Wife vs Wife

July 23, 2020. The Najbreit Mansion.

“It’s time you came up with a concept of your own,” I say, folding my arms as I stare at Salome. “You’ve scored your first big hit, but you’re not going to make it any further by coasting on the coattails of others.”

It’s a double-edged comment that catches Salome by surprise, the wet paintbrush in her hand hovering unsteadily. She was expecting me to guide her through this piece, just as I have for everything sans the first painting we created together. We are set up in the garden again, the cloudy summer day threatening to shower us in rain. But the forecast says it’s not to rain until later this evening, so I’ve decided to hold this key lesson outdoors, where Salome might at least take some inspiration from the great outdoors. She’s going to need some from somewhere.

“What do you think?” Salome asks me. “You must have some ideas, after working with me for the last few months!”

She gives me her radiant smile, looking pretty as usual in her light dress, but I’m not going to be swayed by something as simple as that. Not today.

“The mark of a true artist is a style that they can call their own,” I say. “Any suggestion of mine would inevitably taint yours.”

“What if that’s what I wanted?” Salome says, batting her lashes at me. “I’ve always admired your art, and I’d like to be influenced by you…”

She pulls close to me, her heaving bosom pressing into my side. I feel her hand begin to caress my package, the most forward and daring that she’s ever been out in public, in a place where others could see, and there’s no denying that I’m somewhat turned on by this. I reach an arm around her shoulder, craning my neck around. There’s nobody, we’re in the clear, but then I see a figure in white walking down the garden path in the distance.

“Sofia’s coming,” I mutter, gently pushing Salome away, glad to have the excuse. “This isn’t the right time.”

“It’s been weeks,” Salome says quietly, glancing down at the small tent in my shorts.

“You know we can’t do it under this roof,” I say.

“Then we’ll just have to find time to get away together,” Salome says. “We could have done it in New York, the night of the exhibition…”

I’m reminded of my comment to Sofia at the end of the photoshoot just weeks before.

“You were busy then,” I say. “You were the star of the show. Weren’t you telling me about how you only got out at three in the morning?”

Salome sighs and nods, just as I see Sofia giving us a cheery wave. The slight smile on her face tells me that she was attentive to what she might have just interrupted, and I pray that she has the tact to keep silent about it.

“Hey, what are you two working on?” she asks, her eyes curiously searching the blank canvas.

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” I say. “We’re taking some time to help Salome find her style. It might happen today, or it might take years, but I’m confident that she’ll get there eventually.”

“It might take years?” Salome gasps, sounding awfully shocked.

“It takes most people years,” I nod. “Some people never get there. But I’m confident that you’ll get there soon. After all, you’ve already shown an incredible amount of talent.”

“It’s nice to see that you’re such a supportive mentor,” Sofia smiles, standing to the side. She glances at Salome. “Is he always this great?”

“He’s always great,” Salome beams. “He’s the best teacher that I could have asked for! I feel like I’ve learned so much in such a short period of time. Just don’t try to steal him away from me—he’s mine.”

“Oh my,” Sofia laughs, covering half her mouth with her hand as she does. “That was what I was just about to do…”

“What could you possibly mean by that?” Salome asks, slightly bemused.

“I’ve seen how well you lessons with Salome have gone, and I couldn’t help but wonder whether I could join in and learn something too,” Sofia says, giving me a small smile.

“Hey!” Salome cries, “Claude is my tutor, that’s half the reason why he’s even here! We even have a contract saying that! Isn’t that right, Claude?”

She grabs onto my arm, pressing her breasts against my side, and I have to try very hard to look her in the eye as I speak to her.

“The contract only says that I’m obligated to tutor you, but it doesn’t say that I can only tutor you,” I say. “Personally? I’m not sure what the big deal is if Sofia joins.”

Sofia raises an eyebrow at Salome, who is looking increasingly flustered.

“But… but! My lessons with you are private, because you tailor your lessons to the individual student, isn’t that right?” she says.

“Yes, I do try to design my lessons with the specific student in mind,” I concede, knowing full well where this is going.

“So then you shouldn’t let anyone else join our private lessons,” Salome says, gripping my arm tighter.

“You have a point,” I say. “But all the same, I wouldn’t want to turn away another eager student, not when they’re a part of this family that I’m serving. So how about this? Salome, our lessons in the morning can continue as before, and Sofia, we can hold lessons on the afternoons whenever we’re both free.”

Salome gawps at the air for a second, trying to think of a problem with what I’ve just suggested. Finding none, she settles for another long glare at Sofia.

“That’s alright with me,” she mutters.

This is the most vitriol I’ve ever seen her display towards anyone… which is very interesting to me.

“And I’m happy with it too!” Sofia says brightly. “I’ll catch you this afternoon then, Claude! I’m looking forward to our first lesson.”

With that, she gives us a pleasant wave and disappears behind the hedges, leaving me and Salome to finish off our lesson together.