Chapter 67 - Uncertainty.

Lance. 

He parks his motorcycle in front of an art gallery. 

I release my arms from his waist as we both get down. I don't know what we are doing here. 

I know he likes art. I mean, his house is covered in beautiful paintings.

I shouldn't be here; I should be with Ford. we need to talk about all that has happened. I am going to be upfront with him. Tell him that if he doesn't open up to me, I don't want to do this anymore. 

She said he was sick. 

I know there is something wrong with him and I won't take all these secrets anymore. 

He can't keep hiding these things from me.

''Why are we here?'' I ask him as he straps out helmets to the bike. 

''This is where I work?'' 

I nod.

I guessed as much. 

''I am an artist.''

I look at Patrick and realise I don't even know anything about him. whenever I am with him, all we talk about is me and all my problems. I am not in the right state of mind to be inquisitive with him but I would like to get to know him. He is a friend; I have to treat him like a friend. 

''I didn't know that.''

He shrugs like it is no big deal ''I guess you have a lot going on. So, I have a show tonight. You will get to see my work first-hand.'' 

I nod and he leads me into the building. The walls are white, the space is very large. There are no chairs in here but there are a lot of people. I mean, the place is packed. Now I know I am not dressed right for this. As we walk through the entrance, a man stops me to ask for my ticket. So, this place is by invitation.

''He is with me,'' Patrick informs him.

The guy waves us over and Patrick places his hand on my back, in a way to lead me into the gallery. I look at the man in front of me and I can't help but be jealous of him. he is young and he already has his shit together. I don't know his story but I know he has made something of himself through all his hardship. 

''So, I am going to take you on a tour. You have to be honest with me. let me know what you think,'' he winks. 

I nod as he leads me through the crowd, and we stop in front of a painting. I never understood art. I look at paintings by famous artists and I think there isn't a big deal to them. I mean, they don't make sense to me. Now, here I am in a fancy-ass showing and I can't help but admire the painting in front of me. 

It is very simple. A painting of a man, this person is seated in front of a window, staring at the moonlight as it glistens in the night sky. The room is dark, there is a shadow beneath him. 

I don't know how to interpret the drawing, but it resonates within me. more than I expected it to. I feel as lost as the boy in the picture. I feel heartbroken, sad and unsure of my future. 

''Wow,'' I manage in complete awe. 

His names are written at the bottom. There is a red sticker on the description of the painting. 

''What do you think?'' he asks with this nervous look on his face. 

''I don't know how I feel about it… I mean, it is fucking beautiful.'' 

He releases a sigh of relief. I look at the painting again ''What does the red sticker mean?'' 

''It means someone has claimed it.''

''So, it's been sold?'' 

He nods. I can't even how much a painting like this would go for, but he must make a living out of his paintings.

''You're really talented.''

He blushes ''I'm nothing special,'' he shrugs. 

''The man of the hour is here,'' A woman walks over to us with a wide smile on her face. she is dressed in a long black dress, that is open at the back. Her brown hair is loose around her shoulders. She looks to be in her late twenties. Certainly not our age group. 

''Hi Adina,'' he hugs her once she is close enough to us. 

''You know, everyone is going crazy over your work, you are almost sold out. It was the best idea to add your stuff to the showing.'' 

''I can't thank you enough. This is all you,'' he replies, slowly turning to me ''This is my friend… Lance.''

Her eyes turn to me, almost like she didn't even notice me standing there earlier ''Nice to meet you, Lance… you see anything you like?'' she stretches her hand out and I take it in mine for a handshake. 

I laugh quietly ''Everything looks great.'' 

Like I can afford all these fancy-ass paintings.

''I want to introduce you to some people… can I steal him away from you for a second?'' she asks. Patrick looks at me, almost like he doesn't want to leave me alone. 

I manage a reassuring smile ''I will be back in a second,'' he walks away from me and I watch them as they walk over to a group of people. I walk around the gallery and see three more of his paintings. I don't think coming here was a good idea. I don't feel better, if anything, I feel even worst. I grab my phone from my pocket and the battery is dead. 

Shit. 

Ford might have tried calling me. I don't want him to think I am upset with him. that is far from it. I just needed to clear my head. think things through. Know what next to do. 

''Are you okay?'' I turn around and he is beside me.

''Yeah.''

He nods ''Do you want to get some air?'' 

I shake my head ''No, you should stay here and mingle. This is your event after all. I am sorry I am such a downer,'' I am rambling. 

He grins ''I don't mind, there's a rooftop here. Want to explore it with me?''

I smile because rooftops are kinda our thing. He leads me to a corner in the room and up the stairs. We get to the roof and the fresh air hits me, somehow soothing all my worries. 

''Don't you feel better already,'' he asks me as he leads me further into the large space on the roof. 

I nod as we get to the edge and I see the view of the night sky. There is a total of three stars in the sky. Almost like they are all in hiding. Patrick places his hands on the railing. 

''Today was the first time I ever showed my art,'' he explains. 

I look at him and his eyes are closed, almost like he is enjoying the breeze a little too much ''I've been working here for a year, as an art dealer. I don't ever show my stuff, I look for talent.'' 

''It's really hard for me you know. Things never really go as plan. I have had to work my butt off to even survive.''

I don't know why he is telling me all this. maybe he wants me to trust him. I don't know if I trust him, but he has been a good friend this past couple of weeks. 

''You are amazing,'' I tell him because he honestly is. 

He turns to me and slowly a smile spreads to his face ''You're the only one that thinks so.''

''Every red sticker in there proves that.'' 

''I wish my parents saw that.'' 

He has issues, issues that I am sure he doesn't want to talk about. I see it in his eyes. I wouldn't pester him to. 

''Someone found out about me and Ford.'' 

There is a flicker in his eyes as I reveal that to him. almost like he is grateful for the change in topic. 

''Who?''

I sigh ''His friend… well she seems to think she is his girlfriend.'' 

''Ah… I see.''

''She threatened me today. said he was only with me because of an episode,'' I explain even though remembering hurts like hell.

''Episode?'' he furrows his brow.

''Manic episode,'' even saying it out loud makes me angry. 

The fact that she would use whatever is going on with him as a chance to tear us apart is disgusting. I don't know what to believe because I don't even know what is wrong with him. 

''You think there is something wrong with him… like mentally?'' 

I shrug ''Not my words. Apparently, she knows something that I don't.'' 

''Have you talked to him about it?'' 

That is the one thing I haven't done. Actually, tell him how I feel, all that has been happening. 

''You know that is the only way to know for sure.'' 

I know he is right. 

''I am scared.''

''Of what?''

''What if she is right, what if this is just a phase for him? what if he doesn't feel the same way?''

''I have seen the way he looks at you. That man loves you.'' 

I am not so sure anymore.