I didn't know anything about Albert calling Noberto or if they could finally speak or not. But I knew that I was continuing at Fritz's Mansion. The days were similar to the first day in terms of what I had to do, which was it and watch. They were getting longer though. Noberto never released us before late evening since the light continued till long. Whether he was making progress the painting or not was not known since it was not allowed to look at the painting while it was work in progress.
Greta continued to sit or lie in the same pose for hours together every day. I didn't get any modelling experience but I did learn to use the toaster and the microwave. I also learned where most things were kept and could manage a quick meal on my own if Greta decided to stick around Noberto during the breaks. I would make food for her too. And one day I even made it for Noberto. It was simple pasta but he didn't touch it. The plate was lying untouched full day. In fact to think of it, I had not seen him eat anything on that day or others.
Thinking he might not like pasta or others cooking food for him or any other reason, I decided not to interfere again. Everyone had a right to their choice, especially in their own house so I decided to keep to myself. Greta was usually chatty but I realized she was moody as well. There were times when she would be gloomy and pouty all day. Or days when she would continue to pester him even when he looked not interested. I don't know what their relationship was but it was complicated.
I even heard them talking loudly to each other once. Their voices could be heard till the kitchen. I decided to stay put in the kitchen till things had quieten down. Finally when I had joined them back, they had resume their positions on either side of the easel. It appeared nothing was different but the air around the room certainly spoke otherwise. Something had happened. But I again decided, it was none of my business and I should give them their privacy.
That evening Greta had hurried out faster than usual. I had even wondered if would wait for me. By the time I reached out the estate gates, she had already sat in her friend's car and driven away. She had not even offered me a lift like they usually did every time. Not that I accepted but today her friend was already waiting for her at the gates. She must have called him earlier.
This was two days back. Nobody mentioned anything. I also went about my things that is getting bored watching the painting being made. I had thought of exploring the house or the garden or even the small market at the other end of the road but controlled myself. Even though I had nothing to do, it was still my job and I couldn't stroll around as if I am on a picnic. He wanted me to watch, so watch it, I will. Whatever that was needed to ensure I get the pay at the end of the week, which was fast approaching.
Today was the sixth day of my new work and on my way to work, I was prepared to live through another long, boring and uneventful day at Fritz's mansion.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
I had learnt the backdoor entrance and started using it from my second day. Today also I entered the house from the back door and went to the painting hall. I had decided to call it painting hall as any other person would call his study room. This was the place where they painted. Meaning Noberto painted, Greta posed and I did nothing.
As I entered the room, I saw Noberto was sitting on the couch, usually the place assigned for Greta. He was wearing no shirt and his beautiful torso was all on display. I was finding difficult to avert my eyes from the incredible view but I forced myself to lower my eyes thinking of work ethics or something like it.
I turned around to look for Greta but she was nowhere to be seen. This was different. Greta was always here before me or with me though she had never stayed at the night. At least not in last five days since I had started working. I turned back to him and asked in a low voice, "Where is Greta?"
He never responded but his only reaction was crumbling of a paper in his right fist. That's when I realized he had been holding a paper in his hand all along and now it was all crushed. I could see his vein pulsing on his temple. He was upset, no in rage but something stranger was happening. He was handsome man, no doubt. And it was a treat to watch him. But right now, seeing him in rage, trying to control his anger was doing something peculiar to my heart. It was racing uncontrollably fast.
I didn't know what was written in that paper or why was he was so mad but I was sure he was. Even though he hadn't spoken a word since I came. The pulse at his temple was pulsating rapidly and my heart seem to be matching its puling with that vein. Not understanding what was happening to me, I turned away from him, trying to hide my face.
"What if he could see my weird feelings on my face?" I was worried.
"Must be his shirtless state that was doing things to my heart", I told myself.
I was still trying to calm myself when he dropped the bomb.
"Greta is not coming. Get out of your dress, you are posing for the painting today", he said standing up from the couch. Without waiting for my answer he had already moved towards the stand on the other side of the room.
"What?" I screamed but I was sure no sound came out of my mouth. Even though this is what I was initially told I would be doing, in the last few days, I had come to understand from Greta that I would have to continue for another few weeks. Only when the current painting was over and I had picked up the nuances of modelling by watching, I would be expected to pose.
So this command was actually out of the blue. I was struggling to keep it together. But Noberto was not at all concerned or affected by poor state. I was still standing like a statue when he snapped, "What the hell are you waiting for? Get moving!"
I shivered at the voice. Not knowing what he wanted me to do, I quickly went behind the partition Greta used to use. There was the satin cloth dress that Greta wore if that could be called wearing. Since there was nothing other than the satin piece I decided to use it. Getting out of my old pants and cotton shirt and under garments, I was already shivering with cold. This was too sudden and unexpected. Where did Greta go? Why wasn't she here? There were too many questions on my mind.
"All that doesn't matter now. Focus on getting this right", I told my brain.
I wrapped the cloth around myself to make me as decent as possible. After all I had no clue how he wanted to paint. It could obviously not be his earlier painting. It was half way through with Greta and I nowhere close to fit in her shoes. Not that I was interesting in taking her place. I would not be doing nude painting. Thank God, Mr Clement had told me it was semi-nude. I mean, I not happy with being semi-nude in front of a sexy man but it was indeed far better than being completely naked!
