"What do you mean my application was rejected? Come on man, I sent the copies of all the documents they required and....that makes no sense...you should...it's cool. I'll find somewhere else." Luca hung up after an annoying conversation on the phone.

Luca Brandon was an artist with a unique concept and while his work was deemed stunning by the eyes who saw it, his art gained little audience.

A studio of his own, was Luca's greatest wish since the day he moved to New York with his parents, at the age of thirteen.

As a child, Luca was captivated by the details of the Baroque era, and he considered paintings of the sort, exquisite. He never painted anything of the human form but inanimate objects and animals filled his canvas so many. He loved art and its subtle expression of the human understanding and emotions.

Luca's dreams as a child were almost tarnished after an unfortunate incident between his parents, but as strengthened as humans can be, he overcame.

After a four-year study and a degree in Art and Design, Luca worked as an art curator, in a private art Museum for a few years until the age of twenty-three.

Twenty-three-year old Luca painted a part of Central Park, New York in a unique form and with the soul of a free spirit, he placed the painting in the Museum, risking his job.

Of course, he was fired but his painting was bought for a whooping five thousand dollars, by a wealthy French tourist who called his work 'Refreshing'.

With that moment engraved in his heart, Luca Brandon began the search for his own studio, where he could show off his art to the world and gain proper recognition for it.

Well as the expectancies that come with adulthood go, Luca never got his own studio. However, he did rent a space in a small studio owned by the son of his former Boss, the owner of the private Museum he worked in.

By chances and the series of coincidence life offers, twenty-six-year old Luca Brandon became best friends and roommates with the son of his former boss.

It was not the life he wanted but it was living.

Still, Luca could not settle for less. With unwavering will and diligence, he continued his search for a studio with his savings intact. The bills of adulthood were a burden on his dream, but Luca did not let it sway him. He kept pushing.

"Another rejection?" Luca's roommate asked.

"Yeah, but I'll get it one of these days. One of these days. Also, I'm sorry I'm late in paying my part of the rent this month. I'll..."

"Luca you're the only guy I know who pays another guy, rent for a free house! It's my house...well one of my Dad's houses but it's mine and I don't appreciate this idea of taking rent from you. You know? Mi casa...something casa...Your casa is my casa hommie." Luca's care-free roommate said.

"You still collect the rent from me anyway." Luca said with an expressionless look.

"Hey, don't make me look like a jerk. You offered money, I took it. Who wouldn't?" Luca's roommate asked.

They both laughed.

"Besides, it's isn't your fault. After I knew about your Dad demanding rent from you, I knew I had to play my part. You're his kid and he still keep things 'business mode'."

"Such is life Luca. Rich dads, you know?"

"No, I don't know." Luca said after a snort. His roommate laughed and so did he.

"By the way, what's with the new pendant on your gold chain. I've had my eyes on it since you came in last night Luca. And if I'm not mistaken, that's a Game of Gold piece. The Shakespearian Couple ring, it’s called. It's a limited edition. I know you've got a unique taste and you're a master at saving but how did you get your hands on that?" Luca's roommate asked.

Luca caressed the gold ring that dangled on the gold chain he wore. He smiled.

"I won it at a game hosted by GOG last night." He said.

"A game? What kind of game?"

"Just a board game event with a lot of drinking too. I played chess and spin the wheel. There were many prizes but this was one of the best and I'm the king of luck so, I won it." Luca said.

He was not sure why he kept the kiss with Kasey a secret but his heart decided to do so. He knew he might never see her again, but that night was a tale he wanted to himself and no one else.

"You played a game of chess and won a GOG ring? This edition comes in a set though. Why do you have only one with you?" Luca's roommate asked.

"Lord! Rich people and their useless knowledge!" Luca's thoughts complained.

"Why do you think? I sold it of course. A new studio isn't going to pay for itself." Luca said without a blink.

"Cool. Well since it's GOG, drinks are on you when I get back tonight." Luca's roommate said.

"Dude you're rich."

"So? We like free stuff too. I like what's going on with that brush. It's different from what you usually do." Luca's roommate said, while his eyes were focused on the painting Luca worked on.

"I like it too. It's something new." Luca said with a wide smile.

The wheels of Kasey’s car screeched against the black glazed street, kissed by snow melted underneath a warm sun. With a racer’s drift skills, Kasey parked her car in front of a building, on her way home.

"What’s wrong, Boss? You need something here?" Stacey asked Kasey who had stopped in front of a small studio. The poor girl’s face collided with a stack of files she clung unto the minute her boss’ feet stomped on the car breaks.

"He said he was an artist." Kasey whispered with a smile.

She walked into the studio and observed the paintings. For some reason, she felt strongly attached to one of the paintings at the far end of the white-walled studio.

"Boss? Why the sudden interest in paintings?" Stacey asked in confusion.

"New hobby I guess." Kasey said while she gazed at the painting in front of her.

