Chapter 2
Rose sat at the edge of her bed, cell phone in hand, studying the piece of metal as if it were part of an elaborate scheme. She couldn't process what had just occurred, whether it be a dream or reality. Her day had been a complete nightmare and she felt as if her mind was playing a trick on her to add onto the scandalous day that she prayed would end.
*12 hours earlier*
"Can I get a number 3, easy over and extra bacon!"
Rose's face was anything but happy as she placed her 10th order this morning. She hated her part-time job but needed the extra money desperately. Her hair smelled of coffee, clothes stained with grease and a child's ketchup smeared handprint was placed in the centre of her white apron to top it all off. She couldn't believe the day she was having so far and how inconsiderate some people were.
The mother of the child didn't even apologise after her kid thought it would be funny to dump a bottle of ketchup onto their table and finger paint their white leather seats. When Rose saw the mess and tried to speak up she was awarded with a 3 year old using her apron as a napkin after his tiny art project in their booth.
Also her asshole boss who in his late 50's decided today was the day he would announce that Rose would have to start working full-time do to a shortage of staff, and Rose couldn't protest because she was already in deep shit for missing a shift for the art show on the busiest night of the summer. He knew that Rose could only work part-time due to her priorities as an artist but he waved at her profession as if it were some mockery job.
Her day went by slowly and she couldn't have been in a fouler mood when her shift ended. She didn't want to come back to that hell hole tomorrow to deal with her bosses witty remarks and serve moronic customers.
Rose just wanted to live a stress free life, where things were easy but surely enough Rose didn't have that luck. She wasn't blessed with a wealthy status and fancy things. The most expensive thing in her life was her art set that took her years of saving to get.
But she knew that she had to appreciate what she had for she could have worse, but her worse wasn't keeping a smile on her face and paying the bills.
As she headed home she noticed a darkening in the sky. Her car had broken down this morning which lead her to walk 15 blocks to work in a blazing heat but now the air had chilled and she could feel the presence of rain dawning on her. New York weather was something Rose never understood. It could be boiling hot one moment than pouring down rain the next.
On cue drips of rain fell onto Roses face and the down pour began as she reached the 14th block on her journey home.
'just great.' Rose thought and pulled the hood on her crop sweater over her hair. Everyone else on the busy street had begun to open their umbrellas and Rose felt as if she were the only one who hadn't gotten the memo that rain was expected today.
She was fuming by the time she reached the door to her apartment, her clothes soaked and she cursed the rainbow that shown brightly in the sky, taunting her as if it should make her feel any better about the unexpected rain.
As she climbed all 6 flights of stairs to her apartment she saw a sign on her door telling her that maintenance would be done on her floor between the hours of 5-8pm. Rose gripped the paper and ripped it from the door before unlocking it and throwing her keys onto their usual spot on her side table.
"I need a nap." she huffed, stripping her shirt from her body and tossing it into the laundry bin in her bedroom area.
She lived in an old bachelor's pad that was very open and nonconservative but she liked it. Her bedroom was placed in the middle of the spacious apartment and the bathroom was the only area that was closed off from the rest.
Her shoulders were slumped and exhaust radiated off of her as she made her way to the king size bed calling her name. But as she passed the area dedicated to her art work she noticed a paper with big red writing on it stuck to a blank canvas.
"DON'T FORGET YOU HAVE TO PAINT A PIECE FOR MY CHARITY EVENT THIS WEDNESDAY ROSE! I'M COUNTING ON YOU!"
She knew exactly who's writing that was and she mentally face palmed herself for forgetting she promised her friend Damon that she would do an environmental based painting for him.
Wiping the thought of sleep completely from her mind she pulled off her shorts and tugged on her painting T-shirt and overalls.
Rose and Damon were friends since childhood and she would never let him down. She knew that this charity event meant a lot to him seeing as he was so into "saving the world. One biodegradable bag at a time." She always laughed at his moto but knew it was his passion, just like art was for her.
He had started a tiny company that produced grocery, shopping and lunch bags that were biodegradable and sure enough, with all of Damon's hard work and slight harassment, he was slowly but surely making his way to the top.
