đ Gemini Phantom đ
Visual storyteller | Graphic novel dreamer |
Haunting tales, complex characters, and ghosts who feel too much.
đ¨ Procreate speedpaints ⢠đ Emotional afterlife arcs ⢠đ Flirty banter & vintage vibes
đ Black Sheep in progress. Stick around for character lore, art drops, and story spills.
Welcome to my little corner of the internetâIâm the creator behind Gemini-Phantom, a freelance writer, graphic designer, and illustrator. This blog is where Iâll be sharing short stories to introduce you to the characters from my original work, Black Sheep, a novel Iâm currently writing and illustrating (yep, panels and all!).
Youâll also find sketches, line art, and behind-the-scenes peeks into my creative process. Feel free to check out my website (link in bio) for more about me and to explore my full portfolio. Thanks for stopping by! Gemini-Phantom Instagram - Phantom Art Designs Instagram - Facebook
A little context before you dive in:
Itâs Michigan, 1953. The jazz is smooth, the champagne is chilled, and the tension is palpable.
Angelina and Anthony have been together for three months. Sheâs quiet, stunning, and carries herself with a kind of grace that turns heads the second she walks into a room. Heâs flirty, confident, and not used to feeling second-best.
At tonightâs party, sheâs doing something boldâflirting with another man just to watch Anthonyâs reaction. But is it all just a game? Or is there something deeper behind the way she tests his jealousy?
Do women really crave a possessive manâone who claims her like sheâll never belong to anyone else?
Letâs find out. đ
Eyes Across the Room
Angelina stood against the beige wall, just as dainty and radiant as a rose, her fingers cradling a thin glass of champagne. The June air was gentle, the sunlight pouring through the windows like honey. But her eyes were elsewhereâwaiting. Where was Anthony? In a room full of stares, she stood out not only for her beauty, but because she didnât belong hereânot in their eyes. No uniform, no servitude. Just elegance. And discomfort.
She had only just shifted her weight from the wall when a manâno more than six-foot-twoâcame waltzing over. It wasnât Anthony, but a man who seemed to be Anthonyâs age but looked more mature. The manâs face was nearly a perfect rectangle, tight jaw, thick eyebrows, and wide eyes. His hands were unusually veiny but his smile nearly made her heart stop. Though her heart belonged to Anthony, sheâd be lying if she didnât find this man oddly attractive.Â
Just as she caught the slightest movement in the corner of her eye, Anthony strolled in, deep in conversation with his good friend, Robert Darin. Their eyes met across the room, and in an instant, the air between them changed. Thatâs when the games beganâthe slowburn of glances and gestures, each one a match waiting to strike.Â
The young man gently turned her face back towards him, smiling devilishly. Anthony and Angelina hadnât been dating for that long, but she knew all too well how jealous he got whenever someone was talking to his girl. Just as she tried to excuse herself, she stayed, smiling evilly.Â
âLet him squirm a little,â she thought. The game was heating upâone smile at a time. âHe needs to earn this.â
She glanced at him once more, flashing a flirty smile. Noticing Anthonyâs sharp expression, The stranger turned with a smug grinâRichard, as sheâd later learn. He gasped and laughed. Without knowing Angelina for long, he knew what she was doing. She was tempting him, she wanted to see him in action. Anthonyâs smile slowly faded into an annoyed frown. Trying to hide his discomfort, he sipped on his champagne. Robert, now standing next to his pal, sipped his whiskey and snickered to himself.Â
Robert took another sip, eyes narrowing as he followed Anthonyâs death stare across the room. He chuckled, eyes on Richard. âLook at that tiger growl.âÂ
Angelina stood next to two life sized potted palms, the hem of her navy blue Shirtwaist Dress brushing the leaves. The golden buttons on her navy blue cropped jacket glint under the warm overhead lights. Her skirt, though long, still managed to make her legs look magical. Her leather black shoes nearly blinded Robert being across the room. Though the room wasnât bustling with noise, Anthony couldnât make out a single word they were saying only her exaggerated laughter.Â
Anthony was becoming increasingly angry.Â
Angelina snickered, causing Richard to turn around seeing whom caught her attention. Once he locked eyes with Anthony, he smiled wider than ever, and fluttered his fingers. âHey, Nino Boy! Glad to see âya again! This little lady is something, isnât she?â
Anthony growled under his breath. Jealousy gnawed louder than reason. He didnât move. Slugging Richard would cause a sceneâbut linger too long, and he might lose her. The 3 month mark is always a test to a budding relationship and if one fails, It can be utterly heartbreaking. But Anthony must not know who Angelina truly isâŚit takes more than just a flirty smile to win her heart.Â
Her eyes were locked on Richardâs, who drew closer to her, now slightly bending down to match her height. His flirty smirk made Anthonyâs heart beat faster. He felt second-best. A position heâd never allowed himself beforeâand hated now. Knowingly playing into this little game, Richard lifted Angelinaâs hand to his lips, pressing a gentle, lukewarm kiss to it.Â
âI never thought Mr. Barber could pull such a beautiful woman like yourself. Why, he practically looks as if heâs going to kill me! Wanna tease him some more,â he asked, voice as smooth as honey.Â
âWhatâcha got in mind,â she asked giggling.