Within the squared space of a silver-sprayed wooden frame was the painting of a red rose. Its green leaves had withered and its petals fell from its bud. From the middle of the red rose, a healthy white rose, so beautiful sprung up. The painting gave an illusion of the white rose bleeding and being reborn. The painting touched Kasey's heart and she called the attention of the art curator at the studio.

"I'm sorry this painting seems different from the others. Is this also part of the owner's collection?" Kasey asked.

"No ma'am. The owner is an art enthusiast and he rent out parts of the studio to artists. Think of this studio as a collection of varied paintings. The owner of the studio thought it best to showcase various tones and effects. This piece was painted by one of the artists renting this part of the studio." The curator, a really tall Blonde in a plaid suit said.

"Is it on sale?"

"Yes. It is ma'am."

"Wonderful. How much?"

"Just a minute ma'am. I'll be right back." The Blonde excused herself.

Kasey Jones and her assistant walked out of an elevator in a tall building. Their heels clicked on marble floor as they stomped to Kasey Jones’ apartment.
"I can't believe you bought this painting for two grand Boss." Stacey said while she held unto a wrapped painting too big for her small shoulders.

"It's a beautiful painting Stacey." Kasey said. She tapped numbers on a digital lock and the door of her home flung open.

"I do agree with that opinion Boss but the lady said it was being sold for five hundred dollars and you paid more than double."

"It's worth it."

"Lord in heaven, I cannot wait to be rich." Stacey said while she dropped the painting on a sofa in Kasey's huge apartment.

"There's not a single painting in this house. I guess this is the first." Stacey said while her eyes strolled over the eccentric splatter of white and gold in her Boss' home. It was not the first time she had been there but Kasey's taste in interior décor would make anyone astonished more than once.

Green plants, some fake and some real made their home in white marble vases on corners of the sitting room. White-cushioned chairs and sofas engraved at edges by gold, accentuated the sleek black electric fireplace protected by a glass plane. An open bar and a sophisticated modern kitchen space were built a few feet close to the living room.

Stacey had never seen the bedrooms in her Boss' home but she knew they would have the same beauty the living room had.

Kasey parted huge white silk curtains with gold baroque embroidery. Rays of the mid-day sun peered into the room, giving it an enriched ambiance.

"Would you like me to help you with anything else?" Stacey asked.

"No. That's all Stacey. Thanks for today."
"It's my job, Boss. Bye."

Stacey was about to open the door to Kasey's home when it flew open after familiar beeps. 

The human on the other side of the door strutted into Kasey home with hands spread wide for a hug.

The being had long black silk hair and stunning eyes, slender at ends. The black in her eyes glowed with vigor.

Tiny silver hoops pierced her earlobes more than twice and one dangled on her left nostril. Her ten fingers each, had one ring and some more than one. Silver bracelets danced on her wrists and anklets jingled as she walked.

The familiar being wore a maroon gown that swept the floor, but a really long split at the left side of the dress revealed thigh covered by a black pantyhose.

A black fur coat left unzipped, covered the human's arms but her cleavage remained exposed to the cold and wandering eyes. Coal-black heels with blood-red soles tapped on the floor as the human strutted dramatically towards Stacey.

"Who missed me?" The human asked.

"Aunt Cindy!!!" Stacey screamed as she hugged the human.

The familiar being was Cindy Lee, Kasey Jones' best friend and sometimes roommate.

Cindy Lee met Kasey at a sorority party. Though a law student at New York University, Cindy took a liking to the mysterious student from Parson's School of Design. The two grew closer over the years until they were inseparable.

While Kasey was a workaholic introvert and overthinker who never took risks, Cindy was a free-spirited law student who decided to become a fashion blogger and tourist, right after her Bar exam.

Cindy aced the exam but when asked, she said her heart yearned for a life of travelling instead.

It was quite difficult to change careers at first, but after a while, Cindy became a popular influencer. It took some time but after an appreciation of her ability to pay her own bills, her stern wealthy Asian parents were off her case.

Cindy Lee was a twenty-seven-year-old Chinese American living her dreams.

With completely different personalities Cindy and Kasey lived like sisters.

"Welcome back Cindy. How was Switzerland?" Kasey asked her friend.

"It was glamourous! The Alps are a scene glued to my soul for all eternity" Cindy said with a dramatic sway.

"What is that?" Cindy asked. Her eyes fixed on the wrapped painting, while she kept her arms around Stacey.

"Something new." Kasey said. She unwrapped the painting and hung it just above a pretty lamp close to the bar.

"Yeah sure, I've checked my account. Thanks." Luca said, smiling sheepishly after a call.

"What was that? I could hear the excitement in your voice." Luca's roommate asked.

"It's your studio bro."

"Is there a problem?"

"Someone just bought my five-hundred-dollar painting for two thousand dollars." Luca said with the eyes of a child who’d been gifted with every item on his Christmas list.