Esther

Esther was in her studio when her phone rang. She had her headset on, listening to a song when the call interrupted her. It was an unknown number. She frowned and dragged the decline button, relaxing again as the song resumed. She mixed two colors and tested them on the canvas when the song stopped again.

She cursed under her breath and picked up the call.

"Hello," she snapped.

There was silence on the line. She frowned in annoyance. Fucking prank calls. She disconnected the call and blocked the number. She took a deep breath; when she was calm, she continued mixing and painting. Less than five minutes passed, and another call interrupted her.

She picked up and yelled into the phone, "Do you think it's funny messing with me? If you call my number again, I swear I will track you down and string you like bloody cheese, okay!"

The caller was silent, but she could hear breathing. Who the creepy fuck was messing with her this early in the day?

"Miss Powés, it's a pleasure to meet you too."

She looked at the string of numbers in confusion. None of her acquaintances had this number, and her agent didn't inform her to expect any call.

"Who am I speaking to?" her voice turned cautious.

"A patron who did not receive a very nice welcome," the person, she could tell it was a man, replied.

Esther paused; a customer? She hurriedly apologized. "I am so sorry, usually unknown calls to my line are either prank calls or advertisements for a lawnmower."

"What?"

"I'm sorry, nevermind that," Esther thumped her head; why the hell did she say that.

"Er did you speak to my agent? She would have informed me to expect your call."

"No, I got your number from a friend."

"Oh who?"

"My boss wants to get a family portrait done," he ignored her question and continued.

"Oh okay..." She really didn't know what else to say; her agent, Dahra, always handled the customers so all she ever needed to do was paint.

The man didn't say anything, but she could almost hear him frown; he's probably thinking she's weird.

"Ermm I'll give you my agent's number for further discussions meanwhile you can send me the picture."

"Picture?" He asked, "No, they want a live portrait."

Wait, what?

"What?"

"I will send the details to your email, take your time to review the contract, oh and kindly unblock the previous number."

Esther blinked when the call was disconnected. What just happened?

She was blankly staring at the canvas when her phone dinged. It was an email notification. So fast?

She opened it. There was a link to a contract signing website. When she opened the contract, her mouth pursed in surprise and annoyance as she read the terms.

'This agreement is made between Esther Powés, Painter, and Narok, Patrons, on this day. The Painter agrees to live in the Patrons' home for the duration of the painting, housing and feeding will be provided. The Painter will not disclose any information about the Patrons to any third parties. The painting will take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and will take an undecided number of weeks to complete. Upon completion, the Patrons will pay the Painter Ten Million Galands. This agreement is binding and shall be upheld by both parties. In the event of a breach of this contract by either party, the offending party will be liable for five times the contract amount, plus any legal fees incurred as a result of the breach. Signed Narok, Patrons.'

Her mouth hung open at the amount stated. A big painting job would earn her twenty thousand Galands. And they are offering ten million! This has to be some elaborate prank, right?

She sent the email to Dhara. She received a response in a few seconds.

???

Three question marks. She started typing a reply when Dhara's call came in.

"What the hell was that?"

Esther bit her lip, "I don't know, someone called to get a portrait done; then he said he would send an email, and that's what I got."

"Seriously?" Dhara sounded excited; then her voice went down "they're not messing with us, are they?"

"I don't know."

Dhara sighed, "Don't worry, I'll contact them and confirm; no need to lose our heads over a little cash."

Esther chuckled, "okay."

It was not up to three hours later when Dhara called again. When Esther picked up the call, she nearly went deaf.

"Ahhhh it's real! It's real! It's real!! I can't fucking believe it! We've hit the jackpot, baby!"

Esther was calm even though her heart was flipping in her chest. Her voice shook, "They will really pay ten million for a simple family portrait?"

"Simple?" Dhara shrieked, "Girl you gon' paint them like they're the emperor himself!"

Esther laughed and cried; she felt very silly yet exhilarated. "Of course, I'll paint so well they'll ask for ten more."

Dhara laughed as well, "Good, good, I'm so happy; now I think Imma go clubbing, party, and get mad drunk, you coming?"

"You know the answer," Esther chuckled.

"A big fat No," Dhara recited in a singsong voice.

Esther shook her head at her friend's antics.

"Remember to sign the contract tonight; we don't want them thinking we're reluctant."

"Yes, boss."

Esther grinned ear to ear as she clicked on the contract email again, then her eyes fixed on a particular clause.

'The Painter agrees to live in the Patrons' home for the duration of the painting.'

Did she have to live with strangers for a few months?

She groaned in frustration. She couldn't not sign the contract because of that. If she could get that much money, a surgery to correct her Oscillating anopsia would be possible. She clenched her fists; it's just three days a week, other than that, she can stay out of sight. Who knows, maybe she can still come home during the off days.

She tapped the signature space and drew her name; she hesitated for a second before pressing send. A message popped up.

Contract complete.