Jesus! Is it really him?
The things he painted, targeted governments and the police, put them all on notice for their lack of humanity. He triggered social discourse.
And they hated him for it.
Which made me love him more.
Pierre’s voice disrupted my thoughts. “Those unicorns almost got you killed.”
Sighing, Wolf’s only response was. “Let’s finish this later. Red doesn’t have to sign anything.”
“Fine, Wolf.” Pierre frowned and then turned to me. “I’m sorry for grabbing your arm.”
“Apology accepted,” I said.
Wolf gestured for me to enter. “Come on inside, Red. There’s no need for me to dress up as Grandma. You already know that I’m the Wolf. However, I almost put on an old lady’s dress and wig, but I figured I would creep you out. And I’m trying not to do that.”
I raised my eyebrows and didn’t move.
“Red?”
“Are you really Wolf?”
“Yes.”
My heart beat fast in my chest. “Prove it.”
“Come inside.”
My excitement faltered a bit. He was still someone I didn’t know. Idol or not, I couldn’t put myself in a dangerous situation. “Why do you want me in there?”
“It’s my private gallery. My actual works are there. Murals I later took due to knowing that certain countries’ police were going to paint over them.”
“You took your murals off of street blocks? I don’t understand.”
“Come inside. You’ll understand then. It’s all in my gallery.” He stepped in. “The only reason why I bought this penthouse was for the gallery on the third floor.”
“I thought this was only two stories.”
“Most people do. I keep this gallery private. No one comes on this floor. You’ll be the fifth person to walk inside. So far only my buddy Tito, my mom, Dad, and Pierre have been in here. No one else. You’ll be the fifth.”
I’ll be the fifth. Oh my God. Is this really him? Wait a minute. I’ll only be the fifth person?
Suddenly, it dawned on me why I’d come up here in the first place, and that if I was only the fifth person to walk in the gallery, then Coco and Mary weren’t in there.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Something is going on. My friends said they were here.” I glared at him and stepped back.
Raising his hands, he took a step back too. “Okay. I did that, but it was only to get you up here and start over with my introduction.”
Annoyance replaced my fascination with him. I edged away again. “What did you do exactly?”
“I. . .okay. Understand, I’m typically very level-headed, but with you. . .I’ve taken it to the extreme. I should apologize.”
I scrunched up my face in confusion. “What did you do?”
“I had my buddy grab your friend’s phone.” Wolf took it out of his pocket and handed it to me. “I needed you to come up to my gallery and just see the truth of who I am.”
I shook my head. “I’m not sure you understand what truth is, or the fact that no matter why you did something stupid, the thing you did is still stupid and creepy.”
“I’m Wolf.”
“Well, then Wolf is a controlling bastard.”
“That’s true.”
“Where are my friends?”
“With my buddy Tito. They’re fine. Tito is a good guy.”
“Yet, he’s the one who’s a thief?”
“Look. He did it for me.”
“So he’s a mindless lackey?” I unlocked Coco’s screen, pulled up Mary’s number, and texted her.
Me: This is Red. Are you all okay? I have Coco’s phone.
Mary: We’re on the rooftop smoking from Tito’s bong. Hurry! It’s good stuff.
Me: On my way. Are you both okay? Seriously, is everything fine?
Mary: Uh yeah. Are U okay? You sound a bit paranoid. Maybe, you need to drink some water.
Alrighty. They’re fine.
I pocketed the phone and headed back to the stairs.
Wolf called behind me. “You don’t even want to see what’s in the gallery?”
I showed him my middle finger.
“Red, I want to paint with you.”
“Find someone else.” I approached the door. “You’ve got the money and fame. There shouldn’t be any problem getting a volunteer.”
“But there is a problem when it comes to finding someone to spend my time with. In this city, no one is real.”
“You’re right. No one is real, including the guy in this hallway.” I pointed at him. “You want to paint and spend time with me? Come up and approach me like a normal man. That’s how you talk to me.”
“I’ve seen guys do exactly that. I’ve watched many men come up to you. It doesn’t work. You brush them away. Most of the time you ignore them. Your eyes are always covered with sunglasses. Your ears plugged in with music, and your mind is on your art.”
I let go of the door knob and glanced over my shoulder. “What do you mean you’ve seen guys approach me? When?”
“In Wynwood.”
I spun around. “You’ve seen me in Wynwood?”
“I’ve watched you work.”
“You stalked me?”
“I wouldn’t say stalk.”
“It sounds like stalk.”