"I'm sorry for the inconvenience caused but it is in our best interests," the Director apologized with a soft smile. "I just want our meeting to be held in peace and quietness so that no one would feel uncomfortable. Away from the probing ears and intriguing eyes."

I nodded my head in understanding and a tinge of embarrassment coursed through me for choosing such a lousy location. "I understand, ma'am."

"Please just call me Elizabeth." She chuckled good-naturedly.

The Director had suggested that we change the location for a proper ambience since it would get really arduous to have a proper talk in a cafe where we would be bombarded with unnecessary stares. Especially when it came to Elizabeth Hale, so it's a given that anyone would feel fidgety under such situations. 

To say that I was feeling abashed for choosing cafe as a meeting place would be an understatement of my whole existence. I wanted the ground to swallow me entirely and never dare to spit me back up even when I'm misbehaving. When the director had noticed my expression, she'd given me a genuine smile which eased my tense body and I had agreed.

After driving for about twenty minutes, we had arrived in our town's most expensive hotels and my jaw was slackened because I couldn't fathom the fact that I was here. Within a few minutes, we were inside her suite. It was lavish with a touch of Victorian style in everything. Living in this town for years, I never had the fortune to be in this hotel before today.

I had taken a seat opposite her on a beautiful créme colored couch shyly. Placing my hands on my lap, I tried to look around me but honestly, I was feeling really timorous. The fireplace to my right was giving the warmth to my already frigid body. I wasn't in any way feeling cold but my nerves were enough to put me on edge.

"Sure ma - um, Elizabeth," I quickly amended my mistake. "I am just not used to it." I began twisting my fingers to lessen my anxious behavior. It was happening to me because it's not always I get to meet people like her. I was clueless to the point where I didn't even know how to behave around her.

"Relax, Aria. You should - you seem intimidated." She observed, narrowing her eyes. Her visage is always soft, contradictory to those I've seen or pictured her by looking at her sophisticated images in the magazines or basically anywhere.

She stood up from her position and sat down beside me. Placing a comforting hand on my shoulder, she passed me a stimulating smile. It instantly calmed my nerves down and I let my body slump in a relaxed position.

"Good. Now I think we can actually have a conversation," she said, beaming. The wrinkles were more prominent when she smiled.

"Thank you." I cleared my throat and shifted my body to look at her more properly. "It feels better," I said and took deep breaths in and exhaled them. "It's just - it's the first time I'm talking to..." I trailed off, scratching my cheek awkwardly. 

"Big people?" She provided for me playfully and I laughed.

Collecting myself, I pursed my lips and asked the question that was on my mind ever since I got her secretary, Amanda's call. "If you don't mind me asking, then can I ask you the reason for this meeting?" 

"To the point, eh? I like it," she said. 

'Or maybe I am just getting too jittery and jumpy to already know it?' 

"Actually, I personally wanted to meet the person whose painting is creating a lot of hullabaloo in the art world. It is quite beautiful, your painting. And to be frank, I don't usually see many emerging artists with such talent."

My heart was soaring with pride that I didn't even know had existed in the first place. If I were a cartoon, I was sure my smile would have literally reached my eyes. I've heard my fair share of compliments from a lot of people but from someone who is a professional in this field, it's like a dream come true.

"I-uh-oh, my God," I whispered, rubbing the front of my neck. "I really don't know what to say. But… thank you!" I finally choked. 

I was overwhelmed and it was the best feeling I've ever had in years. 

I furrowed my brows in puzzlement when another question popped into my head and I wanted to kill my curiosity. "But how'd you contact me? I mean, how'd you get my details?"

Director Hale just raised an amused eyebrow at me and answered, "If you have forgotten then I am the Director of the Exhibition Institution. All the art exhibition details were recorded in our institution. I was a bit skeptical before like if you'd come for the exhibition or not but I was glad to know that you did. That's how I got your contact details."

