Chapter 17
After two months abroad, 1 had already grown familiar with everything here
1 even gave myself a new name–Serena Callahan. This was my fresh start. Everything that once belonged to Alice Campbell was in the past now.
I rented a small apartment and filled it with plants. Though the burns on my right hand had healed enough for daily tasks, holding a paintbrush was still impossible.
There was regret, of course. Art had always been the most important thing to me. But I refused to be discouraged. This was a new life, after all. Who knew what opportunities might come my way?
With that mindset, I focused on adapting, I picked up new hobbies and enrolled in a few classes. I didn’t want to drift aimlessly, even if I couldn’t paint, I believed I would find another [path.
And i did. After a month of exploring, I realized I had a knack for photography. My instructor at the class encouraged me to pursue it further, so I did.
I signed up for advanced courses. It turned out that my instructor wasn’t just being polite. After two months of training, I started getting small freelance gigs. I could now support
myselt
The pay wasn’t great, but it made me happy.
I smiled as I sent off the latest batch of film to my client. The name on the order was Simon Whitfield He was my most consistent customer. From my very first job to now, he had come back almost every week.
“These look amazing!” He messaged me as soon as he received the photos.
I smiled sheepishly. “I’m still just getting started, but I’m glad you like the results.”
Simon went silent for a bit before finally replying again, “Let’s shoot here next week. The scenery is beautiful”
A location pin popped up. I looked it up and saw that it was a maple forest. Right now, the leaves were at their peak autumn brilliance. Most importantly, I had never been there before, so it seemed like the perfect backdrop.
Without hesitation, I agreed. We settled on a time for next week and said our goodbyes.
After that, 1 flopped onto my bed, exhaling deeply. My mind wandered back to our first meeting
I had barely started taking jobs when Simon, who was also new to hiring photographers, reached out. Our collaboration clicked instantly. The shoot went smoothly, and the results were impressive.
I still remembered the way his eyes lit up when he saw the printed photos. He turned them over and over in his hands, visibly pleased, before offering a firm handshake. “These are perfect. I’ll definitely come back. I’m Simon Whitfield What’s your name?”
I shook his hand without hesitation.
I knew that as I improved, conversations like this would happen over and over again. Simon just happened to be my first client.
But that didn’t stop the thrill from bubbling up inside me.
*Serena Callahan, I’ll be happy to work with you again.”
We exchanged contacts, and I felt content.
True to his word, Simon kept coming back. Every week, he invited me to shoot a new set of photos, always at a different location. In just five months, this routine had taken me through countless breathtaking, landscapes.
theybe it was his warmth, or maybe I had simply gone too long, without kindness like this. Even when I realized his reasons for booking me weren’t just about the photos, I didn’t push barn oway, instead, I let myself slowly accept it.
Over time, we grew closer, though we never spoke about the elephant in the room.
I could tell that Simon had feadings for me. He was young and easy to read. Sometimes, a single glance gave him away.
But we’l te se
bradley had crushed the too thoroughly, leaving me with nothing. I was forced to change my name, abandon my home, and run from my past.
So much of my life had been a be I wasn’t sure I could take another gamble.
Besides, try life now was perfect, and i wasn’t ready to risk my heart on another men again,
