Chapter 26: In And Out The City

**IN THE PRESENT...**

Peter and Sharon were walking back home after an amazing day out in town. They walked hand in hand like a couple in love Peter tried to hide it but ever since Sharon mentioned Ethan as a part of her past, he couldn't help but feel jealous.

He knew Sharon hadn't slept with Ethan; *she confirmed that a while ago.*

He just felt uneasy about the whole idea of her being with someone else. Maybe he felt this way because he hadn't been in the game for so long, he wasn't sure how to feel. He decided to hide these insecurities.

**What mattered was right now and right now, she was with him and she had given herself to him.

"So, this Ethan guy. How long did you spend with him before you left Boulder?" Peter asked trying to keep a straight face.

"I only spent a day with him. It was a wonderful day but l just couldn't stay for more. I...was too scared of being found, so I didn't stay, although he begged me to."

Peter could see the tears already filling up around her eyes so he held her closer.

"It must have been really hard for you. You found someone good and you couldn't even try to be happy because of Addicus. You must have been so sad."

Peter held her closer and she wrapped her hands around him.

"I was!"

**BACK TO THREE YEARS AGO...**

Ethan sat in a chair and tried not to move at all. He had been in that stagnant pose for almost forty minutes.

He had an itch on his nose that he badly wanted to scratch which was evident from how much he twitched it.

Sharon smiled when she noticed and decided to help him out.

"You know you can scratch your nose if you want," she said with a smile.

"l can?" Ethan asked.

"Of course. Just make sure to return to your original pose and you can also move your body and legs. I'm only painting your face," Sharon said and continued stroking the canvas with her brush.

Ethan turned to her and could notice the complete focus in her eyes, the smile slowly forming on her lips, the unwiped sweat rolling down her forehead and he realized that she truly was a master at her craft and wasn't exaggerating when she said painting transports her into a different world.

She moved her hand with grace and elegance. Her hand danced to an inaudible rhythm on the surface of the canvas until it finally stopped.

She put down the palette and told Ethan that he could move freely now.

"Are you done?" He asked, a bit surprised.

She nodded.

"Can I have a look?"

She moved away from the painting to make room for him to view it. Ethan walked up to the painting and what he saw left his jaw hanging.

She had created a masterpiece. He looked at the image of himself stunned by her skill.

"This is...Wow! You really are good. I'm an enthusiast for paintings so why have I never heard of you? Didn't you ever sell your work?" He asked.

"I did, but I sold it privately to the wealthiest people in Colorado. My...marketer or manager or whatever you want to call him was keen on giving my art the most exclusive coverage and patronage."

"Hmm, I see. So tell me, what do you think of Boulder now that you've seen all that it has to offer?" Ethan asked and folding his arms while waiting for a response.

"It's been a great evening, Ethan. The city is as wonderful as you said but I don't think I'll stay," she said sadly.

"Why not? What exactly makes you want to leave America? Is it business?"

"No!"

"Is it for your formal education?"

"No!"

"Is it a romantic getaway with a lover?"

"No!"

"Then, what Sharon? Why do you so badly need to go?" Ethan was confused.

"It's personal. And that's all you need to know. I'm a complicated person with a complicated life and it would be better that I leave rather than drag you or anyone else into my problems," she said and grabbed her bag so she could leave.

Ethan ran in front of her and begged her not to leave.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Sharon, for being too invasive. Please, don't leave. You see the thing is...I like you and well, I don't want you to go," he said apologetically.

"I like you too, Ethan, and that's why I have to leave. I can't start a life here. I have way too many problems and you'd better off without me in your life," she said.

"That's not true, Sharon. Anyone would be lucky to have you in their life. You are completely amazing. You're like a character from a fictional fantasy book and it's a fantasy that I want to make my

reality."

**He was so charming, Sharon thought. Just as Martha had been but what did affiliating herself with her bring? Only her death and she didn't want anything to happen to Ethan, the same way she didn't want anything to happen to the Winstons which was why she left them too.**

"Just stay the rest of the night with me. Please?" Ethan asked with optimism that she would accept.

"Okay."

They spent the entire night in each other's company. They talked about life, love, family, dreams, and everything in between. Ethan was glad she had agreed to spend the night.

He asked her a question but she didn't respond. He looked at her and saw that she was already asleep.

She looked like an angel. He took a blanket and wrapped it around her and kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight, Sharon. I really hope you decide to stay." And he lay beside and also fell asleep.

The next morning, Ethan woke up and placed his hand where Sharon should be beside him. He couldn't feel her. He straightened himself and saw that she was gone. On her pillow was a note. Ethan opened it and read its contents.

**"Dear Ethan! You truly are a wonderful man and I would have loved to explore my feelings for you but I can't. You deserve to be with someone who will fill your life with joy and peace but unfortunately, I'm not that person. If the circumstances had been different, maybe I could have been. Take care of yourself."**

*- Sharon!

Ethan's heart was broken and he was completely crushed. He threw the letter to the floor, trying to come to terms with the fact that he would never see Sharon again.