Flirting with him

BLAIR'S POV

I woke up the next day and checked my e-mails. As expected, I had received one from Gary Kent last night.

"Hello Blair and David!

First of all, thank you both once again for your enthusiasm today at the interviews! I'm sure I chose the right people for the job.

As I already explained to you both, I'll expect you to work Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays from 6 P.M to around midnight, but these first few days I'll just be explaining my new collection from top to bottom and go over each piece that I'll want to create, so you'll be leaving earlier.

The address of my studio is: 264 Jennings Rd. 5th floor.

You don't need to bring any materials with you, only some comfortable clothes you don't mind staining (since you're painters I assume it's your entire closet ahahah).

If you have any questions please send me a text. I'll leave my phone number attached (I hate e-mails, they're so formal).

Alright, that's all I got for you guys. See you on tomorrow!

Take care!

PS: If you call me anything other than Gary (or Kent, most of my friends do) you're both fired hahhah."

I smiled as I got out from bed, excited for the day ahead. The e-mail had put me in an instant good mood. Since it was Friday, it would be my first day working with Gary at his studio. I just couldn't wait for 6 P.M. to roll around. David was the other student chosen to be Gary's assistant, so I texted him and asked if he had seen the e-mail. He sounded just as thrilled as I was. Since Gary's studio was close to the university, we agreed to meet at Durham's gate at a quarter to six and walk there together.

The rest of the day was uneventful, just boring lectures and long hours painting. Whenever I walked in the corridors, my eyes involuntarily searched for Dr Reynolds, but I never saw him. He was probably busy working in his office.

I had to fight against the temptation to go upstairs and look for him. I'd be violating rule number four a day after setting up the rules. I did say that I'd probably have difficulty following that rule though...

No Blair, he's busy, don't bother him.

A lightbulb went on in my head. Asking him if he was busy didn't actually break any rules... right?

As I took a seat at the university's cafeteria, I pulled out my phone and composed a new text. A rush of adrenaline rushed through me as I typed. It felt so risky to text him at Durham. I felt observed.

BLAIR: I have a doubt about the rules, Professor Reynolds. Would you be so kind as to enlighten me?

I waited, sipping on my coffee. My heart skipped a beat when my phone lit up after a few minutes.

DR REYNOLDS: Good afternoon to you too.

I smiled.

BLAIR: Would I be transgressing rule n°4 if I went to your office to discuss a lecture paper?

I couldn't help but smile again as I tapped in the text. I wondered if the people around me could sense my excitement.

DR REYNOLDS: Blair, I know what you're doing.

I bit my lip. I was hoping he did.

BLAIR: I'll take that as a no to my question.

I got up in a flash and went to the last floor of the Art building. Since it was still working hours, many professors were in their offices, some were chatting in the corridor, others were having a coffee by the coffee machine. I smiled to the ones I recognized.

Dr Reynolds' door was ajar when I knocked. I pushed it and peeked my head inside.

Surrounded by papers and books, Dr Reynolds and Mr Turner were both discussing something about a joint publication, a paper they were writing together. They were so engrossed in their discussion that they didn't even hear me knock.

"But Levitt's massification argument doesn't hold true when viewed in the global network model. Although art galleries apply that sales strategy, it's absolutely clear that the younger generations don't equate the value of art through its price tag." Stated Professor Reynolds, completely engrossed in his thoughts. I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about.

"Sure, there has been a shift in the way millennials consume art, but does that really apply to Sotheby's or Christies' Auction Houses? I don't think so, Felix. I think we should approach this from a different angle." Argued Mr Turner, frustrated.

I coughed, announcing my presence. The two men snapped their heads in my direction.

"Oh, Mr De Montmorency, what a surprise." Said Dr Reynolds innocently. As if he didn't know I was on my way there.

"Can I help you with something?"

I took a step forward, standing next to Mr Turner. "Yes, I actually had a question regarding last lecture's paper."

Mr Turner, reading the room, intervened: "I'll leave you two to it. I'll go over what we discussed Felix, make a few more readings on Levitt."

