Chapter 55: Blessing In Disguise

Camille stepped out of a nearby café, her long, curly-red hair tied in a ponytail.

Previously at her studio, she had stepped out an hour ago to get some fresh air and unwind before closing the establishment for the day and heading home.

Which was why she was currently dressed in her painter’s whites, smudges of paint on her hair and cheeks as she quietly hummed whilst making her way back to her studio with a small box of hot chocolates to go in her hand.

Just before she reached the door to her gallery, she noticed a sleek, red Toyota parked nearby... a vehicle she hadn’t seen an hour ago when she’d stepped out.

Given how quiet the streets typically also tended to be around these parts, and how well she knew the regulars who visited her studio, she couldn’t help but tilt her head in mild curiosity.

More so because it was already inching into late evening and most of her regulars were aware she closed her gallery by 6:00pm prompt.

Shrugging it off though, she simply made her way in, her steps coming to a stop before the counter in the corner.

"For you, Lois," she handed over one of the cups to her receptionist who couldn’t help but beam in appreciation.

"Aww. You didn’t have to. Thanks, Camille." the young lady whose short, black hair was styled in a taper fade pixie cut received the drink with a warm smile.

"Don’t mention it." Camille reciprocated to which she then asked, her thumb gesturing behind;

"New client?"

"I’d say aesthete. Probably a tourist." Lois tilted her head in response.

"Told him we’ll be closing soon though, and he said that’s fine since he wasn’t planning to stay for long." the lady expatiated.

Then she took a sip out of her cup, her eyes mischievous.

"Did I mention that he’s also very handsome. Might just be your chance to score a hot date." she arched a teasing brow in Camille’s direction.

Rolling her eyes in dismissive amusement, the red-haired lady remarked in response;

"Yeah, no. I don’t roll like that."

Then she waved the lady goodbye;

"I’ll see you tomorrow, Lois."

"You too, Camille." the lady reciprocated as she began to pack her stuff in preparation to get off work soon.

Walking into the gallery after that, her carribean-blues took in the sight of the few art connoisseurs and aesthetes hanging about as they stared at various pieces of her work in interest.

The room itself was just the right size. Not too big, but also, not too small.

The floors were wooden and polished and the faint scent of paint and varnish lingered in the air, with several paintings hung on the walls, each one seemingly telling a story of its own.

The large windows also allowed for natural light to filter in, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere even in the mid-evening glow.

In addition to that, a few minimalist benches were also placed around the room to offer a seat for those interested in contemplating over any painting they found worth doing so for.

At the moment, her two attendants stood with different individuals, responding to their curious questions and sometimes, providing interesting details on the pieces themselves.

Upon noticing their boss though, she raised the box in her hand in a gesture to which both attendants gave thankful nods.

To that effect, she placed their cups of hot chocolate on a bench in the corner, and opted to quietly leave for her studio in the back where she painted to change her clothes, grab the rest of her stuff and leave for the day through its backdoor.

However, just before she did, her eyes caught sight of a familiar frame standing before a particular painting, an intrigued light in his eyes.

Moving towards him as a warm smile touched her lips, she soon stood next to him, her head tilted slightly as she quietly remarked;

"Fancy seeing you here, cowboy. So, you’re the handsome tourist Lois mentioned..."

"You know, I’m actually surprised you’re not asking if I want to buy the painting instead first," Niall, not the least bit surprised that he ran into her, arched an amused brow in response.

"Well do you, sugah?" Camille immediately followed up in her southern accent, a sweet smile on her lips.

"Aaannnd, there she is. That’s the shameless businesswoman I know," Niall quietly chuckled to which the lady’s smile morphed into a lovely grin.

"But yeah, I think I’ll have this." he then said, a genuinely intrigued expression on his features.

For so long, Niall hadn’t actually been chanced to explore why people could stare at paintings for hours on end.

However, upon walking into the gallery today, he could finally see why.

Right before him was a painting of a dirty, haggard-looking elderly man walking into a posh house, a warm, relieved and equally grateful smile lingering on his lips as he held his beret in his hands.

