LOGINShare
CHAPTER ONE
Last Updated:
2024-11-16 04:27:51I pushed open the brown wooden door and stepped into my studio, a sense of excitement rushed all over my body as I was eager to start work on the next painting.
I shut the door right after me with my left hand while holding a cup of coffee on my right. Setting the cup of my coffee down on the table filled with different sketches of paintings, paint brushes, and some disorganized books about painting, I reached out my handbag and hung it on the bag holder by the wall.
A number of finished paintings lay on the wall by the floor and a couple more hung on the wall. A few were finished, a few unfinished and a few were client's orders to be picked up. I always made my paintings from scratch and my mind and never copied anyone’s work no matter the amount a client was willing to pay.
I pulled off my trench coat, leaving my black shirt and a pair of deep blue jeans on a pair of boots on and pulled a stool closer to an empty canvas I had already set and sat. I took a sip of the coffee and picked up my brush, slapping against the white canvas gently, my strokes flowed.
It was evening and one of my client came over to the studio to pick up her art herself as she was skeptical about it being delivered.
“ I am sorry, I got a little bit delayed at the meeting” she said
“ No that's alright, I figured you'd have called me if you wouldn't be able to come today” I replied
“ So where is my priceless artwork?” she asked
I moved over to where I kept some already packed paintings and picked out her painting named “Estranged heart”. It was a painting of a wilted rose that seemingly looked like a heart.
“This is really a masterpiece Lexi!!” she exclaimed as she saw it
“ I am glad you like your painting Mrs Shelby” I said with a smile
“Like seems to be an understatement, I love this painting” she said and tapped me on the shoulder.
“ Thank you Mrs Shelby ” I said with a smile again
“Victor, come put this in the car will you?” she beckoned on her driver as he came in and carried the painting out of my studio.
Mrs Shelby was about to leave my studio when she turned around
“ You don't have a man in your life do you? I think this is the point in your life where you should have someone to go back home to dont you think? She asked
“ I am glad you're concerned about that Mrs Shelby but I don't think I want to have that for now” I replied
“ One blind date wouldn't hurt would it? I have a perfect candidate in mind” she said
“ I will think about that Mrs Shelby” I said with a smile
“Please do my dear” she said this and left my studio.
It was time and I was ready to close up for the day, this was my daily routine but this time around, I needed to stop by the store to get some groceries as I had ran out of them at home.
I picked up my handbag and stuffed some books from the table into them and picked up my trench coat and wore it.
After slightly bumping into cans of oil paint stacked right by the foot of the table and a jar of brushes that I remembered I kept down by the table, I decided to move these things so I don't bump into them again.
It was getting late and I needed to get my groceries. I carried my handbag and stepped out of my studio and as I shut the door behind me, my eyes fell on the next store opposite mine, they sold flowers and I remembered how my foster mum would always get me flowers each time she came home from a trip and constantly I hoped someone would get me flowers.
The grocery store wasn't that far off from my studio so I decided to take a walk instead of driving my compact car. Unknown to me, I was being tailed by a black sedan just on the other side of the road, I didn't think a simple woman and artist like me would be tailed. I got to the store and got the things I needed and it was all packed in a brown paper bag and found my way back to my car at the studio, still oblivious of the black sedan tailing me.
I put the paper bag and my handbag at the back seat and drove all the way home. Today felt a lot different from other days and I couldn't figure out why but anyways, its just been me all these years.
My apartment was located a little bit away from the main town and I did this cause I needed my solitude as an artist. Parking in front of my house I got off the car and grabbing my bag of groceries and my handbag, I headed towards the main door.
It took me a while before I could find my keys in my pocket and at last I found it and opened the door to my house. I shut the door and hogging my bag and the paper bag to my chest, I walked and reached for the light switch and switching it on I saw a manly figure up ahead, standing right in front of my tv.
My heart jumped and skipped a beat and the bags I was holding to my chest dropped to the floor, pouring out the pack of frozen turkey wings, three pieces of apples, a carton of milk, a pack of hot dogs and a pack of pasta, I could feel sweats breaking out all over my body. I suddenly withdrew back to the door to find my way out and bumped into another man all dressed in black.
Still shocked and afraid, I suddenly felt my hands tightened and a white napkin placed right on my nose. I struggled to break free but the substance that was in the white napkin kicked in and I could feel my eyes closing and everything became blurry and slowly pitch black.
Am I dying or am I about to get killed?
What is happening to me?
