To Start a Conversation


    Since that day, Hayden neverid hands on me again. We haven’t had sex since and he hasn’t shown


    any interest ining within close contact with me. I looked up at the nk ceiling of the room and


    wondered if we would live our lives in a loop like this until we died. Obviously, that wasn’t going to


    happen. I knew that I had to talk to him, but I just couldn’t do it. Taking the first step forward was always


    the hardest and I was being such a coward for avoiding it.


    On the fifth day, I woke up with renewed motivation to turn things around. It was time that I acted like I


    realized that moping around isn’t going to change anything. I’m going to make the most of today and


    when Hayden joins me for dinner tonight, I’ll talk to him.


    For the first time since I’ve been locked up in this suite, I made my way to the art studio with the intent


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    to start working on some art. The door to the art studio made a clicking sound when I turned the


    doorknob. I couldn’t help smiling to myself at the sight that confirmed my initial hypothesis. This studio


    really does let in a lot of natural light. Without prejudice, I had to say that it was a perfect art studio. I


    never dreamt that I’ll get to work in a studio quite like this one.


    Auntie and the other maids did a splendid job of arranging the art supplies that was hauled in from the


    other day. I expected that there would be a lot of supplies but not quite this many and of such a wide


    range of variety and high quality. It wasn’t like I had anythingplex in mind that I wanted to create.


    Since the art exhibition ended, I honestly didn’t have a path forward for my career in art. Being a


    teacher for kids was fun and all, but I still wanted to build a career and a name for myself in the field of


    art. Call that a dream for now.


    What Hayden told me before truly gave me pause. Deep down, I knew that he was right. If people knew


    that I was associated with the mafia then who in their right mind would let their kids get near me. I sat


    down on the chair in the room and looked up at the sun that was shining in through the window from


    outside. It’s so bright…


    I brought up a hand to shield my eye from the sun but the warmth from the light made me feel slightly


    better about myself. Memories of when Hayden showed up that day to dinner with my friends popped


    up in my mind. Back then, I truly didn’t want him to get close to my friends or my private life. The


    reason was simple, he was from the mafia and being associated with him could lead to trouble for me,


    my friends, and the people that I know. I didn’t want him to be part of my life or theirs. Do the same


    thoughts apply to me now? Is that what other people will think of me once they find out that I’m dating a


    guy from the mafia?


    I swore under my breath before I mmed my palms t onto the table in front of me. Enough thinking


    and time to get painting!


    Thinking about it isn’t going to solve all my problems. There were just too many problems and the only


    way to deal with that was to solve them one at a time. Right now, I’m painting something so that I can


    start a proper conversation with Hayden. Step number one!


    When I had the canvas and tools and everything else set up, I had already made up my mind on what I


    was going to sketch and paint. Hayden would usuallye back early in the evening so if I work all


    throughout the day without break, I should be able to finish a decent painting. Not exhibition quality but


    it can be presentable.


    After trying my hand at sketching what I had in mind, things did not work out as I had hoped at all. It


    just didn’t look right. Sketching from an image that I had in my mind just made the whole thing seem


    unrealistic. It looks so fake and so stiff. I sighed. A few days ago, I probably wouldn’t imagine myself


    doing this…


    “Hello! I know someone is out there. Can you call Auntie for me please?!” I shouted in front of the door


    that separated me from the hallway outside.


    The men in ck must be outside.


    “Understood,” a deep man’s voice replied from just outside the door.


    Wow, they do talk back. That’s new…


    A few minutester, I heard the door being unlocked from the outside and knew that Auntie had arrived.


    Once the door opened, she greeted me with a kind smile.


    “Hi…” I said softly.


    “Hello, Miss. What can I help you with today?” Auntie inquired.


    “I know this is kind of rushed but…is there a way that you can get me some white tulips and a vase?” I


    asked.


    Auntie’s eyes widened at me. It was clear that she did not expect a request like that from me.


    “Y-yes. I will try my best…” Auntie replied.


    “I’m sorry for the rush but can you please get it as soon as possible? Any vase is fine. Any vase in this


    mansion is fine but I need you to get the white tulips…” I pleaded desperately.


    Auntie nodded and I was half relieved that she seemed to understand the urgency of my request. I


    don’t have that much time on my hands right now…


    I paced impatiently back and forth across the room as I waited for Auntie’s return.


    …


    After around almost an hour, Auntie arrived back with what I had requested for. I quickly thanked her


    before heading back into the studio. That took more time than I had anticipated. cing the vase with


    the white tulips onto the table, I began finding the right position where the natural light from outside


    would cast the right amount of shadow. Once everything was set up, sketching, and painting the still life


    was easy to achieve. Years of practice is finally going to pay off.


    --To be continued…