The Artist and Goldilocks (From,The Cellar Has A Secret)

Xavier smiled a large bloating grin, after what felt like a thirty minute spread of time when he unlocked his door of his art chateaux. He provided Laura his new model with an opening welcome ceremony. She’d waited patiently on his steps. He gave her a huge applause.

Xavier who couldn’t believe his luck rubbed his stomach with a bloating grin. After, he’d carried on undressing her with his artistic eyes, which were still rolling from his last hangover. More strongest Russian vodka. Xavier was in the right mood for this new adventure in art.

Taking a hold of Laura’s hand he placed her bag at the bottom of his long winding staircase.

‘ Let’s go eat ‘, Xavier grunted while grinning. He grabbed a long coat which was a surviving wrecked French Burberry mackintosh. Also paint stained. The coats pockets were full of pencils. Old note pads with sketches. Some scribbles were a complete mess of indescribable objects. Others? One could imagine dragons. Xavier often created sketches while out in the local village. Occasionally he visited a tavern nearby for a good laugh. Especially if his own vodka was low.

Usually, Goldie, his X wife saw to his supplies. This was Goldies way of ensuring she ordered all her own groceries too. One must never miss the opportunity to take full advantage of one’s position in life, thought Goldie. She felt pleased she’d got away from her drunken husband. Now she’d take advantage of everything. There was no time for any jealousies over her talented drunken husbands philandering. As long as he painted his models into art that could make big bucks. She’d get her cut.

Xavier led his model Laura to the tavern close by his chateaux. He spotted some of his former models. A few of them had been his victims for portraits. They were peculiar males with weird strange faces. Quite creepy looking. Artists can be attracted to many sides of life. These human creatures sat outside drinking from large glasses while smoking heavily. One had a pipe. They laughed shouting out to Xavier in gutter street German. The welcome they gave him was loud.

Xavier replied with a roaring laugh. He then turned around towards a scruffy dressed plump groomed waitress. He placed his order. Firmly he put his new victim Laura on a stool whilst continuing to undress her with his eyes. This was the best part. Examining his piece he’d explode into art on canvas soon.

‘ We haven’t time to paint today’, Xavier told Laura, as he knocked back a treble shot of vodka. He needn’t give the order to Monica. This was the name of the waitress. She knew his order already off by heart. Laura chose natural water to drink, considering her skin under camera be of more importance than knocking herself out. What a sensible girl.

Xavier continued to speak in between each gulp of spirit.

Good local food arrived promptly on the dot. Monica knew her local customers well. Xavier dived in without bothering about table manners. He was being himself. Artists haven’t a care in the world as long as they can paint. Unless they’re trying to sell a painting of course. Xavier continues to speak to his new model Laura.

‘ The light has gone down my dear. We will paint tomorrow in good morning sun. You will be well rested then. Tonight you can sleep well. I asked Goldie my X-wife to send Robert into town to buy fresh towels and various for your comfort. Robert helps me run my show with the boring parts of life. You’re in the best room at the top under the stars. Everything should be prepared when we get home. Goldie, my X-wife and myself have a good business relationship. Now finish your food beautiful girl. We then head back to get some rest.’

Xavier pulls some cash from his coat places it on the table. No need to think about thieves or tips. Everything is easy in these remote villages. In some fortunate places on earth, trust comes naturally. It has to, or nothing would work.

Laura nodded her head. She treated everything like a professional modelling assignment. This is a short cut to her upcoming fame, in her opinion. She held herself well showing off her fine etiquette with good manners.

Xavier maintained his charm. His only seduction was when he painted. He seduced his models on the canvas. His other human models of male or animal beasts were treated in a different emotional context. Emotional variations poured out. Even if someone had a quarrel. He’d carefully calm the situation down, by inviting the people to be painted to his studio. Human beings all want to be adored. Artists either love or hate you, but you will never know. Maybe when you see yourself in their masterpiece. You will see yourself in another light. No one can read an artists mind, we can but try. The mystery is the secret beauty. An artist may bring out parts of yourself you never knew you had. They read into your soul. The great one’s. I speak herewith from first hand experience, as I’m a real artists daughter, that I truly am.

The evening light set in, producing sky with colours like melting rainbows. The surrounding mountains mist lifted alongside running filtering clouds. The mood brought a relaxed walk home, that felt like tranquility in paradise.

To be continued in part three coming soon

Yvette Louise Melech

Copyright

December 2021