What guts Greta had to pose like that in front of him. She had no problem with me as audience during the painting as well. She must have been doing it for long.
All these random thoughts were running through my head to keep it away from the immediate situation at hand. That was stepping out of this partition in front of Noberto while just holding a piece of cloth to cover my nudity. This was much harder than I thought.
"I don't like to be waiting forever!"
I heard him yell from the other side of the partition making me jump. "Oh he is in a terrible mood! God please help me", I prayed internally. Taking few long breaths, I tried to calm my racing heart and slowly stepped out. The cover was decent but still leaving me with bare shoulders and legs as it ended a little above my knees.
I knew he was watching me but I couldn't lift up my eyes to face him. I walked slowly towards the room and stopped close to the couch, not knowing what position to take. Holding both my hands crossed in front of me, I stood silently. My hands were involuntarily moving around my shoulders as if that would cover them up. They were also itching to pull the satin a little longer to cover few more centimeters on my legs knowing very well, it was a completely futile effort.
Suddenly I realized he has walked upto me and was standing right in front of me. He was still not wearing any shirt. I tried to stay still as much as I possibly could, though it wasn't easy. Standing there, he ordered me to lift up my face. I placed a hand on my heart, as if to calm it and slowly raised my face, though I kept my eyes lowered.
I had never seen him at such close distance. With my eyes lowered, I was seeing straight in to his wide chest. I could smell him on my face and feel his breath on my lips. "Why is he standing so close?" I struggled to stay calm. Before I could understand what was happening, he touched me softly on my shoulders. I held onto every ounce of strength in my timid heart, not to jump at the touch.
The feather light caress moved from my shoulders, covering my arms and neck. His left hand had moved to my right arm while the right was caressing my left cheek by the back of his hand. In spite of every effort, I shivered involuntary. "You have a beautiful bone structure", he said softly.
"..bone structure... whatever does that mean?" I thought to myself.
"Well, let's see the rest of it too", he said and then to my horror he tried to pull off the fold beneath my arm resting on my heart. I immediately pulled back.
"W..what are you doing?", I asked alarmed. All the hairs on my body were standing erect. Both my hands were holding the satin covers tightly against my chest.
"Take off the cover. We can't paint with it", he said in a calm yet authoritative tone while going back towards his painting stand.
"Th..then.. what do you want me to wear for the painting?" I asked, trying to act calm, yet failing with my stutter and stupid heart.
At this, he turned and looked at me questioningly, "Why would I want you to wear anything? Now stop wasting my time. I know it's your first time but my patience is running thin. So hurry up." His voiced was laced with irritation. In spite of his ire, I still couldn't move. What does this mean?
When he saw me still not making any move, he came back to me in two strides and pulled off the satin himself. I was not prepared for his sudden attack and shrieked. He had already pulled off one fold, making me turn around but I held on to the remaining satin with my dear life.
"Nooo.. ss stop.."
"What the hell are you doing?" He was no longer irritated. He was turning red. "I don't have time for your little games of innocence. You came here to pose and that is what you will do!"
He pulled again but instead of going for the cover, this time he pulled both my arms away from my body making the satin go lose automatically. It would have fallen off completely if I hadn't hit the couch and fallen on my back with Noberto landing on top of me. But the fall did help in managing to get one arm released from his hold and quickly spread the cover.
"P..please... wait..I ww.. will..p..pose.. but..I c.. cannot.. I mean th..there.. I....", it was difficult to get the words out when my attention was strained on getting out of his hold without stripping myself. I don't know whether he was listening to me or not because he continued to push me out of the slippery covers. Knowing it was a losing battle and fearing it wouldn't take him long, I pulled all my energies and screamed, "I can't do nude modelling!"
"What?", he seemed to be surprised by my sudden spurt. Moving away he stood up but continued to tower over me while I was splayed across the couch.
Trying to pull myself to a seating position, while still maintaining my decency, I said, "I..I was told... that it..it would not be completely.. I mean.. I cannot.. do fully without clothes.. I had agreed for s..semi nude modelling." I somehow managed to spit it out.
"What do you mean semi-nude? Are you fucking blind? What the hell did you think was happening since the day you came here?" He blasted on top of his volume.
I writhed at the expletive, squeezing myself into the couch. "I th..thought it was for a particular painting.. That not all.. not all your paintings are nude paintings..." Tears of frustration, shame and my own stupidity were pushing against my eyes which I was having a hard time controlling.
"Oh that son of a bitch Clement! He didn't tell you I do only nudes?"
His words seem to push the air out of my lungs. I froze. My eye got so big that there was fear they may pop out of my sockets. I was still there watching him but in reality I was neither seeing nor hearing anything anymore. The only thing that kept ringing in my ears was..
Only Nudes...
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Dear Lovely Readers,
What a shock of her life was that for Melanie!
What do you think will happen now?
Let's see if any one of you can guess what is going to happen in the next chapter. Write your suggestions in the comments below and we'll see who get it right in one week.. or may be lesser..
Btw, any suggestions on the Euro trip?
Love,
Anna