Society pages headlined One Red Hue, the first art show of Serene Sinclair, once known as the Red half of the break-out musical duo, Red & Ice. Rumors circulated that she had invited Nolan Stone, the Ice half of the duo, to appear, but he had declined to go.
News spread that he couldn’t even be bothered to show up to support Serene, and it brought public sympathy her way. The buzz made her first art show one of the most anticipated events in the modern art industry. The pressure caused by all the hype had almost been too much for Serene to handle, so when she saw her family enter the venue, the weight on her shoulders felt a lot easier to carry.
“Dad!”
Samuel Sinclair wrapped his arms around her. “This is amazing. I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.”
“So very proud,” Mama Aida reiterated before planting a kiss on Serene’s cheek.
“Mama…” Serene hugged her mother.
Her teenage brother, Jeremy, snapped a photo with his state-of-the-art camera — her gift to him last Christmas.
“I’m making good use of it tonight,” he said. “Congratulations, gingerbrain. Proud of you.” He pulled her in an embrace. His best friend, Max, hung back behind him, waiting to give her a hug. “I hope you don’t mind that I brought an assistant.”
“Hey, Max.” Serene smiled and pulled him in for a hug. “I can’t believe you’re taller than me now. You’re the same age as Jeremy, right?”
“Yup.” Max nodded. “Sixteen soon.”
“I’m glad you came.”
“Wouldn’t have missed it for anything, Serene.”
“I’m actually not sure if you guys are allowed to take photos of the event,” Serene explained. “Could you please clear that with Drew while I show Dad and Mama to the refreshments table?”
Jeremy shrugged. “Sure.” He looked around and caught sight of Drew. He nudged Max, and they were off.
Serene turned her attention back to her parents. They didn’t even make it to the refreshments table before Drew approached with a handsome gentleman in tow.
“Pastor Sam.” Drew shook hands with her father. “Mama Aida.” He hugged her mother. “I’m so glad to see you both again. You must be so proud of Serene.”
“Of course.” Her dad nodded.
Drew gestured toward the gentleman next to him. “I’d like to introduce you all to Ethan Caine. He’s a businessman, a philanthropist, and a patron of the arts. This is tonight’s artist, Serene Sinclair, and her parents, Pastor Sam and Aida Sinclair.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Ethan shook hands with her parents before holding her hand in his firm grip. His grip lingered, and so did his gaze. Something about him was familiar to her. “Miss Sinclair, I’m sure your parents are proud.”
“Very much.” Mama Aida nodded.
“Why don’t we leave you two to get acquainted?” Drew said. “I’m sure Pastor Sam and Mama Aida would like some refreshments.”
Serene wanted to go with them, but one glare from Drew told her that the man in front of her was someone she had to pay attention to, so she waved them off and smiled at Ethan.
“It delights me to discover that the artist is as beautiful — if not more beautiful — than her art,” he said.
“You’re being too kind, Mr. Caine.”
“Please. Call me Ethan.”
“Ethan.” Serene nodded, still trying to recall where she had seen him before.
“It’s not too kind to speak the truth. You are quite lovely.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” she reciprocated, while admitting to herself she found him attractive. The gray on a few strands of his hair and the wrinkles that showed up on the corners of his eyes every time he smiled showed he was older than her. Still, something about him drew her in, made her feel comfortable and safe. “Please tell me more about yourself.”
He shook his head. “Believe me. I’m boring compared to you. Former rock star, now a budding artist about to take the art world by storm. These paintings are breath-taking.”
Former rock star. She cringed. At twenty-three, a musical has-been wasn’t exactly what she wanted to be known for. “Is there a particular piece you’re drawn to?”
From the way he looked at her, Serene feared he would divert the conversation back to her, so she sighed with relief when he pointed out one piece as his favorite. One red cowboy hat worn by a random person in a crowd of black and white. The painting’s one red hue.
“There’s something lonely about it,” Ethan explained. “But there’s also a sense of hope. Like there’s always this one detail about anybody that could make them stand out in a crowd. We’re all obscure, but there’s always something that makes us stand out.”
Serene listened and took every word in. She said nothing in response.
“Was that what you were going for?” he asked. “Did I get it right?”
Serene flashed him a smile and shrugged. “Does it matter? Isn’t art subject to the interpretation of whoever is beholding it?”
“Maybe so, but the creator’s voice is always important to listen to.”
Serene narrowed her eyes at him. “I could swear I’ve seen you before. Have we met?”
“I would’ve remembered meeting you, Miss Sinclair.”
“Please call me Serene.”
“Serene.” His facial features softened; his gaze on her remained keen. “The name suits you.”
“You’re so familiar. What is it you do again?”
“I own several businesses, but I’m known for inheriting my father’s publishing company. Caine Corp.”
“Wait. You’re that Caine?”
“Guilty as charged.”
“Caleb and Nova Grant work for one of your imprints. Do you know them?”
“Yes. I’ve worked closely with Caleb for a long time. He’s one of our most trusted and valuable employees. He invited me to your father’s church once.”
“I think I know where I’ve seen you. You were at their wedding! Nolan pointed you out to let me know you’re Nova and Caleb’s…” her voice trailed off. Just mentioning Nolan made her feel guilty and hurt.
Ethan grinned and said, “Yes. I was there. I can’t believe I didn’t see you. At that time though, I wasn’t aware of your music just yet. How are you acquainted with Caleb and Nova?”
“We went to the same church. Nova was like an older sister to me. She’s Nolan’s older sister.”
Ethan seemed taken aback. “I had no idea.”
Serene shrugged. “If we weren’t on your radar then, there’s no reason you would’ve remembered either Nolan or me.”
