To my surprise, I enjoyed the creation process immensely. I was adding the final touches right before sunset. The paint may not completely dry in time but as long as Hayden doesn’t touch it, it should be completely 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 relaxing 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 glancing 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 little later today.
It was funny, he was late 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’t come to see me tonight. Maybe he had to work. Maybe he had dinner somewhere else with someone else already.
Maybe...
I glanced 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.
"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 and come 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 succeed in escaping. That being said, I cannot let you out of this room. I am very sorry, Malissa," Luka said regretfully.
--To be continued...