Blank Canvas.

                    CHAPTER TWO

              CHAPTER TWO

                    

   PRESENT.

MAZIKEEN.

  “You're fired.”

My brows furrowed as I replayed the simple voice message over and over again until I felt the faint curl of anger deep in my belly.

I smoothed a hand down the deep blue pencil skirt I had on as I turned to stare at my reflection in the floor length mirror.

I adjusted the tied sash in front of my shirt, deliberately avoiding my eyes which I already knew would be glowing a bright green—a new change I'd for some reason refused to tell Graylin about ;plus the doctor's reassurance that nothing was wrong with my sight,had frightened me even more.

This train of thought drew my gaze down to the heavy, square diamond on my finger. He'd gotten it even after I told him I wanted an amethyst.

I let out a sigh before pulling up his number and dialing.

“Mazekin” he said as soon as he picked up and I sighed again,arranging my words carefully.

“I got your message….”

“Good! Good,” he cut in sharply. “I don't want you in the office anymore.”

I swallowed as I looked away from my reflection. “May I ask the reason?”

“You may,but there's no guarantee that I'd answer.” 

“What do you want me to do then?” I asked, feeling like I'd been dunked into a tub of ice cold water without warning.

“I want you to go over to the address I'd send you,and apply for a position there.”

“But what about my job there? what're you gonna do about an assistant?”

He chuckled and I heard the distinct sound of a door being opened before his voice came through again.

“It's Los Angeles, darling. Getting an assistant is as easy as pie.”

I felt my nails digging into my palm as my fingers curled into fists.

“I've been working for you for over nine years now,I can't just….”

“You can,and you will.” He interrupted in a tone I recognised all too well,the one that meant he no longer wanted my opinion on the matter.

“I don't need you around me everytime,Maze…now go be a good girl and do what I said.”

The call ended with a click and I had to resist the urge to fling my phone against the wall.

And not only because it'd make him extremely upset when he found out,but also because I needed it for the text he said he'd send.

Over the years,since after Graylin saved me…I'd grown to love him deeply, devoting my whole life to making him happy not only to show my appreciation,but because he was everything I had. Loving him was the only thing I knew.

He'd made sure I got a good education and had given me a job and a home.

He was my first everything,and although his kisses still stirred me,the first time he shoved his hard length inside of me, I'd clamped my teeth down on my lips as tears burned the back of my eyes.

The sex wasn't exactly a great experience for me,but I liked hearing Gray's pleased grunts and groans as he moved in and out of me.

I was content with living for him,until recently. I wanted,needed more….for once,I wanted him to love me too.

I moved closer to the mirror and studied my glowing eyes.

It slightly bothered me that almost everything I knew about myself—were the things Graylin told me.

“Your name's Mazekin Smith,and you're an orphan.” He'd told me. “I saved your life after your parent's car crashed,they had enemies who wanted you gone too, but I protected you.”

That was it…my whole existence, according to the man who my heart belonged to.

I closed my eyes and counted from one to twenty as I breathed in deeply and exhaled, because for once,I wasn't just going to take his orders.

I'd done enough of that,even going as far as getting an abortion because he wasn't ready to have a child…not this time though,I was going to confront him.

My heels clicked on the tiled floor of the office entrance as I approached the front desk.

The receptionist’s eyes widened slightly as she saw me,then quickly pasted a smile on her face. “Miss Smith...Mr. Hunter said….”

“Is he in right now?” I asked and she hesitated, glancing around almost nervously.

“I…yes he is,but he says you aren't to be allowed into the building anymore.”

I ignored her as I whirled around and began walking towards the elevator, silently daring her to try and stop me.

She didn't and as the elevator began a controlled ascent to the tenth floor of Gray's Adverts,I felt that emptiness spreading through my chest,down to my stomach and up into my head.

I hated it,more than I hated the way Graylin seemed to have changed.

The soft ting snapped me back to reality, almost startling me too.

That was one more thing I hated about myself,unlike humans,my hearing was extra sensitive. And while most would consider it a gift,I absolutely abhorred my ability to pick up sounds from a distance.

I stepped onto the hallway and made straight for the office I shared with him.

My phone dinged as I walked past the top floor studio and when I glanced down at it,my heart sank.

“Go home,Maze.”

I swallowed and forced my feet to keep moving until I was standing in front of the door.

I grabbed the handle and pushed just as I heard Graylin let out a groan,and no…it didn't sound like he was in pain.

I rushed in, charging past my desk and nearly breaking down his office door as I rushed in.

“I told you to fucking go home!” He growled,his voice breathy and his gaze heavy with lust as his hips bucked from the seat and he groaned again.

My eyes narrowed just as I caught a glimpse of red hair from under his desk.

My heart twisted painfully when she straightened and wiped her mouth.

“Graylin….what…”

His gaze remained on mine as he drew the woman close and kissed her until I felt my legs wobble.

“Consider this the official announcement,Mazeekin.”

I sucked on my tongue to unfreeze it as I leaned against the door for support.

“An official announcement for what?”

He shrugged as he adjusted his pants. “An open relationship...but mostly on my side though.”