Got Ghosted

"In all my years of painting, I never imagined I'd be trading DMs with a billionaire."

Jade Carson grinned as she angled her phone toward the half-finished mural splashed across the wall of her cramped art studio. Bright, abstract colors swirled across the space, her favorite brand of chaos and creativity. Today, her live TikTok was buzzing, with viewers piling in with rapid-fire comments.

"So, yeah, that's why I think modern art isn't dead, it's just misunderstood," she said, tilting the camera back to her face. Her messy bun wobbled as she gestured emphatically, explaining the inspiration behind her latest piece. "You know, people don't realize how much heart goes into each of these brushstrokes. Like, this mess," she waved her hand at the neon streaks on the wall, "it took me days to get right."

The chat exploded with heart emojis and words of encouragement, and Jade felt that familiar warmth of connection she got from her fans. Her online community wasn't just about art; it was her little pocket of the world where she could be her most authentic self. The real Jade.

A sudden comment caught her eye: "Ever thought about selling out and working for a billionaire, Jade?"

Jade snorted, rolling her eyes at the camera. "Uh, no, thank you. Can't imagine any billionaire would even want my brand of chaos on their pristine walls."

As if on cue, her phone pinged with a direct message alert. Jade glanced down, expecting another "exposure opportunity" pitch or, more realistically, spam. But the name that appeared on her screen stopped her cold: TONY ALDRIDGE.

Her eyebrows shot up. "Wait. Hold up, guys I just got a DM from... Tony Aldridge? Like, Tony Aldridge? Billionaire tech dude?"

Her audience exploded with excitement, a flurry of "OMG" and "Open it!" filling the screen.

With an eye roll, Jade opened the message, half-expecting some random promotional gimmick, but what she saw made her pause. The message was brief and surprisingly formal:

"Hello, Jade. I'd like to commission you for a mural at our headquarters. Are you open to discussing this project?"

Jade squinted at the message, her head tilted as she tried to read between the lines. Was this for real? She looked back at the camera.

"Okay, this has to be a scam, right? Some bored intern using his boss's profile to mess with me?" She laughed, though the intrigue was starting to get the best of her.

Right on cue, her best friend and roommate, Lila, breezed into the studio, holding two iced coffees.

"What's got you all riled up?" Lila asked, handing her a cup.

Jade held out her phone. "Tony Aldridge just DM'd me."

Lila blinked, then let out a low whistle. "The Ghost of Silicon Valley himself. Isn't he the one who, like, never shows up to his events and disappears halfway through his relationships?"

"Yep," Jade said, raising an eyebrow. "I can't decide if he's being serious or if this is some elaborate prank."

Lila laughed, shaking her head. "Girl, if that man is asking you to paint a mural, take the paycheck and run. Worst-case scenario, you get a funny story."

Jade smirked, glancing back at the screen. "Maybe you're right. But he doesn't exactly come across as approachable, does he? Plus, why would he even want my art?"

Lila shrugged, leaning in to see the message. "Maybe he has taste?" She glanced at Jade's TikTok, where comments were flying about the possible reasons Tony Aldridge would want Jade's mural. "Or maybe he just wants to flex that he has the best."

With a sigh, Jade tapped out a reply.

"Thanks for reaching out. I'm intrigued. What are you looking for in a mural, exactly?"

They waited, and surprisingly, the reply came quickly.

"Your unique style. Your work has a raw, authentic energy, and that's what we want for our space."