Chapter 1623 - The Art Gallery (1)

~ Los Angeles ~

March 15, 2023

6:05 PM

People are gathering in the art gallery owned by Penny Sanders for the event which started at 5:30 PM.

Why are we here? Let's start with a little bit of background…

About three years ago, Isabella and Leah broke up because Isabella decided to focus on her relationship with Brandon Craig in order to appease her father, and Leah was tired of being Isabella's partner in private, and her assistant in public.

Shortly after Leah left, Isabella and Brandon were engaged, and he showed his disapproval with Isabella being involved in arts. Her father said that it's just a hobby, but Brandon didn't like the monthly trips Isabella would make to Los Angeles, he found them to be suspicious because she would not allow him to join. Brandon didn't know that Isabella would use those trips to steal glances at Leah from the distance, but he had a feeling that she is doing something that is not allowed. Brandon joined forces with Isabella's father and the two of them forced Isabella to put the art gallery for sale with an excuse that she should focus on her business and on her fiancé (soon to be a husband).

Penny was attached to that art gallery. That is the place where she worked when she escaped the clutches of her family and while she waited for Ben to come back into her life as Oliver grew inside her belly. It was a place full of important memories, and Penny had the money, so when Isabella announced that she will sell the art gallery, Penny decided to buy it.

After some time, Penny realized that her hotels are keeping her super-busy and with Oliver included, Penny didn't have any time left for the art gallery.

During one of the girl-outings, Penny voiced her grief that the art gallery is getting covered in dust and said that at this rate, she will put the place for sale. That is where Sarah's ears perked up.

"Sell it to me."

Penny looked at Sarah suspiciously. "Since when are you interested in the arts? Or are you planning to open something else on that location?"

Sarah smiled. "It will stay as an art gallery, but it is not for me. It's for my girls. Some of them are quite good and they could use a space where they can show their work. At the same time, they can get experience in managing the place and running a business."

Penny liked the idea. The art gallery will get a fresh breath of life and she does not need to sell it. "No need to buy it. They can use it."

Sarah was not sure how that would work. "I will not let them use it without paying the rent."

Penny thought how much Sarah did for her. She lived and ate in Sarah's and Aiden's house for months without paying anything. How can she charge rent for space which is otherwise sitting empty?

Penny came up with a suggestion: "How about this… They can manage the gallery and use it to display and sell their works. They will be responsible for attracting the customers and keeping the place presentable as well as paying any bills which are associated with the gallery, and I get 2% of their sales. I can help them get started…"

Of course, Sarah accepted this deal.

Francisca, Azra, and Merve are the main artists while other kids are contributing occasionally. Francisca's preferred style is abstract painting, while Merve creates realistic images with oil paints. Azra is into sculpting.

Xiaohui and Zula are responsible for marketing and management, and Rosa is the main curator. Rosa consulted Penny frequently for the first six months, and now she is doing everything independently.

Camila and Antonia are in charge of their website and online sales, including customer support, and other than selling what they have in stock, they take orders as well.

They are into it for about two years, and the gallery is running smoothly. The girls are managing this work and their education very well and it's providing them with a nice side-income.

Other than this gallery, Sarah and Aiden secured several more places for their kids, which allow them to get practical hands-on training and earn a salary. Every kid has their own income in addition to the monthly allowance Sarah and Aiden are providing, but that will be covered later. Now, we focus on the art gallery.

The exhibition space of the art gallery is divided into two parts. The first one displays artwork which is for sale, while the other one is for exhibition only and those pieces are not for sale.

On the fifteenth of each month, the girls are organizing an event in the art gallery where they invite influential people from the world of art and that includes artists, journalists, bloggers, and social media influencers. Everyone is wearing formal wear and there are snacks and drinks and soft music and during these monthly events, the gallery is making record sales.

Back to the present…

Corey Smith is standing in front of the art gallery and giving himself a silent pep-talk to go in.

He is 18 years old, high school senior, on a good way to be the Valedictorian, and for the last two and a half years, he has a secret crush on Merve.

About two and a half years ago, Charlie (Corey's cousin) brought Corey to the Cliffside Villa for the first time. On that faithful day, Corey's sight gravitated to a girl who was about his age. She was on the training ground, diligently repeating the punch movement. He is not sure why, but he was mesmerized. Later, he found out that her name is Merve and every time he visited, he would do his best to get closer to her.

During Christmas party, more than two years ago, Corey volunteered to be a stand-in for Hansel's and Gretel's father, but he did that only because Merve was playing the mother. He is not a boy who likes to stand in limelight, and if Merve was not involved, he would definitely not go on that stage. After the play was over, Corey moved to sit at the same table with Merve and they talked, and he will never forget the way her face lights up when she smiles.

At the end of that Christmas party, there was a fireworks show and Corey noticed that Merve is chilly. He gave her his suit jacket which she didn't reject. When she returned it, Corey didn't put it on out of fear that he will wear off her scent which lingered, it was some faint sweet perfume and later he confirmed that Merve uses the same one for every fancy-occasion. Corey made sure to visit the Cliffside Villa every time he could since then and he and Merve are good friends, but he believes that it's time to take this to the next level. Well, actually, that is what his Cousin Charlie told him…

"Merve is a pretty and capable girl." Charlie told Corey seriously. "If you delay it too long, someone will snatch her, and what will you do? Will you be able to admire her from the distance while another man is holding her hand? What about when they kiss? I made a mistake with Emma by delaying and she almost slipped away… But I was lucky, and we got married and I will be a father soon. Don't count that she will stay single forever, Corey. If you like her, you need to go for it…"

And that is how Corey ended up in front of this art gallery, wearing a formal suit and one red rose in his hand. In his shaky hand. He took a deep breath and stepped inside.

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