I scrutinized the lady as she gracely moved towards me.

I sized her up , she is probably in her forties but looks quite alluring .

What caught my attention is the designer dress she is wearing, giving her a classy elegant look. I smell money here.


I squirted my eyes at her, she has this calm confidence aura ,the kind that intimidate you making you feel so small or wish you could crawl into a hole.

She gaze at me intensely , I quickly looked away .There was this coldness attached to her gaze.

" I'm Mrs Smith, I have a Business Proposal for you" she went straight to the point.

" A business proposal ?" My eyebrows ached together

" I Have had the privilege to see some of your paintings, I must say I'm quite fascinated with them."

" My paintings" How? I don't think I have ever met this lady

She nodded

Hmmm I pressed my fingers on my pursed lips, narrowing my eyes.

"Mrs smith right?"

She raised her eyebrows at me

" I don't think we have met".

" That why I'm here" she brushed me off

I frowned

" Mr Robertson is my agent"

My eyes flickered .. Mr Robertson, the art dealer, she must be the client he told me about.

My mind shifted to the painting that was slashed. I bit my lips

He did say he will come for the painting today I'm screwed.


Janice is a psychic or something she knew just the right painting to destroy.
I sighed

" I'm sorry..the painting he requested for it..." I stuttered staring down at my feet.


"I love this one" l shifted my eyes to stare at the painting she had in hand. It was a painting I did a month ago of a African woman carrying a bundle of wood on her head.

I gasped ,that is my worst painting ever and she loves it ?, I don't see any hint of mockery in her eyes saying otherwise.

" You love this painting?" I asked feeling uncertain.

" Yes this is a perfect masterpiece .. it tells an hidden story, looking at the pain in the woman's eyes .This looks personal " A flushed creep across my cheeks.

I remember painting this during one of my dark moments, It was a sought of therapy for me.

Have been painting since I was in my teens, it was a form of a escape which turn into a hobby.

" You are progidy".she smiled nodding
"I'm impressed "


" Mr Roberson said you paint only partime"

" Yes I had a job that was very demanding"

" I see, like I said earlier I got a business proposal,that will change your life ,Your paintings is going to worth millions of dollars just in a blink of an eye"

She sounded like those men in Tv commercials , the smooth talker type.

I chuckled this sounds unrealistic.

But looking at her demeanor ,and the solemn look on her face I don't think she is jesting.

"Have drafted a proposal for you, a one
year contract.

My stomach flutters, is she serious.

She retreat to her car and came back with a documents.

She handle it to me

My lips curved up a bit, I scan through the piece of paper.

I felt my heart beat in anticipation.

"Whoa a studio of my own ", I asked in a high pitched tone.

The money involved is huge, looks too good to be true, like damn who dashes this kind of money just like that.

She nodded

Hmmm still not convinced

" Don't you think it risky investing in a amateur like me"

"Seeing your paintings from the photos Mr Robertson sent and seeing this painting as well ,I have no doubts you are going to be my biggest investment.

Hearing this from a total stranger made my heart glowed .

" Wish we could discuss about the proposal before you sign but looks like my timing is bad ,it seems you are pretty occupied . She stared at my stuff jumbled together like a heap of garbage.

She gave me a weak smile. I guess I look pathetic

My gaze dropped down in embarassment

" Okay this won't be a problem, come with me"

Huh ?

" Yes don't worry about your stuff , I will make sure it stored up safely.

She she placed her arms around me guiding me towards her car .

"Come on"

I suddenly went dumb totally puzzled. My instincts were screaming what the hell I'm doing following a stranger to God knows where.

But I went ahead like a dummy and entered the car. She got a call and excuse herself.

My pulse jittered , this doesn't look right For all l know I have been just kidnapped by a psychopath, I had my grip on the car door handle and push firmly but it was not locked I step out, she didn't notice my movement ,she was still busy on the phone.


Hmmm okay not a abduction , so where is she taking me. A normal girl could had quickly run off but hey this is April Jackson I'm far from being normal.

I'm very curious about where this could lead to , beside the contract looks promising, the money involve can be my ticket out of my miserable life.

I did business management in college so I know a genuine contract when I see one.

What do I have to loose beside I'm totally homeless . I shrugged and sunk back into the car seat shutting door gently.

I close my eyes taking a deep breath what does fate has in stored for me ?







© Debbie pearls