C26 The Possibility Of Arson (i)

Sitting in her apartment, gazing at the damning photos and emails, Sophia felt the weight of the evidence pressing down on her.

Her thoughts were filled with ideas; uncertainties, worries, and possibilities so much that she couldn't stay seated. She started pacing the length of the living room.

What did this mean? Who sent this to her and why? Was this just another ruse by his adversaries, or could Lucas really be the man the evidence painted him to be?

The evidence packet was resting on her table as she thought of what to do with it. She had decided to concentrate on the artwork she had been commissioned to do for Lucas, to lose herself in her work; maybe it would help her take her mind off him, but now? She wasn't so sure anymore.

Could she keep working for him while pretending she didn't care about his private affairs? While ignoring all these? And who could he mean while saying ‘they?’

She considered it normal for a businessman to have enemies but what kind of business adversary would go to this length and be so obnoxious about it?

Making a tutting sound with her lips, Sophia creased her brows and made a new decision: if Lucas truly was being tormented by a business rival, using her to get to him, then she wouldn't give in. She wasn't about to be used as a pawn in a stranger's game. But if Lucas had been lying, then it meant Shirley had been right all about him all along.

She walked over to the table and picked up the pictures to look at them again. What exactly did these two do all those years ago? She did not trust either of their stories about it but it was a separate matter from this ‘menace of a people’ who seemed to be attacking Lucas, using her.

Seeing as Lucas willingly admitted that he had made mistakes and bad choices in the past, he can't be all that bad, although he didn't say exactly what those mistakes were. And that was her misgiving with him—not trusting her enough to be completely truthful with her.

Making up her mind, she retrieved her coat and stuffed the papers back into the envelope with shaky determination. She can't leave Lucas hanging when an enemy seems to be on the loose. She cared and worried for him too much to do that.

If the rumors and evidence she is holding now are true, then he should make amends instead of denying and making matters worse. Every businessman makes bad choices for profit anyway.

Still, her heart thumped to the beat of anxiety and doubt when she arrived at his mansion and the tension within her caused the air to feel electric and cackle.

When she finally arrived at Lucas's door, her determination momentarily wavered. What if everything changed as a result of this conversation? What if—? No.

She knocked sharply, pushing the concerns away. With a look of astonishment, Lucas opened the door. "Sophia? Why are you here at this time?”

Without waiting for an invitation, she remarked, "I need to talk to you," and strolled past him inside.

She displayed the envelope. "About this."

He inspected the envelope and his face changed to one of caution. "How did you get these?"

"I think I should be the one to ask the first question," she uttered pointedly, crossing her arms in front of her. She added shortly, “But in case you haven't noticed, these are clear evidence that connects you to the controversy that has been circulating. Where it came from though, I don't know. Now, what I want is for you to be honest, not brush it away as nothing.”

Lucas let out a breath, his shoulders tensing up as if preparing for a storm. “I thought you were done with me, aside from work as of this morning?”

Sophia raised her brows in question, “Do you really want that?”

“No, I don't. But–” Lucas started to speak, but the sharp sound of Sophia's phone cut off the tense moment before he could finish his statement.

Sophia took her phone out of her pocket and scowled. She mumbled, "One second," when she saw an official number. "Hello?"

"Is this Miss Lynns please?” An unrecognizable voice asked over the phone.

“Yes, I am. Who am I onto and how may I help you?” Sophia's ears were itching. She had a suspicion the call was another mystery or warning call, probably from Lucas's supposed ‘adversaries.’ She looked at him briefly, wondering what game they were up to now.

She wouldn't be surprised anymore. Let them bring it in. However, the words that met her ears left her rooted on the spot, unable to speak, unable to move.

“You have to come down to your studio now. There's been a fire accident here!"

She turned to Lucas as she hung up, her hand dropping by her side helplessly.

With a worried expression, Lucas asked, placing his hand on her shoulder, “What's wrong Sophia?”

It took her a while to get her bearings but once she did, she started in a hurry, "There's been a fire in my studio. I must leave.”

Surprised but without hesitation, Lucas got moving as well, "I'm coming with you."

There was no time for Sophia to argue. They rushed to his car, and she nodded.

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

There was chaos at the studio as they arrived, so much so that Sophia couldn't believe her eyes.

Thick smoke hung in the air, and firefighters continued to douse the remaining embers.

When Sophia assessed the damage, her heart fell. The centerpiece of her commissioned sculpture was burnt and broken, and her once immaculate workspace had turned into a charcoal shell.

As she got closer to the devastation, tears pricked her eyes. "No…" she said in a broken whisper. With his hand hanging close to her back, Lucas stood by her side and silently supported her.

Pale-faced, the studio manager walked toward them. "I'm very sorry, Sophia. But according to the firefighters, it wasn't an accident.”

Sophia's head jerked upward. "What do you mean?"

The manager said, "They found evidence of accelerants," in a shaky voice. "It was most likely an arson."

Arson.

The word rang like a death knell in Sophia's head. This had been done on purpose, and if her piece was the target, then she was as well.

Lucas's solid and protective hand found her shoulder again. He stated calmly, "We need to talk to the authorities," in a steady, low voice.

Sophia, however, hardly heard him. The evidence she had previously received and the knowledge that someone wished to ruin not only her work but possibly her as well dominated her mind.

Who was responsible for this? And in what kind of danger was she in really?