Mark resumed work the next day looking gloomy and he didn't know what to do with himself because Lacey was ignoring him point blank and try as he might to get her to talk to him that morning only managed to land him in more trouble making him feel a certain way.
He didn't bother to check his dressing before leaving the house that morning, it was until he came outside to throw the trash in the incinerator when some children began to laugh while pointing at his clothes that he became aware of the error he made. He wore his shirt inside out, and he rolled his eyes.
He was sure that his mother-in-law must have noticed it but she probably wanted him to be humiliated. He rushed in quickly to change his clothes.
The doorbell dinged and he quickly rushed out of the inner office, " Good morning, ma'am." He greeted a beautiful lady who stood at an impressive five foot four, she was readily going to knock out Lacey if they were made to undergo the same pageant.
" Good morning, are you the owner of this place?" She asked with a polite smile. Her tone was as light as feathers and all he could think of was how she would be better as a model. That was if she wasn't already one.
" Sorry,are you a model?" He asked and the lady giggled. A lot of people had asked her that same question, making her wonder what they were on about, but for this man to ask about her job, she knew that it was serious. " Do I look like one?"
Mark bobbed his head, she had the gait of a model, she just needed a good talent manager that would help her so that she didn't get ripped by those greedy managers and get destroyed by the industry because everyone knew that it was a cut throat industry where various dark things occurred.
He cleared his throat, that was enough for today, what he needed was getting her to buy his paintings. " So, would you like to take a look around, check for what you like?" He said with a small smile and she beamed.
The lady sauntered into the inner space looking at each painting and acknowledging her interest in the ones she liked.
Mark did well in telling her the reason for each story which she listened with an undivided attention, chirping in some words when necessary. Mark was a bit taken aback by her knowledge.
He might have judged her a bit too harshly thinking that she was just one of those brainless bimbos who didn't have anything to do with their lives, but she proved him wrong completely.
"What's that?" She pointed to a canvas covered with a blue cloth.
" It's a painting." Mark replied reluctantly and the lady got more interested.
" Can I see it?"
" Yes, you can." Mark said and walked towards the canvas. He didn't want anyone seeing the image just yet but he had no choice.
The lady let out a soft gasp, " This is wonderful, I didn't think something like this existed, I can't believe. Why did you cover it?" She asked incredulously.
Mark shrugged slightly, he didn't know what he was thinking but drawing was not one of them, " I guess I was preoccupied with many things." He said. It was a lame excuse but what option did he have?
Her eyes widened as she stared at him, while running her fingers down the painting. How would someone so talented not want to make use of his talent? " Do you know how much this is valued in the market?" She asked, " I'm sorry if I seem too excited but I've not seen something like this before. This is breathtaking." She said with awe, lacing her voice.
Filled with budding hope, this could be his ticket to financial freedom. At least if it was valued the way this lady talked about it, it would be very good and he would appreciate it a lot.
Maybe Lacey would reconsider her stance on divorcing him. When he noticed that there was an awkward silence, he decided to speak.
" I'm sorry, I didn't even know that something like this existed here. This is untapped wealth. I think I can see the silhouette of the eyes. Can you help me make sure that no one buys these pieces? They are truly exceptional." She said
She would help him realize what he was sleeping on, and another option flashed into her mind. She could just buy it from him and sell it off, since he didn't know the worth. This would help her offset her school debt and make her parents happy at least. One could always be happy with having such beautiful pieces.
"Okay, then, I'll talk to my brother about you too, and we'll see what will happen. Is that okay for you?" She asked.
" Yes."
" When will you be done?" She inquired, she could begin promoting already and start looking for buyers. Her mind went into overdrive. or she could make him her plug for art supplies. Her sister who worked in the factory could help to link her up with her rich bosses who liked art.
" Soon."
The lady nodded, if this plan clicked, she was made for life, she mightn't need to work a day in her life anymore. Well, that was overstretching it but that was a part of it, if only she could just manage to see it through.
" I'll see you later, sir." She called and rushed off.
"Aren't you buying these pieces anymore?" Mark called,wondering why she just changed her mind suddenly. He could have sworn that she was about to buy his piece of art but she didn't know what happened to him and right now, she was not even thinking in that direction anymore.
He sighed tiredly, as he walked to his drawing stool. That inspiration came when he was still on good terms with Lacey but he now, he didn't feel that energetic.
His phone rang abruptly, disturbing his focus.
" You need to come home now." Lacey's cold voice demanded.