Virtually Sterling (Chapter 5)

[sidhe_faerie]

Chapter 5
“Close your eyes.” Paul told her before he opened the door.

“Look, Paul, I’m not up for games tonight.” Cass shifted the bag of take-out to her other hand and rubbed her forehead. “It’s been a long day. I’m starting to get a headache.”

“Just humor me.” Paul rubbed her back. “You’ll love this place. I promise.”

Cass closed her eyes. “Let’s just do this.”

Paul opened the door and guided her in. “Watch your step. There we are.” He closed the door and took the bag out of her hands. “Open your eyes now.”

Cass opened her eyes and gasped. “Paul, this place is gorgeous!”

Cass looked around. The loft was large with windows all along one wall. Paul had an easel set up on that side of the room. There was a partition giving privacy to a sleeping area. The kitchen was modern and stainless steel.

“I thought you’d like it.” Paul walked over to the kitchen and started to take the containers out of the bag. “So are you going to move in or not?”

“Is there closet space for me?” Cass laughed. “You were always more of a closet hog than I was.”

“There is plenty of room for you and your shoes.” Paul took plates out of the cupboard. “We managed when we were in art school and that place was tiny. I was always picking up after you back then.”

“I’m not as much as a slob as I used to be.” Cass walked over to the windows and looked out. “You must get sun most of the day here. This is the perfect artist’s studio. How can you afford the rent here?”

“I bought the building with the third and fourth paintings that I sold.” Paul took a bottle of wine out of the fridge. “I rent out the other three lofts for a crazy amount of money.”

“I really need Harry to start selling some of mine. He sounds like a miracle worker.” Cass walked over to the bar and sat down. “Where did you find him anyway?”

“He found me. I was painting houses for cash. I was barely making enough to eat. He saw me sketching on my lunch break when I was painting his office.” Paul shook his head. “It was like destiny brought us together.”

“Now you have everything you have ever wanted.” Cass picked up a set of chopsticks.

“All I wanted was you.” Paul handed her a carton of lo mein. “Do I have you now?”

Cass pulled him to her by the hand and kissed him. “Yeah. You have me.”  

When they finished Cass got up to leave. Paul looked at her and frowned.

“Silver, where do you think you’re going?” Paul grabbed her hand and pulled her close to him. He wrapped his arms around her. “You’re staying here with me.”

“I have to get to work in the morning. If I stay here then I will oversleep and be late for work.” Cass laughed.

“Silver, you can’t go.” Paul kissed her neck. “You haven’t tried the bed yet.”

Cass rubbed his arm. “Paul, you’re a pain in my …”

“You love me and you know it.” Paul laughed. “I have a big favor to ask.”

“Oh no! I’m not going let you show the painting.” Cass poked him in the chest.

“Compromise with me. Just show the painting during the private showing tomorrow night.” Paul pleaded. “Harry has already banned cameras and cell phones so no one will see it but the guests that night. It will be a special surprise. We can take the painting down when we leave.”

Cass thought for a moment. “That could still get me fired but it’s better than letting the world know I’m the naked woman in those paintings.”

“Then that is a ‘yes’?” Paul was still unsure.

“It’s a ‘yes’.” Cass gave him a quick kiss. “Just for the party tomorrow night and then it goes back into hiding.”

“Now, let me show you the bed.” Paul pulled her towards the sleeping area. “I can’t wait to get you between my sheets.”

Sometime in the early hours of the morning, Cass slipped out of bed and gave Paul a kiss on the cheek. She left him a note telling him not to be late when he came to pick her up.

Cass stopped by her apartment on the way to the museum. She changed and grabbed the painting from the front closet.

Cass drove to work and slipped into the restoration room without seeing anyone. She put the painting behind a crate to keep it out of sight until the opening of the exhibit tonight.

The museum was busy upstairs getting ready for the party but downstairs in the restoration all was quiet. Cass waited for someone to come down stairs and tell her to do something but no one came. She made it through the day and left to get ready, leaving the painting hidden in the restoration room.

Cass’ phone rang just as she opened her front door. “Gail, I don’t have time. I have to get ready for tonight.”

“I know. Jonas and I will be there in a few minutes. Has Paul got there yet?”

“No. He isn’t here yet.” Cass turned around to close the door and Paul stood there in his tux with a garment bag and a shopping bag. “He just got here.”

“Okay. See you in a bit.” The phone disconnected.

“What is that for?” Cass pointed at the garment bag. “You’re already in your tux.”

“I brought you a dress and a pair of shoes.” Paul held out the bags.

“Paul, I have a dress to wear. You didn’t have to do that.” Cass walked into the bedroom.

Paul followed her and put the things down on the bed. “At least look at them before you say ‘no’.”

Cass opened the garment bag and looked at the dress. The blue dress was short with the silver and gold embroidery all over the skirt. “Paul, I can’t wear this.”

“Of course, you can wear it. It’s your size. I checked.” Paul looked confused.

“I have to be professional.” Cass explained. “This is a gorgeous dress but I can’t be looking like a …”

“Supermodel?” Paul grinned.

“Paul, you know that I’m too short to be a supermodel.” Cass went over to the closet and pulled out a simple black dress.

