pty, save for the faint hum of workers in the distance, and the sheer scale of the space was overwhelming. The wa

t story would this mural tell? It needed to be bold, significant, unforgettable, just as

y that sent shivers down her spine. Julian Saint Clair was a man who coul

e they work?" she asked without tur

an replied smoothly. "Watchin

glanced over her shoulder, raising

closest thing to a smile s

ding but not overbearing. "What do you see when y

l. It's a blank slate, like a story waiting to

ssion unreadable. "And w

That depends. What do you want people to feel when they see

ighing his answer. "Connection. Awe. A remi

arried himself with such an air of detachme

finally. "I can

-

and deep blues, reminiscent of a galaxy. The design was bold and dynam

initial awkwardness, Lexi found herself strangely comforted by his presence. She felt he might be different from what

t," she remarked at one p

ise?" Julian counte

ple feel the need to fil

mperceptibly. "Silence has its uses. I

ith secrets," Lexi t

a moment, his guarded mask slipp

ld ask more, he turned his attention back to her sketch ,w

a central element in the desi

. It's the focal point, drawing everything togethe

moment. "Hope," he repeated

asked, suddenly

aid quietly. "

-

packing up her supplies when

o your studio," he said, his tone all busines

lied, surprised b

but ask, "Why did you choose me? Out of all the artists

you're different. Your work has a rawness that can't be manufacture

moment, she didn't know how to respond. "Well,"

lian said with

f the mural, the enigmatic man who had commissioned it, and th