Yet, peeking out from a corner were three different maids, one old, one middle-aged and one young. Each, respectively, had a different reaction to the man’s presence; stunned, curious and wary.

In addition to them was another elderly woman in the frame walking down the stairs. A stunned look was also on her features while her kids, presumably in their tweens, peeked out from behind their mother with confusion etched on their features.

Though at first one might not assume much of the piece, it was the anecdotes in it that had Niall mesmerized.

Afterall, despite the overall theme that the man in fact didn’t belong in the house, the realization upon careful observation proved otherwise.

The man in fact did belong there, the proof being the shared ring on he and the elderly woman’s hand, the faint insignia on his beret, and the grateful smile on his lips, all of which hinted that he had successfully survived and came back from a war he probably shouldn’t have, hence the varying reactions.

The oldest maid knew him, as did the wife, but the younger maids and his kids didn’t... presumably because they never got to know him since he got drafted at a pretty young age.

"I’m very proud of that one, I’ll admit," Camille gazed at the painting with brimming pride.

"I named it, ’A Familiar Stranger’." she added with a sweet smile.

"And you have every right to be. It’s a great work of art." Niall acknowledged with a genuine smile.

Following that, Niall and Camille simply stared at the piece, a shared warmth and a comfortable silence settling between them.

A couple minutes later, Niall broke the silence and said;

"Well, I’d best be on my way. Told my parents I’d be home before nightfall. About the painting though..."

"You can take it along. We can have the financial deets sorted out tomorrow." Camille explained as she gestured to one of her attendants to have the piece packaged.

Then she curiously asked;

"I presume the car out’s a rental of yours?"

"Yep." Niall casually replied, and then asked, his tone equally curious;

"Why’d you ask?"

"Well," Camille began.

"My truck’s gone bust so it’s currently at the auto-shop," she continued.

"I was hoping I could get a ride from you instead of calling for an uber..." she placed her hands on her hips, one of her brows arched in a polite request.

"Be my guest." Niall simply responded, his smile inviting.

"Thank you!" Camille beamed at him in appreciation and then said;

"But first,"

"I need to change." she gestured at her paint-smudged self and quickly made her way into her studio.

At the same time, the attendant whom had packaged the piece walked up to Niall and asked where he should move it to.

Appreciating the gesture, Niall led him to his vehicle where they placed it on the backseat.

Exiting through the backdoor a couple minutes later, Camille got into the vehicle and Niall promptly began the drive home.

"So, before I drill you regarding the books, and also how you’re capable of singing atop your many talents," the lady began, her grin playful as she poked his shoulders gently.

"How have things actually being these past couple months? You know, following the entire hit piece thingy." she asked, her tone genuinely concerned.

To that, Niall chuckled to which he then glanced over to her and said;

"Would you believe me if I told you, that it has actually been great?"

"Really?" she inquired, a look of relief on her features as a curious light danced in her carribbean-blue irises.

"Yeah. What happened has to have been a blessing in disguise of some sort, if I’m being honest." the young man nodded in affirmation, a light smile on his lips;

"Afterall, I got to act in a movie I wrote, got to make and perform a bunch of great songs with a bunch of great people, and also got around to finishing my second book."

"And now, I’m here, on my way home to spend the rest of the year and festivities with my parents. If that isn’t a blessing, I don’t know what is." Niall smiled to himself, his cool-gray irises warm.

Seeing and hearing him speak, Camille couldn’t help but feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

Sure, she was aware of what exactly she was feeling but she didn’t feel the need to act on it anytime soon, even despite the limited time she had.

That would just make everyone needlessly sad and unhappy when she inevitably left.

Maybe that was also why she soon became lost in her thoughts as Niall kept speaking.

It also didn’t help that her mouth had equally moved far faster than her brain could process when Niall casually asked what she had been up to these past few months;

"Oh, you know. Battling with stage III pancreatic cancer."

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/Caer07