Chapter 34: Almost, Just Almost

The shop was packed in the next few hours. People that had walked by and seen the new paintings were bewitched by their appeal. Everyone wanted to take a piece of the collection home with them.

Seeing as art was very revered in this part of the world, the news travelled fast and people were already wanting to buy.

Two men were in a battle for a particular painting and Hector ran over to settle their dispute.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen! What seems to be the problem?"

"Tell this, ldiota sin modales, to get his filthy paws of 'my' painting?" One of the men said.

The other man chuckled, "I saw it first. It's this ladrón sin escrúpulos that should let go of the painting," he said.

"There's no need for all these insults, my friends. I know the artist that made this personally. If you both really want it, then I'll have another one painted for you by next week," Hector said to them.

"Well, then one of us has to wait till next week and it's not going to be me."

"It's definitely not me!"

The two men wanted that painting badly and Hector needed to get them to calm down.

"Ok, both of you tell me the truth. Who had the painting first?" Hector asked.

"I was staring at it and admiring its elegance, contemplating getting it. I finally decided to buy it and before I could take it off the wall, this man came out of nowhere and snatched it away," the first man said.

"Is this true, señor?" Hector asked.

"All I know is that it was in my hand first."

They both weren't giving in and Hector talked to them until one of them finally let go.

"I'll be expecting an exact copy of this next week and I'll be back for it," He said and started to walk towards the exit.

"Adios perdedor," the victorious man said to the other man that was leaving.

"Me cago en tu madre," he replied and left.

Meanwhile, Sharon refused to come out and sell the paintings herself, or at least get some recognition as the new artist in town because she didn't want to draw attention to herself. She didn't want anyone to recognize her or have her name leave their lips all over the city.

She wanted to keep a low profile so she didn't make an appearance at the shop.

Victoria came into the room from the shop to speak to Sharon.

"Que estas haciendo aqui?" She told Sharon.

"What?" Sharon asked, oblivious to the meaning of what she had said.

"I asked what you're still doing in here. You should go out there and introduce yourself to your fans. They love your work. Our shop hasn't been this full for months. It's truly wonderful," Victoria said excitedly.

"I'm glad," Sharon said dryly.

"What's wrong now, Sharon? You should be happy. Just two days ago you were living on the streets, and now, your creations are already hitting the market. You should be jumping for joy."

"I am happy. It's just...! Never mind," she decided not to say.

"No! No more bottling in your feelings. No more hiding your problems from me. I know that we barely know each but I consider you my Amiga, a true friend. You can lean on me, Muchacha," Victoria said to her, trying to get her to open up.

"I'm sorry, Victoria. I don't mean to shut you out. I also consider you a good friend. You saved my life and I could never fully repay you. It's just that, what's bothering me is personal and it's not something I like to talk about but I guess I could tell you," Sharon decided.

"Okay, then. Tell me. What is it?"

"Victoria..," Hector called out, bursting through the door.

"There are more people in the shop. I need you to help attend to them. Bamos."

"Okay, brother. I'm coming," Victoria answered and started to walk away from Sharon.

She stopped and turned around.

"We'll talk about it later, ok?" She said.

"Okay, we will!"

**Sharon sat there and watched Victoria leave. She would have to tell everything. Perhaps, it would be good for her.

.

.

.

"Welcome back, Peter. How was your errand to the fish market?" Sharon asked with a cup of water in hand for him to drink.

"It was nice. I got a good price for the fish and bought some provisions on my way back," Peter told her and drank the water she gave to him.

"Is it just me or did you take longer than expected to return?" Sharon asked, aware that he was a bit late.

"I did, actually. I met someone on the way. A man named Pablo. He was hurt so I treated his wounds and we rode together to the market. He was a nice man. We had a heart-to-heart and he made me realize how lucky I am," Peter told.

"How so?" Sharon asked.

Peter walked up to her, held her by the waist, pulled her to him, and gathered her lips in a passionate kiss.

"How lucky I am to have found you, Sharon."

"I'm the lucky one, for finding you," Sharon told him from the bottom of her heart and they continued to share the moment with multiple heartwarming kisses.

*Meanwhile, just a few yards outside Peter's cottage stood JJ, just behind a tree. He surveyed the cottage and kept an eye out for Sharon. He hadn't seen her yet but his informant had pointed out Peter to him, while he was at the market, telling him that Peter was the man he saw alongside the woman in the photo. JJ had stealthily followed Peter back to the cottage in hopes that he would lead him to Sharon. Now all he had to do was watch and wait.

That evening, Sharon was looking everywhere for her coffeepot. She searched the kitchen but was unable to find it.

"Peter, have you seen the coffeepot?" She asked.

"Umm, Yes, I think it's still on the porch. I had some on the swing chair earlier this morning before I went to the market."

"Ok. Let me go get it," Sharon said and walked towards the door.

JJ was outside and he noticed that the door was being opened. He stared hard and focused, hoping that the door was being opened by the one person that he was looking for; Sharon.

"Sharon, wait!" Peter called out.

"Yes?"

He got up and moved to the door and held her hand.

"Don't worry about the pot. I'll go get it. You're already busy in the kitchen so I'd like to help out."

"Peter, the porch is not that far. I can get the coffeepot easily. it's just outside," she said.

"I know, but l insist," Peter said to her.

"Ok then," Sharon said and smiled and went back inside the kitchen.

Peter opened the door, walked over to the coffeepot sitting on the rails, took it, and went back inside. JJ was disappointed that it wasn't Sharon but he didn't lose hope that she was inside. He could feel it in his gut. His intuition told him that she was there and all that was left, was for his eyes to confirm it. But that would have to be another day, he thought and left.