Since our company appointed a new manager, I believed that my dream for promotion will not be possible anymore. I had no idea why he disapproved of me from the beginning.

Certainly as far as work was concerned, he could not fault me. However, we struggled to find common ground nevertheless, and after a few months of him starting, I pretty much dismissed any chances of progressing in the firm. Thank goodness I didn't do anything hasty as whoever would have thought that we would eventually find a mutual interest, and not even regarding work, but ? paintings.

Soon after my boss started working at the firm, major repairs were carried out on the building. Our offices were transformed in front of our very eyes. The tired old wallpaper and fusty paint were replaced with stylish, contemporary interiors; our entire office looked very stylish and classy. That said, it still lacked paintings on the walls to give our eyes a welcome rest from staring at the computer screens all day. Sadly, the old still life that I had hanging on my wall didn't really suit the general ambience of the contemporary style, so some kind people advised me to go and look for some abstract paintings, as they went really well with any interior. After consulting with the shopkeeper at the art gallery, I quickly found several abstract paintings to hang on my office walls.

One sunny morning my manager came to my work desk. When he saw the paintings he stood staring at them for ages and finally said: - What's in this painting??

- It's a bird, I said. - A symbol of freedom, happiness and inner liberty.

- Is that so? He exclaimed. - And what about this one?

Well, one thing led to another and we found ourselves sitting in a cafeteria, discussing the benefits of abstract paintings. As it turned out, my boss had, for a long time, been considering what paintings to hang in his house but had not worked out what would look best.

- Why don't you try some abstraction paintings?? I said. - You can be sure that they will complement any style that you have in your home. You seem like a modern chap and I expect you follow contemporary fashions. An abstract canvas would be so suitable for you.

- Wouldn't it confuse guests though? He asked me apprehensively.

- No of course not! I answered. - Exactly the opposite in fact, abstractionism is interesting because of its multifaceted style and symbolism; your guests would be really fascinated by what the paintings have to say. Similar to how you expressed your interest to the artworks in our office.

Over the course of one lunch break, I managed to give my boss a comprehensive view about the harmony of abstraction paintings in the home. I told him about the multiple colours and how abstract art could be the focal and intriguing point of a room with its gentle tones. We talked about symbolism and discussed the merits of art-therapy where abstract art plays a very important role. I stressed the fact that an abstract canvas could add to any contemporary abode. To invigorate his soul and heart, I advised my boss to order a painting of any photograph and emphasised that its harmony would wonderfully complement contemporary-style living.

I can even say that we became friends since that conversation on art?. And after about a week I found an piece of paper lying on my desk.. It was a letter for a promotion!

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