The drive from the café to Ophelia's gallery was filled with animated chatter. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the city streets as they navigated through the arts district, the buildings here slightly older, more bohemian, with colorful murals adorning brick walls and vintage storefronts interspersed with modern galleries.
"I still can't believe you got me all three of the ones I wanted," Ophelia said for what must have been the fifth time, turning one of the tokens over in her palm. "The probability of that happening was—"
"Astronomically low, I know," Kalina finished with an amused smile, keeping her eyes on the road. "Maybe the universe was on your side today."
"Or maybe my amazing older sister rigged the game somehow," Ophelia teased, side-eyeing Kalina suspiciously. "You have that look. That 'I planned everything down to the last detail' look."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Kalina said innocently, though the corner of her mouth twitched with suppressed amusement.
As they pulled into the small parking lot behind Ophelia's gallery, Art by Lia, Ophelia noticed immediately that something was off. There were several unfamiliar cars parked in spaces usually reserved for her staff, and through the gallery's back windows, she could see movement—lots of movement.
"Kali, why are there so many people here?" Ophelia asked slowly, unbuckling her seatbelt but not moving to exit the car. "The gallery is supposed to be closed today for inventory..."
Kalina's mysterious smile widened. "Why don't we go inside and find out?"
Ophelia's eyes narrowed with suspicion, but her curiosity won out. She grabbed her bag and tokens, practically leaping from the car with Kalina following at a more leisurely pace. As soon as Ophelia pushed through the gallery's back entrance, she stopped dead in her tracks.
The usually serene space of her gallery had been transformed into a hive of organized chaos. Her assistant Julia stood near the center of the main exhibition hall, clipboard in hand, directing a team of workers who were carefully adjusting lighting fixtures.
Another team was arranging chairs in elegant rows along one side of the gallery. Florists were setting up elaborate arrangements of white orchids and deep purple calla lilies in tall crystal vases. Caterers moved through with serving equipment, and someone was testing sound equipment in the corner.
"What... what is all this?" Ophelia breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Julia looked up, her face brightening when she saw them. "Ms. Ophelia! Ms. Kalina! Perfect timing. I was just about to call you." She hurried over, her heels clicking efficiently on the polished concrete floor.
"The lighting crew wants to confirm the placement for the spotlights on the featured pieces, and the caterers need to know if you want the appetizer station near the entrance or by the sculpture garden."
"I—what—spotlights? Caterers?" Ophelia turned to Kalina, her expression a mixture of confusion and dawning realization. "Kali, what did you do?"
Kalina stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on her sister's shoulder. "Welcome to your second gift, Lia. An exclusive, invitation-only exhibition event. Tomorrow night."
Ophelia's mouth opened and closed several times without producing sound, like a fish gasping for air.
"Tomorrow night?" Ophelia finally managed to squeak out. "As in... less than twenty-four hours from now? Tomorrow night tomorrow night?"
"That would be the definition of tomorrow night, yes," Kalina said, thoroughly enjoying her sister's reaction.
"But—I—we can't—there's no way—" Ophelia sputtered, her free hand gesturing wildly at the organized chaos around them. "Do you have any idea how much planning goes into an event like this? We need weeks! Months! I need to—the artwork isn't even—and the guest list—I don't even know who—"
"Breathe, Lia," Kalina interrupted calmly, guiding her sister to one of the newly arranged chairs before she could hyperventilate. "Sit. Let me explain before you pass out."
Ophelia sat heavily, still clutching her tokens in one hand while the other pressed against her chest as if to keep her heart from jumping out.
Kalina pulled up another chair, sitting across from her sister with that infuriatingly calm expression that meant she had everything under control—which somehow made Ophelia feel even less in control.
"I've been planning this for the past two weeks," Kalina began, her tone soothing and matter-of-fact. "Ever since I knew the arranged marriage situation was going to work out in your favor. I wanted to give you something that would not only celebrate your gallery's success but also elevate it to the next level."
"Two weeks?" Ophelia repeated faintly. "You've been planning a major gallery event for two weeks and didn't tell me?"
