Ava packed several of her clothes into her third suitcase. She couldn't be too careful. She had called Ethan last night. At first, she only wanted to inform him that she was postponing the project for a bit, but somehow, she ended up making it sound as if she were asking for his permission. She wasn't sure why, but it left her feeling guilty.
A few days ago, Leo had asked her to accompany him during race week in Barcelona. She hesitated, torn between leaving her work behind and spending time with him. But Leo had reassured her—it was only a week. In the end, she reluctantly agreed.
She glanced at her phone, checking for any missed calls from Mr. Rodrigo. She had requested to reclaim her fifteen paintings from his possession a few days ago, but he had asked for time to make arrangements. Still, she didn't want him calling while she was in Barcelona. She wasn't ready to introduce herself as Stars to Leo. Not yet.
To distract herself, she tidied up her drafting desk. An hour later, her phone buzzed with a message from Mr. Rodrigo.
> Javier Rodrigo: Are you free to talk?
She immediately called him back.
Ava: "Hi! I've been waiting for your call. What took you so long?"
Javier: "Miss Ava. I apologize for not contacting you sooner. I had to make a few calls and weigh my options."
Ava: "Options? Ohh.. You're not interested in my paintings anymore?"
Javier: "What?! Of course, we are! They're the most priceless pieces we've ever owned, Miss Sinclair. Your work is the reason our auction house has become so rare and exclusive."
Ava: "Oh, good. You scared me for a second. So, when will you arrange for transport? I'm leaving the country tomorrow for a week. Can you adjust the timing?"
Javier: "Yes, of course. How about this evening? I'll send a couple of my staff over. Would that work for you?"
Ava: "Yeah, that would be much better. Just call me an hour before you arrive."
Javier: "Of course, Miss Ava."
She hung up and walked toward her secret room. Her gaze swept over the fifteen paintings—her babies. Each one was a masterpiece, a piece of her soul captured on canvas.
Every brushstroke carried her emotions, frozen in time. She ran her fingers over them, mentally listing each one:
"Shattered Reflection" – A self-portrait with broken mirror fragments, symbolizing her struggle with self-worth and the contrast between how others saw her versus how she saw herself.
"Waves of Fate" – A seascape painted with real water from a particular shore, representing her existential questions about purpose and destiny.
"Caged Symphony" – A bird with its wings spread but trapped in golden wires, embodying her suffocation under family expectations.
"Vermillion Whisper" – A dark, fiery canvas depicting betrayal, inspired by the heartbreak of her ex-boyfriend's infidelity.
"Scarlet Umbrella" – A small girl standing beneath a bright red umbrella in the rain, a reflection of her childhood self, shielding against emotional pain.
"Hands of Time" – Two hands reaching for each other but never touching, symbolizing missed chances and lost connections.
"Celestial Echo" – A night sky speckled with golden stars, a representation of Celeste Nocturne and the heavy burden of keeping her identity secret.
"The Door" – A simple wooden door left slightly ajar, a sliver of bright light peeking through, signifying the uncertainty of her future.
"Winter's Embrace" – A frozen landscape covered in ice and snow, capturing her moments of emotional detachment.
"Neon Mirage" – A blurred cityscape, its people faceless, illustrating her isolation despite being surrounded by crowds.
"Burnt Petals" – A rose engulfed in flames, symbolizing passion, pain, and the rebirth that comes after heartbreak.
"Silent Screams" – A figure with no mouth, conveying the frustration of feeling unheard.
"Unfinished Symphony" – A canvas with fragmented music notes, floating but incomplete, representing unfulfilled dreams and lingering emotions.
"Rescue in Time" – A dense green forest with a lone figure in the center, dedicated to her father and the work he did before he passed away.
"Renaissance" – The final piece. A self-portrait of herself painting under a warm, golden light, symbolizing growth, acceptance, and rebirth.
Ava exhaled deeply, brushing her fingertips over the edges of the canvases. This wasn't just art. This was her.
Ava took pictures of each painting, a task that took her nearly two hours. Just as she finished, the doorbell rang. She glanced at the security camera and saw Mr. Rodrigo standing outside with two men. She opened the door and greeted him.
"Ah, Miss Sinclair, very nice to meet again," Javier Rodrigo said, stepping inside and shaking her hand.
"Come this way," she said, leading them toward her secret room.
As Javier stepped inside, he froze. His eyes widened as he took in the collection before him. "This.. this.. this is… better than I ever imagined," he murmured, covering his mouth with his hand. "Truly magnificent."
Ava smiled, though her chest felt heavy. She gazed at the paintings, her babies. Everyone had something they turned to when emotions became overwhelming. For her, each stroke on these canvases was an extension of herself, her feelings laid bare. Letting them go wasn't easy. But it was time to start a new chapter.
"So, should I wait for the auction as usual, Mr. Rodrigo?" she asked.
Javier hesitated, biting his lip. "Well, that's why I wanted to talk to you. We're not going to auction them like before," he said carefully.
Ava frowned. "What do you mean?"
"We've been discussing it, and given your anonymity and the fact that your paintings have become highly sought after we've decided to hold an exhibition instead," Javier explained.
Ava's eyes widened. "An exhibition? What happens if people start asking about the artist? And who are you planning to invite?" She wasn't just concerned about exposure, she was worried about Leo finding out. She had no idea how he would react. Would he be okay with it? Or would he be furious?
"We will be sending out exclusive invitations to VVIPs, VIPs, and anyone who has previously purchased or owns a piece from your collection," Javier said. "It's going to be the biggest exhibition of the year."
Ava swallowed hard. This was huge.
No—this was more than huge.
How much longer could she keep her identity a secret?