UNSEEN TALENT

“Mum is calling,” Aiden announced to Rowan.

“What the hell?” Rowan exhaled, brushing a hand through his hair.

Aiden took a deep breath before answering the call.

“Aiden, have you both reached?” Mrs. Hale asked.

Aiden swallowed hard, torn between telling the truth or lying.

“Yes… we just got in,” he finally said.

“Oh God, I totally forgot the meeting with the Rodriguezs was today. I need you both to do a great job as usual, and I’ll be expecting to hear great news,” she added.

Aiden stayed silent.

“I'll let you prepare. See you soon,” she added before the line went dead.

“She hasn’t heard the news,” Aiden said as they walked into the company.

Heads turned as voices greeted them, but their minds were too far away to listen. They reached the elevator as Anna ran to join them, the door slid open with a soft ding, and they stepped in. 

The elevator began to rise. Aiden's jaw stayed clenched while Rowan stared at the glowing numbers above the door, each passing floor ticking like a countdown. When it stopped on Aiden’s floor, Rowan stepped out with him and turned to Anna.

“I’ll be there shortly,” he said, as the doors closed.

They walked to Aiden’s office.

Aiden dropped his briefcase on the desk and opened it, pulling out his laptop; the one decorated with Mrs. Ray, the bestselling writer in California. He slipped on his medicated glasses, the ones he wore whenever he stared at screens for too long.

“Don’t tell me it’s what I’m thinking, Aiden,” Rowan said. “This isn’t the right time. I followed you here so we could think of a way to fix this!”

“How do we fix it?”. Aiden snapped softly. “We don't have another collection. If the Rodriguezs don’t like what we have, then let them go.”

“Seriously? You’re crazy. How do we break this news to Mum?” Rowan said, pulling Aiden back.

“The last thing I want to do… is fail Mum”. Aiden said quietly. “We promised her. Three years of devotion and discipline in her company, and we've never disappointed her”. 

He sighed.

“But those proud, egoistic Rodriguezs are never satisfied. They treat us like they’re doing us a favor. I say let them go,” Aiden added.

“Aiden… What are you saying? I know you’re saying this so I'll leave you alone to write your fantasy and erotic stories…” He suddenly paused, realization striking him.

“Today’s Wednesday. Your writing session begins. You should’ve told me earlier instead of dragging me down here,” Rowan said as he headed for the door, then turned back at Aiden.

“When you’re done, come see me in my office,” he said before shutting the door behind him.

Aiden fixed his eyes on his laptop and began typing.

*Five hours later*

Aiden rose to his feet and walked out of his office toward the elevator and over to Rowan’s office.

He creaked the door open and saw Rowan focused on his screen.

“Hey, man. Any news?” Aiden asked as he stepped in.

“I guess you’ve written a solution?” Rowan replied without looking up.

“Well, I think we just need to break the news to Mum,” Aiden suggested.

Rowan finally met his gaze. “Are you serious? Mum doesn’t joke with business. She trusts us.” Rowan spat.

“And I know all of that,” Aiden replied. “But there's nothing else we can do.” 

“We’ve never failed before. This would just be our first,” Aiden added gently.

Rowan stayed silent, then glanced at the time. 

“Four p.m. If we're breaking the news, we should head home early. We need to explain to her ourselves before the Rodriguezs do,” Rowan suggested. Aiden nodded in agreement.

“I’ll join you in a minute,” Aiden said, making his way out while Rowan grabbed his laptop and headed out.

Aiden placed his writing laptop into his briefcase, locked it, and followed. He joined Rowan, and they slid into the car and drove off.

Minutes later, they got home and drove in. Rowan stepped down while Aiden parked in the lot.

Aiden stepped out, and together they made their way in.

“I hope that bastard is gone already,” Rowan muttered.

Aiden opened the door and they went in. No one was in the living room.

“He’s gone,” Aiden announced, though Rowan had already noticed.

“Better,” Rowan muttered as relief washed over Rowan's face.

“Give me a minute. I need to drop this suitcase before we go see Mum,” Aiden said, heading upstairs.

In his room, he placed the suitcase on the table, and turned to leave when he heard a voice singing.

He paused and listened carefully. It was a soft masculine voice floating through the hallway. He followed the sound to the room next to his.

“Who’s in the guest room? Mum didn’t mention a guest,” he whispered.

He walked closer to the door, opened it gently and slowly, and peeped in.

His breath hitched.

Kai stood painting on a board, obviously Rowan’s. He wore a white singlet and blue shorts with Rowan’s paint apron tied around his waist. Bandages wrapped parts of his arms and shoulder. A brush moved smoothly in his hand as he sang softly, his voice calm and warm.

“He hasn’t gone…” Aiden muttered.

“Hey there,” Kai said gently, catching his half-hidden face in the doorway.

Aiden froze, eyes widening as his legs trembled.

“How did he know I was watching?” he asked himself.

“Come in. You can join me,” Kai said with a gentle smile. 

Aiden forced himself forward.

He stopped beside the board and lost his breath at Kai’s painting: a glowing beach at sunset; soft golden sand, turquoise waves kissing the shore, palm trees swaying under a lavender sky, and the sunlight melting into the sea.

“You… you drew this?” Aiden asked.

“Yes,” Kai replied calmly. He walked to the wardrobe, reached for a corner and lifted another canvas.

“And this one too,” Kai added, presenting it to Aiden, who gasped.

“Holy moly!” he exclaimed. “You drew this?” His voice was louder this time.

The second painting showed a white skinned model standing under studio lights, dressed in a bold modern gown; silky silver fabric hugging her waist, flowing into soft layered curves. Diamonds rested on her collarbone, her hair styled into elegant waves, eyes sharp with confidence. 

“This style is breathtaking,” Aiden muttered, an idea suddenly striking him.

“What if the Rodriguezs love this?” he thought.

Suddenly, the door burst open as Rowan stomped in.

“What’s wrong with…” He paused as he eyes locked onto Kai, then the apron, then the brush. 

Rowan's jaw tightened, his fingers curled slowly at his sides, his fist drew tight with restrained anger. His leather watch creaked under pressure as he walked toward Kai.