If you saw her, you would believe she only admired the art gallery as she walked. Amina Praise walked the art gallery alone, admiring the art designed walls, exquisite portraits, and the lovely crafts hung, and other things displayed. She was a young photographer with a lot on her mind. A camera hung around her neck, over a white cotton top, and black silk trousers, which hid her slender frame and glowing dark skin. Her eyes were distant when you stared at it. She had a lot on her mind of course, but the paintings helped distract her thoughts. She was waiting for her new client.
Mr. D he called himself was supposed to meet her at the newly opened gallery. She was sure he just wanted to take pictures with the backgrounds. A lot of people did that here. It was the latest place in town. She sighed, hoping he was worth the wait. She really needed the pay.
She'd been struggling to make ends meet. Her dreams to become a respected photographer around the globe felt bleak. Life had made it so, especially when you had an ailing mum and many bills to take care of.
Amina shook her head, waving off the worry. She didn't want to sink into depressing thoughts. She turned and noticed another painting. The sun hung over a sunflower field in it. A single boy ran happily through the field.
"eh ehm," she heard a voice behind her. Startled, Amina turned quickly and saw an older man. A thin but good-looking man. With grey hair and dark skin. He covered his darker skin with a simple white shirt and blue jeans. And he smiled warmly.
"Sorry sir, I didn't see you come in." Amina apologized.
"Oh, I let myself in." The man said, walking over to a painting she had stared at. "You shouldn't worry so much, you know."
"Wha..what?" Amina said softly and confused.
"You were lost in thought, didn't notice me come in, had a look of worry on your face." He explained
"How did you.."
"I know." He said, smiling at her, "I've been there too. Don't worry, you can get through it."
Amina smiled and shook her head, rolling her eyes, but not disrespectfully, but just to disagree. She stared at the painting of the sunflower field.
"I wish that were true, at least he seems happy." She said, referring to the boy in the painting.
"Oh, that boy." the man said, stepping up close to it, which worried Amina. Customers weren't meant to do that. "I did this earliest after I got my big break."
Amina showed surprise.
"Sorry Sir, what do you mean? you mean...?" She pointed to the painting.
"Yes." He said smiling, turning to face her. "I am the owner of this gallery." He stretched his hand to shake her, "pleased to meet you." Amina smiled nervously and gently took it.
"This Big Place?" Amina asked with wide eyes.
"Haha, Yes." He let go of her hand and leaned closer, "If Life throws you lemons," he said, "you make lemonade out of it. Or at least, that's how the saying goes." He straightened, "Life is hard sometimes." He continued. "It is, but, if you never gave up on your dreams, if you pursued it tenaciously, not cutting corners, you'd surely succeed. And when you do, you'd forget all the obstacles life threw at you, just like I did in this painting." he faced the field painting. "I'm the little boy running in the flower fields joyfully. That's how I felt that day "
Amina rubbed her hand, surprised by his words, but intrigued. It filled her with hope. She had never thought about it, but she always felt there was no hope. She just realized there is.
"I...I understand sir. And I won't give up."
"Good." He said smiling, then he brought out a smartphone and punched the screen. "Now. How much did you say your fee was over the phone?"
Amina turned and shook her head in disbelief. This art gallery owner was her client. She could only manage to point at him in shock and say.
"You.."
"I want to pay you to take a picture, of each of my work. Let's say two hundred thousand for each?" He asked.
Amina let out a surprised and relieving gasp. Indeed it turned out to be a good day. And a good pay.