“You are not wearing that!” Paul shook his head.

“Cass!” Gail called out from the living room.

“I’m in the bedroom arguing with Paul.” Cass glared at Paul.

“What did you do, Paul?” Gail walked in. “You just got her back and now you’re acting like a jerk. What the hell?”

“I bought her a dress but she insists on wearing that ugly thing.” Paul pointed at the black dress Cass was holding. “Talk some sense into her, Tiger Lily. Oh and tart her up a bit.”

“Paul!” Cass glared at him again. 

“Out!” Gail waved him out. “I’ll do what I can.”

“Thanks.” Paul blew a kiss to Gail on his way out.

“Gail, look at it. It’s too flashy for a professional obligation.” Cass started to strip off her work clothes.

“Look, I know your job is important but this is Paul’s night.” Gail took the dress out of the bag. “Wear the designer dress, Cass. It’s important to him.” She looked into the shopping bag and pulled out a pair of shoes out. “He bought shoes too. Sexy silver ones.”

Cass sighed. “I can’t believe this but I’ll do it. It’s just a job. It’s not like I need it or anything.” She threw up her hands in defeat. 

“Good! I’ll do your hair and makeup. You have to be perfect you’re the guest of honor’s date.” Gail handed her the shoes.

“This is going to be a night from hell.” Cass took the shoes and looked at them. “Wow! These are really high.”

“Stop complaining and get ready. We have a party to go to.” Gail pushed her in to the bathroom.

Twenty minutes later, Gail walked out of the bedroom and found Paul and Jonas sitting on the sofa drinking whiskey.

“Well, aren’t you two just fast friends.” Gail chuckled. “She’s as tarted up as she’s going to get.”

“Where is she?” Paul put his glass on the table.

“I’m right here.” Cass came out of the bedroom and turned around so that Paul could get a good look. “Happy?”

“You always clean up very nicely.” Paul stood up and gave her an appreciative look. “Very, very nicely. We should get going. Moose, here, and Tiger Lily can come with us in the limo. It should be downstairs by now. Where’s the painting?”

“It’s in the restoration room behind some crates.” Cass picked up her evening bag. “I didn’t want anyone to see me carry it in.”

“Silver, they are going to see it anyway.” Paul held out his arm to her. “You look a little wobbly on those heels.”

Cass took his arm. “Leave it to you to buy me ‘fuck me’ heels.”

“You’re welcome.” Paul opened the door and laughed. “Come along you two. I have an entrance to make.”

“Is he always like this?” Jonas whispered to Gail.

“No.” Gail sighed. “He’s usually worse.”

“You’re kidding.” Jonas frowned. 

After a round of champagne, the four of them arrived at the museum. Gail and Jonas got out of the limo and went in first.

Paul got out and turned to help Cass out of the limo. She hesitated.

“Come on Silver.” Paul held out his hand to her. “The sooner you get out of the car and go in, the sooner this will be over.”

“The sooner I’ll get fired you mean.” Cass sighed. She got out of the limo. “How do I look?”

“Like a vision.” Paul smiled and gave her his arm. “Ready Silver?”

“No. but let’s do it anyway.” Cass let him lead her past the press and into the museum.

Inside, Cass and Paul took the elevator down to the restoration room. She retrieved the painting and they made their way to the exhibit on the second floor.

Miss Benning was waiting at the elevator when they stepped out.

“Miss Sterling? Miss Benning looked startled. “What…what are you doing with him dressed like that?”

“She’s here as my date. Excuse us please.” Paul moved Cass past her and into the party.

The crowd applauded as Paul walked in.  Paul walked over to the podium to address them.

“Ladies and gentlemen welcome to my exhibit at the Green Museum. I am pleased to be here and to have the ‘Currency’ series displayed together.” Paul looked at the empty space on the wall next to him. “I know you are all looking at that empty space and wondering what I’m talking about.”

“You see, the ‘Currency’ series is a series of transactions, moments in time between two people in love. I’m gold and she is silver.” Paul held out his hand to Cass. “Silver?”

Cass took his hand and stepped up to the podium with him. She handed him the painting.

Paul unwrapped the painting and winked at her as he hung it on the wall then faced the crowd again.

“Believe me this took a lot of coaxing to get her to let me do this.” Paul chuckled. “She is my love, my soulmate and these are our moments. For tonight and just tonight, all of the series will be displayed together as it is now. The series isn’t finished and will continue as long as we are together.”

Cass felt her cheeks flush. She looked out over the crowd and felt a little self-conscious. She could see Miss Benning fuming just off to the side. Across the room, the head curator was smiling at her. Maybe she won’t get fired.

Cass looked down at her purse and opened it just enough to take out the small object inside. She clutched it in her hand as Paul started to speak again.

“Enjoy the surprise!” Paul held out his hand to Cass. “Shall we party?”

Cass put the object in his hand and smiled. “Yes.”

Paul looked at what she had put in his hand and was stunned. “Silver, are you sure?”

“I said ‘yes’, didn’t I? Cass held out her hand.

Paul slipped the ring on her hand. “Yes you did.”

The crowd erupted in applause.