At the exhibition, as with any other event, she chose a refined outfit. A black blazer, a black silk dress, and black high-heeled pumps. For accessories, she opted for emerald stud earrings and a thin titanium ring on her pinky.

Stepping out of the car, Sophia decided to take a look around. The studio was located not far from the main street, but it was hidden from passersby by winding alleys and iron staircases. The brick building, in the spirit of the old town, seemed to say "new things are born here, but the old is honored."

The iron door creaked open with a heavy groan, and Constantin stepped into the light. He was wearing a green checkered shirt with rolled-up sleeves, worn dark jeans, sneakers, and a few strokes of paint on his wrist.

“What delicate hands he has,” Ephor noted.

“Sophia! I didn’t think you were so punctual. There’s still an hour until the opening,” Van said a bit flustered but his eyes showed joy.

“Yes, I can’t help myself. It’s probably a professional habit,” she shrugged.

“Well, everything is almost ready. Please, come in,” Constantin invited her.

Everything inside was just as Sophia had imagined. A well-lit space, with light streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows and walls sconces. Gray loft-style walls and a long dark chocolate leather Chesterfield sofa sat in the middle of the room by the bar, waiting for its guests.

“This used to be a glass factory,” Constantin said, standing beside her and surveying the studio. “When the factory closed, I was able to buy the space cheaply and customize it for myself. As a bonus, I used leftover glass to update the stained glass windows and create a wall in the shower.”

“In the shower?” she exclaimed in surprise.

“Yes, I live here on the second floor. I don’t stray far from work, so to speak.”

“Interesting approach. What is today’s exhibition dedicated to?” Sophia asked.

“Inspiration at night,” Van replied. “That’s why I started at sunset, so visitors can transition smoothly from evening to night, noticing new details in the drawings.”

“Do you prefer to create at night?”

“Sometimes I feel like I don’t have enough daylight to express the depth of my thoughts on the canvas. That’s why I harness the night with its endless supply of ideas and possibilities. Under the light of the lamps, my drawings take on a completely different meaning and energy – something that can’t be captured during the day.”

Constantin gestured around the studio with a sense of parental pride.

“He’s still trying to hold on to his dreams,” Libby sighed, lounging provocatively on the sofa. “Last night, he jumped up as if scalded and started drawing twins.”

“Twins?” Sophia asked aloud.

“You have a good eye,” Constantin smirked. “This piece is brand new; I literally painted it last night. What do you think?”

He led her to the painting, which depicted two girls holding hands. It might have seemed unremarkable, except for the fact that he had painted them as albinos.

“That’s not all,” Constantin said proudly. “When the sun starts to set, we’ll definitely come back to this piece.”

Sophia glanced warily at the sofa, where Libby lay with her tail draped over her shoulders like a shawl.

“Well, what did I tell you? At this rate of progress, I’ll be sent back and demoted,” she sighed.

As the sun set, Sophia was surprised to see how many people had arrived. Men and women of different ages gradually filled the hall. The bartender, who had arrived half an hour before opening, was already mixing drinks, entertaining the guests with his skilled hands.