Echoes Of Affection

ery brushstroke felt like a piece of my soul poured onto the c

re I wasn't overwhelmed with work trying to be nice, loving and all that.

er our last conversation, a deep crimson

or you to decide what it meant. And since you go b

before tucking the card away, my heart unw

t pink roses this time, carrying no messag

something in me, they seemed

re, a bright, fragrant reminder of something I hadn't fully admitted to myself. Yet, d

comment. Not a rais

re uncomfortable than if sh

nce wasn't indifference-it was restraint. And when she held back like th

the right mo

okes of my painting. But even as I worked, I could feel her presen

ue, my phone buz

xan

ly a second before

skipping any greeting. His voice

my head as I studied the canv

n it's time w

sh and absentmindedly twirling i

ked hard. I want

uckle. "Alexander,

business. No painting talk

but before I could get lost in whatev

ating slightly. "Would you min

before he responded, his v

e. She's been... curious about you. And I think it would be g

use. This

h

's what

ured me, but something about hi

to shake off the uneas

up, his voice came through again

os

es

careful what

caught in

hat mean?" I

d smooth and effortless. "I gu

all e

g at my phone, a chil

he mean

ntly... had I ju

d smooth and effortless. "I gu

all e

g at my phone, a chil

he mean

ntly... had I ju

e unease away. This was a simple dinner-nothing more. A

gh

She barely looked up when I entered, but I could feel the tension in the air. Her silenc

"So... Alexander in

n. She looked up, rai

her. "Yes. He said it's a way to c

king her head. "Celebration? O

ut her tone held somethin

ually, I told him I'd

slightly before she quickly masked he

ice for you to see that he's not some manipulative billio

ing her nails against the a

ll you ha

e'd agree to that. He seems like the

. "You've barely

out the words dramatica

just want you there. You're my best friend, and

mirk. "Of course I'll come. Someone has to make sure

small laug

ssion told me she wasn't c

dvances he as been making towards me, he still as a special place in my heart being the first person to give me

t head to my room to finish the paintin

package arrived at m

aw the package in a sleek black box w

n. Midnight blue, with subtle shimmering details that caught the light like stars. The fabric

as place

rves to stand out

cond box. This one was smaller and flatter. Opening it, I found a pair of sleek, bla

comfortable, so no need w

gave a smirk w

it was clear Alexander had been paying attention to what mattered to me si

from the kitchen, finally s

to her.

ess and shoes. "Rose, he b

ted. "I

"And you don't find

another way for Alexander to exert control-t

and shoes, I didn't feel

lice," I said, brushi

never just a dress