Book One: Chapter 27


    Katherine was still riding high as she snagged another flute of champagne. Now she just had to wait for


    the fireworks to start. Soon that woman would burst out and make a big scene before running away.


    Then Katherine could swoop in tofort a devastated Julius. Finally everything would be back on


    track. With all the press gathered tonight it was guaranteed they would end up on the front page of the


    gossip columns just in time for their wedding announcement.


    As she wandered through the crowd waiting for the show to start a small group caught her eye. A trio of


    visitors, two men and a woman, stood in front of a photograph of an ant cleaning its antennae


    discussing the new series quite seriously considering the subject matter.


    “Don’t you think this a huge departure for M. Gray?” the tall, African-American man in a finely tailored


    suit asked.


    “Well, Gray has always been inspired by nature,” another man with an ent Katherine couldn’t ce


    said.


    The second man was average height, blonde, with a wiry frame. Like hispanion he also wore a


    ck suit contrasting the woman in a silver gown nicely. It wasn’t immediately clear how well the trio


    knew each other but they maintained their little conve, sipping champagne and enjoying the


    atmosphere.


    “I know, but this series. I mean, full color and insects? Most people find them creepy and wouldn’t want


    to be this close,” the ck man argued.


    “True, but that may be the point,” the other man said. “This series is entitled A New Perspective so it’s


    probably meant to challenge our preconceptions.”


    The woman with them chuckled as the pair argued back and forth. Her long, raven-ck hair was


    straight and unadorned flipped over one shoulder. She wore a regal, silver gown with a plunging V-


    neckline with only thin straps over her shoulders. It was backless though she had a gauzy shawl that


    looped through her elbows.


    Rolling her eyes she suddenly dered in a bold voice punctuated with a French ent, “If you want to


    know the reason all we have to do is ask.”


    Katherine suddenly realized why the woman looked so familiar. She rushed forward clutching her arm


    and saying, “Oh my god! You’re Victoria Laurent! I saw yourtest collection and absolutely fell in love


    with one of your dresses! I would love for you to design my wedding dress!”


    * * *


    Victoria stared at the strange woman who suddenly osted her. She had been surprised when the


    invitation for M. Gray’stest show arrived coupled with the grand opening of a new gallery devoted to


    Gray’s art. It was an unexpected move but Victoria never missed a new exhibit and rearranged her


    schedule to make it possible to attend.


    Thest thing she expected was to be recognized as she never attended an event in America before.


    Frankly she found Americans overbearing and self-absorbed and the blonde in front of her was the


    perfect example. Tonight was meant to be a ck tie affair and the blonde was practically wearing


    lingerie. Not only that but she had barged into a private conversation she and Paul were having with a


    new acquaintance they had met on arrival. Now she was practically demanding Victoria make her a


    one of a kind wedding gown. Was she serious?


    Paul raised an eyebrow at the shameless tramp gripping Victoria’s hand like a long lost friend. He had


    known Victoria since college and he never saw the blonde before so it was safe to say Victoria didn’t


    know this woman either.


    “I’m sorry, who are you?” Victoria finally asked.


    “I’m Katherine Trent. My wedding is in six months and if I had a one of a kind dress by you I know I’d


    make the front page!”


    “Right. Well, I don’t take special orders. I’m afraid I’m much too busy.”


    Katherine’s enthusiastic expression faded, “Oh, but you have to! I came here to ask M. Gray to be my


    photographer. It’s the perfect opportunity for both of you.”


    “For both of us to…what?” Victoria asked somewhat amused by her assumptions.


    “To get your names out there. I am a trend setter after all.”


    “If you already know their names I think it’s safe to say they are both already out there,” Paul snorted.


    “Franklin, is this how American woman usually are?”


    Their tall acquaintance shrugged. Unfortunately there was plenty of her type in the world especially in


    New York high society which tended to be entitled and over-privileged.


    “I wasn’t talking to you,” Katherine red at the men. “This is a private conversation.”


    “Well, you’re starting to attract a crowd,” Paul noted. “And I think Victoria already answered your


    question.”


    “Tante Vicki!” excited shrieks interrupted as Aria and Caden ran up to them.


    “Mes chéris!” Victoria eximed as the twins mored around her.


    They jumped up and down unable to control their excitement seeing their mother’s best friend, their


    godmother and adopted aunt. Aside from their family they hadn’t seen any familiar faces until now.