"If I'd told you, you would have stressed about it for two weeks instead of just one day," Kalina pointed out reasonably. "This way, you only have to stress for—" she checked her watch, "—approximately twenty-seven hours. Much more manageable."
"That is the opposite of manageable!" Ophelia protested, but there was less panic in her voice now, replaced by a reluctant fascination. She glanced around at the preparations with a trained eye, and despite her shock, she couldn't help but appreciate the quality of what she was seeing. The lighting was being positioned perfectly to showcase her pieces, the floral arrangements were sophisticated without being ostentatious, and the chair arrangement created an intimate atmosphere while still maintaining the gallery's open, artistic feel.
"Who's on the guest list?" Ophelia asked, her voice steadier now, though her grip on the chair arm remained white-knuckled.
Kalina's smile turned knowing. "That's the best part. Julia, could you bring us the guest list, please?"
Julia practically skipped to a nearby table where several folders lay organized in neat stacks. She returned with a leather-bound portfolio, handing it to Kalina with a grin that suggested she knew exactly what bombshell was about to be dropped.
Kalina opened the portfolio slowly, clearly savoring the moment, and passed it to Ophelia. "See for yourself."
Ophelia took the portfolio with trembling fingers, her eyes scanning the elegant calligraphy of the guest list. Her eyes widened progressively with each name she read.
"Eleanor Pemberton... the art collector?" Her voice pitched higher. "And Marcus Chen from the National Gallery? Oh my god, Vivienne Laurent is coming? She's only the most influential art critic in the country!" She kept reading, her voice growing more incredulous. "Antonio Rossi, the Italian sculptor? Sarah Yamamoto from the Tokyo Modern Art Museum? Kali, these people are... they're..."
"Legends in the art world," Kalina finished calmly. "Yes, I know. Keep reading."
Ophelia's eyes continued down the list, past several more impressive names from the international art community, and then she froze completely. Her face went from flushed with excitement to pale with shock in the span of a heartbeat.
"Maximilian Rylan Blackwood," she read aloud, her voice barely a whisper. The portfolio slipped slightly in her suddenly nerveless fingers. "Maxi is coming? Here? To my gallery? Tomorrow?"
"Along with several other prominent members of the business community," Kalina added, watching her sister's reaction carefully. "Including Rhys Castillon and Silas Ashworth."
"The Big Three," Ophelia breathed, looking up at Kalina with wide, disbelieving eyes. "You got the Big Three to come to my gallery? How? Why? What did you do? Did you threaten them? Blackmail them? Promise them your firstborn child?"
Kalina laughed, a genuine sound of amusement. "Nothing so dramatic. I simply let it be known through certain channels that this was going to be the event of the season. That the most influential figures in the art world would be here, along with exclusive pieces that have never been publicly displayed. The business elite always want to be where the cultural elite are. It's about being seen in the right places, with the right people."
"But Maxi..." Ophelia's voice trailed off, and she looked down at the list again as if to confirm she hadn't imagined it. "He's actually coming. My crush. The man I've been dreaming about for years. Is going to be here. In my gallery. Tomorrow."
She looked up at Kalina with an expression somewhere between gratitude and terror. "I don't know whether to hug you or strangle you."
"How about we save both options for after the event?" Kalina suggested diplomatically. "Right now, we need to go over the logistics so you know what to expect."
Julia had been standing by patiently, and now she stepped forward with her clipboard at the ready. "Ms. Ophelia, if you're ready, I can walk you through what we have planned so far."
Ophelia took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and nodded. The professional gallery owner in her was beginning to override the panicking younger sister. "Yes. Okay. Let's do this. Walk me through everything."
Julia beamed, pleased to see her boss shifting into business mode. "Excellent. So, the event will begin at seven PM tomorrow. We're calling it 'Luminescence: An Evening of Modern Masters.' The theme focuses on contemporary artists who are pushing boundaries in their respective mediums."
She led them through the gallery as she spoke, gesturing to different areas. "We have five featured pieces from your collection that will be highlighted with special lighting and individual presentations. I've prepared description cards for each piece with your curatorial notes—I used the drafts from your office, but you'll want to review and approve them tonight."