As he grabbed his stuff to leave, Dr Reynolds extended his hand to him. "No no, please stay. Maybe you might be able to help Blair here. The paper he's referring to is the one you co-authored in 2006 about patronage in the late Renaissance."

Mr Turner snapped his fingers, remembering the paper. Professor Reynolds looked directly at me, arms crossed, and winked.

I was absolutely mortified.

"Yes, right... Mr Turner, that's... Perfect!" I was so flustered that I lost the ability to form coherent sentences. "Thank you so much Dr Reynolds for reminding me."

"The pleasure is all mine."

Oh, I bet it is. Was this my punishment for breaking the rules?

"Go ahead dear." The smiley Mr Turner said.

My palms started to sweat, my mouth was as dry as a desert. I hadn't even read the whole paper till the end. Heck, I just used that as an excuse to see Dr Reynolds. I had to think of a question, fast. However, it couldn't be so basic that Mr Turner would think I was dumb as a door and that I didn't read his paper.

An idea popped in my head. I didn't know how convincing of a question it was, but it was the only thing I could think of under pressure. I spoke to both men:

"On the topic of patronage, one of the most famous commissions of the epoch was the Sistine Chapel, and of course, being the Catholic Church the patron, you'd assume the Pope would only want Catholic symbolism in his church, but that has not been the case." Both teachers nodded as I spoke. "Michelangelo famously used extensive pagan symbols in the chapel. Was this a case of the artist's mastery and reputation winning over the patron's preferences? It seems like the Pope, of all people, would immediately recognize pagan symbolism, so I don't think it was a question of Michelangelo fooling everyone, right?"

Mr Turner took his hand to his chin, deep in thought. I looked towards Dr Reynolds for some kind of validation. He had a look on his face that said 'not bad'.

"That's an excellent question Blair, shows that you're considering the environment in which art is created." Said Mr Turner. I shot Dr Reynolds a discreet wink. I won. "It was a common assertion of Christian apologists like Michelangelo that the 'higher' pagan religion, the religion of the philosophers—"

"The foundation of Humanism." I interjected in the middle of Mr Turner's answer. I was just showing off at this point. Dr Reynolds just stood there, biting the inside of his cheek.

"Precisely, the humanist philosophy, was much closer to Christianity than the 'superstitious' beliefs of ordinary pagans. The Church was much more open to that school of thought since it shared much of its theology. So to answer your question, no, the Pope was not fooled. Michelangelo might have had some artistic freedom, but there is no evidence that he wished to hide some secret, obscure meaning in his work."

"Huh, goes to show that the man in charge always knows what he's doing." I commented, looking directly at Dr Reynolds. I could tell he was dying to call me out, but he chose to spare me.

"Mr De Montmorency, it's my understanding that you've been chosen to assist Mr Kent in his new collection. Today is your first day, right?" Professor Reynolds said, changing the subject. Why was he saying that in front of Mr Turner?

"Have you now, Blair?" Said Mr Turner, sounding surprised. Then he turned to Dr Reynolds. "Keeping up with his readings, asking his professors questions after hours, working with up-and-coming artists... You got yourself a good student here, Dr Reynolds."

My cheeks instantly turned bright red. Was Dr Reynolds showing me off?

"I know I do." He said in a low voice. A shiver ran down my spine. "Will that be all, Mr De Montmorency?"

"Yes, that's all, thank you both. Have a good day."

I walked out of the office, closing the door softly behind me. I was disappointed that I didn't get to see Dr Reynolds in private, but at least I got to show off a little bit.

As I was waiting for the elevator, my phone vibrated. Maybe it was David saying he was already waiting for me outside. I took out my phone, a smile creeping on my lips at the sight of the name on the screen.

DR REYNOLDS: "Goes to show that the man in charge always knows what he's doing"... Clearly you should've said the man.

My heart skipped a beat.

DR REYNOLDS: Good job Blair.

My eyes bulged out of their sockets. He called me Blair.

This man was going to be the death of me.