Nicole rushed to where Aron stood looking nervous as fuck, the exhibition was starting soon, and well, let's just say a lot more people turned up than he had expected which was why he got nervous and his works were going to be displayed first, would she feel like this too when she hosts her first exhibition? This wasn't Aron's first and he was this nervous.
"Aron? Come in, you got this, don't be scared,"
She said when she got to him.
"Nicole, there are so many people, I just saw Paul Bari, he is like my biggest inspiration and I didn't even know he would be here, now I am scared that my works aren't good enough,"
He said, his hands were practically shaking.
"Calm down, you will be fine, you got this and I can tell you that everyone will love your work.”
She said calmly, the dude was practically sweating and the weather was chilly.
"You think so? I am not so confident anymore, have you seen the work being displayed at Paul's shows, they are masterpieces and I can't compete with that,"
"Well, it's not a competition, think about it this way, Paul is someone you look up to, he and there are a lot more artists here that you look up to, they are not here to judge you but to cheer you on, you sent out the invitations right?"
She asked.
"Yes I did, I have been doing that every year and he has never once showed up and I thought he won't but I was shocked when I saw him, my voice literally flattered when I went to greet him, it was embarrassing,"
"Calm down, it's not as bad as it looks, you are just overthinking everything, I know it will be great, you prepared so hard for this, okay?"
"Thank you, Nicole,"
He said but he didn’t sound convinced.
"I told you, you have to slay the stage as thank you, that's the only thank you I am going to accept, now it's time to show the world the beautiful works you did last year, I am sure they are all eager to see them. And this isn't about you alone, you know, those other artists whose work you let them showcase are all looking up to you, and this student of yours too, I am looking up to you, someday I might have to do something like this and I want to learn from what you show us today,"
She said with a smile.
"Such a smooth talker, thank you, I will do that,"
He said opening his arms for a hug, she hugged him and patted his back.
"You will do just fine, just be natural the way you are when you work and rest assured that all the works you put up are beautiful, and will all sell,"
She said as they parted, she was already eyeing two-piece that she will get, she just hopes no one else gets it before she does, she didn't want to play unfair that's why she didn't ask him to give it to her, she wanted everyone to have a fair chance.
"It's time,"
She said urging him on, she watched him walk towards the first set of art lovers and smiled as he turned and did a dramatic bow, he was in a mood.
"Should I be worried?"
Grace asked coming to stand beside her, she had been the one welcoming the guests in and asking for their tickets to verify that they are supposed to be present, she and seven others who she newly employed, they officially started working today and she had told Grace to help out since she had experience with that and surprisingly, Grace had not argued.
"Why will you be worried?"
"Did you see the way you were smiling at him? Please tell me he is not giving you the butterflies,"
"What are you talking about, Aron is just a friend and you read too much meaning into everything, I am beginning to think Natalie is robbing off too much on you,"
Nicole accused, they were spending too much time together and the Natalie effect was starting to rub off on Grace.
"What did I do?"
Natalie asked as she came to join them, she had also come to help out too, even though she had done a lot before.
"I didn't say anything,"
Nicole replied.
"I heard my name, anyway, your man is doing great there,"
She said pointing at where Aron was talking with some people.
"He is not my man but I agree that he is doing great,"
"Yes, and his works are beautiful too, he has a good eye seeing that all the works of other artists on display are also very cool,"
Natalie said, as they all looked around, people were checking out each work on display, she won't be surprised if they all sell out.
"I am proud of him,"
"And she says I don't need to fear, I am hella scared, she likes him too much,"
Grace said to Natalie who shook her head.
"Don't worry, I know her, she is a one-man kind of woman, I mean she liked the same person for three years without meeting the person once, you remember Brandon right?"
Natalie asked, Grace who was curious was already asking loads of questions and they were dragging attention to where they stood, Nicole hated to be reminded of her Brandon phase, not like she ever met the guy she just liked him from afar and that's where it ended but she did some embarrassing shit that she didn't want to think about.
"You guys, bring it down, they are looking at us,"
"Huh, that's not because of what we are talking about but because of the two of you,"
Grace responded.
"How?"
"Isn't it obvious? You guys look alike and on top of that you decided to get a similar hairstyle, I would be confused if I can't already tell you guys apart, I saw your mom looking and doing a double-take this morning,"
Grace said laughing, she saw that too and had just chuckled quietly, her parents still couldn't tell them apart when they do similar things but they were trying, and now instead of it being annoying it was actually funny watching her mom double-check this morning had been flat out hilarious.