“That’s terrible,” Weiller said to her.
“Well, as embarrassing as it is to say, I’m a struggling artist and, well, I can’t pay bills in artwork.”
“What do you do for money?” Weiller asked her. She felt truly uncomfortable.
“I’ve worked as a bartender for private parties, that’s where I met Mulgoff, and he introduced me to modeling jewelry. Not sure what’s next.”
“I think you won’t need to bartend again,” Mulgoff said to her.
“Why is that?” she asked.
“Well, I don’t know the numbers on the paintings that sold but I know one went for thirty thousand dollars.”
“What?” She raised her voice and then leaned back against the seat and pressed a hand to her forehead. All of the men chuckled at her but she felt about ready to pass out.
“God, she is precious,” Weiller said and took a sip from his champagne.
“I don’t believe this. I can’t believe this is happening to me. People liked them that much? I’m a no name,” she said to Mulgoff.
“Not anymore. I was already asked about your gallery showing. I said it’s in the works.”
“Gallery showing? Mulgoff, seriously?” she asked.
“Yes,” he replied and smiled.
She leaned forward and leaned her elbows on the table and tried taking slow breaths. She felt the warm palm against her back caressing her skin.
“Easy, Rose. It is going to work out fine,” Molokai said to her and she felt his fingers stroke her neck and his warm breath hit her bare arm. She lifted up.
“I’m sorry. I think I need a moment.”
“Let’s take the necklace off first,” Mulgoff said and looked at Corpias. He approached with a velvet box.
“Allow me,” Molokai said and she turned sideways and he stroked her neck as he undid the clasp to the necklace and lifted it toward the box. Corpias took the box and headed out of the room with it.
He looked at her neck and made a funny noise.
“You need something to replace it.”
“I’ll be fine. The pendant was heavy, and my neck could use a break,” she said to him. He gave her an odd expression before he looked at her cleavage and then her neck.
“You’re a very attractive young woman. Sweet, authentic, and should be showcased as such.”
“Meaning what?” she asked.
“Struggling to make ends meet, not being able to afford your own studio is unacceptable. I can change all that for you, Rose. All you need to do is accept whatever I offer you.”
“Which is what exactly, Mr. Volupus?” she asked.
“First of all for you to call me Molokai. Secondly, that you’ll keep an open mind and discuss possibilities.” He licked his lower lip and she had the feeling the man was trying to seduce her.
“Molokai, we have a visitor,” Weiller stated.
She looked up and saw guards blocking a man from approaching. She recognized him from the other night at the party.
“Roger Hiatte. Let him through,” Molokai said. As the man approached, he looked pissed off.
“What are you doing in South Carolina, hell, here?” Hiatte asked in a strong tone.
“Remember who you’re speaking to, Roger,” Molokai replied firmly and even Rose felt the seriousness in the man’s tone. Molokai was an attractive older man with black hair and dark grey eyes. He had a look about him that made her gut clench in warning. She was definitely out of her element here.
“How am I supposed to be calm and respectful when I know you’ve had a part in stealing product from me? Do you think I’m stupid?” Hiatte stated.
“I need to use the ladies’ room,” she said to Weiller who sat next to her, not wanting to be here to listen in on the conversation. Molokai heard her and looked at her and gave a soft smile.
“See what you have done, Hiatte. You’ve frightened the young woman away and we were just getting to know one another,” Molokai said and narrowed his eyes at Hiatte.
“It’s okay. I’ve been walking around all evening and now that I don’t have fifty million dollars hanging on my neck I could use the break,” she said and shyly smiled.
“Of course,” Molokai said and he stood up and then offered his hand for her to take. When she accepted it and he assisted her off the seat he held her close and whispered into her ear.