Falquen's Nest

Chapter 20

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Later that night, Janie wondered if anyone could see a difference in her. Standing in the art gallery, watching Falquen mingle with a few guests, she wondered if things would change between them.

Of course, they would. How could they not change?

She smiled and waved as Gray walked in with Jesse. Gray nodded in her direction and helped himself to a glass of wine and a piece of cheese. Jesse sampled some grapes. The space was filling up now with invited guests as was the routine with opening nights at galleries such as this one.

They came over to her and she was glad for their company. They made such an impressive pair, Gray, and Jesse. They looked like Rockstars or more like Gothstars, wearing head to toe black, their shiny black hair parted straight down the middle.

"Impressive stuff, isn't it? Gray said, giving her a friendly nudge.

"It really is," she said with a shy smile.

"So, Janie, when are you going to have your own show?"

"Someday, I'd like to," Janie said wistfully. "Maybe when I get a few more paintings done."

"Well, I for one cannot wait," he said, draping his arm casually over her shoulder. "The world needs more paintings of flowers and kittens. Enough with this macabre business," he winked at her, gesturing at Falquen's paintings. "Tell me now, how are you and my dear brother getting along?"

Jesse couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head. "Gray..." he said, giving him a disapproving look.

"All right, I guess," Janie said with a shrug. Truth be told, she didn't really know anymore. Ever since their return to the gallery, Falquen had been avoiding her, whether on purpose or not, she wasn't sure. What she was sure of was that she didn't like his sudden coolness towards her.

"Just all right?" Gray asked, sensing something meaningful in her answer, and in the way she leant against him. Like she needed to, in a sad way. Instinctively, he wrapped both arms around her middle and held her, resting her back into his chest.

Trying to focus on answering the inquiring questions of the gallery's influential patrons was difficult enough under normal circumstances, but seeing Gray holding Janie so intimately was almost too much for Falquen to take. He'd been concentrating so hard on playing the role of The Artist, he'd purposely avoided Janie. It was all he could do to keep from taking her in his arms and kissing her silly.

She obviously didn't understand why he had purposely kept his distance. He would explain later. At least, he would try. The truth being, he was just as confused as she most certainly was.

Then there was the guilt. How could he have let it happen? How could he have taken advantage of her like that? She was an innocent. She trusted him. Her parents trusted him. Now look at what he'd done.

He was so mad at himself that he was oblivious to the positive accolades his latest collection was currently receiving. He hadn't even noticed the red dots that started to pop up beside each of his paintings.

Jesse's sister, Laura and her friend, Carla, eventually showed up and joined Janie and Gray. Soon afterwards, Darien and Faith walked in holding hands. Janie couldn't help but envy their relationship. Darien held nothing back from her and Faith appeared to flourish under his constant displays of affection.