Episode 1

"Please be careful with that."

I reminded the men carrying the paintings

towards the hotel. Over ten paintings were carried from the truck. Some can be

handheld and life-size and some are as big as walls.

"You really need to take a chill pill,

Hailynn." Amy popped out beside me, arms crossed, face held in amusement.

After telling her that I decided to finally

sell my paintings, she immediately went to support me. I am so grateful that

she’s here. I’m not sure if I can do it alone.

"Can't. You know how much I value those

paintings." I felt a tinge of regret but I know this will help those who

are in need.

She smiled at me softly. "Then you better

detach yourself with those artworks. Tonight you're not gonna be officially the

owner."

"Is it bad that I'm hoping nobody's going

to buy it and at the same time hoping that every painting will be sold?"

"It's not, Hailynn. What you're feeling

is completely normal. I mean those paintings held your memories with

Ethan." She placed her hands on my shoulders in a comforting way.

"Remember this auction will help the orphans. This has been your and

Ethan's dream to sell your works to help kids with no families." I nodded

as she smiled at me warmly.

Tonight the elites will gather for a charity

event. My paintings are the highlight of the night. Money will be donated to

charity especially to the orphanages. I'm planning to give twenty-five percent

of it to where Ethan and I grew up.

The night finally came and it was spent with

succulent food, expensive wine and drinks, random chatters and boisterous laughter.

Everyone was dressed in their most gorgeous gowns and expensive suits. I could

not help but feel nervous with the idea that the paintings will no longer be in

my care. Paintings that hold our memories together.

Surprisingly, the auction was beyond

successful. The paintings were sold. All of them. I doubt that they understood

or appreciated it. Let's be real. Those old geezers and young millionaires only

show off their money. Based on my experience, wealthy collectors who truly

appreciate works of art are rare. Either way, the children and the poor will be

benefited from their arrogance.

My apprehension though made me leave one

painting behind. The painting which Ethan and I created. We literally made this

together and it was only recently before three months ago. I broke a promise to

myself and perhaps with my longtime friend too. I simply could not sell it. I

want to at least keep one memory of him with me. Well, except for the

unfinished erotica book that he left.

I sighed heavily before opening the doorknob

to the temporary room where I store the painting. I need to ask someone to

transfer this back to my apartment.

The air was stuck in my throat as soon as I

entered the room.

I froze when a man in all black suit pointed a

gun towards another man.

I stole their attention when they heard me

coming in. The man who was holding a gun had a scowl on his face. He glared at

my sudden intrusion that had made me nervous and scared. The other guy was

somewhat relieved at their unexpected distraction. I noticed a blood smudged

just below his lower lip.

As soon as my eyes shifted back to the man

holding the gun. My eyes widened when another gun was pointed at me while the

other was still glinting against his first victim. My heart quickened its beat.

It became louder every jump of a second. My hands automatically raise in

surrender. I could feel the other man's eyes shifting back and forth between me

and the man holding the gun.

"Come here, ragazza." He said in his

thick Italian accent. Okay, the man is obviously Italian.

I couldn't move though. I was still frozen in

my spot. I was literally panicking and my loud heartbeat is boosting my fear

with the Italian dude.

"Don't make me repeat." He growled. It

was deep and guttural.

As soon as my foot moved to take a step, the

other man lunged at him. From the Italian man’s reaction, he expected him to

move. I stopped myself and in a quick second, I turned around to reach for the

doorknob for escape. The loud bang of a gun made me jump in fear. My eyes were

completely wide when I saw the dent and splinters that newly decorated the

door. I nervously turned around. The two men were fighting, fists flying on

their faces and body.

"Don't even think about it." Mr.

Italian snarled at me after kicking the man and making him fall right over my

painting.

I stiffened.

Shit. No. Oh my god. No.

I know I'm completely and undeniably scared

right now... yet I can't help but feel infuriated at the sight of my painting

ripped apart. The masterpiece was unrecognizable. I stood agape at what

happened. My jaw falling on the floor, unable to return to its original place.

He wiped the little blood that dripped on the

corner of his lower lip as he sauntered towards his enemy who was having a hard

time getting up.

"What did you do to my painting?!" I

screeched. I walked towards him with hurried steps, forgetting about the fact

that he was holding a gun and he could shoot me in a second.

He stopped walking and turned his attention to

me. His face was blank and extremely scary. I gulped a lump forming in my

throat.

He tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. He

began to open his mouth to say something but the man lunged at him again making

both of them fall down to the ground. I gasped at the sudden action. I couldn't

see them wrestling behind the sofa.

I jumped again for the umpteenth time tonight

as a loud bang echoed in the four corners of the room. Tears started pooling in

my eyes as the thought of death crossing my mind.

Holy shit.

Oh my god.

I slowly walked and peeked behind the sofa. I

saw how he roughly pushed away the man hovering him without a struggle. Blood

pooled over his torso scattering to the floor. Our eyes met for a second before

he got up and stood at his full height. I then noticed how short I am compared

to his six foot something.

I step back every step forward he makes.

The sound of the door opening made me jumped

in surprise. My head turned swiftly at the unexpected guest but didn't get the

chance.

A white handkerchief suddenly covered my nose

and mouth.

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