Gloria smiled knowingly. “My proxy, Paulette. She operates in my stead, representing me across the world. I have taught her over the many years to reflect my precise eye for artwork, and I sometimes accompany her to ensure that the proper decisions are made.”
“So, that was Paulette that I spoke with before.”
“Aye,” Gloria acknowledged. “I stayed in town for a few days, enjoying some of your delicious cuisine and museums. I wasn’t sold on your work, but a very compelling phone call convinced me to give you another try.”
“Phone call?”
“Your investor,” she clarified. “On principle, I would have turned the money down, but I was nonetheless intrigued by his offer…”
“I don’t know what investor you might be talking about, but I’m glad to have had the opportunity to meet you – properly, this time,” I found myself blurting out.
“Agreed. You say you don’t know who it is?”
“Not at all,” I answered truthfully.
She stepped closer, peering deeply into my eyes. I felt a strong sense of sudden invasion as she glanced into the windows to my soul, studying me very, very carefully.
“…I see,” she murmured to herself. “Well, that convinces me then.”
“Convinces you of what?” I asked, unwilling to let my hopes rise too much.
“I wanted to be the one to tell you to your face that Gloria Van Lark cannot be bought. Not with fancy words, and not with million dollar donations.”
Million dollar donations? Lex! What the hell did you do?!?
“But I can see now that you haven’t orchestrated this meeting… And… Perhaps I’ve grown rather fond of a few of your pieces during my time here in New Orleans.”
I hung on her every word, and Gloria beamed with pride as she spoke the words I never thought I’d hear in my wildest dreams:
“Riley Ricketts, I would be my pleasure to purchase select pieces to feature in your very own exhibit within the Spinnoc galleries.”
I could barely contain my excitement.
“Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!” I exclaimed, resisting every urge to throw my arms around this woman and hug her to death. “This means so much to me… I can’t possibly thank you enough…”
“There is a condition,” she added quickly.
“A condition?” I asked, puzzled at her tone.
“Walk with me,” Gloria told me, and I fell into step beside her as we crossed the museum, passively observing the exhibits.
“The condition is your undivided attention,” she stipulated. “I don’t fancy all of your artwork, but I do appreciate a few choice selections. If you want an exhibit in the Spinnoc, you will have to focus entirely on your craft. You will need to move to San Diego. I can give you room and board with studio access, and I’ll fully expect to see more of your work within several months.”
“Move to San Diego? I….”
Gloria cut me off before I could finish my thought.
“And I want none of these landscapes. They’re good, but not nearly good enough to display in my galleries. Leave them to the professionals, and concentrate on the conceptual pieces and portraits that really demonstrate your talent.”
“You… want me to move across the country?”
“Well, naturally,” she answered, glancing over at me. “That won’t be a problem, will it?”
“I’ll… have to think about that,” I answered. “I mean, my whole life is here. For a short while, I thought about going to England with someone, but we had a bit of a… falling out. He left the country a couple of days ago.”
“England, you say?” She commented. “Well. That certainly makes sense. It seems you may know your investor after all…” she eyed me sideways, “…or you only just figured that out. Either way, you should have probably reconciled with him when you had the chance.”
“Why’s that?”
“I thought he perhaps loved you. I could hear it in his voice as we spoke. He must have divested a great deal of resources into finding me, because I make myself scarce on purpose… and I don’t particularly enjoy being found.”
I had no response. I just turned and stared at the painting of the girl.
“Never mind all that,” Gloria continued. “I can see I was mistaken as to the strength of your relationship… If you wish to pursue proper representation in my galleries, you will accompany me back to California. The last thing I need is for you to become distracted with such mundane affairs when I’ve come to recognize your worth.”
“When do you need a decision?” I asked quietly, thinking about Lex. Why had he done this? I’d shut him out of my life. Did he think bribing Gloria would win me over?