I began rearranging all of my paintings stocked behind the plexiglass cases and a few on the benches in my gallery because they were all cluttered and required some serious cleanup. 

In the midst of my cleaning, I heard my cell phone ringing and turned around to see the screen flashing with an unknown number. Furrowing my brows, I picked up the call with reluctance. Before I could even get out the words, they started speaking.

"Good morning. Am I speaking to Ms. Aria Clarke?" A soft, female voice spoke from the other side. She sounded kind and her tone was way too formal to be any of my friends or relatives. I wondered how she got my number.

"Yes, this is she," I replied dubiously. "And you are...?" I asked her warily.

"Hello, I am Amanda Stark. Chief secretary of Director Elizabeth Hale of The Institution of Art and Literature Exhibition. I was asked to contact you, Ms. Clarke. Director Hale would like to exchange a few words with you. So, if you don't mind me asking, can I arrange a meeting of you with the Director, according to your convenience?"

My mouth hung open in stupefaction. I tapped my ear just to assure myself that I was not hearing things. 

Director Elizabeth Hale of The Institution of Art and Literature Exhibition of the U.S. is a really huge personality in the world of Art. 

Even wealthy and successful people around the world try really hard just to have an appointment with her. It is really hard to contact such a busy human and here she was contacting me? Getting ahold of me?

"Um, Ms. Clarke, are you there?" Amanda Stark asked me worriedly.

"Wait. Wait, wait, wait, wa-wait. Wait, wait. Just wait! Did you just say 'The Director of The Institution of Art and Literature Exhibition?' Is this some sort of prank you're pulling up on me or are you sure you've contacted the right Aria Clarke?!" I exclaimed wildly but a hope started swirling inside of me. 

My heart was thumping erratically within my chest. I was literally praying that this was not a dream and certainly not a prank and also hoping against hope that she contacted the right Aria Clarke.

"Ms. Clarke, this is not a prank call. This is legitimately a legal call, I can assure you of that. Nor am I contacting the wrong person unless it wasn't your painting that's created quite a buzz in the media."

"Oh, my God," I whispered to myself. Taking a deep breath, I cleared my throat to speak more efficiently this time. I had to mask the unimpressive attitude I'd shown earlier. But it did little to ease my nerves. "I'm sorry, that is totally me. Can you please repeat what you said earlier?"

"Sure, Ms. Clarke," she told me patiently. "Director Hale would like to have a small talk with you, according to your convenience. I had tried contacting you yesterday through your email but you didn't give any response so I am assuming you didn't check it? So, I was told to give you a call."

"Ho-how did you reach me?" I stammered in awe.

"I was given all your contact details from the Director."

"Of course." I nodded my head and realized that she might not know how the Director got all of my details. That's when a thought struck me and I blurted out, "I didn't do anything, did I? I mean I can swear on my life that I didn't steal or anything from your premises. Is that why you're calling me? To sue me?" At this point, I was horrified and my lips were quivering in fright.

I heard a soft chuckle and then a reply, "I am one hundred percent sure our Director does not have time to personally meet any of our institution's criminals. But I am not given the reason why she wants to meet you personally either."

I exhaled in relief. "All right. It'll be a great honor to actually meet Director Elizabeth Hale," I gushed like a fangirl.

After I had finished high school, I'd always wanted to get into a renowned college of art to pursue my career but because of their high expenses, it became a distant dream for me. I didn't get to go to college so I put all my sadness aside and devoted my time towards painting and sketching. 

My dad had bought a small and cramped place for me that I now call my art gallery. I was happy to finally earn on my own. Then I'd met stupid Aiden and everything went down the drain after we broke off. 

However, I carried on with my life and my gallery. Somewhere in my fantasy world, I had this small wish to always meet Director Hale, even though I was sure it would never come true. I was in this pessimistic illusion that who would be interested to even look at the girl who didn't attend college? But right now everything that I just dreamt of was absolutely coming true. I was beyond exalted.

"Would it be fine if we meet at the local cafe called 'Calendar Stars' in my town Greenlake?" I spoke, trying to contain my excitement. I was doing everything to not sound too unprofessional after I had just accused her of pranking on me. God only knows how much I'd need to get out of that embarrassment.

"No problem. Can you let me know the timings, Ms. Clarke?"

"Today? At around..." I glanced at my clock to see that it was 1.45 pm. "How about 5 pm?"

"Done. It was nice talking to you, Ms. Clarke. Director Hale is looking forward to meeting you." Secretary Amanda concluded and I could hear the genuineness in her words.

My heart was fluttering with happiness and I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my veins. 'Looking forward to meeting me?!' Hell, it would be the other way round.

"Me too," I replied and hung up with a dazed look. Glancing down at my lousy attire, I wrinkled my nose in distaste. 

-------

Donning in a subtle professional outfit, I looked at myself in the mirror. I was wearing black pants which could be mistaken as casual and not formal along with a peach shirt in floral prints. Tying my hair up in a clean, high ponytail, I slipped on my loafers. Applying some lip gloss on my parched lips, I was ready to go.

Taking a deep breath, I headed outside my room and with a jump in my step, I was soon out of my house too. No matter what, my hands were getting clammy out of nervousness.

I had to give some vague explanation to my mom when she'd asked me about coming home so early and being in a rush. I kept her in the dark because I didn't intend to slope her hopes high before understanding the whole situation on my own first. If everything would go well, which I was sure it would, I would reveal to her and everyone else about this incident.

I rode my bike towards the said café with my thoughts storming around the sudden rendezvous with the biggest personality in the whole damn world. 

'I mean like to what do I owe this pleasure of meeting her?' 

Whatever the reason, the fact that I'd be meeting Director Hale face to face was a huge deal for me in itself. Finally, my dreams were going to come true.

Parking my bike, I glanced at my wristwatch. 4.54 pm. I had decided to come early to not want the Director to wait because then it might implant a bad impression about me. The bell chimed when I entered the cafe, indicating my arrival.

I quickly swept my eyes for a corner booth that was secluded from the intruding eyes. When I saw one, I rushed towards it. Taking a seat, I mulled over the thought that I could recognize the Director anywhere because she usually catches the cover pages of the magazines and how prim and proper she always is.

Ordering a glass of water, I leaned my cheek on my fist and waited for the most awaiting company.

The bell chimed again and my head whipped towards the entrance of the cafe. My eyes widened and I gasped at the beautiful black lady, looking around with a sharp and scrutinizing gaze.

It was Director Elizabeth Hale flanked on either side by two heavy blokes which I assumed were her bodyguards. She was catching a lot of unwanted attention in here. She seemed stern because of her cat-shaped glasses. 

In the navy blue slacks and blazer with a white shirt underneath, she screamed business in every sense. Her brown hair with streaks of grey were in a clean and neat updo. 

I had once read an article on her regarding her grey hair. She had replied by saying, "These grey hair are proof of my high credibility and tons of experience. They are the reason for my sleepless nights and hard work. They have been with me and are rewarded to me for my hard work. I'd rather not dye them." Her words had touched the hearts of millions of people and she is deeply respected for her passion towards her career.

Waving frantically like a madwoman at the Director, I forgot all about steadiness because all that mattered to me at that moment was, I was looking directly - without any media barrier - towards my idol. She caught my eye and flicked her wrist at the bodyguards, clearly gesturing for them to give her some privacy. They left her side to probably wait outside the cafe.

Stalking towards me, Director Hale oozed a powerful air of austerity around her. I stared at her in awe and admiration, like I was in a trance. "And you must be Aria Clarke?" She asked me in her no-nonsense tone yet there was a hint of kindness in it. Now, I could finally die in peace.