n evening with my friends. The lively conversation and the clinking of glasses seemed like a distant memory at t

he painting as I entered the room. Every brushstroke the woman in front of me made wa

if I came out as harsh, but the night's partying had left me exhausted,

nting." She looked at me with firm eyes ignoring m

way her brow arched in concentration. Her defiance intrigued me, and

t my father for always being involved in painting, before turning to leave and rej

place. "W-what! What just happened? Her d

cross my face as I turned to face her once m

pression swirled in her eyes as she examined mine. Despite my haughtiness, she didn't back

about to enter my room. I want you to meet Mia Tu

doing, I shouted at him." Aren't you tired of doing this??? I

and that's final -

***

excitement, all I could see was the canvas in front of her-the

and tiredness. No matter how talented she was, I didn't care. The p

it on the floor which caused the canvas to break. The destruction was

nd of my father's voice was faint and his speech was hazy. The astonishment and

oment, but I didn't seem to care, this has to

i

r presence a pleasant distraction. She was my rock, my con

ng about my mother's house I'm about to lose if I don't do something about it by paying the mortgage debt.

"What broug

came to drag you out." Let's leave this painting at home for t

ling and unsettling. "I'm not sure, Em. I have so much w

come on. You've been stuck here for hours. A short brea

ily had a way of persuading me even when I

of colors and laughing. The pulsing music and clinking glasses engulf

at you needed," Emily re

ake toast. "To letting go and forget

usic seemed to pour into my veins, and I laughed uncontrollably. It was a plea

lled into the bar with two men, looking hot and muscular like him, a shroud of confid

my ordeal with him and even showed her his picture on social media. "Well, looks lik

gazes locked. My gut constricted, a wave of dread and frustration was

tist from earlier," he sc

r, unimpressed. "Oh, there you are again. "D

ce. "Not this time, though I'm sure I

but chuckle. "I'

and sat beside me, I

ake this clear, Miss Turner. Stay away from my father's house. I

case you conveniently forgot, your father invited me. And

sneer. "Take this as a war

pushed in closer. "And then what?" "Are

of something I couldn't place. "Let's j

ash of wills and egos. I wasn'

ed," I answered, my voice surpr

tion and intrigue as he turned to leave. Who was this man