Damon was one friend that Rose could count on for anything. He was the complete opposite of her, coming from a VERY wealthy family and very social but she loved that he never once thought of himself as a privileged person or made fun of her for her awkwardness and antisocial personality.
They had known each other from the private school she attended and he had looked out for Rose every step of the way. He was in with the popular crowd where as she would be considered an outcast. He would bring her to parties after hours of begging and persuading, even school events and if it weren't for Damon she probably wouldn't have attended her senior prom.
He made her school experience enjoyable. He helped her survive through those dreadful years and she couldn't thank him enough for everything he had done.
After hours of dedication and hard work she finally sat her paint brush down and looked at her completed work. She was very satisfied with her piece, all though it wasn't her best seeing as she was awfully tired, she knew Damon would love it even if she drew a stick person holding a sign because everything Rose did was considered a "master piece" to him.
Rose couldn't get the thought of sleep out of her mind. She felt like a zombie as she ate a quick dinner, took a shower and once her body made contact with her bed she felt the darkness taking over her eyes and complete relaxation fulfilling every inch of her acing bones.
within minutes she was out like a light.
But it didn't seem to last long.
After what felt like minutes, Rose was awoken to the sound of her phone ringing furiously on her nightstand.
She laid there for a moment contemplating whether or not she let it go to voice mail or if she should answer it. Reaching over she picked up the device and read the caller I.D. The time at the corner read 2:34am and she couldn't believe she had been asleep so long when it felt like she was out for less than 2 hours.
Rose had a look of confusion as she read the long, unknown number and area code that she had never seen before.
Already pissed off at the caller she answered it with a tone that sounded anything but pleased.
"Hello? Rose Munroe speaking."
"Hello Rose, this is Madame E'clair."
Roses eyes widened at the announcement of the caller on the other line. She couldn't believe she was receiving a personal call from THE Madame E'clair.
"Oh my gosh I'm sorry, Hello Madame. What can I do for you?" She spoke hesitantly into the phone, cursing herself for being so rude in her introduction.
"I should be apologising for awakening you at this hour but what I need to speak to you about is every important my dear."
Rose nodded her head like a mad woman until she realised Madame couldn't see her actions.
"Uh yes, it's completely fine." She replied, the feeling of tiredness completely forgotten about.
"I have a great offer for you Rose, it may come to you as a surprise at first but I would really love it if you wouldn't mind painting a mural for me back at my home. I was intrigued by your artwork and researched more of your pieces. Your website has a beautiful collection might I add."
Rose was stunned. Madame E'clair was asking her, Rose of all people to do a mural for her. Rose couldn't believe what she was hearing. Madame E'clair knew almost every fine artist in the world and she was asking Rose, a 20 year old girl to do such a large task for one of the worlds best Art Critics.
"Madame, I-I" Rose was speechless but Madame E'clair spoke before Rose could find her voice once again.
"Rose I don't want you to feel intimidated by my title or fame. I wouldn't be asking you if I didn't believe that you are a talented young woman. But before you answer me any further there are some things you should know."
Rose waited for the older woman to continue.
"The job will require you to travel with me back to my home in London."
The young girls jaw dropped, the phone almost slipping from her grasp.
"L-London? Like London, England?" She stuttered into the phone.
"Yes." Madame answered pointedly.
"When?! A-and for how long? I have a job, A-and my apartment that I have to pay for. H-how, I-I-Oh my." Rose was completely lost for words, she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Rose Breathe -" the older woman chuckled into the phone. "for how long, that depends on how long you take to do the mural, and when, well that is the thing, I leave for London tomorrow and I want you to come with me. All expenses paid and covered."
"Oh and as for your rent and job, you won't need to worry about those anymore." she added, a smile lingering in her words.
"Why?" Rose responded. Her simple word holding more than one meaning. She was asking it in the terms of 'why me. why won't I need my job or apartment. why are you being so generous to, me?'
"Because my dear, I am willing go offer you a price you can't refuse."
Rose waited as Madame paused.
"$100,000 dollars."
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