I stood in front of the mirror and watched myself in the bright red gown. It was a floor touching, full sleeved gown hugging me closely in all the right places. It was neither backless, or shoulder less nor it had a high split running upto my thighs.
But.
And it was a big but because the neckline was a broad and deep V, plunging almost to my waist. It left most of my breasts bare, revealing the curves on either side. Because of the cut, there was no way to wear a bra with even this one, but the bodice was padded and tight. It slammed both of the breasts together, creating an enticing view.
I couldn't step out like this. My breasts were practically fighting each other to jump off the neckline!
I was thinking of getting it off when I saw Noberto's reflection in the mirror in front of me. I turned around to see him watching me intently. He was standing there dress in all black, black suit paired with a black shirt and donned a black satin tie. He was looking devastatingly handsome at the same time sinisterly ruthless.
"Didn't like the dress?" he asked in a cold voice.
I felt the hairs on the back of my standing up in attention. He looked upset already. But why?
"No..it's..it's beautiful," I replied slowly, lowering my eyes.
Wrong move.
The moment I looked down, I could see my breasts pushing against the fabric. Even though the man standing in front of me had been watching me naked every day for last three months, I still felt exposed in the dress.
"But, it.. It doesn't suit me. I should wear my own dress," I try to move out of his way but he was quick. Holding my arm at the elbow, he pulled me back so that I was facing him.
"It only means you lack the eye. This dress is...you," he completed the sentence after a brief pause. There was a strange look in his eyes but he didn't let me ponder on it for long.
Turning around to leave the room, he said, "Hurry up, we are getting late. Get ready quickly and meet me out." Just as he was about to step out of the door, he flicked his head in my direction and said, "Don't forget to do your hair in an up do."
Hair?
I hadn't given any thought to my hair or my makeup. But obviously he did. So, I decided to put in some efforts in that section. He had specifically said about the hair. So, I pulled it all up and tied in a clean bun at the top of my head. The hairstyle seem to show the length of my neck and emphasize the already daring cut. I felt even more uncomfortable. That nagging feeling came back with greater intensity.
But there was nothing I could do to calm my racing heart. Taking few deep breaths, I completed the light touch up and rushed out to be with Noberto.
*
The ride to Louvre was a silent one. Noberto was deep in thoughts and I was engulfed in my own anticipation for the night. We reached museum and went to the place that was set up for exhibition. The place was buzzing with excitement. People were filling every available space in the room. The exhibition included works of two other painters who were there but none of them held the celebrity status like Noberto did.
Albert had reached there earlier and was ensuring things went as per the plan. It was clear he had done everything to ensure the exhibition was covered in every section of the media and it would be talked about for days.
I didn't know most people there but even I could make out it was an august gathering. From the mayor to movie stars, industrialists to politicians, along with very many names from the art world.
I saw few men, dressed in expensive suits, were being especially taken care of by Albert and his team. I could understand they were the art critic of the top most notch. Their word would make or break the night for Noberto and his months of long hard work.
I looked at him from time to time to see if it was all getting to him, if he was conscious or concerned but there was no sign of it. Surrounded by people he appeared completely casual and care-free. That was part of his charm. His easy going attitude with not a care for others. That's what attracted people to him. And attracted, they were tonight.
He was the star of the night. Everyone was more than eager to have their share of fame with the centre of the attraction.
And keeping me next to him throughout, he ensured I was at the centre of all that attractions too when I would have wanted nothing other than have this moment all by myself.
When the exhibition was officially opened and the curtains holding off a cordoned area were dropped, I almost skipped a beat. There were six paintings spread across a long corridor. The centre was occupied by a large seven feet by seven feet painting showing a girl spread over a couch on her stomach.
The size of the painting was first thing that stuck me. I never saw him working on such a large canvas. He would usually work on a three feet long canvas. When and how did he paint it? My muddled up mind couldn't get it.
But what was even more confusing was not the size but the painting itself.
The pose was half sitting and half lying against the support of the couch, showing off the beautiful contours of her body from her shoulders all the way to her feet.
Her face was resting on her right arm facing the audience but the beauty of it was that even though she was facing out of the painting, her tresses were spread across her face in such a way that it revealed only her eyes.
Large green eyes.
Eyes which held a promise, at the same time, betrayal.
