Chapter 2: The Morning After

The sun streamed through the thin curtains of Amara's studio apartment, casting a golden glow over the chaos that was her life. Canvases leaned against every available wall, some half-finished, others abandoned mid-stroke. Brushes and tubes of paint littered the small table she used as a workspace, and a coffee cup from three days ago sat forgotten next to her easel.

Amara groaned as she rolled over on her futon, her head pounding from the lack of sleep. She'd spent most of the night tossing and turning, her mind replaying the encounter with the mysterious man from the bar. His words echoed in her head like a broken record: "Consider it an investment." An investment in what? she muttered to herself, sitting up and running a hand through her tangled curls. Her phone buzzed on the floor beside her, and she reached for it, squinting at the screen. It was a text from Lila.

Lila: Girl, you left so fast last night! Did you see that guy at the bar? He was HOT. Also, brunch?

Amara sighed and typed back: Yeah, I saw him. And sure, brunch sounds good. Meet you at The Nook in an hour?

She tossed her phone aside and dragged herself to the tiny bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. The mirror reflected her tired eyes and the faint shadows underneath them. She looked exactly how she felt: worn out and overwhelmed.

An hour later, she was sitting across from Lila at their favourite brunch spot, a cozy café tucked between a laundromat and a thrift store. Lila looked as flawless as ever, her honey-blonde hair styled in loose waves and her makeup perfectly applied. So, Lila said, leaning forward with a mischievous grin. Tell me everything about Mr. Tall, Dark, and Mysterious.

Amara stirred her coffee, avoiding Lila's gaze. There's nothing to tell. He was just some guy at the bar.

Uh-huh. And the hundred-dollar tip? That's just some guy's behaviour?

Amara sighed. I don't know, Lila. He was… weird. He said it was an investment in me.

Lila's eyes widened. An investment? Like, he wants to fund your art or something?

I don't know! Amara threw up her hands. He didn't exactly stick around to explain.

Lila leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. Okay, but hear me out. What if he's, like, a rich art collector or something? This could be your big break!

Amara snorted. Yeah, because rich art collectors hang out at dive bars on Friday nights. Stranger things have happened, Lila said with a shrug. You never know, Amara. Maybe this is the universe's way of telling you to stop doubting yourself and go after what you want.

Amara opened her mouth to argue but stopped herself. Lila had a point. For years, she'd been stuck in the same routine bartending to pay the bills, painting in her spare time, and dreaming of a life that felt just out of reach. Maybe it was time to take a risk.

Okay, she said slowly. Let's say I entertain this idea for a second. How do I even find him? I don't know his name, where he's from, or what he does. Lila grinned. Leave that to me. I have a friend who works at the club. Maybe he can pull some security footage or something.

Amara raised an eyebrow. You're really invested in this, aren't you?

Honey, I'm invested in you, Lila said, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. You're talented, Amara. You just need someone to believe in you as much as I do.

Amara felt a lump form in her throat. Lila had always been her biggest cheerleader, the one person who never doubted her. She didn't know what she'd do without her.

Thanks, Lila, she said softly. I don't know what I'd do without you.

You'd be lost Lila said with a wink. Now eat your pancakes before they get cold.

As they dug into their food, Amara's mind wandered back to the man from the bar. Who was he? And why had he singled her out? She didn't have the answers, but for the first time in a long time, she felt a spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something big.