Ophelia nodded, already mentally cataloging which pieces would work best. "The Nakamura installation, definitely. And the Sterling sculpture series. What about the Beaumont painting? Is the lighting correct for that one? The colors need very specific—"
"Already handled," Julia assured her. "The lighting crew has the specifications you provided when you acquired the piece. We've done several test runs."
They continued walking through the space as Julia outlined the evening's flow. "Guests will arrive starting at seven. We'll have champagne and canapés during the first hour of general mingling—that's when people can view the art at their leisure. At eight, you'll give a brief welcome speech—"
"A speech?" Ophelia's newfound composure wavered. "How brief?"
"Five to seven minutes," Julia said. "Just a welcome, explanation of the theme, and acknowledgment of the notable pieces and guests. I can help you draft it tonight if you'd like."
"Please," Ophelia said weakly.
"After your speech, we'll have a guided portion where you'll lead small groups through the featured pieces, discussing each one. This gives you a chance to interact directly with the influential guests and show your expertise."
Kalina watched Ophelia's face carefully. She could see her sister's anxiety warring with her passion for art. When Ophelia talked about her work, about the pieces she'd curated and the artists she supported, she came alive. But the social performance aspect—the speech, the mingling, the pressure of important guests—that was the source of her stress.
"The guided tours are optional for guests," Kalina interjected gently. "Some will want the in-depth experience, others will prefer to explore on their own. You're not performing for them, Lia. You're sharing something you love with people who appreciate it. Just be yourself."
Ophelia looked at her sister, some of the tension easing from her shoulders. "When did you become so wise?"
"I've always been wise. You're just finally noticing," Kalina replied with a small smile.
Julia continued, "We'll have live music throughout the evening—a string quartet, very tasteful, not so loud that it interferes with conversation. The catering is all high-end hors d'oeuvres, nothing too heavy. We want people focused on the art, not the food."
"What about security?" Ophelia asked, her practical side kicking in. "Some of these pieces are worth—"
"Already arranged," Kalina said. "Discrete but thorough. No one will even notice they're here, but the artwork will be completely protected."
They spent the next thirty minutes going over details—the placement of each piece, the flow of foot traffic through the gallery, contingency plans for various scenarios. Ophelia's initial panic gradually transformed into focused determination. This was her domain, her expertise. Once she moved past the shock of the timeline, her professional instincts took over.
"What about press?" Ophelia asked suddenly. "An event like this, with these guests—the arts media will want coverage."
"Invitation only, no press," Kalina said firmly. "This is about creating an exclusive, intimate experience. The mystique of an event that happened with only the most select attendees will generate more buzz than any press coverage could. Trust me, by next week, everyone in the art world will be talking about the gallery event they weren't invited to."
Ophelia stared at her sister with newfound respect. "You've really thought of everything, haven't you?"
"That's what I do," Kalina said simply.
As if on cue, one of the workers called out, "Ms. Julia? We need your approval on the bar setup."
Julia glanced at her clipboard, then at Ophelia. "Do you want to see the bar arrangement, or should I handle it?"
"You handle it," Ophelia said, surprising herself with how easily the delegation came. "I trust your judgment, Julia. You've been doing excellent work."
Julia's face lit up with pride. "Thank you, Ms. Ophelia. I'll make sure everything is perfect." She hurried off to deal with the bar situation, leaving the sisters alone in the center of the gallery.
Ophelia sank back into one of the chairs, looking around at the space with a mixture of awe and trepidation. "This is really happening. Tomorrow night. All of these people, including..." She swallowed hard. "Including Maxi."
Kalina sat beside her, her expression softening. "Are you excited or terrified?"
"Both," Ophelia admitted. "Definitely both. What if I mess up? What if I'm so nervous that I can't speak? What if he thinks I'm—"
"Lia," Kalina interrupted gently, taking her sister's hand. "He's going to think you're brilliant. Because you are. This gallery, everything you've built—it's incredible. You have nothing to prove to anyone, including Maximilian Blackwood."