Related chapters
Canvas Of Secrets CHAPTER TWO
I sat there with a paint brush in my hand, my eyes staring blankly at the white canvas in front of me.I have always found solace in the quietness my studio exuded, the different smell of oil and paint- it was my own sanctuary and I loved being in it. But today, I wasn’t in my sanctuary, there was no familiar scent and warmth in this room. The room I was in had dim lights and gave off a cold aura as it also had meager interior decoration. I could feel the weight of Julian’s sharp gaze over my shoulders, being calculative from across the room.“60 days, nothing less, nothing more,” he suddenly said in a low growl thus breaking the silence. Julian Blackwood came off as a man who commands attention the moment he steps into the room. Tall, a lean muscular build, jet black curly shoulder-length hair and his aura gave off some sort of quiet but dangerous confidence. I could feel my heart thumping but I quickly squeezed my eyes shut hoping that would suppress the rising panic within me.
Last Updated : 2024-11-16Canvas Of Secrets CHAPTER THREE
The room became awfully quiet after Julian left. Sixty days, I had sixty days to replicate a painting I barely remembered and also not figuring out why Julian wanted me to do so but I knew there was something more to this task. I stood from my stool, paced the room for a while and coming back to the spot I stood from, I stared at the canvas again as though that would tell me the true reason why I was here. I was still fixated on the canvas when I heard a footstep approach the door. The door creaked open and I made a swift turn to the door to see who it was.It wasn't Julian.A young girl of about eighteen years of age entered, dressed in a plain black dress. She had her face down and clenched to the tray of food she had brought in as she closed the door. “Julian said you should eat,” she said in a low voice.“Is she a staff or his woman? No, I'm sure Julian wouldn't let his woman do such basic chore and plus she seems pretty young to be here in the first place,”“Hmm thanks,” I mut
Last Updated : 2024-11-16Canvas Of Secrets 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
Last Updated : 2024-11-16Canvas Of Secrets CHAPTER FIVE
It's been two weeks now and sleep didn’t come easily, my mind always raced at the thought of what Marcus said and also what Julian said—the deadline pressing down on me. 60 days, much less now. I kept turning from the right to the left side of the bed, the clock ticking steadily, more as a reminder of time slipping through my fingers. I suddenly threw off the covers and stood from my bed, pacing the room like a restless prisoner—maybe that’s what I was. Imprisoned to this painting, to Julian, to whatever game was unfolding before me. I grabbed my sketch pad from the table filled with different paint brushes, color palette, oil paints and normal paints and started drawing, trying to replicate the original Elysium with the vague memory I had. Halfway through the sketches, there was a soft knock on the door, I paused with my pencil mid stroke as the door gradually opened. The same young girl stepped in, standing in the doorway her expression remained still and unreadable. “Mr Julia
Last Updated : 2024-11-16Canvas Of Secrets CHAPTER SIX
I stood still, caught in between and trying to process his words and everything that's been going on. Julian was a puzzle— a dangerous but beautiful puzzle. I wasn't sure if I wanted to solve him or simply let myself get lost in it all.“ I don't know if I should be flattered or worried” I said in a low voice“A little bit of both wouldn't hurt” he said, his lips curling into a playful smirkI looked away for a moment, needing space to think, his words held such a weight that I wasn't ready to carry. “ I-I should go” I said as I slipped out of the side and towards the fireplace. His eyes followed me as he stood there, his gaze unwavering“Is that what you really want?” he askedMy throat suddenly felt dry. Of course it wasn't what I wanted but what I should do if I were to avoid being just a pawn in this game. “This is complicated. I haven't made progress with the painting and I have fewer days counting down for me. I-I think I should be more focused on that” I said “Life itself i
Last Updated : 2024-11-25Canvas Of Secrets CHAPTER SEVEN
Marcus walked down the dim lit hallway carefully, his eyes searching all over the place to see if he was noticed. Obvious to him, a fellow colleague on the security team had been watching him. He saw him entering and exiting the room as he trailed Marcus' movement with curiosity in his eyes until Marcus was out of the hallway. He brought out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, picked out one and lit it up to smoke. He suddenly had a mischievous grin after he took a puff of his cigarette and carefully followed Marcus to wherever he was going. Marcus, oblivious of being followed by Sammy, walked into the supply room because that was the only place without a cctv as it was empty. Bringing out his phone from his chest pocket, he quickly made a call to a man named Marve. “Hey Marve, huhh there might be a little bit of a problem with Lexi but-but not to worry, I’ve got things under control,” he said, his words fidgeting. “And what’s this problem?” Marve asked over the phone. Ma
Last Updated : 2024-11-26Canvas Of Secrets CHAPTER EIGHT
