Chapter 40 Chapter 40
Selena
My eyes looked through the car mirror at Theodore as we drove away.
He stood straight, his hands in his pockets, his eyes following our car.
“Be my muse, Selena. And everything will be yours.” His words echoed in my ears.
His gaze as he asked had sent chills down my spine, and I had backed out from him.
“What do you mean by that?” I had laughed awkwardly, my hands folded behind me as I stared at him.
When he had called me his muse on the note inside the dinner gown, I didn’t think much about it. But now. He looked serious.
Why did he need a muse? He wasn't a painter or anything of an artist. And why me?
“Be mine. Mine to use and call to. Be only mine, Selena.”
Was he drunk? But he looked serious though. If he had worn a mask, I would have thought he was crazy hearing that from him. But seeing him speak that while looking at me, was even more ridiculous.
He was insane.
‘He has always been.’
“Hm,” I swallowed, then forced my lips to curl into a smile as I locked my gaze on him. “You aren’t an artist to need a muse, and even though you are one, there are a lot of people these days to pick from. So…..”
I was going to totally ignore the part where he asked that I become his, because the idea didn’t just feel okay.
“I hope you find your inspiration one day.” I smiled widely. “The day is getting late now, I should leave for home, lest my brother gets worried. You see, he gets worried easily if he doesn’t see me, and it’s never a good thing, so I…”
Yes, I was just blabbing now, and Theodore said nothing, the look in his gaze not changing as he looked at me.
Just whatever.
It didn’t matter as long as I went home. Turning around to look at the painting one more time, I walked out of the room, and he followed.
But he didn’t say anything and that should be peaceful but it only made my inner coil worried. What if he decided to murder me because I didn’t give him an answer?
I took my phone on the couch, swiping open the Lady’s message. I’ll have to reply to her later that I couldn’t find it. Maybe disclose the location that I suspect.
That was the plan.
“I’m leaving now, so see you at the office boss.” And with that, I had rushed out of the penthouse without thinking of how I was going to leave without my car.
But to my surprise, one of his men was outside. He had introduced his name as Zac and after a little hesitation, I entered the car, but before the car drove up, my gaze landed on the penthouse, and Theodore with his now lazy look, locked eyes with me.
Something didn’t feel right.
The ride was quiet and awkward, and when it stopped in front of my building. I jumped down, murmuring a quick thank you to him before entering my apartment.
Josh should be at school now, I do hope so.
I keyed in the password and then opened the door. Just then my phone rang and I opened it.
An unknown number flashed on the screen.
I hesitated, then picked.
“Hello, who is this?” I entered the apartment.
I stopped at the sounds in the background of the line. Ambulance sounds, with people whispering. What was this?
My heart raced. No. It couldn’t be..
I shook my head. “Hello, who is this? Can you speak?”
“Ms..” A little voice cried out and my brows furrowed.
“Ms..it’s me, Martin.”
I stilled. It wasn’t something good.
It wasn’t good if Martin was crying. My hands shook, and I turned around locking the apartment door.
“Speak to me, Martin. Where are you? What happened?” I asked, hurrying to the elevator.
“Grandfather…grandfather collapsed,he …he blood…”
“Shhh.. It’s fine.” My heart beat faster with each step, anxiety clocking at me as I reached outside.
I should be getting inside my car, but looking outside, my car wasn’t there. Instead, it was replaced with Theodore’s car and I had left the keys in my office.
Screw the car. I’ll use a ride instead.
“Now I want you to do something for me, Martin. Is anyone with you?” It was better to know how safe he was.
If there was blood then it could be that something dangerous had happened, and I wasn’t about to let the little boy's life be endangered.
“No. Just the nurses..moving..and the cops.” He stuttered in between tears.
My heart ached hearing him. I closed my eyes, then opened them. It was good that he was surrounded by good personnel.
“Then listen to me, Martin. Stay where you are. I know this is hard but don’t cry anymore, you need to be strong for your grandfather.” I listened, and slowly his crying started to cease.
Such a good boy. “If you know where you are, text it to me or ask the cops, okay? Do that and I will be there soon.”
“Rea..lly?” He stuttered again, and I nodded forgetting he couldn’t see me.
“Yes. Just give me a little time, and I’ll be with you soon.”
“Okay.” He murmured and I ended the call to book a ride.
My feet tap each minute anxiously as I wait for the ride. Martin soon sent the address and finally, the cab stopped in front of me.
I entered, giving the driver the address.
It was a hospital. It wasn’t so far, but I was worried. Worried about what Martin must have seen.
Growing up, I have been exposed to the most cruel images a child should never see or experience. With no one to protect me, I have shielded Josh from everything and I was happy about that.
A tear dropped from my eyes.
“Here, you need it.” I looked at the driver at the tissue in his hand and smiled, taking it from him. “Thank you.”
“It’s fine. You have to be strong no matter what. Eventually, everything will get better though it will seem impossible at first.” He smiled so warmly and I smiled back.
With a thank you, I stepped out of the car as the car stopped in front of the large hospital.