The Hues of Death

Chapter 1 : New Beginnings

" No Steve, not there, put it in the left corner"

"Liam, handle that one carefully I have to deliver it today."

Standing inside her new art gallery Doris sighed heavily. She had thought that setting her art gallery would be an easy job but she was totally wrong. She had started early in the morning and now 2 in the afternoon it was not even half done.

She had already skipped her breakfast so she was thinking of taking a break and barging into the cafe next door.

DORIS!!!!!

She heard someone screaming her name, the moment she turned, she was engulfed in someone's arms.

"Doris, I am so happy for you!!! Finally after so many ups and downs you are having your own art gallery"

This was Doris's best friend Anna Longmore. She was a fashion designer with connections all over the city. Unlike Doris, Anna was rich but she never took pride in her wealth. She was down to earth and funny.

"Yeah Anna, after everything, finally" Doris said.

"If only uncle were here, he would have been so proud of you" Anna said

Doris's parents had died in a car accident 5 years ago on her 18th birthday. She was left all alone and became depressed. Except for an uncle who came in their funeral and whom Doris had met only few times afterwards there were no living relations of hers.

Anna had entered her life as an angel. It was funny that they met in a coffee shop and instantly became friends. It was Anna who helped Doris out of her depression. Anna's parents thought Doris as their own daughter. They have loved her, supported her and what not. Since then, Anna and Doris became best of friends.

" Anna, I miss them a lot. I still remember how my father got me a painting set on my 5th birthday. Even the first portrait that I had made was his. If only dad were here." Doris sighed.

"Doris, you don't have to feel alone. We are here for you. Just stop this emotional jargon and look I have brought you pineapple pizza, your favorite.''

"Anna you know the way to my heart" Doris smiled.

They sat together on the stools in her art gallery and spent the next 30 mins talking and eating.

"Doris, just eat fast we have shopping to do"

"What?? Who said that???? Anna, I am not going anywhere until everything is placed at its destined place."

"Oh girl! come on, loosen up a bit. Where is my daring Doris??? You are definitely not her. My Doris is fun while you are not."

"No Anna, I am not coming with you."

"No, I won't listen to you. You are coming with me and that's final. Now you own your own art gallery you need to change your wardrobe."

"Are you for real??? that's a really stupid reason."

Anna glared at Doris, then both burst out into laughter.

"Okay fine, I am coming with you, just let me instruct Steve and Liam to where to keep some of the paintings."

Doris and Anna got into Anna's car and off they went for shopping. The mall was near so they got there in less than half an hour. They got out of their car and entered the mall. They roamed around aimlessly for a while. There were so many dress choices and it was so confusing.

Anna picked a beautiful grey peplum top and was just going towards the trial room when she bumped into someone. A handsome guy nearly her age.

"Oh I am so sorry ma'am. I was a little distracted."  

"Keep your eyes in front dude. Don't get distracted by all the beauties around here."

Hearing Anna's words the guy's mouth fell open.

"No, I was not distracted by your beauty and I already have a girlfriend"

"Well, thank you" Anna said

"Thank you??? For what???"

"You just called me beautiful and by the way do you go around telling girls that they are beautiful even though you have a girlfriend??"

The guy look flustered "Absolutely not, you took me wrong"

"Are you saying that I am not beautiful?? " Anna asked.

The guy fumbled and Anna burst out laughing. The guy looked at Anna quizzically.

"Relax, I was just teasing you. Revenge for calling me ma'am and making me feel old"  Anna smiled. 

"I am Jade Wilkins"

"Anna Longmore"

"So...... you are here with your girlfriend?"

"Well, no. I am here by myself to buy her a dress for her birthday and I am having a really hard time with that."

Anna laughed.

"Yes, there are so many choices and even I can't decide"

Anna!!!! 

Anna heard Doris calling her name and she looked her way.

"I have been searching for very long time. Where were you? and who is this?? your secret boyfriend? about whom you haven't told me or some creep."

"Hold your horses Doris. This is Jade Wilkins. We just met and I was going to help him find a dress for his girlfriend."

"Doris Matthews" Doris smiled at him.

"You are really going to help???" Jade exclaimed.

"Oh yes! just treat us to a pineapple pizza after we are done from here."

Jade laughed " for sure"

They spent the next few hours finding dresses both for themselves and Jade's girlfriend. Then they went nearby to eat pizzas. Jade ordered two pineapple pizzas for the girls and tomato pizza for himself. They sat there comfortably eating and talking. The girls got to know more about Jade. He worked in the financial department of Morty Company, a well known company in their city. At the time of leave they exchanged their numbers. They left the mall and got into Anna's car. 

Anna kept blabbering about Jade all the way to Doris's apartment. Doris knew her friend has fallen for this guy Jade whom she accidentally met. She didn't complain and heard all the stuff Anna had to say.

They arrived at Doris's house. Doris waved her friend goodbye and entered her house. Her house was a modest dwelling. It was left to her when her parents died.

Doris was rather tired. She took a quick bath changed into her pajamas and jumped into her bed.

Looking towards the stars through her window she said " Mummy and Daddy, I miss you."

For Doris this art gallery was a new beginning. It was her father's dream.

That night Doris cried herself to sleep.

So guys I hope you liked this chapter.

plz do ignore the grammatical errors.

This story will start slow and then will gain pace. 

Keep reading!!!!

I will update it soon.

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