Page 137 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

I exhale.

I’m fine.

I’m good.

I lie on the opposite side of my bed, my feet against the headboard and my head at the end. I inhale deeply, staring at Rurik’s paradise painting. One day, I would like to take him back there. But I want to check the place out first for myself. It may also become my safe space, besides just being near Rurik.

If he doesn’t want to talk to me anymore, that’s fine. I’ll settle for his little slice of paradise.

Chapter 21

Rurik

As soon as I opened my eyes, the first person I thought of was Briar.

Despite being surrounded by the beeping sounds of medical machines, the sterile smell of the room, and the feeling of my mom holding my hand tightly, I kept dreaming of Briar.

Don’t ask me why, I don’t fucking know.

As soon as I felt well enough to keep my eyes open and socialize again, I texted Briar immediately, telling her that I didn’t mean to ignore her messages. I was sick.

I mean, I still am.

But I was in the hospital because of my bad heart. What started this was that I had woken up in the middle of the night to severe chest pain, and I had to call my mom. She called the ambulance for me, and they brought me here.

It’s been a week since all that happened, but I’m fine now.

But apparently, my heart wasn’t getting enough blood flow, so the doctor had me stay to be evaluated just in case. And now, I got some new drugs to go along with my current ones.

Awesome.

This is why I don’t let anyone in my house. I don’t want anyone to see all the pills I keep in my bathroom.

“Are you okay, sweetheart?”

I look up from my phone and smile at my mum, who has been staying at my place to watch over me for about a week now.

“Yes, mum, I’m okay. Stop worrying about me. The doctor said the medication should regulate things.”

“I know, I know,” she sighs, picking up her belongings and getting up. “I’ll head out now. From now on, I expect a check-in every night before midnight, alright?”

“Okay,” I promise, kissing her cheek as she opens the door. “I’ll call or text before bed every night so you’ll know I’m not dying.”

She sighs, patting my cheek. “I’m blessed to have you, sweetheart.” She pats my cheeks again and walks away, leaving me alone for the first time in days.

I close the door after her and return to my couch, picking up my phone to check for any notifications.

ME:

- Hey, I know it’s been a few days. I was sick and didn’t feel well enough to answer any calls or even look at my phone.

-I should be back at the gallery in a week. Oscar already knows.

-When are the paint while you drink classes? I’ll check my schedule.

-Also, sure, I’ve never gone stargazing before.

It’s been a week since I responded to Briar’s spamming messages, and she didn’t reply. Why did she bother bombarding my inbox when she won’t reply to mine?

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