    “Look at you!” Victoria dered. “Caden, you are such a handsome young man in that suit!”


    Caden blushed at thepliment but grinned clearly pleased.


    “And Aria, you are so lovely! Where’s your mother? I’ve been looking for her.”


    “She’s over there,” Aria pointed to where Macey stood alongside their father talking to their aunt and


    uncle and other family members. “You want to say hi?”


    “Yes, of course! Allons-y.”


    The twins giggled seizing her hand not upied with a champagne flute and hurried her over to the


    small group of their family members. The others had no choice but to follow. They were still several


    steps away when Aria eagerly announced, “Mommy! Look who we found!”


    Macey turned and immediately smiled, “Vicki!”


    “Macey!” Vicki echoeding up to her and kissing both cheeks in greeting. Macey mimicked the


    familiar gesture.


    “I didn’t think you’d make it.”


    “Ma belle, when have I ever missed any of your shows?”


    Macey chuckled. From the very beginning Vicki was her loudest cheerleader and never missed a show


    featuring her work. Likewise Macey attended fashion shows whenever Vickiunched a new line. Still


    “I wasn’t going to miss this for the world,” Vicki said, “and there is something I have to ask you.”


    “Okay.”


    “VogueFrance wants to do an exclusive on my new line.”


    “Vicki, that’s fantastic!”


    “I know…but I just don’t trust their photographer. You know how they are in their little studios: lights,


    point, click, done. Weddings are all about mood, the ambience. I need a photographer who knows how


    to capture that. I know the great M. Gray doesn’t domissions but…I’ll beg if you want me to!”


    “Vicki! That will not be necessary,” Maceyughed. “We have seen each other naked, you were there


    holding my hand when I had the twins. Do you really think you can ask me anything I will say no to?


    Yes, I don’t domissions, but a favor for a friend ispletely different. Of course I’ll be your


    photographer just tell me when and where. I’ll tell Dillon to keep my schedule open.”


    “Merci! Merci beaucoup!” Victoria breathed a sigh of relief. “Vous êtes mon sauveur!”


    Macey couldn’t hold back herughter at her friend’s dramatic reaction, “Really, why are French so


    dramatic!”


    “Wait! What?” Katherine suddenly interjected. She looked from Victoria to Macey. “You are M. Gray?”


    “Yes, that is right,” Macey said with a sigh. Her secret was finally out. She thought she’d be more self-


    conscious but surprisingly she felt at ease with it.


    “And…you know each other?”


    “Of course. We went to school together,” Victoria said. “We would have graduated together if someone


    didn’t have to take remedial French.”


    “Well maybe if I had a better tutor I wouldn’t have needed it,” Macey challenged earning a mock gasp


    from Victoria. She nced at Katherine asking, “So how do you know each other?”


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    “We don’t,” Victoria said. “She recognized me and demanded I drop all my projects to design a unique


    wedding dress. Oh, and she wants you to be her photographer for the wedding too.”


    “Oh, is that so…And who’s the groom?” Macey let her gaze slide back to Katherine raising a brow.


    Katherine opened her mouth and snapped it shut, her gaze swept over their audience as the entire


    DaLair family waited for her answer. Her eyes finally fell on Julius who red at her, challenging her to


    say what was on her mind. Katherine’s attention flitted to Macey’s waist where his hand still


    possessively rested. It seemed her n to drive them apart hadn’t worked after all.


    “He—He doesn’t seem to be here at the moment. I should find him,” Katherine muttered before


    retreating.


    Victoria stared after her a moment beforementing, “She is aware lingerie should be worn under


    her clothes, right?”


    “Like you’re one to talk,” Macey challenged.


    “Pardon?” Victoria mocked a hurt expression. “I see how it is. All right, fine. You can think us French


    are dramatic, pretentious egotists if you want. We still think you Americans are self-absorbed, entitled


    prudes. Fair is fair.”


    “I’m sorry?” March suddenly asked, “you think we’re…prudes?”


    “Well what would you call a culture so obsessed with sex and sexuality but are alsopletely


    ufortable in your own skin?”


    “Well…” March trailed off not sure there was a correct answer to her challenge and already regretted


    speaking up.


    “How about an easy question, when’s thest time you were naked?”


    March choked on his drink, sputtering while the rest of the group chuckled. Aloud he said, “I don’t


    think…”


    “There you see that is a very American mentality right there,” Victoria admonished. “There is nothing


    sexual about what I said. We’re just talking about being without clothing. What about you, Macey?”


