It looks stunning, the beautiful blend of light blue and purple twisting together. My eyes caught it immediately. I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve seen it before, but it is certainly striking in comparison to some of the other pieces around it.
‘I love that you made her eyes the same colour as the background,’ Cami comments, moving her glass to her mouth as she takes a quick sip. ‘It looks so beautiful.’
‘It really stands out,’ Nora nods in agreement.
‘Thank you.’ Anya smiles, cheeks blossoming a pretty red as she takes in everything.
‘Let’s take a look around!’ Cami suggests, leading the way, her heels clicking against the wooden floorboards.
I recognise a few familiar faces – people from campus and some of my classes – and I nod in greeting when we pass them. The art show has drawn a large crowd, and a few times the group gets separated.
When we return to Anya’s painting, a couple is admiring it.
‘Stunning colours,’ the woman says, her lips pursed slightly as she looks at it. ‘Just beautiful.’
Casually stepping up beside them, I join them in looking at the piece. ‘I’ve heard this is in high demand,’ I murmur, attempting to look a little pensive as I scan my eyes over it.
‘Is it?’ the man beside me asks, glancing at me.
‘I heard there might even be a bidding war for it.’
‘You don’t say?’ the man replies, looking impressed. He turns to the woman beside him, touching his fingertips to her elbow. ‘We’d better get our bid in, then.’
‘Certainly!’ she agrees, and the man writes down the number before quickly crossing the room to where a gallery assistant is standing behind a makeshift counter.
Grinning, I turn back around, noticing most of the group are down a few paintings now, except for Zayden, who is hovering nearby, a crooked smirk on his lips, his hands dug deep into his pockets.
‘Well played,’ he says, nodding his head at me.
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Mmhmm.’
Glancing back, I notice a woman placing a ‘sold’ sign in front of the painting. Smiling to myself, I return to the group and take a casual sip of my champagne.
42
ANYA
COLLAPSING INTO THE BOOTH,I can’t wipe the smile from my face. All night I’ve been on cloud nine. My first art show was a success. My painting was one of the first to sell, and I’ve been invited to create a few pieces for the next show in a couple of months.
To celebrate, Zayden suggested we have dinner and drinks at the new bar that’s just opened up near Stratton. It’s ultra-modern, with black furniture, plush pink booths and neon-pink lights lining the skirting boards. An upbeat pop song blasts almost too loudly from the speakers, and the place is growing steadily busier with each passing minute. It’s already become the most talked about bar, as it’s quickly becoming known for its incredible cocktail selection.
‘What would you like, sis?’ Zayden asks, sliding the menu across the table. ‘My shout.’
‘Ohh.’ I grin, perking up a little as I quickly flick over the menu.
‘This looks good,’ Nora says, pointing to the ‘Princess Treatment’, a vodka cocktail with baby-pink fairy floss in the shape of a crown.
‘Done,’ I say. ‘One Princess Treatment for me.’
‘I’ll order one, too,’ Nora says.
‘Me three,’ Cami pipes up.
‘And you, Princess?’ Zayden asks sweetly, smiling at Mason.
Mason pretends to consider this. ‘Hmm. Not right now. Maybe later.’
