章 3: My Powers and I
After a long ride I find the building I have been looking for but I could not see a bike rack which made my heart race. I did not want to chain my precious vehicle to a pole but it seems that the only thing people use to get here are cars. A few men in blue and white uniforms stand at the entrance of the large corporate building, sunglasses hiding their eyes.
I approached the men to ask them for help but they all motioned for me to go inside. I furrow my eyebrows, not sure if I should bring a dusty bike into a clean business building. Perhaps the men did not see my bike so I had to clarify myself. "Sorry to bother you but I am looking for somewhere to secure my bike. I do not think people will like it if I make brown tracks in the buil-"
I was about to finish my sentence but a rude guy pushed me aside while towing a woman along. I watched with hanging jaws as the expensive couple rushed past me. The woman tugged on his hand but he would not stop so she shouted an apology which did not bring down my anger. Without further thought I drag my bike through the open doors. "Thank you."
The man in uniform nods with a scowl as he closes the door behind me. I know he is not mad because of me but the incident with the fancy man still made me feel horrible and I try to forget the scene as I walk my bike over to a bike rack beside the front desk. A secretary looks up from a pile of papers, surprising me with a pleasant smile. I tried to smile back but her face does not tell me if I looked kind or mischievous.
"Hello, how can I help you today?" The woman sits straighter in her chair and beamed brightly. I could not tell if she was saying these words out of duty or if she is naturally bubbly. She is still wearing her jacket so I assumed she had just arrived just like me. The brown eyed secretary sees my bike and got up to make her way around the white desk. "Let me take that for you. What is your name and what are you doing here?"
I let her take my bike and dig into my pant pockets to pull out two things. She took my business card first, her eyebrows rising as she reads the small piece of paper. Then, she looks at the sticky note with my customer's information that I scribbled down using a blue highlighter. She frowns and my mind thought of the worst. "Am I late?"
"No, you are fine. It's interesting, I wonder what an artist is doing in a finance building. Anyway, Parker just came in so I suggest you wait for a bit to allow him to settle. His office is on the eleventh floor, number 1125." The secretary recorded my name in a book for visitors. Then she slid a plastic card across the counter. "This is your identification card. Show this if anyone asks who you are."
"Thank you. I assume I would need to come here to sign out, return the card and retrieve my bike?" I said as I struggled to pick up the card with my fingers. I cut my nails just yesterday so it was a bit difficult to use my fingers. I quit trying to use the tips of my fingers and slid the card towards me. I muttered under my breath. "I am so dumb."
I could feel my cheeks start to heat up but the secretary is now talking on the phone so I think she is not paying attention to anything I do. I start backing away from the front desk and took in the building for the first time. The color scheme consists of blues and white which I like. I could see a tall glass pillar filled with water and aquarium fish. The glass must be very strong and it looks clean.
"That looks interesting," I breathed. Spiraling around the cylindrical aquarium is stairs that makes the cylinder look like a screw. As if on instinct I take out the pencil from my pocket and set my tote bag down gently. I whipped out a sketchbook and flip to a random page to sketch the cool structure. I avoided drawing detailed fish because if I do my powers would be activated.
After finishing the simple and quick drawing I stood on the silvery stairs to stare at the calming aquarium. I think that this is a great thing to see in a busy building where stress is plenty but as I stood on the stairs no one going up would stop to look. People were looking at their phones, tablets, schedules and suits.
"Where is that artist named Vivian? She should have arrived ten minutes ago! Where is she, I'm a busy man!" I jump, clutching the silver railings as I make my way down the stairs. A man who had his back turned to me was leaning on the white front desk. Theshade of his blue suit looks familiar but I could not put my eye on it.
The man was shouting at the kind secretary. The poor woman looked petrified as she pointed at me. She looked very uncomfortable but she still had to put up with the the prick because it is her job. "I did not want to send her up while you were just settling in. I told her to wait a bit but she came very early."
"Mr. Parker?" I see the man turn around and his face made me want to walk back to the stairs. I stopped walking and my last step echoed through the bright lobby. "It's you? Stop yelling at her, she was perfectly doing her job until a jerk like you came along. You still need to apologize to me for bumping into me earlier."
"My assistant already apologized to you and I can treat my workers however I want. I am hiring you so I suggest you treat me with the utmost respect because I will be your boss for a few weeks. I can fire both of you whenever I feel like it." The man dressed in expensive brands made his way over to me. I could not hold back my face of disgust.
"Employees, beggars, whoever! They are alk humans who make mistakes but she did not make any mistakes. Her intentions for you were good but you treated her as if she is in the wrong." I felt my head start to throb but I must not show my weakness. I need to fight this brat. I pushed my face up.
"How can you fire me if I was never hired by you? I am a freelancing artist who has more customers besides you. I will give you respect when you learn how to be a decent person. Also, call me back when you feel more kind." I do not even pull out my business card. I turn my back to him to hide my frustration. "You know which number to call. I need to go to the washroom."
"I will guide you there," The secretary said timidly. I can her the desperation in her voice, she wanted to get out of here and I wanted to help her. I nod, noticing for the first time the nametag on her chest. Her name is Tamara and the tag looks well taken care of. Somehow, Tamara wears it proudly.
I let her lead me across the white lobby and we duck into a bright washroom. The lights around the large mirror and the marble sinks blinded my eyes but Tamara did not look bothered at all. She places her hands on the counter and stares at her reflection. I pick a stall and start pulling out my drawing materials.
"I might take a while, you can stay here with me until I'm done. Damn, that Parker guy is an asshole even if he's the boss." I hear Tamara chuckle as I turned on my tablet. The next moments of silence was spent listening to her wash her face and I was quickly drawing something I hope would cheer her up.
I quickly finish my rough sketch and concentrated on picking out shades of brown and yellow. I must pour all of my emotions if I wanted to make this work. I sigh, not exactly satisfied with the final drawing but I merge all the layers. I press save anyway. I waited until a real teddy bear clutching a daffodil materializes on top of the screen. Success!
Yes, this is my superpower. I can bring illustrations to life. The only thing I cannot do is bring dead people back to life but whoever receives my drawings would find something from the picture becomes real. I have been pestered by many customers asking me why they found a rose on their nightstands or how a sword from a piece became real.
Of course, I had to pretend I do not know which may have sent them to therapy sessions but I have to protect my secret. Lorenzo joked about my power being diamond making but I think my actual power is close enough. I have made diamonds before but the ones I draw become dull faster than real diamonds.
Tamara turns off the tap but I know she is still there. I clutch the teddy bear in my hand and take a deep breath. I turned off my tablet and stuffed it into the tote bag then I flushed the toilet. I hoped the water was loud enough to make her think she did not hear me doing my business. Why is she so quiet?
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