Colours of Deception

on. The colors seemed dull, the composition uninspired, and the entire piece felt like a rehashing of every mediocre art stude

ushes, and canvases covered every available surface, with scraps of paper, torn-up sketches, and discarded paint tubes litte

ustrated, definitely. Discouraged, absolutely. The art world was a cruel mistress, and Lexi felt

ssion would be enough to propel her to stardom. But the reality was harsher. Gallery owners didn't return he

ce. She hesitated for a moment before an

ing a brightness into her

he other end of the line. "Hey, sweetie, how's

she didn't want to have this conversation. Not n

und nonchalant. "Just working on some new

, I know it's tough, but you can't give up. You're talented,

mother had always been her biggest suppor

to sound convincing. "I just n

words of encouragement and support. When they finally hung u

it was time to take a break, clear her head, and come back to it with fresh eyes. Or may

felt like she was drowning in a sea of

oor broke the silence. Lexi's heart sank. She wasn't expecting

his time. With a sigh, Lexi made her way t

rier standing in the hallway, a l

ked, eyes scanning her

d warily.

ou've been selected for a prestigious a

e took the envelope. Could this b

pe and pulled out the contents. As she sc

grant from a mysterious patron, offering her a cha

the opportunity of a lifetime. But as she looked cl

Blackwood. And Lexi had a fee

. "Congratulations, Ms. Thompson," he said, with a nod. "I hope you ma

h elated and terrified. She stood there for a moment, clutchin

bstantial amount of money - enough to cover her living expenses for several month

wood. She'd heard of him, of course - who hadn't? He was a wealthy and influential patron of

of accepting this grant. She'd be beholden to Julian Blackwood, at least f

the positive. This was an opportunity she couldn't

d began to read through the grant proposal again, this time lookin

in over her head. But she was willing to take that risk, if it

deceit, manipulation, and greed, where the lines betw