"But he's—"
"Just a person," Kalina finished. "A person who happens to appreciate art and who will be genuinely impressed by what you've created here. Stop putting him on a pedestal."
Ophelia laughed weakly. "Easy for you to say. You don't have a massive crush on him."
"True," Kalina conceded. "But I do know him well enough to tell you that he values authenticity over everything else. He's been surrounded by fake, pretentious people his entire life. Someone who's genuinely passionate about their work? That will stand out to him."
Ophelia studied her sister's face carefully. "How do you know him so well, Kali? Really? You keep saying you have your ways, but... you talk about him like you actually know him. Not just know of him."
Kalina's expression became thoughtful, measuring how much to reveal. "We went to the same university. We were in some of the same classes, worked on a few projects together. I got to know him as a person, not just as the Blackwood heir."
"You never told me that!" Ophelia's eyes widened. "You were friends with Maxi in school and never mentioned it?"
"You were still in high school when I was at university," Kalina pointed out. "And it's not like I advertised my friendships. You know how I prefer to keep a low profile."
"Low profile?" Ophelia laughed incredulously. "Kali, you're the most secretive person I know. I'm your sister and I'm just now finding out you were friends with one of the Big Three?"
"One of the perks of being the invisible middle child," Kalina said with a slight smirk. "No one pays attention to what I'm doing, which means I can do quite a lot without scrutiny."
Ophelia shook her head in amazement. "So when you said you could set this up, you weren't just being confident. You actually had the connections to make it happen."
"I did say I had my ways," Kalina reminded her.
Kalina checked her watch. "So make sure you come for the sleepover, baby sister"
Ophelia perked up. "Like old times?"
"Exactly like old times. Except this time, you're the one desperate for boy advice instead of me trying to avoid it."
"You're still trying to avoid it," Ophelia pointed out. "I don't think I've ever seen you interested in anyone romantically."
"Because romance requires energy I don't have and commitment I don't want," Kalina said matter-of-factly, standing up and stretching. "Now, I need you to drive me to the main office. I have about three hours of extremely boring meetings and proposal work that need to be handled before I can collapse at Logan's place."
Ophelia stood as well. "What's all this proposal work about?"
"Remember how Father wanted me to take a position in the family company?" Kalina's tone was deliberately casual. "I'm putting together a counter-proposal. One that lets me contribute without actually giving up my freedom or revealing certain... aspects of my life."
"Your secret empire, you mean," Ophelia said with a knowing look. "When are you planning to tell Father about Fruit Shakers and LOMIKA?"
"Soon," Kalina said. "Very soon. After the merger with Lyra is finalized, actually. Which reminds me—" She pulled out her phone and sent a quick text. "I need to confirm the timeline with Logan."
Ophelia watched her sister, marveling at how Kalina could be simultaneously exhausted and completely in control of multiple complex situations. "You're amazing, you know that? Terrifying, but amazing."
"I'm really not," Kalina said with unexpected honesty. "I'm just lazy and trying to avoid responsibility by being strategic about it. It's different."
"If you say so," Ophelia replied, clearly unconvinced.
They said goodbye to Julia, who promised to call if any major decisions needed to be made, and headed back to Ophelia's car. The afternoon sun was beginning its descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.
As they pulled out of the parking lot, Ophelia glanced at her sister. "Are you nervous? About tomorrow night?"
"Me? Why would I be nervous?"
"Because if this doesn't go well, it reflects on you," Ophelia said. "You organized it, got all these important people to come. If it's a disaster..."
"It won't be a disaster," Kalina said with certainty. "You're talented, the artwork is exceptional, and you're going to be brilliant. I have no doubts whatsoever."
"I wish I had your confidence."
"You will tomorrow night, once you're in your element," Kalina assured her. "Trust me, Lia. This is going to be the beginning of something incredible for you."
They drove through the city in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Ophelia spoke again, her voice softer. "Thank you, Kali. For all of this. The tokens, the event, the opportunities. For believing in me when I sometimes don't believe in myself."