Chapter 4 THE ENIGMATIC INVITATION III

Isabella "Izzy" Chen is a 25 -year - old artist with multi-coloured hair, piercings, and a Bohemian style. She can be seen in her art studio lost in a world of strokes and colours. Her studio was like a vomit of graffiti. It was beautifully chaotic. Anyone who entered would be stunned by the amount of colours and painting staring at them.

Talking about painting, Izzy enjoyed life painting and not just life painting, naked life painting, or what we would call nude painting. In her opinion, nude painting brings out the best in everyone. There's nothing to hide, and everything is laid bare without shame. Nude painting is embracing your inner beauty and being proud of what your body looks like. Nude painting to her is a form of therapy for anyone who offered to be her model. She was extremely talented at what she does and you'll be surprised how many people actually want to be painted naked or want to have a nude painting in their home. To make her clients comfortable she'll sometimes strip down to her underwear, her excuse being they wouldn't feel shy to cover up since they were now two people both naked – well in her case, half naked. "My husband recently has been complaining about my body shape and how I don't like as sexy as I was when we were still courting." A 36 years old lady who slept on a bed naked as she modelled for Izzy complained. "What is he complaining about? Your body looks so perfect." Izzy complimented, still focused on the drawing.

"I know, right? But he doesn't seem to think so anymore." "I'm sure when he sees this painting it's going to change his perspective." Izzy reassured her. "You think so?" The lady's eye glittered with hope. "I know so." Izzy replied, smiling. Isabella lost her parents when she was five and was placed in an orphanage home where she lived almost all her life as she was never adopted. One of her caretakers, Mr Charles, took her as a daughter and taught her how to draw and paint as he was also an artist himself. He introduced her to the art of nude painting, at first she was hesitant about it but she later grew to love it, he never took advantage of her, and they formed a family bond until he also passed away. Izzy was left alone once more. At age eighteen, she was required to leave the orphanage home as she was now a fully grown adult. She began making money by street painting and was able to take care of herself. She lacked love as all her relationships ended up failing as they couldn't stand the practice she had fallen in love with. She stopped looking for love and focused on her art, and it made her happy. She had one night stands here and there but never committed. She had heard so many complaints about her practice that she was once threatened to be arrested, but she had the backings of some rich people who enjoyed her art. She had learnt to always listen to her models complaints so she would know how to deal with other people with similar complaints.

"All done." Izzy announced, putting the final strokes. "Can't wait to see it." The lady said and grabbed a towel hanging on the rack to cover herself up. "Here." Izzy revealed the painting to the lady and watched as tears welled up her eyes. The painting was in black and white yet so beautiful. She captured all the curves and minute details about the lady body and drew it to perfection. "This is so lovely. Thank you." The lady said wiping her tears. "You're welcome. Your clothes are in the dressing room." Izzy said with a smile. The lady nodded and headed into the dressing room while Izzy cleared up. Just as she was engrossed in cleaning up, someone knocked. "Another client?" Izzy asked herself as she went to open the door. Standing behind the door was a courier holding a parcel. "Hello. Are you Miss Isabella Chen?" The delivery man asked. "Yes." She replied staring at the parcel curiously. "You have a parcel. Please sign here." The delivery man handed her a notepad and a pen. She signed and collected the parcel closing the door behind her as the delivery man left. She tore open the covering on the parcel and inside was a canvas with a surreal painting of a door opening to unknown realms. A note accompanied it saying: "Dear Isabella, Your creative spirit and unique perspective on life have piqued our curiosity. Your artistic endeavours have inspired us, and we believe that your imaginative approach will be invaluable within the enigmatic confines of our establishment. Prepare for artistic challenges that will stretch your creativity and vision. Will you find inspiration in the mysteries that await?We invite you to the Enigma Inn, where the canvas of your destiny awaits its next stroke.

"Yours in enigma,

The Enigmatic Benefactor"

Izzy curiosity piqued as she re-read the letter. "The Enigma Inn?" She had never heard of any place like that before. She decided to check the address attached to the note and see what she would find out about the place before she made her decision.

A 50 - year - old academic with greying hair, round glasses, and a tweed jacket stood in front of a class filled with final year students. He taught them cardiology although he specialised in more than one field. He was a walking encyclopaedia of knowledge from various fields. At the end of the cardiology class, He looked out at the students gathered around the lecture hall. He could tell that some of them were ready to take a break, while others were eager to keep learning. He addressed the class one last time. "Thank you for your attention today. Cardiology is a fascinating and ever-changing field, and I hope that you all leave this class with a greater appreciation for the intricacies of the heart. Your knowledge will help you become better healthcare providers in the future. Now, you're free to go enjoy your evening." Most of the students heaved a collective sigh as they packed their books in their bags and slowly exited the lecture hall.

Professor Samuel "Sam" Bishop also started packing his books into his bags. Some of the student hung around to help him disconnect his laptop from the projector then they left afterwards. Sam is unmarried. He had decided to get married to his books and has an insatiable taste for knowledge about all and everything. He claimed marrying or settling down would restrict him from his lifelong goals, and he doesn't want anything to hinder his quest for knowledge. All the students had left the class by now, and he was the only one inside still arranging some things and working on one of his projects. He spotted something on one of the students' tables, and curiosity moved him closer to the table. He saw a leather-bound journal with cryptic symbols etched on the cover. He thought maybe one of the students had forgotten it while leaving. As he picked it up and a note flew out of the pages to the floor. He picked up the note that held a message which read: "Dear Professor Bishop, Your extensive knowledge and academic pursuits have earned you a reputation as a true intellectual. Your inquisitive mind and quest for knowledge align perfectly with the mysteries of the Enigma Inn. Within our walls, you will face intellectual puzzles that require your keen insight and scholarly expertise. Will you uncover the secrets hidden in our challenges? We extend this scholarly invitation to you, eager to see how your intellect fares within the Enigma Inn.

"Yours in enigma,

The Enigmatic Benefactor"

He wondered why such a note would be in the journal of one of his students but decided not to think about it. The content of the message piqued his interest, and he wanted to know what the Enigma Inn had in store for him. That was if it existed.