LOVE FORTUNE: Taming The Tycoon's Heart

Isabella's small studio which was inserted in a corner of their small home was a haven of creativity and chaos. Canvases leaned against the walls, with brushes of all sizes and different texture's were strewn across a cluttered table. In the midst of this artistic mayhem stood Isabella, a young woman with a fiercely burning passion for painting that burned brighter than any financial struggle.

A canvas stood strung across her low cost portrait hanger, her pallette filled with paints of different colors as the low light from the studio lights casts a mesmerizing beauty around the room.

As Isabella carefully applied brushstroke after brushstroke to a canvas depicting her grandfathers weathered hands holding a winnowing fork while standing in the evening sunlight, her thoughts wandered to her journey as a painter. The art world was a competitive one, and to gain success seems like a distant star in the galaxy. She had always known that her path would be anything but easy and she had come to terms with it.

She reveled in her thoughts as she waves her head in self pity. A lot of obstacles lay scattered across her path and it seems she can't brave them all.

Soon her phone buzzed clearly breaking her concentration. A frown came over her face as she cursed inwardly at the unknown texter.

Checking it. It was a notification from her bank --a reminder of her increasing rent payment. Isabella sighed, her once raised high shoulders sagged under the weight of frustration and financial

anxiety.

The life of a struggling artist was not a rosy one, it was a relentless battle and which she often thinks she was on the losing side.

Later in the day, Isabella took out their worn out beat up truck and drove to the local art supply store to pick up some much needed materials. As she searched through the shelves and aisles, her eyes fell on a brand new set of high quality oil paints. She longer to have them, to feel the silky texture of the paint on her brush, but then she pushed the thought aside.

The were a luxury she can't afford yet.

As she reluctantly selected the more low budget paints, a fellow artist Mr James approached her. He was a regular customer at the store and had seen Isabella and her struggles over the years.

"Isabella," James greeted her with a warm smile. "How's your latest masterpiece coming along?"

Isabella forced a smile, though the weight of her financial burdens still pressed hard upon her. "It's a work in progress, James. You know how it is."

James nodded knowingly. "We all go through rough patches, especially in this field. But your talent is undeniable, Isabella. Don't lose hope."

"I won't James, it's in me and the fire keeps me warm enough to keep going," Isabella replied metaphorically.

"You speak indeed like an artist," James said aloud, "who knows what other talent lay hidden in the body of yours"

Isabella let out a laugh, James was obviously wanting to make her happy and smile. She heaved as he slowly caressed the tip of a paintbrush, feeling it's texture and smoothness.

James stood watching her while resting on the shelf beside him.

A clatter of steps came towards their direction as their conversation was interrupted by the store owner, Mr. Mitchell, who approached with a sympathetic expression. "Isabella, I couldn't help but overhear. I have some leftover paints from a discontinued line. They're still of excellent quality, and I'd like you to have them if you don't mind."

Isabella's eyes widened in surprise and gratitude. "Mr. Mitchell, that's incredibly generous of you. Thank you."

"Yes Bella, I kept them specially for you" Mr. Mitchell nodded with a smile as he pats her on the back while walking back when Isabella's voice halted him in his tracks.

"Where do I get them Mr. Mitchell?" She asked.

"Check the last shelf on your right hand roll, they are in a carton at the side." He answered continuing his walk.

She looked up in happiness as James smiled at her.

"You deserved it dear one." James said with grinning like Cheshire cat. "I better get going, seem there's gonna be a storm." James said walking towards the counter to pay for his purchases, as Isabella walked to find her prized gifts.

She was forever indebted to Mr. Mitchell, he had saved her some money and now she's gonna use it for their feeding.

As she left the stores with the unexpected gift of paints, Isabella's heart was greatly touched by the kindness of her fellow artists the undying sense of community with the art world. It was great reminder to her that even in the midst of her struggles that she was not alone.

Branching over that the grocery store, she bought enough foodstuffs needed for the week. She would worry about how to get money to buy food, Mr. Mitchell had done it for her.

Moving straight to the kitchen, she fell to work preparing dinner.

That evening after a hectic time in the kitchen preparing the family dinner, Isabella returned to her studio with the new paints in hand. She sets them down in the still clustered table using her hand to clear some space for it, a renewed sense of determination slowly surging through her.

She stood admiring the soon to be completed portrait of her grandfather, the portrait seemed lie it had a life of its own. The lights in the studio playing tricks on them, it was a beautiful sight to behold.

The path of a struggling artist was an undoubtedly challenging path, but her live for art was her guiding light just like a firehouse guides a ship safely to dock during a storm at sea.

As she resumed work, on her grandfathers portrait, she whispered words if encouragement to herself, "I may be a a struggling artist, but surely I will paint my way through the challenges. Art is my passion, my solace and won't let financial worries quench the burning fire within me"