Mark felt a bit withdrawn even when Amelia popped by at the store and she stared at him, "what's wrong?" She inquired as she removed her coat. It was freezing outside today. It seemed that winter decided to come very early.
" Nothing,I'm fine, what's up with you?" He replied, while forcing his face to look friendly.
" Anyone with eyes can see that you are not fine."
"I know right?" He replied sarcastically and Amelia moved her head back a few inches. " Okay, so I'm a bit cranky but I shouldn't talk to you in that manner."
Amelia smiled at his excuse of an apology, " I know, that's why I'm here. Call me Mrs. Fix it. What can I do to make you better?"
Mark chuckled and Amelia pointed at him, " That's it, that's what I wanted to see. That gorgeous smile. How does your wife let you leave the house everyday, you're a lethal weapon to the female folk."
Mark shook his head at her ridiculousness, " Don't be ridiculous." He replied and Amelia giggled, her dimple showing as she clapped her hands in excitement.
He stared at her weirdly, " What is wrong with you today? you seem like you just hit a jackpot. Is there any jackpot I should be aware of?" He asked and she shook her head slowly. " There certainly is. Drop your bag over there and let's discuss it." He said.
She obeyed and dropped her bag on the slab where it used to normally be. " So, what do you have for me today... Ohhh, this is so beautiful!" Her hands flew to her mouth as she stared at the magnificent image she had ever seen in her life. " When did you draw this?! I was here yesterday!" She kept on exclaiming.
A painting was covered and she hurriedly yanked the clothing off, " Sorry, I know I'm tearing this off like a mad person but this is so beautiful! I could replace the covers later. Aww, your wife would be so proud!" She said with a sad smile. If only she was blessed to have a good man like this in her life, she would be so happy.
Mark felt a boost of confidence so he grabbed her hand and drew her to the back of the room, " See this." he said.
Amelia stared at him funnily as she saw a board facing the wall. " What's that?" She laughed shakily.
" Turn it over."
A loud gasp filled the air as she saw.her image staring at her as though she was looking in the mirror, " Oh, my goodness, this is so special to me." She hugged him tightly. " I'm so grateful, I would always treasure this. I promise." Tears began to stream down her eyes.
" Hey, it's okay." Mark felt weird as she latched onto him and began to sob into his shoulders. He wouldn't know what to do with a sobbing lady. His hands rested on her back and began to pat it softly.
" I've never received such... a thoughtful gift." she said amidst hiccups.
" I don't know what to do with this gift, I feel like shouting up and down the rooftop." she said and Mark smiled. It was reactions like this that gave him the courage to go on.
" I appreciate the fact that you like this."
She disengaged from him and stared at him in shock, " Like? I don't like it, I love it!"
Mark nodded, " Yeah?"
" Yeah."
Amelia hugged him again and he recoiled, "I'm sorry, I don't know what to do, I get that way when I get excited, please pardon me." She begged him and he waved her off.
"It's cool."
" Yeah?"
" Yeah."
" So, now that we got that out of the way, let's move on to the next thing. When are we showcasing them to the world?" She asked with a smile.
Mark shrugged, " Didn't you say that it was in fall?"
She gave him a corky smile and touched his arm, " Yeah, but I might have spoken to someone and...."
" And?"
" He says that there's an exhibition coming up in two..."
Mark rolled his eyes at the suspense, " I don't like being kept in suspense. Tell me what you want to say." He said.
Amelia clapped her hands in excitement.
"Weeks. How cool is that?"
" Very cool, so what do we have to do?"
" Tell me to calm down!" She tapped her chest a bit and he stared at her.
" You can be calm now."
" So, we were asked to bring in your best works, apparently there are two categories of people who will be present there. The first set are the collectors while the other set are the people who want to buy."
" How are we sure of sales?"
"With my expertise in sales, and your lovely designs, I know that we would get those pieces sold in a brink of an eye." She bragged.
"This seems so good to be true."
" What? Your designs are great so I am sure that you will sell them. What's the asking price?" She asked him.
" I was thinking eight thousand?"
" What?"
" That's too much?"
" That's too small, you know what, let's get there first and we'll know what to do." Amelia smiled.
Mark nodded, " I cannot thank you enough for all you have..."
Amelia placed a finger on his lips, " Say no more."
" I won't."
" So, tell me what else I can do for you." Amelia winked at him playfully and Mark touched his chin pretending to be in deep thoughts.
" I think you should start by returning that cover back and then we can brainstorm on how to move this project forward."
" I bet your wife would be so thrilled to hear this." Amelia grinned.
" She doesn't care about me."
" You are kidding." Amelia said and turned when she saw his forlorn expression. " You aren't kidding?" She almost exclaimed.
" That's so sad." Her hands moved to his face.
Unbeknownst to them, Lacey watched them from the doorway, this was the man who was proposing that he loved her more than life itself allowing another woman to stroke his beards.
So much for wanting to try and win her back.