Chapter 21
A knot formed in the pit of my stomach.
“I apologize I said.
“Were your achievements at the auction just a fluke then? Are you incapable of repainting that portrait p>
“Sir, I p>
“I expect better from my exclusive painters,” he scolded, and then he hung up before I could say another word.
I looked at Rebecca who was staring at me with raised brows.
“Why would you turn down the offer?” She asked, curiously.
“I made a promise to Elliot,” I told her. “I can’t go back on my word p>
“Maybe you should speak with him about it.
I sighed, not wanting to talk about it anymore. Picking up on my mood change, Rebecca changed the subject and the rest of the evening flowed nicely.
When Elliot returned to the palace after being away all day, he handed me a red blindfold.
“Put this on,” he instructed.
I raised my brows at his request.
“What for p>
“I have a surprise for you,” he told me.
Hesitantly, I put the blindfold on.
Elliot adjusted it to make sure I couldn’t see anything and then he guided me away. I could tell from the various scents and sounds that we had wandered outside. Elliot surprised me by lifting me into his arms and carrying me the rest of the way.
A few minutes later, he was putting me down and untying my blindfold. When I adjusted my eyes to the new setting, I gasped at what I saw.
We were standing in the middle of a greenhouse and surrounded by roses of all different colors. I gasped at the beauties around me and then I noticed a greeting card on a small table in a small pavilion that read: A belated wedding gift.
I turned to look at Elliot, a crease between my brows and tears in my eyes.
“What’s all this?” I asked, my voice coming out in a whisper.
“I noticed that roses often appear in your paintings… including the one you did of me,” he said, shrugging and putting his hands in his front pockets almost sheepishly. “I figured they were your favorite flowers.” I was at a loss for words. My heart swelled with gratitude, and I closed the gap between us, kissing him on the lips.
A couple of days had passed since Elliot surprised me with the greenhouse and only one day had passed since I submitted my artwork to the Pandora Bloom gallery. However, my paintings were returned to me the following day. One of the workers at the gallery informed me that my paintings did not fit the theme and was told to return them to me.
Feeling rejected and annoyed, I had a feeling I knew exactly who was behind this and why.
The Pandora Bloom cocktail party was scheduled for this evening and considering I am an exclusive painter for the gallery, I’m invited to attend. I was going to confront Barrett about my paintings being rejected.
I wore an elegant red evening gown with shimmering silver heels. I let my hair down and curled it so it would bounce freely around my shoulders and down my back. I applied some makeup to bring out my brightest features before heading downstairs.
I paused in front of Elliot who was looking at me with desire in his eyes; it made my chest constrict and I cleared my throat to bring his attention to my face.
“I was wondering if you’d attend the cocktail party with me. I’d like to share my successes with you. Considering you are the reason behind them being my model and all p>
“Sorry, but I have other plans this evening,” he told me casually.
I didn’t press him for more information and once again, I was left masking my disappointment. Without another word, I left and went to the cocktail party.
It was a beautiful event and just as elegant as described by everyone who attended last year. I never thought I would ever get the chance to attend such an event, but here I was.