The next few weeks for Madison past as normal as they possibly can. She still hasn't heard anything about Moe's or her employment there, but she's getting paid every two weeks, double at that, so she can't complain. However, what's odd to her is the fact she hasn't heard a thing from Azeil. Besides their little interaction in the backroom, he hasn't even called her to make sure she's okay or recovered. Not that Madison needs his attention, but it would've been nice. Especially after hearing he usually doesn't show the level of affection he did with her to anyone else. She doesn't want to admit it, but a small part of her thought there was something there. She would be lying to herself if she said she isn't attracted to him, because who wouldn't be attracted to him?
She snaps out of her daydream at the sound of the cashier closing the register.
"Here's your change."
Stuffing the bills and coins into her pocket, Madison grabs her bag full of supplies and exits the store. As she walks to her next destination, her phone starts vibrating, alerting her of an incoming call.
"Yes, Tiffany."
"Why do you always greet me with such... disdain. It's starting to feel personal."
Madison rolls her eyes, "Because I know you're about to tell me some mess. What's up?"
"Lucky for you, today I'm not calling you with any drama. I have good news."
Madison waits for Tiffany to continue and groans once she doesn't. Typical Tiffany, always wanting to make a moment dramatic.
"Spit it out!"
"I got you a spot in the 'Uptown Arts' annual exhibition!"
A high shriek exits Madison, frightening passerby's. The Uptown Exhibition is one of the most famous art exhibits that every artist fights to get a spot in. Madison has been trying to get in since she's moved to the city to no avail.
"Tiff! This is huge! How did you do it?"
"Honestly, I don't know. I was sitting at a coffee shop, and this guy randomly walks up and starts talking to me. One thing leads to another, and we start talking about artists. Of course, I say you're my favorite artist, and I show him your work. He was impressed, and here we are."
Madison is about to respond but pauses. A random guy? While she wants to be excited, it's hard for her to believe this is a random act of kindness. The exclusivity of the exhibit alone leads her to think otherwise.
"Random guy. What does he look like?"
"Cute." Madison groans again.
"Tiff, seriously. What does this guy look like?"
"Let's see... Tall, dark, and handsome. Literally. The man would make Idris jealous. Plus, he has blue eyes. I have his card..."
Madison listens as Tiffany scrambles in her bag.
"Daniel. Daniel Rue. I tried looking him up, but couldn't find him anywhere. However, when I called Uptown, they did confirm that he's the big boss. I guess the guy likes laying low."
Madison bites the inside of her lip. This is interesting. On the surface, the pieces come together, but again, this is too convenient. Daniel Rue. She'll have to look into this man more as she prepares for the exhibit. It seems he is the silent orchestrator of all of this, and the last thing she wants is to be unprepared if she happens to meet him.
"Maddy. Are you still there?"
"Y-yes. I was just thinking. This is all so much, Tiff. I honestly don't know how to thank you."
"Honestly, don't thank me. I was just sitting pretty, minding my business. Just make sure you show up and show out! I'll forward you the email he sent me with all of the details."
Madison hangs up the phone and focuses on where she's going. While she would like to ponder m on this new information, that'll only lead her down a rabbit hole of conspiracies that she isn't particularly in the mood for. Plus, she now has other things to think about, like which pieces she's going to present. A smile spreads across her face as she approaches her destination.
"Home sweet home."
The one good thing that's come out of her 'furlough' is the extra time she has on her hands. Since she's getting paid double what she previously was, she's been able to quit her second job and focus on her art. With the extra money, Madison started leasing a small studio, just a few blocks from her apartment, hoping to create outside of the walls of her apartment. While it isn't much, it's something she can finally call her own.
Looking up at the walls, she admires her current paintings. Once she secured the studio, Tiffany insisted she showcases her art on the walls and in the windows for passerby's who may be interested in art pieces. With Tiffany's help, they managed to transport all of her works from her apartment's various crevices to her studio.
She organizes the supplies she just purchased from the art store, setting up to continue her most recent painting. The last couple of weeks have brought her enjoyable inspiration. She's been drawing fantasy species: werewolves, vampires... witches. Madison's not sure where this came from, as she's never had the inspiration to draw paranormal beings. However, surprisingly to her, her pieces have been perfect. Frighteningly good.
"Here's goes nothing.", she says to herself.
Picking up a brush, she stokes lines onto the canvas. Her latest piece is of a werewolf with piercing blue eyes. This particular piece has been meticulous. Each time she attempts to sculpt out the eyes, there's always something that doesn't quite convey what she's trying to tell. The wolf's eyes need to be specific, almost human-like. Almost like...
A tap on the window knocks her out of her trance. Her eyes widen once she registers who it is. He points to the door, signaling for her to let him in. For a brief moment, she considers ignoring him and getting back to painting, but who is she kidding? As she walks to unlock the door, she wipes her hands on her jeans.
"H-hey."
Azeil feels a flutter in his stomach at the sound of her voice. He quickly scans her face and sees her wound has healed, albeit leaving behind a scar. He clenches his jaw. Moe never returned to the compound that day, which he expects is because Moe is trying to escape consequence. His men began searching for Moe once it became apparent he wasn't returning, but he practically fell off the face of the earth.
"May I come in?"
Madison steps aside and lets him through. She watches as he looks around her studio, admiring her art pieces. For some reason, she starts to become nervous the longer he waits to say something.
"So... you were just in the neighborhood?"