He lingered at the periphery of her group, pretending to examine a nearby sculpture, but his attention was entirely on her. He caught snippets of her conversation ‒ something about a new exhibition, the challenges of promoting emerging artists, and a witty anecdote about a particularly eccentric patron. Her voice was melodic, with a hint of a British accent, but softened by years spent in a more diverse linguistic landscape. It was clear she was passionate about her work, her eyes alight with enthusiasm. 

Eventually, the group dispersed, and she turned, her gaze sweeping the room. For a fleeting moment, her eyes met his. A jolt, like a static shock, passed between them. Her smile, previously directed at her friends, softened, and a flicker of curiosity entered her expression. Omar, caught off guard, managed a small, almost imperceptible nod before quickly averting his gaze, suddenly feeling awkward and exposed. He chastised himself internally. He wasn't here to flirt; he was here to network, to build his professional presence in this new city. 

He forced himself to engage with a few other attendees, exchanging business cards and polite pleasantries. His mind, however, kept drifting back to the woman. He found himself subtly searching for her in the crowd, a strange pull guiding his eyes. He spotted her again, talking to Mark, his boss. A knot tightened in his stomach. Of course, Mark would know her. Mark knew everyone. 

“Omar, there you are!” Mark’s booming voice cut through the gallery’s hum. “Come meet Lily. Lily, this is Omar Syed, our new Senior Marketing Manager. Just moved here from London.” 

Lily. The name suited her. She extended a hand, her grip firm and warm. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Omar. Welcome to Dubai. I hope Mark hasn’t been too overwhelming with his introductions.” Her eyes twinkled, and Omar felt a genuine smile tug at his lips, a rare occurrence in recent months. 

“Not at all,” Omar replied, finding his voice. “It’s… a lot to take in. The city, the new role.” 

“Oh, I can imagine,” Lily said, her empathy immediate. “Dubai has a way of doing that. It’s a city that demands your attention. But it also gives back in spades, if you let it.” She gestured around the gallery. “This is my little corner of that. The ‘Artisan’s Canvas’.” 

“It’s beautiful,” Omar said, genuinely. He looked at the paintings, seeing them now through a different lens, infused with her passion. “You own this gallery?” 

“Indeed,” she beamed. “It’s my baby. Been here for five years now. We focus on contemporary art from the region, and also showcase emerging international talent.”

 

Mark interjected, “Lily’s a force of nature, Omar. She’s practically built this place from the ground up. You two should connect. Omar’s an architect, Lily, he might appreciate the structural integrity of your passion projects.” Mark winked, clearly trying to play matchmaker. 

Omar felt a blush creep up his neck. “Actually, I’m a marketing manager now, Mark. Used to be an architect, but that was a while ago.” He quickly corrected, feeling a familiar discomfort with personal questions. 

Lily, however, seemed unfazed. “Marketing, architecture, it’s all about design, isn’t it? Just different canvases. I’d love to hear about your previous work sometime, Omar. And perhaps you could give me some pointers on marketing the gallery. We’re always looking for fresh perspectives.” Her invitation was genuine, professional, yet held an underlying warmth that disarmed him.

They exchanged business cards. Omar’s, crisp and corporate, felt stark next to Lily’s, which was a small, beautifully designed card with a subtle watercolour motif. As they continued to chat, Omar found himself relaxing, drawn into Lily’s easy charm and infectious enthusiasm. He learned she had moved to Dubai several years ago, much like him, seeking new opportunities. But unlike him, she seemed to have embraced the city with open arms, making it her own.

He left the networking event feeling lighter than he had in weeks. The city still felt vast and unfamiliar, but now, a small, vibrant corner of it had a name: Lily. And for the first time since his arrival, Dubai felt a little less daunting, and a lot more interesting.