Richard bent down completely by her ear and whispered something that made her jump nearly out of her skin. His wet lips brushed against her earlobe, making her heart beat faster.
âOkâŚ.thatâs enough,â she thought. She could feel her body get those all to familiar feelings. She was only trying to make him jealousâ not cheat on him in plain sight.Â
Anthony leaned against a roman styled pillar, still drinking his champagne.Â
âIf I pulled that with any woman but her, Iâd be six feet under,â He said, scowling.Â
âBuddy, relax,â Robert said, patting him on the back. âShe isnât going to cheat on you. Thatâs the game sheâs playing. You donât see whatâs going on here?â
Anthony narrowed his eyes. âWhat, exactly, justifies this?â
Robert tilted his head, clearly amused. âYou really are a virgin, arenât you?âÂ
âAre you crazy?! Iâm the one that taught you half of what you know!â
âShh! Calm down,â Robert said laughing, earning a glance from both Angelina and Richard.Â
âShe trying to make you jealous. Women like a possessive man, itâs their god-awful fantasy. You walk over there, snatch her up, yank her a few times, establish your dominance, and walk out. I guarantee youâll have the best, most memorable night of your life.âÂ
Anthony scoffed. âWhen did you grow up?âÂ
âMake jokes all you want, Nino.â Anthony blinked, unsure if this was advice or a dare.Â
âMy girl? She wouldâve been pressed against a wall by nowâŚâ
âJeez! Where have I been,â Anthony asked, frowning, but impressed. âI never wouldâve expected you to be so forward.â
âWhatâs that saying? The quiet ones are the freaky ones? Why do You think Angelina pesters you so much?âÂ
Anthony stood back against the pillar, pondering.Â
Robert took two cigarettes out of its container and held one towards Anthony. âWant one?â He raised a brow, smiling at him.Â
Anthony shook his head no, eyes still on Richard and Angelina. âHeâs laying it in thick, isnât he?â
Robert followed his gaze, and laughed to himself. âThatâs Richard. You know how he is; he has to charm anyone wearing a dress, especially if she looks like that.âÂ
Anthony eyes narrowed. âWell some things are off limits.â
Robert raised his left brow once again, amused at Anthonyâs growing jealousy. âIs that a possessive tone I hear, Mr. Barber?â
Finally breaking his gaze from the pair across the way, forcing a cool smirk, still heated. âYou ever see a lion let a fox circle the den too long?â
Robert let out a low whistle, leaning back against the pillar. âYikes. Better pounce soon, lover boy.â
Across the room, when Angelina turned her head, she locked eye with Anthony. A beat passed. The tension snapped like a taut string. Her devilish smile faded to something softer. There it wasâthe look. A silent invitation. It was all the Permission he needed. Finally, he was coming to claim what is rightfully his. Richard was still talking in her ear, but now she wasnât quite listening. This glance was enough for him. He downed his left over drink, handed Robert his empty glass, and crossed the room quickly, his step casual, but his eyes sharp and on a targeted mission. Before Richard could get another word in, Anthony grabbed Angelina and slightly pulled her closer to him.
âMind if I cut inâ Anthony asked in a rhetorical not questioning tone.Â
Richard stepped back, without hesitation, âBe my guest Nino. You know I could never be as smooth and suave as you,â he said in a mocking tone, followed by an evil smirk.Â
Angelina smiled. âSmooth with a hint of cuteness.â She grazed her nails down his chest softly.
Mr. Barber leaned in, lips brushing her ear, just loud enough for Richard to hear.Â