Chapter 31: Final Painting
"Attention, everyone," Nick said to the crowd. "We are now at the last painting. After this, I will answer a few questions you all have about either my paintings, my life at work, or my personal life."
Nick pulled off the sheet covering his painting, and cameras immediately began snapping pictures.
I blushed as people began looking at the picture and at me.
"As you can clearly see, this is a painting of Sage, the woman standing next to me. This was the only painting I painted this year, and I know that if it wasn't for this lady, I wouldn't even look at a paint brush again," Nick announced. "The painting is representative of many things, but to me, the most important thing it represents is the love I share with Sage. Now that you've all seen the last painting of the night, you may prose questions."
A bunch of people raised their hands.
"You, in the pink blouse," Nick called on.
"For years, you've been affiliated with the mafia. Are you still a part of the group?" the lady asked.
"Yes," Nick answered.
"But his affiliation never affects his work at Marcello & Brick," I added.
"Next question," Nick directed, and people once again rose their hands. "Maroon shirt."
"Is it true that you haven't completed college as yet?" the second lady asked.
"Yes," Nick answered.
"So you don't have a business certificate or anything, correct?" the second lady asked.
"Correct," Nick answered. "I was taught business principles from a very young age. I used to also help my father, during my teenage years, make business decisions. I've studied business books for years, and have passed all business tests with a 98% and higher. I also received private business lessons and interned at business firms. If you're trying to question my credibility as the President of Marcello & Brick, I'll let you know that I was offered my father's position as a partner. I chose a less powerful hand in the company. Next question."
"The guy in the orange pants," I called on.
"Are you and Mr. Carter just workers at the firm?" the guy asked.
"No, we're friends as well," I answered.
"I meant beyond friends," the guy clarified.
"Sage and I were dating before either one of us began working at the firm. When we both started working at the firm, we were only friends. It wasn't until a month after our employment when we started dating again," Nick answered.
"And your current relationship status?" the guy asked.
"We're both....single," Nick answered.
"But we're working on getting back together," I added.
"We might possibly get married," Nick added. "Next question."
"Purple hair," I called on.
"Before Sage, what was your inspiration for painting?" the lady asked.
"My mother," Nick answered. "We always got to bond really well whenever we did. It was a hobby we both shared."
"Polka dots," I called on.
"Mr. Carter, what are your goals for the company?" the guy in the polka dots tie asked.
"I want to make the company bigger by establishing more across the country. By next year, I plan to have a Marcello & Brick set up in New York, California, and Florida. Next, I plan to make the company international. In maybe three to five years, there will be a Marcello & Brick in London, Paris, China, and Dubai," Nick answered. "Next question."
"Orange hair," I called on.
"Will you, Mr. Carter, be selling any of the paintings showcased today?" the lady asked.
"No, but I will create more paintings, when I have time, that I'll auction off. The money earned will be invested in the company and the town and city hospital and schools," Nick answered. "Next question."
"Black lipstick," I called on.
"How was it like for the both of you when you lost your families?" the woman asked.
How did she even know about my family?
"How do you think it was?" Nick asked.
"How did you cope with it, I meant. I just lost my grandmother, but you both lost multiple persons, yet you both seem to be doing well," the woman clarified.
"I don't think you ever get over it. You only get used to not having them there. You know that you still have responsibilities that have to be met, so you work towards those responsibilities," Nick answered.
"You definetly still think about those you've lost, though. It doesn't get easier to not miss them or to not thijnk about them. Time waits on no one, so you just have to move on with your life and use those memories and that hurt you feel to make you stronger," I added.
"And there are people out there that can relate to what you feel. Whether you find them or they find you, you make each other stronger," Nick concluded, and I just knew that last part was about meeting me.
"Next question, " I called out. "Rose gold dress."
"How do you feel about Mr. Carter being in the mafia?" the woman asked.
"I don't approve of it," I answered truthfully.
"But if you get married, won't you be married into it?" the lady asked.
I had forgotten about that.
"Uh...yes," I nodded.
"So you are okay with being in the mafia?" the lady asked.
"No," I shook my head. "Nick and I are working through the complications. That's why we're currently apart."
"Didn't a member of the mafia kill your brother?" someone shouted.
I felt attacked.
"You can't be professional and have gang affiliations," someone else shouted.
"I was robbed by one of your men," another person shouted.
"Your brother killed my dad," another person shouted.
"Your company made my dad poor," another person shouted, and pretty soon, the place became chaotic.
People were yelling and arguing, and everything just seemed to be falling apart.
I looked at Nick, who appeared unfazed by the scenery.
He lifted his blazer and took a gun out of his pants. He fired the gun at the ceiling, and people immediately crouched in fear.
"Now that I'm in charge of both the company and the mafia, things will go down differently. I don't care what happened in the past, only what will happen in the future. I can't help but be affiliated with the mafia, but what I won't do is accept the blame for things I didn't do. A revolution is in process. There will be no more questions for the night. Everyone get out," Nick said authoritatively.
People stood up and made their way out the building. I, on the other hand, stayed behind with Nick.
"Well, that went south," I sighed.
"I think it went perfectly," he replied, causing me to frown.
"How was that perfect?" I asked.
"I gave them enough information to keep them interested," he smirked, and I couldn't fight the smile threatening to show on my face. "Let's go."
"Can we go to my house instead?" I asked. "I have to finish packing."
"Sure," he nodded, but there was a hint of disappointment that ran through his eyes.