I don't know if it was a dream or not because everything seemed so surreal. I wanted nothing more than to stand up and jump around like a maniac to feel this happiness, to feel this complete bliss.

"I've heard that you don't usually or easily meet or agree to meet with a lot of people… more like rich ones, I guess. And here you are, actually talking with me?" I asked her incredulously. 

I knew that I should be notching down my inquisitiveness because she might even haul my ass out of her suite if I kept on being a pain. 

Though imagine my surprise when she didn't even flinch and leaned her back more against the couch. "I only meet with people who are worthy of my time. These big CEOs or other celebrities just want to meet me for their own benefits and gains. I always go on a hunt for people who are talented but not discovered. Like you," she said, pointing at me with a small smile. 

"I feel like there are a lot of people out there who are undiscovered and I still have tons of work to do to search every scratch around. I know that it's not really possible but I am trying my best. I want young minds and artists to get known all around the world."

I was flabbergasted to hear her words. She's so benevolent even after achieving almost everything. Every time she speaks, it's always honest. If she wanted, she might even gloat about all she's having but that's not the case. A deep respect started swelling within me for this beautiful human in front of me.

"That's so... kind of you," I said, fumbling with my words.

"Actually that's a part of my job, really." She waved it off like it was nothing but I knew she's too modest to admit it, which makes me admire her even more. "I would like to see your work. The reason why I'm here. To talk to you if you wish to work for us?"

My jaw dropped down for the second time within a span of an hour or so with my eyes popping out of their sockets too. Did she just say, 'work with the world's biggest art institution?' My heart was beating erratically against my chest and I had this sudden urge to cry. 

"Are you being serious right now?" I whispered, blinking my eyes rapidly. It was just too fast. Everything's going just too fast and I was not complaining. But processing all of it in the flicks of a few minutes was difficult. In a good way though.

"One hundred percent serious, Aria Clarke," the Director responded without missing a beat and I think I was floating on cloud nine.

'Wow,' I thought.

"If you work with our institution, your paintings will be hung amongst the best young artists during the exhibitions that are held by our institution. You will be provided with all the copyright for your works. The Institution handles all the work of copyright, patent, trademark and all the stuff with the U.S. copyright office," she said with conviction.

At that instance, all I could think about was what I'd be like in the coming future. I had always imagined this moment, like being famous and an inspiration to a lot of people so when I was finally here, I felt like the luckiest person on Earth.

"I… I-I am completely speechless right now..." I mumbled and it was true. I wasn't overreacting or anything because all my life, I've endured a lot of struggles and hardships without much in return except for a few compliments here and there. I sure own a gallery but it's nothing without a strong base that I lack.

"It's absolutely all right," She consoled me by patting my arm comfortingly. "Of course, I understand that you need some time to think everything through. After all, it's a big decision. I'm not going to rush you into things that you don't will to do." She smiled and I wanted to hug her but I thought it'd be too unprofessional. 

"No no no no. It's not that. I'm just overwhelmed. I'd love to work with you at your institution. It is an honor to meet you and I can't let this biggest opportunity knocking on my bland door get away just like that!" I exclaimed, a bit too quickly. My eyes widened when I realized that I had raised my voice and quickly slapped my mouth. "I'm sorry," I said meekly.

Elizabeth was looking at me with no judgements and laughed with a wave of her hand.

I cleared my throat, preparing myself to say the actual thing. I'd be a moron to decline such an offer. "I want to be a part of your institution."

"I am proud of your decision, Ms. Aria Clarke. All the extra and other important information will be provided to you by my Secretary, Amanda. She'll email you the entire brochure," She concluded and glanced at her wristwatch. I understood that the meeting was over and she might be getting late to take care of other things.

We both stood up at the same time. I was feeling giddy and my mind was coming up with the ideas to disclose this happy news to my family and friends. I extended my hand towards her for a handshake but Elizabeth surprised me by pulling me in for a hug.

"It was nice meeting you, Aria. You're talented and I want you to know that. Just remember... don't ever let people pull you down."