Marve dropped the call and placed the phone on the table when a thick but slightly hoarse voice called out to him. “Marve, what’s the problem?” Xavier asked. “Huhh, it’s the kid Marcus, says he has a little problem with the plan but he’s going to take care of it,” Marve answered. “Little or no little, a problem remains a problem, he better fix it or he gets fixed!” Xavier let out as he walked into a room, followed by Marve and two other men in black. It was a room deprived of sunlight with a foggy atmosphere due to the number of cigarettes that had been smoked in the room. Xavier went directly to his table, took a Cuba cigar and lit it to smoke as he walked towards Marve. “What did he say was the problem?” Xavier asked Marve. “He didn’t give me full details but I know he said something about Lexi” Marve said. “You mean the wannabe painter?” One of Xavier’s new recruit blurt out jokingly as he laughed. The words “wannabe painter” struck a nerve in Xavier, he looked at him
Last Updated : 2024-11-27Canvas Of Secrets CHAPTER NINE
The head of security hurried over to the east wing as soon as he got radioed. On getting to the inventory room, he met with the staff who radioed him looking distressed and out of place. “What is the issue here?” the head security asked. “Sammy was supposed to come do the inventory a couple of hours ago but he's been nowhere to be found,” he said frantically. “Well did you radio him or check the quarters?” the head security asked. “I did sir but there was no response, he wasn't found in the quarters either,” he answered. The head security took a few steps back, brought out his phone and made a call. “I am heading to the media room now, pull up the CCTV for me,” the head security said. He turned to the other guy who was still looking around with his flashlight. “Look around, see if you can find anything,” the head security said before leaving for the media room. The head security and other team members finally got to the media room and gathered around the bank of monitor
Last Updated : 2024-11-28
Latest chapter
Canvas Of Secrets CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
The next morning Julian was ready to drive back home since the purpose of him being in Ontario had been carried out by someone else. He picked up his small bag, picked up his gun and lodged it at the waist of his trousers and then headed to his car. He got into his car, brought out the gun from behind and put it in the compartment box, then his phone rang—it was Stronach. “Hey my friend…… you didn’t call me back to report,” Stronach said in his Russian accent. “I was just about to do that,” Julian responded. “Well, is he dead?” Stronach asked. “Yes, he’s been taken care of” Julian said.“Good, good….. I will send three of my men to your address tomorrow to go save tvoya devushka(your girl). They will handle the matters of getting in and out of Xavier’s mansion…..Poka!(Bye)” Stronach said and hung up. Julian placed the phone in the phone compartment and buckled his seat belt before he kickstarted the car and drove off. ************************************************************
Canvas Of Secrets CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Marve led the way and I followed from behind, my hands bound with a white zip tie as I limped all the way into the basement with Marve. There by the corner was a bed frame with iron spring and a mattress on it with a pillow. I looked around and saw no sign of a toilet or bathroom, my guess was that it was situated outside. I limped towards the bed and sat the moment I was close to it, Marve came closer and without saying any word he cut the zip tie that bound my hand and was about to leave when I let out. “You know this isn’t right!……why aren’t you saying or doing anything?!” I said. He stood there for a while, his back facing me. Then he turned around and looked at me. “I don’t know how you got too entangled in all of this but there is nothing much I can do.” Marve said. “I’m not asking you to do something grand for me, that little which you can do, please do it. Can you please do that much?” I asked. “I’ll bring your painting stuff down here,” Marve said. He said nothing else
Canvas Of Secrets CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
It was morning and Julian was seen off to the car by Frederick who wasn't in full support with what he was about to do.“Is there no other way for you to do this?” Frederick asked knowing that he would get the same answer. “Nothing changes Frederick, not now,” Julian said and dropped his little luggage at the back seat of his red Porsche and got into the driver’s seat. He kickstarted the car with the key and drove out of the compound without looking back or goodbyes. Frederick turned around to the head security. “Station more men around the house, there’s a storm coming,” Frederick ordered and went back into the house. ***************************************************************The wind blew against his face and dark hair as Julian drove as fast as he could with the windows wined down. He was still in thought, his right on hand on the steering wheel and his left hand combing through his hair as he tried to arrange his thoughts when a call came in. He switched hands on the st
Canvas Of Secrets CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The security guard who was guarding my room was seen by Xavier by the corner of the stairs having a smoke. He immediately threw his half burnt cigarette on the floor and stepped on it to put out the fire. “Sir,” the guard said immediately.“And why are you down here,” Xavier asked dressed in blue pants and white shirt with a waistcoat, his two hands in his pockets. “The lady requested for whiskey and not to be disturbed while she paints tonight,” the guard said. “She requested for whiskey?” Xavier asked. “Yes sir,” the guard answered. Xavier stretched forth his hand out of his pocket and slapped the guard. “Shouldn’t your position be by her door? What if something happens? How fast are you gonna get up there?” Xavier asked. “I’m sorry sir,” the guard quickly said with his head bowed as he held his cheek. “Lead the way,” Xavier ordered the guard. “Yes sir,” the guard answered and quickly led Xavier up the stairs and to my room. They both finally got to my room and Xavier rest
