Chapter 4

One week had passed since the occurrence of that absolute, waking nightmare. During those seven long and lonely days, I did not permit myself to leave the confines of my condominium unit even once. I simply allowed the polished floor to be cluttered and covered with messy, discarded sketchpads and pieces of charcoal. I chose to focus all my remaining energy on the creation of more paintings, pouring every ounce of my frustration and heartbreak into the blank canvases until they were filled with color and pain.

I decided to call my manager, Mr. Sanchez. I told him very clearly that I needed a new exhibit immediately. I did not want it to be held in the small, quaint gallery I had used previously for my past work. Instead, I wanted it at the prestigious Metropolitan Art Hall. That is the exclusive place where only the elite members of high society and the wealthiest patrons of the arts are allowed to enter.

"Primrose, are you truly sure about this sudden decision? Don't you think you need to take a rest first because you and Xavier just broke up only last week?" Mr. Sanchez asked me with a great deal of concern evident over the telephone line.

"I am completely sure, Mr. Sanchez. I will not stop my world or my career just for the sake of a man who did not value me. Just prepare the venue and the invitations," I answered firmly while wiping a fresh smudge of dark paint from my cheek.

Mr. Sanchez did not argue with me further. He knew my personality well enough to know that once I made a firm decision, nothing in the world could stop me from achieving it. For several busy days, everyone involved became very occupied with the intense preparations for the big night.

The night of the exhibition finally arrived. The entire Metropolitan Art Hall was filled with the heavy, sweet scent of expensive flowers and the lingering aroma of designer perfumes. The lights were intentionally dimmed and lowered to focus the full attention of the gathered people on the various paintings hanging on the pristine white walls. For this occasion, I wore a midnight blue silk gown. It was simple in its design, but it fit very tightly against the curves of my body. I wore no jewelry at all, except for a single thin gold necklace.

"Bestie, there are so many people here tonight. All of them are looking directly at you. Who knows, maybe your future boyfriend is already standing somewhere in this crowd. I heard those men are all powerful and wealthy businessmen," Luisa whispered excitedly beside me while holding a chilled glass of expensive champagne.

I laughed softly at her enthusiasm.

"You are always full of nonsense and silly ideas," I replied while scanning the elegant surroundings.

Many people approached me throughout the evening to offer their greetings and congratulations. Some of them were well-known and respected art collectors, while some were merely gossips who just wanted to see if I looked broken after the breakup. But I remained smiling, professional, and calm.

Until the large, heavy doors of the hall opened wide.

The surroundings became suddenly quiet as a hush fell over the room. A man entered the hall accompanied by four tall, stern bodyguards. He wore a sharp charcoal gray suit that was clearly made by a world-famous designer. His posture was perfectly straight, and every single step he took carried a deep sense of power and authority.

I almost dropped the crystal wine glass I was holding in my hand. My entire body froze instantly, and I felt my heart begin to beat very fast and very loudly.

That is the guy I slept with!

That is the man I slapped across the face because of my extreme drunkenness that night. The man I had mistakenly identified as Xavier. The man who was with me in that hotel room until the early hours of the dawn before I fled and left him with nothing but three thousand pesos.

I immediately turned my back to him to hide my face from his view. I faced the wall and pretended to be deeply interested in looking at my own painting.

"Prim, what is the problem? Why did you suddenly turn around like that?" Luisa asked me, sounding very confused by my behavior.

"Do not be noisy, Luisa. Whatever you do, do not look at the entrance," I whispered urgently to her.

"Why? Who is that man?" she asked, already turning her head toward the entrance.

I just closed my eyes in frustration. I had specifically told her not to look.

"Just because. Do not point at me or draw attention to us," I said.

I tried to walk slowly and inconspicuously away from the direction of the entrance. I wanted to hide in a dark corner or perhaps retreat into the bathroom to avoid a confrontation. But it was already too late because I heard the loud voice of Mr. Sanchez calling out my name.

"Ms. Primrose! Please come here, I want to introduce someone very important to you," Mr. Sanchez called out loudly, his voice echoing in the hall.

