Page 11 of We're Just Friends
“I’m more than willing to negotiate if you’re interested in both,” Gregory explained. “Allow me to converse with Helen and Julianna if that’s alright.”
I did my best to hold in a giggle while sipping some more champagne. Gregory’s attempt to sound upscale was passable. Funny, but adequate.
“Oh, that would be wonderful!” Edward nodded.
Julianna and Gregory made their way over to Helen, who was talking to a woman interested in one of his other paintings. It was of a castle surrounded by pink and green flowers, but the woman wasn’t into the price tag.
“I’m not saying it’s a bad painting,” she told Helen in her uppity, holier-than-thou voice. “I’m just saying it’s not worth $4,000.”
I could see the anger forming on Helen’s face. Negotiating with wealthy cheapskates was a big part of the art industry. The more money a person had, the cheaper they tended to be.
“What do you think it’s worth?” Gregory asked in a stern voice.
I could tell that he was a bit upset with her trying to lowball him, and why shouldn’t he be? As an artist, those paintings were the product of his hard work. He decided the price, and if someone didn't like it, quite frankly they could buy art somewhere else.
She was surprised to see him suddenly appear, and hesitated before answering in the same tone.
“I’m thinking more like $1,000,” she said, finishing the rest of her champagne and grabbing another one as a waiter walked by.
I recognized her earrings and shimmied a little bit closer to her. “I love your earrings."
“Thank you,” she replied, lighting up from ear to ear. “They’re from-"
“Tiffany,” I interrupted her. “From their Victoria line, right?”
Her free hand went up and touched her left earring, admiring all of the diamonds. “I see you have good taste."
The woman wasn’t getting it, though.
“I believe they go for about $40,000, right?” Now she knew what I was hinting at, but I was still so calm and collected that Helen couldn’t get mad at me.
I was simply making small talk with a potential buyer, and they appreciated it when you had common interests — especially when that common interest cost a lot of money.
“I’ll take the painting,” she quickly said.
She guzzled the rest of her champagne, wrapped her Burberry shawl around her neck, and made her way to the front desk.
“That’s why you work here,” Helen said with a smile.
Gregory exhaled a sigh of relief and gave me a big hug. “Remind me to never work with any other gallery. At least not one that you don’t work at!”
All three of us began to laugh.
I figured since I had convinced the woman to pay full price for the painting, it would soften the blow when I followed up with a request for a discount. “Helen, there are two men interested in buying two of his paintings. Can we give the standard 20% discount? The total would normally be $14,000. I’m sure they have the money, but you know how these people can be.”
Helen nodded. “Yes, that’s fine. As long as Gregory is okay with it.”
Gregory scoffed, shaking his head. “Are you kidding me? This night is turning out better than I had hoped! Just keep the champagne coming so I can deal with these people.”
Gregory and I started to make our way back to the two men when my phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket and glanced at the screen. I definitely didn’t recognize the number.
“Do you need to get that?” Gregory asked.
I nodded, passing him a smile. “Yeah, it might have to do with my daughter. I’ll be right back.”
"Yes, girl, go," Gregory replied. "I'll take it from here."
I ducked outside and answered my phone. “Hello?”
