“Yes, sir, yes I am.”
“Huh, I’ve heard a lot of things about you.”
“Dad, leave him alone.”
“You’re here with my daughter. You’re paying for my daughter. What exactly are you doing with her?” Donald asked.
Kurt expected this. Most fathers were protective of their daughters.
“Dad, do not embarrass me.”
“I’m hoping to get your daughter to agree to date me. I’m helping her meet the appropriate people for her work. She wasn’t given the right opportunities before.”
“You think you can help her.”
“Yes, sir, I do.” He showed her father respect.
“Donald, enough please,” Esther said.
“Why didn’t you come to us, Kim? We could have helped you.”
Kim sighed. “Because I want to do this on my own.”
“You’ve got this boy to help.”
“Donald, that is enough with your father’s duties for one night,” Esther said. “Our daughter doesn’t want our influence to affect her work. I understand. It’s what I didn’t want to happen with my own work when I married you, and it could have quite easily done that. I’m thankful you’re taking care of our daughter, and I appreciate it.” Esther hugged him, pulling away.
Kim’s father, however, glared at him. “I’ve got my eye on you.”
“So embarrassing, even now after all this time. Do you know how horrible that would have been if you’d come calling for me in high school? He’d have given you the third degree.”
“We’re not in high school? I feel like I’ve just been stripped down and whipped because I asked you out for ice cream.”
Kim threw her head back and laughed. “It would be pretty close in high school. He wouldn’t have been happy.”
Her father had never been home when Kurt visited her. Esther always had been, but she worked from home with her work.
“You survived the parental encounter,” Elsa said, joining back up with them.
“I noticed you two disappeared when they arrived,” Kurt said.
“Of course. We have to give you time to shine or not when it comes to parents. No one was there to help Noah with him.” Elsa shrugged. “Not even Kim.”
“I think it went well,” Kim said.
“You think that went well?” Kurt asked.
“Yeah.”
“How?”
“You’re still walking, and we’re both heading into the room to check out more items for auction.” Kim patted his hand, kissed his cheek. “We’re doing good.”
Wrapping his arm around her waist, Kurt pulled her close, not wanting to let her go. They made their way around the charity gala, looking at little trinkets of jewels, rare books, and other items that had been given to put up for auction. Kurt hadn’t given anything, but he was more than willing to pay for some of the items he saw. There was a large ruby necklace, which would look glorious on Kim’s body. He wondered if she’d paint completely naked while wearing it. When they got to the art room, he recognized several of her paintings that he’d picked. She was happy for them to go up for auction.
Kim didn’t believe they would sell.
Her lack of confidence grated on his nerves. He knew they would sell. They were all too good for them not to. Kurt didn’t argue with her though. He figured the only way for her to see the talent she possessed was for others to realize it as well.
Several people were gathered around her pieces, and he saw people putting down numbers, and making notes. He also happened to spot Randy, who he knew worked in the art world.
Moving toward him, he nodded at the piece. “What do you think?”
“This is like a dream come true.”
“It is.”
“Seriously, whoever this person is, they have a serious eye for color, for depth, and for imagination. Absolutely stunning. I’ve not seen work like this for so long. Captures the eye and the soul.”
Randy had always been a strange one, but he knew art.
“I know the artist,” Kurt said. “She doesn’t believe her work is that good.”
“An artist, gifted, and deluded. I don’t suppose I could meet them.”
Just then, Kim came toward him.
“Randy, I’d like you to meet Kim. The mind and hands behind the paintings.” He made sure not to mention her last name, or her association with her mother.
“H-hello,” Kim said, looking nervous.
Kurt didn’t leave her side as Randy started talking. Kurt listened, doing his utmost to offer support to his girl even as others noticed, and turned to listen to the conversation. He was so proud of her for not running away, when it would be so easy for her to do. Instead, she stayed, kept up talking, answering questions. When it got too much for her, she gripped his hand tightly, and he held her back.
Later that night, Kurt watched as each of her paintings was sold for a large price. The competition had been fierce, and with it, a star had been born.
Chapter Six
“I’m in shock,” Kim said, coming out of the bathroom.