got inside there were hella people scattered around looking at the different pieces hanging.
"Where the hell is JoVaughn?" I heard Nicole ask. I quickly and discreetly slid away from Denzel and Nicole. We had two different missions at the moment. Theirs was to find Joey and talk to him. Mine was to avoid Joey and ignore him.
I took my time starting at the front of the gallery by the door at the first painting. It looked like a mix of Acrylic paint and spray paint. It was a more abstract piece compared to other things i've seen him do but it was amazing to say the least.
The next few were some that I had seen him paint myself while he was at my house. I admired the outcome of them all.
"Oh my god! REGGIE!!!!" I heard Nicole scream. I turned around to see her on the other side of one of the walls that ran down the middle of the gallery. She waved me over. I squinted in confusion. I had seen like every piece so I doubt i'd be surprised at whichever one she was showing me.
I scanned the room to make sure Joey wasnt where Nicole was. I caught a glimpse of him in the corner talking to some guy across the room. Nicole was still waving at me so I rolled my eyes and went over.
There were a hell of alot of people crowding this piece. What the hell was so special about it?
I walked up to a grinning Nicole. "What?" I asked her annoyed. Her smiled got wider and she grabbed me by the shoulders and turned me around facing the painting. I looked up at it and backed up to get a better view.
It was the biggest one here. The colors in it were warm. It was intricate and you can tell he paid attention to every detail.
It had a beautiful patterned background with a big red heart. In the foreground was a girl with a crown floating over her head. The same crown that was forever a part of him and I. The girl was strikingly familiar.
It was me.
My hand shot up over my mouth. I never actually took him serious when he was sketching me. He told me he was just practicing.
But there I was, the subject of one of his pieces of art and as funny as it is for me to say, It was the most beautiful I had ever viewed myself.
He managed to capture everything perfectly. From my medium cinnamon skintone, to my brastrap length blown out hair, to the birthmark on my forearm.
"This shit is amazing" Denzel said in awe. I felt myself tearing up. I was so caught up trying not to let my tears fall that I didnt hear Joey near me. I didnt want to turn around. I knew he was right behind me. He was discussing the price of another piece someone wanted to buy.
Nicole and Denzel had wandered off somewhere else. I saw them over at the refreshment table.
"Reggie?" I heard Joey say. I inwardly threw myself off a cliff. How did I think he wouldnt notice who I was?
"Yes?" I turned around and looked him in the eyes. My heart stearted to pound like crazy. I felt like I couldnt breathe.
"You like it?" he asked me. I nodded.
"Its amazing. Thank you" I said quickly and started to walk away. I felt him grab my hand and instantly tears started forming again. This time I could feel the pressure building up behind my eyeballs and knew they were going to fall.
"Let me talk to you please" I heard him say. I blinked and the tears started to roll down my face. I couldnt turn around now. I didnt want him to see me cry.
"Let me go" I sniffled. He walked closer and tried to pull me to him.
I finally looked him in the face. "JoVaughn. Let me go" I wiped my eyes and sniffled again. I thanked God that no one seemed to be paying attention to us. He looked like he was contemplating but after a few seconds he finally let my hand go and I walked away.
I needed to go home.
