“Hello?”
“Hello, Mrs. Burke. This is Danni.”
“Yes?”
“It seems that a meeting has been rescheduled, Derek is available after 12:30 this afternoon.”
Sophia’s smug expression couldn’t be contained. “Thank you, Danni. I look forward to seeing you and Derek then.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The line disconnected.
Glancing at the clock, Sophia realized she had three hours before she needed to be in Derek’s office. She decided to go to Palo Alto and talk to Mr. George in person. Maybe he called the wrong person. After all, who would buy three pieces of art without seeing them in person?
The Civic Center in Palo Alto was in the heart of a cafe haven. Easing her car into an available space, she contemplated stopping at one of the many shops she passed. As in Santa Clara, parts of the city gave Sophia the wonderful small town feel.
The fog that so often encased the Silicon Valley was gone, dissipated into the shining blue sky. The buildings, trees, and mountains all glowed with the spring sun. As Sophia walked along the crowded sidewalk, inhaling the fragrant aromas emanating from the coffee shops and cafes and listening to the murmurs of pedestrians, she found herself bemused by the recent turn of events. This new life wasn’t as bad as she’d made it out to be. Derek did want her here.
The revelation or epiphany came in the knowledge that he wanted her -- not some perfect wife. That support strengthened her, rejuvenating her confidence as she approached Mr. George.
Entering the small studio, she noticed the contrast in noise. The sounds from the busy street silenced as the glass doors closed to faint music, impeded only by a soft chime indicating a prospective customer. Sophia took in the white walls, indirect lighting, and lovely pieces of displayed art on canvas as well as three-dimensional pieces on podiums. At the beck and call of the protective bell, Mr. George appeared from the depths of the back rooms.
Since their initial meeting, they’d only spoken on the phone. Sophia wanted more information before she shipped her entire collection to this man.
“Oh, Mrs. Burke!” Mr. George exclaimed with perhaps too much glee.
“Mr. George, please call me Sophia.”
“Yes, Sophia. I’m so glad you came in today.” His bright smile threatened to rupture his ruddy cheeks as he positively swelled with excitement. “Did you receive my voice mail?”
So it was meant for me, she thought as she answered, “Yes, that’s why I’m here. Can we discuss this transition?”
“Most certainly, I agree it’s unusual. But I want you to know, I’ve verified the funds, although I’m unable to confirm the identity of the buyer. It’s real. Someone offered 2.3 million for all three works.”
Sophia’s bravado dissolved. She struggled for air. Her lungs collapsed, and her legs wobbled. “I’m sorry; did you just say 2.3 million?”
“Oh, didn’t I mention the amount on the message? Yes, initially the buyer asked me the price. I told him I’d need to discuss it with the artist. He didn’t want to haggle, so he offered what he believed would be the top bid.” Mr. George’s grin enlarged even more, showing his too white, too perfect teeth, and the pink gums above. “I think he succeeded. However, I still told him I’d need to discuss it with you. Of course, the studio collects fifteen percent. The rest is yours.”
Before her legs gave out entirely, Sophia found an empty chair. Her mind subconsciously computed the math, while her lips fought diligently to speak, “Mr. George, I’m going to talk to my husband, soon. I’ll be getting those works for you as soon as I can.” One million nine hundred and fifty thousand dollars! “I just don’t know about my entire collection. I don’t want to close my Provincetown studio.”
The two of them discussed the possibilities and opportunities. They decided upon a sampling of her works on display in Palo Alto, with the entire collection available online. If this buyer or another wanted one of the works still in Provincetown and were willing to pay appropriately, Sophia would return to Massachusetts.
An hour later, Sophia entered Derek’s office. As her long gauze skirt brushed the tops of her feet and her high heeled sandals clicked the marble floor of his private reception area, Sophia chose to ignore Danni’s looks and innuendos. Her mood was too high to worry about the immaculately dressed PA or the plush surroundings. She casually walked past the pretty blonde without speaking and stepped into Derek’s regal office. Brazenly, she wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck and kissed his parted lips. Before she could introduce her tongue teasingly into his willing mouth, Sophia realized Danni followed her into Derek’s office.
They both turned to see her standing in the doorway. Before Derek had the chance to recover from his wife’s licentious greeting, Sophia took the liberty of dismissing his assistant, “That’ll be all, Danni. Please close the door on your way out.”
Danni looked questionably at Derek, who smiled uncontrollably, barely able to take his eyes away from the spirit filled woman who’d just fallen into his lap. Finally, he glanced toward his PA and confirmed Sophia’s wishes, “Yes, Danni, and please hold my calls.”
Danni’s incredulous expression as she backed out of the office and closed the door added to Sophia’s euphoria.
“My, my, Mrs. Burke,” Derek managed between kisses, “To what do I owe this lascivious reception?”
She explained the unbelievable procurement of three of her oil paintings. Derek stared, open mouthed, when she disclosed the bid. Eventually, he found his voice, “Wow, Baby! I love your work, but I’m shocked at that amount of money.”
Sophia pouted, more in jest than reality, “What? Don’t you think they’re worth it?”
He immediately pulled her against his chest and spun her around in his large leather chair. Sophia curled her legs into his lap and threw her head back, allowing her long hair to fan out and fall over his shoulder as his office became a blur. Leaning his mouth to her exposed neck he breathily whispered, “I think they’re worth ten times that! But, if you’re willing to part with them for a measly 2.3 million, I guess that’s your prerogative.” His lips connected her warm sensitive neck, immediately instigating purrs from the depth of her throat.
When his lips slowed, Sophia pulled away and made eye contact. Looking suddenly serious, she went on, “There is a problem. The buyer wants them yesterday. I need to fly to Provincetown and ship them back here. Mr. George also wants me to ship some other works to put on display and photograph the rest of my collection. It’ll take me days to get them all packaged for mailing.”
“That dinner for Shedis-tics is Friday. Will you be back by then?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t think so.” She looked passively into his soft brown eyes, “If you want me to wait, I can ask Mr. George to contact the buyer, have him contact the mystery person, and see if it can wait.” Sophia watched through seductive lashes as Derek’s expression changed before her eyes. She saw pride, disappointment, indecision, and resolution.
Eventually his light brown eyes glimmered as his cheeks rose in conjunction with the tips of his lips. “You know, when Shedis-tics asked me come out here early, they promised me some time off. How about, I travel with you? If we work together, we can package your art much faster. We might even make it back for this big dinner thing. I’m not sure why, but they really want me there.”