Echoes-of-Affection

ES

to stab another bus

I blinked, snapping out of my daze to find her staring at me with an

rst of all, that man deserved i

eased. "If you are going to fantasize

fluence, Alice," I mut

public transport. The mix of smells. stale cologne, sweat, and something suspiciously close to fried onions was nauseating. T

st, that was Alice's argument when she convinced me to ditch the idea of an Uber. She had promised t

out to vomit," Alice obse

idiculous heels and humiliate myself in front of a b

astic first impression. Rich people love a tragic underdog story. Maybe you sho

"I refuse to be the damsel in distre

"Mysterious, brooding, with an insane amount

life on my own terms, tha

head as if I were a lost c

keep me around

, nudging me. "Now, tell me again how much th

t attended by Miami's elite. Wealthy investors, art collectors, and business moguls would all be present, scouting for pieces to add to their collections. It was m

etly. "This is my shot to prove I a

idence in me unwavering. "Now, stop looking

stardust, the polished marble floors reflected the warm glow of golden lights, and the air carried the subtle

ady scanning the room for the best spot to spectate. "You? You ar

ghly unrealistic," I mu

ourself artistically, not literally. Unless you find a billionaire willin

said with irritati

reath, squared my shoulders, and made my way to the artist and sponsor section. The moment I ste

as when I

it was made just for him. He carried an effortless air of power, his presence commanding yet relax

Expensive. Ridicu

fore I could stop mysel

ith mild curiosity. Then, the corner of his lips lifted in a sm

voice deep and rich. "I had trouble deciding

"Wow, that must hav

his eyes on me. There was something about him, something magnetic. Something that made me feel like this night was about to change everything. I couldn't

d, his voice gentle. "Is this

m an artist, and tonight my paintings are up fo

impressed. "An artist? That's im

the far wall. "Those are mine. They represent diff

uld see a genuine appreciation in his eyes.

ush spread across my cheeks. "It's my way

umility and genuine interest that made me feel comfortable opening up to him. Just then, the auctioneer called out my name, signaling that my artwork was next. My heart

room. "Ladies and gentlemen, our next piece is 'Eclipse of the Heart' by the

watched the first padd

ven?" The numbers kept climbing. Eight. Nine. Ten. I could bar

h

and! Going onc

unced, his voice calm and unwavering. A hush fell over the room. The other bi

ck. He met my gaze, his expression unre

f the Heart' found its

grabbing my shoulders. "Rose! Twenty freaking thous

dazed. "This, this is

tended a hand. "Alex

ore shaking it.

ed a quiet confidence that unnerve

ed him at first. But then, as if suddenly remembering

er. Alexander, Alice-my best frien

olite nod. "Nice t

She turned back to me with a wide grin. "I am going to find some champagne before I combust.

o the crowd, leaving me alone with Alexander. His gaze r

of your work," he said. "M

rled in my chest. "Yes..

d not shake the feeling that th

? I had

old me it was g