Page 13 of Mine to Ruin

“I’ll call Lorene. She can answer all the questions for you.”

“I am not fired?” The relief that hits my chest is so potent I could kiss him. No, no kissing.

“Your Light in Chaos helped me through a very dark time in my life.”

He saw it? His statement takes me aback, and my heart squeezes at the memory of my pain when I painted it. A warm feeling stretches in my chest knowing it helped him, but now I want to find out what he went through.

“You know who I am?” My eyes widen with surprise.

“It’s my business to know things, Ellia.” My name has never sounded better as it caresses every inch of my skin.

“I am glad you decided to paint again.” He rounds his desk and raises his hand, but withdraws it and grips his desk.

I wanted his touch. No, no.

“It’s in my blood,” I say, transfixed.

“Good. Now fill every room of my hotel with your paintings.”

“It will take years,” I say. He grins and my stomach flutters.

He’s such a walking contradiction.

“I am a patient man.”

“And afterwards?”

“I will want more.”

Paintings, Ellia, don’t misinterpret things.

I nod, and leave the room, feeling his heated gaze on me until the door closes behind me. In the elevator, I lean back and breathe again.

On the ground floor, I step out of the elevator and spot two women chatting in the lobby. I recognize one of them as the woman who was hanging on Kian’s arm the other night, staring at me with a frown before turning around and leaving. The other woman walks in my direction and greets me with a smile.

“You must be Ellia. I’m Lorene Paige. Justin praised your work, and I did my own research on the ‘Prodigy Painter’. After I got a glimpse, I had to snatch you up.”

I smile at the reminder of my former professor; he has been a great mentor.

“Here I am!”

“Let me show you to your studio.”

I follow her down the hall, mirror and glass-like sculptures placed on either side, the lights reflecting on them.

“This place looks spectacular!”

“This hotel is one of a kind.”

Pride is evident in her voice. And she’s right, because I can’t stop staring at the art displayed.

“Here it is!”

My hand flies to my mouth as my eyes roam the immense, open space studio that leads to a garden. My hand drops as I approach the shelves full of acrylics, brushes of all sizes and canvases. I might have entered another dimension and went straight to a painter’s heaven.

“It’s amazing!” I say in awe.

“Mister Reyes insisted on getting you the best money can buy.”

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