My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 243

Sienna

I sat cross-legged on the floor, spreading the black paint across the woman's face with my hand. Then, with careful precision, I added flower patterns in shades of gray and white. The contrast brought her face to life, the flowers giving it an ethereal quality. I layered the petals, smoothing them, adding depth-one layer, then another, and another.

Ruined Daisy.

The name for the piece struck me like lightning, clear and undeniable. I whispered it aloud, testing the sound of it. Yes, Ruined Daisy.

I'd been struggling to name this portrait for weeks. I'd even talked to Ryatt about it, though that conversation had gone nowhere. To be fair, Ryatt never showed much interest in my work anymore. He'd stopped coming to exhibitions entirely, though he used to attend when we first got together. Maybe he found art boring-some people did. And I couldn't really blame him for that.

As I worked, the buzz of an incoming video call pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced at the screen. Kelly's name flashed across it. A small smile tugged at my lips, and I swiped to answer with my clean hand.

"Hello, Kelly," I greeted, waving awkwardly with my left hand.

"Hi, Sisi-Bee!" Kelly chirped, her voice bubbling with energy. That was Kelly- always lively, always full of excitement. "Guess what?"

"What happened now?"

"You have to guess."

"Kelly, I'm sitting on the floor, covered in paint, with an unfinished portrait staring back at me. Trust me, I'm in the mood for anything but guessing."

She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Fine, you bore," she teased, before pulling something into view. Her grin widened. "I have something to show you."

"Show me, then."

She held up a sleek black cocktail dress, twirling it for the camera. It looked oddly familiar.

"I bought this to wear at your birthday party!" Kelly announced, her excitement practically glowing through the screen.

"Oh... wow," I said, though my smile faltered. I wasn't sure why, but it did. "That's great, Kelly."

"Isn't it gorgeous? It's from a designer collection!"

"Hold it up again," I said, squinting at the screen.

She obliged, bringing the dress closer. Something clicked in my memory. I couldn't be sure, but I thought I'd seen a similar dress earlier today at Maison Moderne. Still, I could have been mistaken.

"It's beautiful," I said finally. "You'll look great."

"I know," Kelly laughed, flipping her hair. "I could wear a feather and still look absolutely fucking divine."

"Yeah, right."

notification flash across her glasses-something on her phone. Kelly's expression shifted briefly before she spoke. "Okay,

could say

there for a moment, staring at my phone. Something felt...

Ryatt's chat and sent

"Are you free?"

passed before his

bit busy, Sia. Will call you in

life-Kelly and Ryatt-always seemed so far away. But then again, I wasn't a saint either. I buried myself in my work more often than not, perhaps as a

worked meticulously, painting delicate wisps to make the flowers appear as though they were being blown away. The woman's hair flowed with an invisible wind, her pale skin serving

spread across my face as the

phone rang. My heart leapt, expecting it to be Ryatt. But when I picked

The caller was unknown-again.

hesitated, then answered. "Hello? Who

other end sent

you've got there," the low and smooth voice sent a shiver down

Alexander.

that

apartment, the one facing the city skyline. The windows of countless apartments stared back at me, some dim, some lit, others completely dark. My heart raced. I couldn't tell where he was, but the idea that he was watching me sent a wave of unease crashing over

demanded, my voice sharper than I expected, though fear twisted deep in my

question, "and black shorts with a white crop top at night. Your paintings always have

breath caught in

it was him this

blood turned cold at his observation. He knew more about me

asshole, you

he chuckled, the sound deep and

the menace he

panting. Those beautiful locks of hair... those soft, delicate hands... and those thighs."

lips you bite so

a

sees in Ryatt." s

business,

away from me and my life. I'm

growing darker. "I'd like to touch

spine. It shouldn't have felt so

feel his gaze burning into me,

sensation was equal parts terrifying and maddeningly