Blind Spot by Sakshi C (the reader ebook TXT) 📕

The marriage was succeeded by a string of good news for Inessa. The biggest of them all was related to her professional life. The sale of her paintings. Inessa was a painter by profession. Although she started off as an amateur, Andrei encouraged her to pursue a career in it as she was really good at it. Inessa gave it a shot but instead of using her real name, she went for a pseudonym. "Elaine," was the name she used to scrawl at the foot of her painting. It is fair to say that although revenue wasn't much, it was enough to help her stand on her feet. She wanted to leave the house and get her own as soon as she had collected enough but her father denied her without a second thought. Again, her disability came in between her and her happiness.

Just because was mute, it didn't mean she was unable to lead her own life. 

Now coming back to the present, the bringer of this good news was her agent or manager, Sylvia, who was dealing with the sales of her paintings. 

"He is going to pay you a million dollars for the painting, Ness. Isn't it just mind-blowing? Just imagine, dude, you are gonna be a millionaire very soon," Inessa was still not able to process this. Someone was going to pay her freaking million dollars for her painting. This just can't be true. 

"Shocked, right? I was also dumbfounded when his secretary gave me the news. Your artwork has done magic on him, Mon Bebe," Sylvia told her with a laugh. (My baby)

"Alright, he wants to meet you. Apparently, he has some business deal for you. I'll send you his office address in a while," Sylvia said and hung up the call. Inessa's brows were knitted down in confusion. Who was the man who liked her painting this much? 

As if on cue, a message arrived on her phone. 

She opened it to find the details regarding the man who had bought her painting. 

There was his office address and name. 

Francisco Allard. 

A few moments later, she received a video call from Sylvia. She answered the call.

"You got the address, right?" Sylvia asked her. Inessa nodded her head.

Sylvia was in her mid-twenties and worked as an agent. She and Inessa had become good friends over the years.  

"Alright, his secretary was asking when would you be free? He is going to fix us an appointment with Francisco Allard," she announced excitedly. 

Inessa was happy to hear it but she was also surprised. 

"Tell me, what time should I tell him? Tomorrow is good for you?" she asked. 

Inessa took a minute to think. Andrei was in the US to visit his big brother for some business work and wasn't going to come back until Sunday. The last time she had seen Danzel was fourteen years ago when he and his family had come to their village for holidays. She didn't even remember much of him now Just that he was a jackass back then. He didn't even show up at his own brother's wedding. Weird, isn't it.

She couldn't help but think sometimes that Andrei's family was weird. They lacked that emotional glue that makes family a family. Her in-laws hadn't bothered to contact her after the wedding. Yes, Mr. Lavigne had come once to check on her. She didn't know why but she didn't like the way he was looking at her. His constant gaze on her made her feel uncomfortable. There was something in his eyes that she didn't like. He chatted with her for half an hour before leaving for work. She sighed in relief when he left.

All in all, despite marrying into a new family, she was still alone. She was all by herself in the house for the last three days.

Inessa nodded, giving her approval. 

"Great! I'll tell him," With that said, Sylvia hung up the call.

Inessa pulled to her feet and stretched her arms. She was bored to death in the last two days. Good thing, Andrei had given her a room where she can paint to her heart. 

After the call, she went to her painting room to work. The new piece of information had boosted her confidence. She kept painting the whole day with a new zeal. 

The next day Sylvia came to get her.

Inessa was nervous to her bone. She had sold many of her paintings but never had ever sat in a meeting with any of her buyers, much less a buyer who owns a billion-dollar company. She was a nervous wreck. 

Sylvia tried to motivate her and assure her that everything would be fine. The only consolation was the fact that Sylvia was going to be with her during the meeting. She had no idea why he wanted to meet her. 

They walked into the lofty building. His secretary was already waiting for them. He greeted them with a friendly smile and led him to Francisco's office. 

The door opened to a spacious room. Inessa and Sylvia followed the man in. 

"Sir, Ms. Elaine, and Sylvia," the secretary introduced them to the man who was sitting behind the table. The man looked up from his laptop and gave both a welcoming smile. 

With midnight black hair and grey eyes, Francisco was sure an attractive man. The man pushed to his feet and welcomed them. 

"Nice to meet you. Ms. Elaine," he extended his hand to her. His eyes sized her up and glimmered with a different glow when they rested on her face. She took his hand and nodded. 

"You are as stunning as your paintings," he said in self-realization, not ready to leave her hand just yet. Inessa blushed at his unintentional compliment.   

"Nice to meet you too," Sylvia translated for her. Francisco looked at Sylvia. He tried to hide his confusion but failed. 

"Umm..she is mute," Sylvia told him. 

"Ohhh," the realization dawned on Francisco. 

After asking hand with Sylvia, he invited them to take a seat. The secretary had shown himself out long ago. 

"So, Ms. Elaine, I saw some of your paintings and they are beautiful. I am completely captivated. There is no other way to say it. I have a job offer for you, Ms." he said in a professional tone. Inessa listened to him attentively. Her heart fluttered with happiness when he said the job offer.