The Sunset Prophecy (Love & Armageddon #1) Read Online Free

Night on the Mount . Because of your commitment to excellence and your dedication as exemplary employees, ya’ll are receiving a raise of twenty-five cents.”
    The employees all looked at each other, paused, and let out half-hearted applause.
    “ That’s right, ya’ll earned it. Feel proud. Remember, the more we get my work into all the homes across the land, the quicker I’ll gauge and observe the true artistic and emotional tastes of our clients.”
    Thomas shook the hands of each employee and worked his way down to Keelen, whose hand he shook the longest. “Keelen Grant, wonderful opportunities await. Can I meet with you in the office?”
    Keelen choked up . An ominous tingling ran down her spine. She tilted her head back and sighed, releasing the sudden tightness in her throat. Thomas disappeared through the doorway behind the counter. Carol smiled at Keelen, curling her lips with an air of superiority.
    “ Don’t mess this up,” she said. “He never does this with any of his employees.”
    Somewhat perplexed Keelen raised an eyebrow at Carol and followed Thomas into the office. She looked back at her coworkers. They all stared down at the assistant’s tablet computer, but Lindsey flashed a look of slight contempt.
    Thomas sat behind the manager’s simple, gray desk when Keelen walked into the office.
    “ Have a seat, Ms. Grant,” motioned Thomas. “Oh, and please, close the door.”
    Keelen sheepishly did what she was told to do and sat down on the only other chair.
    “ How you like working here?” asked Thomas, in a calm Southern affability.
    Keelen didn ’t find her position in the gallery as a burgeoning career, but it paid the bills. “I like it here a lot. Your work inspires me every day,” she said, feigning excitement.
    “ Good. Which one of my works inspires you the most?”
    Keelen paused. “I’d say Velvet on the Savannah . The colors and lighting on that particular piece would humble even the most envious guest.”
    “ Good marketing pitch,” chuckled Thomas. “Did Carol teach you that line?”
    Keelen squirmed in her seat. “I’m not gonna lie, but yeah, she did.”
    “ So, how much acting work have you gotten in this town?”
    “ Not much.”
    “ Tough, ain’t it?”
    “ Yeah,” she lightly snorted.
    “ Carol tells me you’re always late,” Thomas said, while crossing his arms. “That’s unfortunate.”
    “ I’m sorry, Mr. Click, it’s just...”
    “ ...it’s okay,” he said. “I know what it takes to get ahead in this world. I know the sacrifices one must make in order to create something extraordinary. I remember struggling, but I made the most of my opportunities by snatching them when they were given to me. Now, I just wander from place to place, and wait patiently, for the right opportunity. Which, for some unforeseen reason, always seems to work in my favor in the end.”
    Keelen matched Thomas ’s enthusiasm by slapping her lap. “You’re absolutely right. I know what it takes to make it. I’ll work hard until that day comes, and I promise to be on time from now on.”
    Thomas reclined back in his chair and crossed his hands behind his head. The businesslike demeanor on his face morphed into a casual one with specious eyelids.
    “So, tell me, Ms. Grant. Just like most of the girls in this town, are you a risk taker?” Thomas then unbuttoned the top button right below his collar. “Are you a little wild?”
    Keelen ’s face crinkled up like cellophane. “Excuse me?”
    “ Are you an open-minded girl, one who would try something a little out of their comfort zone, perhaps?”
    Her brows curled further at his suggestive questioning. She found his behavior surprising and odd. Every day, she’d walk into the gallery and would see the portrait of Mr. Click and his family sitting on a pristine lawn, with his beautiful, fashion catalog children and his smiling, modelesque wife, with “Matthew 4:1” written at the base of the portrait’s border.
    “