To my surprise, I enjoyed the creation process immensely. I was adding the final touches right before sunset. The paint may notpletely dry in time but as long as Hayden doesn’t touch it, it should bepletely fine. I took a few steps back to admire the painting from various angles. It’s passable. Nothing fancy but definitely passable given the time constraint. With a nod of my head, I told myself that I would be satisfied with this for now and promised to do better next time.


    Fortunately, I had some time to spare before Hayden got back and the maids came in to set up the dinner table. That meant that I could wash up all the sweat and paint on me. After a rxing shower, I got dressed and sat at the dining table while I waited for Hayden to arrive. He should be here anytime now…


    After Auntie and the maids left the room after setting up the dining table for us, I was all alone in the room again and it was drearily quiet. I couldn’t stop ncing over at the door because I knew that Hayden could walk in any moment now. The clock ticked by as I waited and then waited some more. Half an hour went by, and the food had gotten cold. I didn’t mind though because I wasn’t hungry, and it wasn’t eating the food that I was looking forward to.


    Where is Hayden? He’s running a littleter today.


    It was funny, he waste when I was eagerly looking forward to seeing him. While on days when I didn’t want to see him which was every day except for today, he always turned up to dinner on time. I wondered if the paint has dried up by now.


    An hour passed by and then another…and then another…


    I let out a depressing sigh. By that time, I was very convinced that Hayden wouldn’te to see me tonight. Maybe he had to work. Maybe he had dinner somewhere else with someone else already.


    Maybe…


    I nced up at the sound of someone knocking on the door. My heart sunk because Hayden never knocked on my door like that.


    “Who is it?” I called out loudly as I got out of my seat and headed for the door.


    At this time of night, I wasn’t sure who I was expecting. Usually no one would pay me a visit at night except for Hayden.


    “It’s me, Luka,” Luka replied through the door.


    I walked closer to the door until I was standing right in front of it so that I could hear him better. It was unusual for Luka toe see me and he came quitete. Suddenly, I felt extremely fearful of what he was going to say.


    “Is there…something you need to talk to me about?” I asked.


    “I just came to tell you that Hayden isn’ting to see you tonight, so you don’t need to wait up for him,” Luka replied.


    I felt slightly relieved that it wasn’t some bad news. Of course, I was disappointed that Hayden couldn’te see me tonight, but it was no big deal. I had already figured that he probably wouldn’t turn up tonight.


    “Oh…I see. Thank you foring to tell me that,” I thanked him politely.


    Hayden came to have dinner with me every day and before I knew it, I guess I had gotten used to seeing him at the end of the day. The slight feeling of disappointment made me realize that I had unknowingly been looking forward to seeing him. It was especially unfortunate that he couldn’t make it today. I even painted something to show him, and I’ve spent hours preparing what I wanted to say to him.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    It wasn’t like this couldn’t wait for another day or anything but…


    “Make sure you eat your dinner properly and just rest for tonight,” Luka said, and I knew that he was about to leave.


    “Wait! Will Hayden be here tomorrow?” I quickly asked before Luka could leave.


    “I’m not sure about that…” Luka replied solemnly.


    That was when I started to catch some worry and concern in his tone of voice. Did something…happen?


    “Luka…did something…happen?” I asked hesitantly.


    It was hard to exin but suddenly, I started feeling very scared.


    Luka was silent for a while, and I knew that something must have happened. Something bad. The old man heaved a loud sigh that could be heard on my side of the door.


    “I’m not supposed to tell you this but…Hayden got into a car ident on his way back here…” Luka said hesitantly.


    “What?! Is he, ok? Where is he right now?!” I screamed loudly in my shock.


    Why didn’t he tell me this sooner? Was he trying to keep it from me?


    “Let me out! Luka!” I cried out as my hands desperately beat on the door.


    “Calm down, Malissa. Hayden is fine. It was nothing major…” Luka said firmly.


    Oh…


    I closed my eyes and breathed out a sigh of relief. That was so bad for my heart.


    “Where is he, right now?” I asked softly.


    Although I knew that he was fine, I didn’t know what ‘fine’ meant. However, from personal experience, I knew that the mafia’s definition of ‘fine’ was very different from mine. Tears fell from my eyes before I knew it. I was crying like a baby from a mix of shock and relief.


    “He’s in the hospital. The boss forced him to get some checkups…just to be safe…” Luka replied.


    “Can I go see him?” I asked.


    “Sorry. You’ll have to stay here under his orders,” Luka replied sympathetically.


    “I won’t run! I promise! I’ll just see him ande straight back here. Please!” I pleaded desperately.


    I tired turning the doorknob frantically, but it wouldn’t open.


    “I know that you won’t run, missy, and even if you did, you wouldn’t seed in escaping. That being said, I cannot let you out of this room. I am very sorry, Malissa,” Luka said regretfully.


    –To be continued…