Free At Last, Untouchable Now

ou ser

d through the phone, alm

her studio since their college days. Its reputation was hard-earn

hought you were in some kind of trouble. Just call me

no time arranging the details, anxio

jolting Natalie from sleep be

utside, waving so wildly it was impossible to miss her. Before Natalie could

meet you after I told them you could fix the painting. T

ment made Natalie chu

xaggerated a bit. The place was packed. As soon as the

bt, silently asking whether someone so young could r

ble and started examining the artwork. It was clear how rough things had got

thing set up for m

by replied, hurrying her sta

alm. She began cleaning the surface with stead

e brittle, yellowed paper, and the sight

y. Bit by bit, the once fade

hands work like magi

finally spoke, and the crowd

my painting too? I'd like

ndred thousand if

five hundre

voices, each person hoping to win Natal

been exchanged, Ruby could no

hout your help, this studio would never have even existed. If it h

e field, her gift hadn't faded. Her reputation still mar

atalie stayed quiet for a mom

tually been thinking of returning. D

d light, almost playful, hoping

iness mingling on her face. She could

me, I'll set you up with projects, only take a ten percent cut, an

terms left Natalie a

the sha

to turn her down and jumped

even have this place. I made a promise to you back t

d the sincerity in her words touched Natalie

by.

d and help me out. Let's turn this place into some

her brows, Ruby broke the

laugh, and she nodded firmly,

-needed rest. But Ruby insisted on celebrating in a fancy restaurant.

ie, being the guest of honor, ended up

several times, dizziness crept in, and

?" a familiar voice called out, c