I closed my eyes in deep annoyance and regret. I could do nothing now but face the awkward situation. I slowly turned around and walked toward them with a fake smile. Mr. Sanchez was standing proudly beside that man. As I got closer and closer, I saw the gradual change of expression on the man's face.

His dark brown eyes narrowed significantly while he was looking at me. He scanned me from my hair, down to my face, and all the way down to my silk gown. I clearly saw the spark of recognition in his eyes.

"Mr. Castellano, I would like to introduce to you the talented artist behind all these masterpieces. This is Ms. Primrose Zobel," Mr. Sanchez introduced us with a wide, oblivious smile.

Castellano? Do not tell me he is a relative of Xavier? But Xavier had always told me he had no relatives nearby. It is impossible for this man to be his father, I thought.

I looked at the man and forced myself to remain composed, trying hard not to show any sign of my internal nervousness.

"Good evening, Sir."

The man remained completely silent for several long seconds. The sheer weight of his intense gaze was enough to make me break out in a sweat even though the air conditioning inside the hall was set to a cold temperature.

"So, you are the famous Primrose Zobel."

"Yes, Sir," I answered while looking only at the fabric of his suit, refusing to meet his eyes.

"Primrose, this is Mr. Lysander Gray Castellano. He is the powerful owner of the Castellano Group of Companies. It is a very big honor for us that he decided to be here today," Mr. Sanchez added, seemingly not noticing the thick tension between the two of us.

Lysander Gray Castellano?! THE LYSANDER GRAY CASTELLANO?!

The father of Xavier. I swallowed hard as the realization hit me like a physical blow. The man I was with at the bar and in that hotel room was the actual father of the man who had cheated on me and broken my heart.

"Mr. Sanchez, can you leave me and your artist alone for a moment? I would like to discuss some specific details about her various works by ourselves," Lysander ordered firmly.

No, Mr. Sanchez, please do not leave me here alone with him!

"Of course, Mr. Castellano! Primrose, you take care of our honored guest," Mr. Sanchez said before quickly walking away to greet other visitors.

The two of us were left standing alone in front of a large painting of a lonely woman sitting in the middle of a rainstorm. I could feel his heavy presence standing right beside me. I could smell his masculine scent which was a mix of sandalwood and expensive leather.

"I did not expect to see you here of all places," Lysander started once he was absolutely sure no one else in the room was listening to our conversation.

"I did not expect to see you either, Mr. Castellano," I answered while keeping my eyes fixed on the painting.

"You know, three thousand pesos is a very small tip considering you earn many millions with your professional paintings," he said with a clear hint of mockery and amusement in his deep voice.

"I was very drunk that night. I truly did not know what I was doing or who I was with," I said in my own defense.

"Really? Because when we were inside that hotel room together, you seemed to know exactly what you were doing," he replied smoothly.

I finally faced him with a hint of genuine annoyance.

"Can we just talk about my paintings and the art? You are here for the exhibit, not for what happened on that night."

He smirked slightly at my outburst. It was a small, knowing smirk as if he was being highly entertained by my defensive reaction.

"I want to buy every single one of your paintings that are displayed here tonight. Just name the price."

"All of them?" I asked in total surprise.

"All. And I want to move them all to my private estate immediately. I want to have a private collection of your work," Lysander said while staring intently into my eyes. "I believe we have much to discuss regarding the specific terms of our new agreement, Ms. Zobel. Including the personal debt you still have with me."

I swallowed hard again. I knew he was not just referring to the money I had left him.

"We can discuss the business details in the office of Mr. Sanchez tomorrow," I tried to avoid him.

"No. I prefer a much more private setting for our talk. Dinner, perhaps?" he asked. However, this was not a polite invitation; it was a direct order. "My personal driver will pick you up at your place tomorrow night. Do not be late."

He turned his back to me and walked away toward the exit with his bodyguards before I could even formulate an answer. I was left standing there alone while watching his broad back disappear through the doors.

It seems that fate is finally favoring me after all. I no longer need to go out and search for his father because his father found me on his own.

Now that I see him in person and in the light, he really looks quite young, almost like a bachelor. It is such a good deal. He is probably just inviting me to dinner to tease me about our past encounter, but I am going there to perform my long-time plan of seducing him.

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