Ethan opened his mouth to respond, but someone cleared his throat behind her.
“Excuse me,” Serene said to Ethan before turning to find Jeremy raising his brow at her. “What?” she asked.
He removed the camera strap from his neck, so he could show her something on the screen: an image of a man in a black hoodie, leaning back on his chair inside a restaurant. Nolan.
“Don’t look,” Jeremy whispered in her ear. “The restaurant is right across the street. Nolan’s there, and I’ve seen at least two people leave the gallery, cross the street, and chat with him.”
Serene fought every urge she had to glance toward the direction Jeremy mentioned. She lost the fight, stole a glance, and immediately locked eyes with the man who had once been everything to her.
“Is that Nolan Stone?” Ethan asked in a voice loud enough for the people near them to hear.
Suddenly, everyone was looking out the window.
Serene’s heart dropped. Nolan, please don’t run.
One moment, Nolan seethed over how much time Serene was spending with this one man, who was so old, he was sure he could be her father or at the very least, her suave, corporate-type uncle. The next moment, Serene’s gaze locked with his, and all other gazes followed. Electrifying thrill and momentary panic coursed through his entire system. Now what? Frozen in his seat, Nolan’s mind raced to figure out what to do. He could either make a run for it or cross the street and steal the show. He couldn’t imagine her being happy about the latter, so he decided on the former option. Run.
After tossing a hundred-dollar bill on the table as a tip for the server, Nolan was ready to bolt. However, the moment he reached the door, the sight of Serene crossing the street made him stop.
Her emerald green gown hugged her curves in just the right way. Its hem swayed over the road that shimmered from a slight drizzle earlier that day. One knee buckled beneath him as she glided like an ethereal being floating toward him.
He feared she was coming to slap him on the face, so he blew out a sigh of relief when all he got from her once she reached him was one trimmed brow lifted at him in question.
To answer, Nolan lifted his right shoulder. “I bid on a painting,” he said as if that would explain everything. “I loved the painting of the guitar with a red capo. Magenta deserves to be in the spotlight like that.”
Her silence caused tension to crackle between them.
“Come on, Serene. Say something. Did you really think I’d miss your first art show?”
Her lower lip quivered and her shoulders sagged.
For a moment, he feared she would cry. He wouldn’t have known how to handle that, so he exhaled with relief when she regained composure and straightened her shoulders.
“What makes you think the guitar is Magenta? The only color on that painting is the red capo.”
He smirked. “I would recognize Magenta anywhere. Besides, you named the piece itself Magenta.”
“I didn’t name the pieces. My agent did.”
“Magenta is Magenta. That your agent even knows about her says a lot.”
“All your fans know about Magenta.”
“Oh yeah.” His brow quirked up. “Your agent is a fan. For the record, I think you’re way out of his league.”
“Nolan, he’s not—” She bit her lip and narrowed her eyes at him. She opened her mouth to say something, but silence filled the air.
He drank in the sight of her. He didn’t bother to tell her how stunning he thought she was. She was aware, he didn’t doubt it. “Congratulations, Serene. I’m sure this means a lot to you.”
“You said you wouldn’t come.”
“I lied.”
“It means a lot that you’re here. Your girlfriend is okay with you being here?”
Nolan threw his head back in surprise. Was she referring to Diana? The nagging voice of conscience returned. “I don’t have one.”
“Oh.” Her brows met. Her lips parted and confusion momentarily tensed the soft angles of her face before her eyes moistened with what appeared to be hurt. Serene then shook her head. Her expression cleared, and her gaze lightened. It seemed whatever was bothering her had flown away through the sheer force of her head-shaking.
Fascinated by the multitude of stories the mere changes in her facial expression brought about in his imagination, Nolan stood mesmerized by her. What was running through her mind? Once upon a time, she was less of a mystery to him, but the time and distance spent away from each other gave Serene a sense of mystique that allured him.
“You should come in,” she said, her voice soft and throaty. “I’ve been told more than once that the paintings are clearly inspired by my time with you.”
The sentiment both irked him and pleased him. He smirked. “I’m not done eating my pizza.”
“Doesn’t seem to be very good pizza if you’re already bolting. Also, it doesn’t seem like many people eat here.”
“I hired the place out for the night.” He shuffled on his feet and bowed his head, wondering why he admitted that. “It’s your night. I don’t want to steal the spotlight.”
A soft laugh escaped her lips. “You already have. I don’t have to check behind me, but I’m sure everyone is watching us.”
He looked past her shoulder and nodded. “Pretty much.” All her guests had their eyes fixed on them, anticipating what would happen next. “The press will eat this up. Ramona will kill me.” He caught sight of Pastor Sam and Mama Aida and gulped. “I doubt your parents would want me there.”
“They’d love to see you again. It’s Jeremy and Max you have to worry about.”
A pang of guilt hit Nolan. “Guess the boys aren’t my biggest fans anymore, huh?”
Serene shook her head. “Unfortunately not, but I’m sure they can handle being civil towards you for one night. So? Are you coming?”
Nolan caved. He couldn’t bring himself to embarrass her by declining to go yet again.
When the crowd saw them approaching, they applauded. Nolan and Serene posed for photos and signed autographs. It took a good hour before everything settled down and the attention went back to the art. Finally, Nolan got to see the paintings up close.
Each one triggered a memory. One Red Hue was their story. She didn’t pay much attention to him for the rest of the night, and he didn’t expect her to. He just hoped that his appearance at the event would somehow help her reach her dreams. Serene deserved it, and despite his shattered heart, Nolan wanted that for her.
After all, she had once put all her dreams on hold just to make his come true.
This is an excerpt from the Christian love story, The One Who Rocked Away.