A Bed of His Making

old out overnight. Wendy was s

at the buyer wanted more paintings and

. Except for the amusement park piece, there was no

any." And I wa

had promised her a generous commissio

minute gap during the shift change of the security at the door,

was startled to find the butler standi

to pick me up. The car was re

lendar. There were still two da

een moved up. I heard it's Ms. Ellis' fiancé's idea

had never met now became the one

sense of numbness, and got int

pared for me, Silas stood there in a sh

, he abruptly stood up, looking at me with complex fee

as laden with dishes. And th

ly until Silas's cool ha

He spoke insincerely, not

hy did you sudden

n is opening downstairs. I thought... M

day, he looked at my burnt fingers with concern, "

r. Anyway, you paint just for me.

ulled into his embrace. The delayed warmth of his had e

Sandy, if... if I do something to

slid down my cheeks

his own, "Just remember the beautiful times

ngly, as if being apart for a moment meant losing e

t the heavy taste of wine. I wanted to escape,

Then I felt my limbs weak again and a fami

pinning, I felt someone was

ing only the faint glow s

pened again after a while th

ear them walking in with unste

ant yet seemingly close. He was on the phone. "So

on the bed. Completely naked. Looks l

what was said on

h, don't make a fuss. Just bring

And I felt one of his

ll my remaining strength. Until my e

slightly trembling voice, "No