A Brush with Shadows

The streets of New York had never felt so alive to Kai Lennox. The constant hum of traffic, the chatter of passersby, the faint scent of street food mingling with the occasional whiff of garbage—it was chaotic and imperfect, but to a twenty-two-year-old fresh out of art school, it was perfect.

He sat in a small booth in the back of a dingy gallery, nursing a lukewarm cup of coffee as he waited for the owner to finish tallying the sales from his first group showing. He had no illusions about becoming famous overnight; half the patrons who’d come through were there for the free wine, not the art. But he’d sold two pieces tonight—actual sales to actual buyers. That was more than he’d dared to hope for.

“Keep this up, and you might just make it,” Jordan had teased earlier that night. His older brother had been there from the start, standing by Kai’s work and praising it like a proud parent. Jordan had always been the practical one, working two jobs to keep them afloat while Kai chased his dreams.

Kai smiled to himself, swirling the dregs of his coffee. He could already hear Jordan’s voice in his head when he got home: “See? Told you someone would buy the one with all the blue swirls.”

“Mr. Lennox?”

Kai looked up, startled out of his thoughts. A man stood before him, tall and impeccably dressed in a tailored black suit. His dark hair was slicked back, and his sharp features were softened only by the slight smile on his lips.

“Yes?” Kai asked hesitantly.

“I hope I’m not intruding,” the man said, extending a hand. “My name is Damon Vega. I’m a collector—and a great admirer of your work.”

Kai blinked, stunned. Collectors didn’t usually frequent small, struggling galleries like this.

“Oh,” he stammered, shaking Damon’s hand. “Thank you. That’s… that’s very kind of you.”

Damon’s smile widened, his dark eyes sparkling with a mixture of charm and something deeper—something that made Kai’s skin prickle.

“I’ve been following the local scene for years,” Damon said smoothly. “And tonight, your work stood out. There’s a rawness to it, a passion. It’s rare to see something so unpolished yet captivating.”

Kai flushed, unsure whether to feel flattered or embarrassed.

Damon gestured toward the seat across from him. “May I?”

“Y-Yes, of course,” Kai said quickly, his heart pounding as the man sat down.

Damon leaned back in his chair, studying Kai with a keen, almost predatory gaze. “I’m surprised you’re not represented by a gallery yet.”

“I’ve only just started showing,” Kai admitted, trying to keep his tone casual. “Most places want a bigger portfolio.”

“That’s a shame,” Damon said, shaking his head. “Talent like yours shouldn’t be ignored. With the right support, you could go far, Mr. Lennox. Very far.”

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***