Eyes which were full of emotions, yet at the same time, conveyed deep sorrow.
Eyes, which were MINE.
I had my heart dropped off to my stomach.
I knew it was me. I mean, obviously I knew I was the one posing for him for all these months but I couldn't remember sitting in that particular pose. There was something very familiar about the pose but, no, I never posed like this. Still I knew it was me. My body, my face, my eyes.
The girl in the painting was me.
When did he paint me like this?
It was too much for my disarrayed brain to process. The painting was beyond me on so many levels. I couldn't peel my eyes off it. But even in that confused state I could pick up the vibe in the room. That the painting had caught the attention of everyone in the room.
People were flocking to it like it was a magnate. The look in the eyes of the girl was captivating for it conveyed so many things all at the same time. It was not just me, but others too found it mesmerizing. It was really difficult to say if the girl in the painting was charming or devastated. So much was the contrast in that look.
And with that complexity alone, I knew Noberto had won the hearts of art lovers and critics both alike. People were talking about the painting incessantly.
If I was disturbed by all that attention, I controlled to keep it all within me. This was not for me, this was not about me. It was Noberto's night and he had every right to enjoy his glory.
The other paintings, though not as large as the main one, were equally compelling. I was not sure if it was the design, but just like the first one, none of them showed my face. It would be difficult to say who was the model but I knew. The other ones were showing me in a pose I did remember doing for Noberto but they too had been presented slightly different from the exact way I had posed. And they continued the story. The story of having everything yet nothing.
I don't know how many hours the exhibition went on. People kept coming to Noberto to express their best wishes and to congratulate him on his latest feat.
Albert too was super happy with the way it had all turned out. He was surrounded with lot of media people as well as businessmen who were already planning on how to associate with the star of the night. They knew the painter was going to be in news for a long time and they were keen to get their own brownies in the feast.
Everyone looked happy and satisfied.
Everyone. Except me.
I couldn't bring myself to enjoy the positive feedback to all the paintings. I couldn't make myself be happy in Noberto's success. I couldn't look beyond what was staring in my eyes.
And that nagging feeling kept growing in my heart. I didn't know what it was or why it was there at all but I couldn't find my peace. Though I stood silently next to Noberto, even smiled when people looked at me or when few of them addressed me too. But I couldn't shook off the uneasiness.
Just as I thought the exhibition was about to be closed, Noberto was whisked away by a politician, who had to talk in private. He told me he would be back soon and stepped aside to quickly get over with the irritating company.
Albert walked up to me at that point and congratulated me on my role in tonight's success. His words did nothing to lighten my mood. When I couldn't come up with a suitable reply other than thanking him, he stared at me oddly. Then stepping closer to me he said, "You are looking indeed very beautiful. The colour suits you. But your eyes don't look happy."
When I still didn't answer, he said in a low voice, "You didn't like the paintings? I know all this can be too much but-"
He didn't get to complete because Noberto joined us back at that very moment.
"I am telling you to get that asshole off my back, Albert. I don't want to see his face again," Noberto said pulling Albert to him.
Albert looked at me intently for a second longer and then turned his attention to Noberto, "Mr Wesley? You know the man has contacts."
"I don't want to deal with him or his commission of painting a portrait for his wife and you know that," Noberto said in an irritated voice not in a mood to listen.
Albert sighed and finally said, "Don't worry. I will deal with him." He turned to leave but then looked back at Noberto and said, "You did it. Again."
Noberto didn't reply to him but the two men exchanged a meaningful look which said so many things that words couldn't ever describe. Albert patted his shoulder and went on with his work.
It was another hour before the party was finally wrapped up. I was worried about the time and the sickening feeling I had. The moment Noberto said, we could leave, I was glad to be away from those people and those paintings.
On the way to Fritz Mansion I thought it would be over soon. I would forget about the painting and the questions it had raised in my mind. I would be off to my home in some time and that would hopefully put an end to this disturbing feeling I had been having all along.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
********************************************
Dear Lovely Readers,
How did you find Noberto's paintings?
Did you like them or are you intrigued by them too, like Melanie?
And why is she having that nagging feeling? What is about to happen?
Well, we'll find out soon. Till then, pls comment and vote for the chapter and make me happy :)
Love,
Anna