Chapter 2

Sitting on a couch in her small living room, Amara scan through the file of a famous personality. She smirked at the number of awards and recognition this person has acquired throughout his life. He really is talented, Amara thought. There's no doubt about that.

Her thoughts were interrupted when her phone rang. Amara smiled knowing that it will be good news. She excitedly answered the call.

[It's done, 7 pm at Dayton View Luxury Hotel.] The person on the other line said.

Amara ended the call with her smile still plastered on her face. She needs to get ready. So Amara changed clothes and went out. She needs to buy a new dress for the event. She needs to be the most beautiful woman in his eyes.

While strolling around the shopping mall, Amara saw Darson. The guy who has been courting her for three years. He is a very consistent guy. Darson is working as a mechanical engineer of a shipment ship. Sometimes he's at sea for months, even a year. But every time he comes home, Darson would always visit Amara with gifts and his love.

Amara doesn't Darson to see her so instead of going to the boutique next to where he is, Amara changed direction. Even though she saw a beautiful red dress that she immediately liked, she has to.

Darson is a man who can make any woman fall for him. He is well educated, well-mannered, caring, and an honest man. That Amara knows for a fact. And she will be lying to herself if she will say that Darson doesn't have that effect on her. He does, but she can't be with him.

"Hi, Ma'am, good afternoon. Are you looking for an evening gown?" The sales personnel immediately approached Amara the moment she entered another boutique.

"No, just a cocktail gown, preferably red," Amara responded.

The sales personnel quickly pointed the section for their cocktail dresses and instructed Amara to call her attention if she needs help. Amara was pleased with the set of options in front of her. As she browses through the gowns in front of her, Amara saw a red cocktail dress that captivated her eyes. Satisfied with everything she bought, Amara went home for her final preparation.

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7 pm

Dayton View Luxury Hotel is the most expensive hotel in the city. Almost all the biggest events in Martindalle happened. Dayton View is also one of the historical places of Martindalle. During the Civil Wars, Dayton View became a headquarter of the foreign invaders in Martindalle.

But in the modern era, Dayton View became a symbol of wealth and luxury. And tonight, it's the venue for one of the biggest exhibits Martindalle has ever known. The Soul exhibit of the renowned painter, Salazar Simmons. An international artist who has brought hundreds if not thousands of awards and recognition to his country.

"Good evening! Welcome to The Soul exhibit." The woman by the entrance of the event hall greets every visitor that passes her by.

The whole event hall was decorated with simple white and gold tapestry and white and gold balloons but gave an elegant vibe. The color choice also matched the original color of the interior design on the event hall.

From gigantic to the smallest painting of Salazar Simmons are displayed all around the event hall. Together with his last painting. The one he called, Soul of an Angel. The painting of Cindy Laughlin.

"This is a world-class masterpiece. Among all the paintings I've seen here so far, this is my favorite." A gorgeous young lady said beside Salazar.

One thing that Salazar Simmons aside from beautiful work of art is a beautiful young woman. No matter how busy he is, whenever there is a beautiful lady around, Salazar would lose his focus.

"You have very good eyes for art. This one is my favorite, too." He responded smiling.

"You know, I've always wanted to be a subject of such artwork. But no matter how I tried to gain connection, no decent artist would make me their subject." She said in a sad voice. Salazar secretly smiled.

"Well, young lady, you are in for a treat. I am looking for a new subject, are you up for the challenge?" Salazar asked her.

"Oh my, yes! I'd do anything." Those are the words that tickle Salazar's ears. The desperation.

"Come with me then." Salazar took her hand and lead her to the fire exit and the parking lot.

From Salazar's point of view, the young lady is just a beautiful, naive woman who wanted to be a subject of an artwork that will live through generations. She wants to be immortalized by a man of art like him.

But what Salazar didn't know is that he will be the subject tonight.

He took the young woman to a cheap hotel in the next town. He can't have people see him entering a hotel with an unknown woman. It will destroy his image. And he worked so hard to maintain his respectable persona.

The first one to enter the hotel room is the young woman followed by Salazar Simmons who immediately locked the door. But when he turned around, planning to grab the young woman, a hard object hit his face, almost knocking him out.

As Salazar Simmons sat on the hotel floor, he noticed something, the blonde hair of the young lady is no more. It was replaced with long, dark brown hair. He became confused with what he saw.

"Confusing isn't it? Don't worry, Salazar. This is the real me. I gave you the honor of knowing the real me because I really love your work. Especially your art subjects. Those teenagers you ruined. I know, I know what you're about to say. You have no proof, that's it. That's what you will say, right? But I do, I have proof. Cindy Laughlin, the young lady of Soul of an Angel. She went home after your art session, with a laceration on her lady parts. She was bleeding. She never told her parents about it. But since then, she became aloof to almost anyone. She would lock herself in her room and she attempted suicide." The young woman stated, her voice is calm but it sent shivers down Salazar's spine.

"What? She approached me. She wanted to be an art subject! It's not my fault that she seduced me!" Salazar claimed. He is starting to be afraid for his life.

"Seduce you? Like the hundred teenagers, you have sent over the edge? I know all about you Salazar Simmons. It's time you take a rest, forever."