C12 Skeletons And Shadows

Sophia stood motionless, sandwiched between Shirley and Lucas. The tension in the room electrified the air around them, buzzing like an unseen electricity.

Lucas stepped toward her, his presence strong but also, strangely weak. His voice was firm as he said, "You deserve the truth. But not the one Shirley is paddling on."

Shirley folded her arms and scoffed. "Lucas, I have nothing to gain by lying. Are you able to say the same?”

Ignoring her, Lucas's sharp eyes were fixed on Sophia. "Please. Let me clarify. In a private setting.”

Sophia hesitated, the tumultuous feelings churning inside her ready to explode. She nodded against her better judgment. "All right. However, I'm done if I don't like what I hear.”

Exactly what she was done with though; the project or Lucas himself, she couldn't admit, even to herself.

Lucas took her to a nearby café, where the calm, low lighting offered a little reprieve from the mental tempest. Lucas leaned forward with his hands clenched together as they sat in a quiet area.

His tone was earnest as he started, "I was a different man when I met Shirley. Young, aspirational, and yes, vicious. I was creating something that would endure for generations to come, something greater than me. However, I made mistakes.”

Sophia's doubt was evident as she arched an eyebrow. "Mistakes such as deceiving others?"

Lucas let out a sigh and lowered his shoulders a little. "I'm not going to deny that I've made some bad choices. However, I never intended to cause harm to anyone. Just as I see potential in you, I see it in Shirley. I wanted to bring out the best in each artist I've worked with, including her….and you.”

“By controlling us?” Sophia pressed, skepticism evident in her tone.

"No," Lucas firmly stated. “By encouraging you all to recognize your magnificence. Shirley had the opportunity to back out of that arrangement, but she chose not to. She wanted the quick route to success, Sophia; therefore, she decided to betray you. Her hand was never forced by me.”

Sophia scowled as her confidence began to erode. “The dossier on me, too? Was that meant to inspire me to achieve greatness as well?”

Lucas's jaw tensed as he briefly averted his gaze. "That was....a different situation. To understand your challenges and capabilities, I needed to know who I was working with. It was intended to protect you, not to infringe on your privacy.”

"What do you want to protect me from?"

Lucas's voice became almost whispery as his eyes grew gloomy. "From those who oppose the success of this endeavor. You got the anonymous note. And that's only the start. Sophia, there are forces at work here that you aren't yet aware of.”

Sophia's heart was pounding. His remarks, with their mysterious undertones, made her curious and afraid. So all the strange stuff that had been happening was connected to the project after all.

"What forces are they?" She asked curiously.

Lucas spoke urgently as he leaned closer. "The kind that will do whatever it takes to ruin everything I've created—and everyone who is associated with me."

When he saw the fear on her face, he reached out and held her two hands in his. “But I won't let them get to you, I promise. I like you too much to lose you. I won't lose you.”

Sophia shakes her head, not knowing what to think anymore.

But the weird thing about the situation is, as she stared into Lucas's gray eyes, she didn't care…not about being afraid, being targeted by God knows who, or being used.

She just felt like fulfilling her fantasy of being with the most stunning guy she'd met. Damn, the consequence!

***********************************************

After Lucas dropped her at her apartment an hour later, the euphoria of the moment eased down a bit although she knew in her heart that she still wanted to be with Lucas despite the dangers.

But isn't it best to avoid danger if she could while learning the truth of the matter?

Shirley's cautions continued to ring in her ears, making her feel uneasy and the slight difference between her and Lucas's words made her confused.

To distract herself, she flipped through her project sketches while seated at her dining table.

Every color, brush stroke, and charcoal stroke felt heavier now, carrying a weight she had not completely understood before.

Her cell rang. It was Shirley.

Shirley's voice broke through the line, "Sophia," sounding more frantic than ever. "You must cease paying attention to him. Being a skilled manipulator, Lucas is entangling you in his web.”

Sophia tightened her jaw. “Shirley, you've already said that. He has, however, provided me with answers—answers that genuinely make sense.”

"Did he explain the true purpose of this project to you?" Shirley pushed. "Because it is more than just art. Sophia, you are being used by him, and once he is finished, he will abandon you like everyone else.”

Even though the words hurt, Sophia couldn't help but notice Shirley's urgent tone. "Tell me what Lucas wants from me, if you know so much."

Shirley paused and lowered her voice to a whisper. "Sofia, he wants more than your artwork. He desires you—your trust, your skill, and your commitment. And you'll lose yourself in the process until he has everything.”

Sophia hung up, her feelings a jumbled jumble of dread, perplexity, and rage. “What a load of bullshit.” She mumbled under her breath.

Seeking clarity, she gazed at her reflection in the window, but all she could see were shadows.