Celestia wants to leave her home and get as far away as possible from her alcoholic mother. When she stumbles into a drunk man and helps him home, what happens when he becomes her way out?
#2 in Smile
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August 21st
I lugged the large bag of dry expensive fucking cat food over my shoulder and held the plastic bag of wet cat food and a mouse squeaky toy in my other hand.
I popped the trunk and placed them down in the back before closing the trunk and getting into the car.I leaned against the seat and propped myself up to get my buzzing phone out of my back pocket. "Ah fuck."
"Hello?" I answered.
"Kai! How are you my love! Meet me at the studio!"
"Gillian? Gillian... fuck."
...
I slammed my car door and stuffed my hands in my pockets as I walked toward the tall white building that resembled a museum. This, technically, is where I work. Most of m showcases take place here and my manager, Gillian, has the goal of making me the face of this place.
I jogged up the steps and into the elegant building.
When I entered the smell of money and old white people ran through my veins. The walls were white and had paintings scattered across the walls. The missing pieces were waiting for my art and the ones that filled the spots were also mine.
Ones I refuse to sell but don't mind dangling in front of peoples faces. The offers I get on them has only increased over the years as people get more hungry for what they can't have. I have a bet with Jax that this year it'll reach 7 digits.
"What do you want." I spoke harshly down at the tiny blonde woman who's back was turned to me.
"Kai! You're here, look," she placed her hand on my back as she guided me toward a naked white wall with white lights lining the bottom. "This is for you. The best of your new paintings will be placed here." I stared down at her as her eyes danced with images of my art hanging on the now empty wall and money falling into her hands.
"Is that what you made me drive half an hour for?"
She clicked her tongue and clasped her petite and wrinkled hands together. "No! I want to discuss your deadline..." she hissed as her head tilted down and she stared up at me with that fake nervous look. "The board wants to view at least three of your new works in two weeks. Just to make sure you can perform well enough for the entire show to be about you."
It's always about me.
"What are you talking about?"
"There's a new artist, a female artist, who is...extraordinarily talented. And if the board feels that you cannot perform as well...she will be incorporated into the show," her eyes lit up as she held her hands out in front of her dramatically " I really think this is the year you prove that you are the face of this exhibit. It's what we have worked hard for—what you have worked hard for."