    “Do baths count?” Macey asked. “And does it count more or less if I wasn’t alone?”


    Victoria raised an eyebrow as she slowly smiled, “Oh, I want details.”


    “Not in mixedpany.”


    Victoria’s gaze narrowed as she weighed Macey’s seriousness before nodding. March’s gaze darted to


    Julius. Though his brother maintained a neutral expression a pink tinge warmed his cheeks. March’s


    gaze widened in surprise. Julius hadn’t taken a bath since he was five. That was very interesting


    development.


    A cough interrupted further discussion and Macey’s attention shifted. She gasped, “Oh my god! Paul!


    I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you! Let me introduce you…”


    “Mommy! I want to do it!” Aria said.


    “Okay, you do it then.”


    “This is our Aunt Vicki and Uncle Paul! They went to school with mommy!” Aria exined. “And this is


    our family! This is Uncle March and Aunt Rose and our cousin Jude. And you already know Grandpa


    Gus.”


    “Victoria.”


    “Augustus.”


    The pair traded neutral greetings. It was clear they were familiar with each other though it was difficult


    to ascertain whether they were friendly or hostile. At the very least there was mutual respect.


    “And this is our daddy!” Aria said proudly as she and Caden clutched him possessively.


    A moment of surprise shed across Victoria’s expression before her gaze narrowed to study him. His


    resemnce to the children and Augustus were not lost on her and she carefully gauged the proximity


    he maintained with Macey as well as where he kept his hand on her waist.


    “So…you’re Julius,” she said after a moment.


    “You know me?”


    “Of course. There are no secrets between meilleurs amis.” Victoria smiled teasingly. “And I’m sure


    Macey remembers the first advice I gave her. You do remember, yes? Montrez-moi un homme qui a fait


    une erreur et je vous en montrerai un qui a besoin d’une deuxiéme chance. Mais ne lui donnez jamais


    une troisiéme chance.”


    Macey chuckled, “Show me a man who has made a mistake and I’ll show you one who needs a second


    chance. But never give them a third.”


    Victoria nodded sagely looking at Julius with an appraising look.


    Macey cleared her throat as the conversation stalled, “Victoria is a designer. She designs the most


    stunning wedding gowns you’ll ever see. Paul is a sculptor. He specializes in, I guess you would call it,


    environmental sculpture. He likes to use natural materials and ce his sculptures in natural


    environments. And this is…I’m sorry…Have we met?”


    Macey turned her attention to the tall African-American who joined their circle alongside her friends. He


    smiled apologetically shaking his head saying, “No. I’m Franklin Jackson. I’m a member of the New


    York Philharmonic. I met Victoria and Paul here while I was admiring yourtest series. We were


    having a friendly debate about its tone when Victoria said we should just ask the artist. I had no idea


    they actually knew you. Are you really thee M. Gray?”


    “Guilty as charged,” Macey shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Just call me Macey, please.”


    “Very nice to meet you…Macey,” Franklin smiled.


    He had been surprised when he received an invitation to the gallery’s opening. Though he always


    made a point of supporting the arts the grand opening was an exclusive event and not many invitations


    had been sent out. Several of his friends were jealous when they heard his luck and offered to buy the


    ticket from him.


    Franklin wasn’t certain why he had received the invitation but refused all offers to take it off his hands.


    He had long admired M. Gray’s work but he never thought he’d get the opportunity to speak to the artist


    who was known for being difficult to meet. He certainly wasn’t prepared for her to be a gorgeous and


    friendly redhead.


    “Can I ask you a question about yourtest series?”


    “Of course. Fire away.”


    “Well…I know you work in color and in ck and white and a lot of your work features natural


    settings…but thistest series,” Franklin looked at therge vibrant pieces each featuring a different


    insect. “It does seem to be a departure from your usual style. Is there meaning behind that?”


    Macey chuckled, “Well, on the surface it does seem to be a departure I suppose. I wish I could say I


    had some lofty metaphysical idea but I really don’t go for that. The truth is I was inspired by my


    children. Kidse into the world like nk tes and everything for them is new and magical. I


    wanted to capture that sense of wonder. Make us see the world like kids do, like we used to. You’ll


    have to tell me how I did; after all, what the artist does is only half of what art is.”