CHAPTER FOUR

There he stood in the doorway, dressed in a black shirt and a pair of black pants. He looked out of place yet somehow in control. He stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.

“Lexi,” he said

“Marcus?” I said with a mix of surprise and confusion in my voice.

My instincts suddenly stepped in and I went over to him and gave him a warm hug.

“What are you doing here? It's been years since I last saw you,” I said in a worried tone. 

“Yeah, I know. It’s been quite tough moving on since that day Lexi,” he said almost teary. 

“Let’s not talk about that, that’s not why I am here,” he said, switching tones.

“Then how are you here Marcus? Did you sneak in? Did anyone see you? I don’t know what this is all about but I think it’s dangerous here Marcus,” I said frantically. 

Marcus came closer to me and placed his hands right on my shoulder. 

“Let’s sit first Lexi,” he said 

We both moved towards my bed and sat facing each other

“I only came on board as one of Julian’s security,” he said

“Security?” I asked surprised

 I could sense the skepticism in him and his careful look around the room as though he was looking for a hidden camera or something.

“I don’t think this room has what you’re looking for Marcus else Julian must have watched me get dressed a couple of times,” I said abruptly 

“Shoot! That didn’t come out well”

“But wait! What if there had been a camera all this while and I’ve always been watching?”

The thought of that sent chills down my spine.

“Julian is more than capable of doing just that and more, you’re not safe here and Julian is hiding things- things you’d rather not get involved in Lexi. That's why I'm here to get you outta this place,” he said out of concern

My mind whirled, I knew ever since I came here that Julian was involved in a dangerous business but he just didn’t come off as being dangerous himself. 

“I don’t understand, but you just said you are on his security team,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady

“That’s just a cover to get you out of here, there is a lot much more out there for you than painting that piece,” he said

“What's really revolving around this painting Marcus, everyone has been so secretive about this,” I said, almost frustrated. 

“Listen to me Lexi, you shouldn’t be painting that, most especially not for Julian,” he said pointing at the trials and errors on the canvas

“Julian brought me here to paint, he’s not giving me much of a choice Marcus,” I said frowning

Marcus shook his head to disagree with me

“You don’t get it Lexi!, it’s not just about the painting, I need to get you out of this place and I need to be fast about it. You might not like this but you'll come to understand,” he said 

“What are you talking about?” I said, my heart racing

Marcus sighed, running his hands through his hair and then paused for a while. 

“I can’t really say much about this for your own safety but there’s a lot buried in that painting and Julian’s not the only one after it,” he said

“So what? Julian is using me to unravel what’s buried in it and when I’m done he'll do what?…kill me?" I said my throat tightened as I struggled to process what I just said.

Marcus grabbed me by my shoulders, forcing me to look at him.

“I don’t know and I don't really care what Julian’s endgame is but I do know that I’m getting you out of here whether you're in or not,” he said.

“Get out of here? I’ve always thought about leaving here but now that there’s a slight chance for me to be able to leave, I’m scared to take it. 

What if I leave and things get more dangerous for me out there? Marcus won’t be able to protect himself not to talk of me.

Wouldn’t it be better and less dangerous to be under Julian’s protection rather than Marcus?"

I shook my head, stepping away from him and the bed, panic and fear rising in my chest. 

“ I-I-  I can’t just leave Marcus, Julian won’t let me. I’m practically a prisoner here, he’ll find me, us wherever we go” I said out of fear. 

“That’s why I’m here, Lexi. I don't want to be here but I’m here just to get you out,” he said

Before I could respond, there was a loud crash down the hallway, my heart skipped a beat and my throat suddenly dried as Marcus and I turned toward the door. 

As though it was a sign for Marcus to leave, he rapidly stood from the bed and held my hands.

“I have to go now but I will keep in touch one way or the other,” he said.

Just as suddenly as he appeared in my room, Marcus turned and slipped out the door, gently closing it right behind him. 

I stood there for a moment, staring at the door. His words replayed in my mind, each one raising a question than it answered. 

It was as though Marcus knew more about what was going on and what all of this was about. 

“Was Marcus really here to save me? After all these years of no contact?” 

“Why was he here now? And why tell me about these things half-heartedly? 

Who seemed more trustworthy between Julian and Marcus?

What exactly is everyone’s motive towards this painting?”