Canvas Of Secrets CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Julian sat at the balcony of the house, a glass and a bottle of whiskey set on the table right beside him. The head security walks in, eager to share information. “Sir, I've been able to look into Marcus. Turns out Miss Lexi and Marcus are related,” the head security reported. “What do you mean they are related?” Julian asked as he sat up from the resting chair. “Marcus is Miss Lexi’s step older brother. On the records, it says Marcus lost both his parents in a car accident but one of our men overheard him talking on the phone with someone he addressed as 'dad'," the head security said. “Are you saying his parents didn't die in the accident and he knows?” Julian asked. “Actually, I confirmed his mother's death but the father's death hasn't been traced so my guess is yes, his father is still very much alive and communicating with him,” the head security said.“Anything you could find about Lexi?” Julian asked. “The only document I could find about her was her adoption papers, she
Canvas Of Secrets CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
I finally made up my mind and decided to take the chance and meet this person who is said to have so much interest in me. I was finally dressed in the black dress, a pair of flat shoes and styled my hair into a low bun, I had my hair in a ponytail in the past days. . I sat right there on the high stool before my half painted canvas, with no idea of how I wanted to escape. I sat and waited for me to be called downstairs, I can’t take the chance of going down before I was called. The door creaked open and a guard walked in. “You’re needed downstairs,” the guard said as he opened the door wider for me to pass through. I stood from the bed and walked out the room, followed by the guard and we both went downstairs. I stepped into the dining room and I could see Xavier seated at the other end of the dining table with a pretentious smile on his face as he beckoned me to come over with his hand. Then I saw the back figure of another man seated at the opposite end of Xavier’s seat. I cou
Canvas Of Secrets CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Slowly his finger tweaked, his eyes opened and his view slightly blurry. Julian opened his eyes now and was still dazed, unsure of what had happened and what state he was in. He tried to let out some words but found it a bit difficult as his throat felt coarse and clogged as he had been asleep for long. He gave it another trial and finally the words came out slowly and hoped to be heard. “Waa—water,” Julian said slowly. The words echoed lowly but couldn't reach whoever was outside his door so he tried again and this time around made it a bit more loud. “Can—can I-I get water?” Julian asked. Fortunately, the guard standing outside Julian’s room heard part of what he said and quickly came into the room. Surprised to see Julian awake on the bed and asking for water, he quickly radioed the head security. “Sir, Mr Julian is awake!” the guard let out happily with a smile and ran out of the room to get a glass of water. The next time he came back, he came with the doctor, Frederick a
Canvas Of Secrets CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
I waited for him to say something but he didn’t. “I guess it’s a very painful memory…. I have one too, I mean a painful memory not a scar,” I said immediately.“I don’t think you’re in any position to share stories with me. I am only here because I want to, not because you want me to be there,” Marve said to cut off that conversation. “Of course, I am sorry I got carried away…. You just seemed like someone I could share it with. Truth is, I actually wanted to ask you about Julian….you were the last person who saw him after the accident.” I said. “Maybe I should have just shot him dead……then you’d forget about him and do what you’re asked to do to save your life,” Marve said indifferently. “And I have come to understand why you didn’t when you could have…..Look, I am not trying to question your choices, I just want to know if he's okay.” I said.“I also want you to understand that I don't know anything about Julian after I left the scene……I took you and left them there, I am sure h
Canvas Of Secrets CHAPTER TWENTY
It wasn’t enough that I found out at a young age that I was adopted when I was five years old, now I have to live with the fact that my foster father who had been dead all those years suddenly showed up alive and sold me to the highest bidder for money and his own gains— Sometimes I wished my foster mom was alive, she wouldn’t have allowed all of this happen. A number of new white canvases, oil paints and brushes were sent to the room where I was locked in. There was no end to this cycle, I got kidnapped by Julian and started painting, now I’ve been kidnapped again by Xavier and forced to paint again, that left me to wonder if all of this would ever end. I was sure that the end with Xavier would be a lot worse than with Julian. I picked up the paint brush and remembered the time I drew my first strokes while I was with Julian. I took a seat before the canvas, my thoughts about Julian swirling in my mind. I knew that I needed a way to figure out what happened to Julian and how he
