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I glanced around the unnaallery co off the doain at how I h et ho the sculpture one last glance, I made my way to the bathroom to splash water on my face As I stared in the bathroom mirror’s reflection, my heart soared that I was in this position I was completely and utterly enthralled by this exhibition

I was convinced that no other show I curate could hold a candle to this one I was obsessed with these pieces More than that, I couldn’t rid h in his life to create theood, I was sure Because of this, ether, Ally, I scolded o home

Just as I was about to exit the otten ot ho I’d done so far had worked So onon top of an empty crate, I made a dash to retrieve it, when froallery, beside the angel piece

Fearful at what he was doing here this late at night, I cautiously et security but immediately stopped dead The man was tall, well built and dressed all in black: black jeans, a black long-sleeved shirt, long brown hair tied back in a low bun But that’s not what caused ht, as he stood at the main sculpture His hand stretched and rested upon a spread wing, his head down blocking his face His shoulders were shaking, as if he were crying Like he was crying for the angel

I couldn’t ly breaking down

Deciding to tell Christoph, I stepped forward, but the heel of my boot clicked on the polished concrete floor My eyes snapped to the e sculpture

The roo, so silent you could hear a pin drop

"This is a private gallery," I eventually foundet a better look at him, but he seemed to anticipate the allery is closed to visitors You really shouldn’t be here," I added, nervously

In a second, theof the sculpture like it nearly killed him to do so With his head firallery

My heart pounded as I watched him retreat

What the hell was that? Why did it suddenly feel like I was standing in a vacuus dissipated? And ht, breaking down in front of the angel?

Shaking orously, I clutched my notepad and purse, and walked toward the security desk where Christoph wasthe screens

"Christoph?" I called, and he looked up I sighed and leaned on the desk "You can’t let students sneak into the allery Many people want to see these pieces up close and will do anything to get a sneak peek"

Christoph frowned "I assure you, Ms Lucia, no students are getting in or have been getting in"

I closed my eyes in a brief moment of exasperation "Christoph, they did just now I just thisthe ot to his feet and leaned on the black granite countertop opposite me, confusion still clearly etched on his face He lifted the sign-in book and read down the nae "No, it was just the two of you who’ve been here this late"

I was set to argue when his words finally sank intoto whoain "Yeah, you and the artist"

My head jerked to the book he held "El… Elpidio?" I spluttered in shock

So akin to butterflies fluttered in led to talk "Elpidio the artist whose exhibition I’ was here?"

Christoph looked atto concernin every night around this tiht you knew Vin Galanti cleared it before you both arrived in Seattle"