Chapter 3

She is the artist.

Ethan narrowed his eyesbrow when he noticed the way she stared at him.

She looked defensive and ready to fight back had he tried to touch her.

He unfold his fist and took a step back before he asked "Why are you looking at me that way?" Amelia noticed that he had unfolded his fist but she stood still not wanting loose her guard.

She maintain the firm gaze and replied him with a similar question "Why did you fold a fist at me?"

Ethan let out a short laugh and started walking on a slow pace towards her "Do you know the gravity of your offense?" He asked.

Amelia folded her fist and raised them up like a boxer while taking some careful steps backwards as he approached.

She shook her head and replied in a mockery tone "No.. I don't, please educate me"

Ethan boiled in anger as she spoke to him fearlessly. He rushed to her in rage and was quick enough to dodge her punch.

He held he hands and bend them backwards pressing her against the wall while she screamed in pain. "You think I'm here to joke with you?" He asked in fury.

Amelia stopped screaming and tried to catch her breath, she shouted back in defence "I didn't do it"

She was trying hard to hold back her tears. She hated looking sorry or pitiful to people and this man was not worth her tears.

Ethan freed her hands upon hearing that she didn't do it. He moved a few steps away from her and asked in a calm tone "You're not the artist?" He asked

He despised punishing people for a crime they didn't commit.

Amelia turned around weakly and faced him, she took a deep breath and said "I am the artist but I didn't do it"

Ethan face folded into a frown and he let out a scoff "Then who did?" He asked.

Amelia suddenly went mute, she knew that bringing her friend's name into this mess would only cause him pain, if only she was wise enough to have hid the painting in her art room before he came to her house, she wouldn't be I such trouble with a billionaire. She drew it afterall, she should face the consequence.

If only he knew how sorry she was at the moment but how could she apologize when he didn't give her chance to do so?

Ethan hated it when his questions are ignored or unresponded to." Who did it?!" He asked in a loud voice and Amelia jerked I'm fright

She straightened herself up and replied in a low voice "I do not know"

Ethan was even more furious at her response, He smacked her hard across the face and she fell to the ground.

The blow was so hard that it almost knocked her off.

He tried to get up but his strong arm held her to the ground pulling only her head up as he whispered warning words into her ears in anger "When I'm done dealing with you, I doubt if you'll survive the experience" He said and pushed her head back to the ground.

Amelia stood up from the floor when she heard him slam the door on his way out.

She sat on the bed stretching her hand and elbow which were now hurting her.

She felt a sharp pain on her forehead, she touch it and realized that it was bleeding.

She hissed and ignored it, still fighting back tears with the strong determination never to cry not matter what he does to her.

*

Ethan got back to the living room and Arden jumped on his feet upon seeing the level of anger his boss was exuding.

Ethan sat on the couch breathing out heavily.

He had never beaten a lady and a part of him resented the actions he displaced some minutes ago.

He loosened his tie and called out to Maddy "Get me a drink, Ms Johnson" He said and she quickly left for the kitchen.

Arden had been holding his phone since hurriedly got out of the car. The phone suddenly buzzed, Arden glanced at the caller's ID before rushing over and handed it to Ethan.

It was Greg that was calling, Ethan's best friend.

Ethan picked up the call without saying a word "Hey dude" Greg's voice sounded from the other end of the phone

Ethan decided to dropped the toughness and reply to his friend "What's up?"

"Cool... Was going to stop by your office at noon" Greg said.

Maddy arrived with his drink and he took it from her before replying "Yeah, I took the day off" He said gulping down a large portion of the wine.

"Ethan... You sound like you're having a rough day" Greg commented and he scoffed.

That was typical Greg, he was always able to tell feelings from just hearing the person's voice.

It seemed to be helping his medical career.

"How about a drink at the Casino?" Ethan suggest and Greg agreed without hesitation.

He ended the call and turned to face Arden "We're leaving for the Casino after my drink" He said and Arden nodded in response.

Apart from Villa Nisa where he spends most of his days, the casino was another place Ethan Steele loved to be.

Only a few people knew about his room in the casino and he wanted it kept that way.

It was also where he spent most of his time with Isabella who betrayed his loved at the end.

*

At the Casino, Ethan and Greg drank and smoked cigarettes as they watched the stripers dancing around them.

Arden stood outside the room guarding the entrance. He had Ethan's phone with him and there was a buzz on it.

He checked and discovered that it was text message and not a call. He put the phone back into his jacket and resumed his position.

However, Isabella waited for Ethan to return her calls but it didn't come.

It was her wedding anniversary ceremony in four days and Eric had promised her that would invite he's soon over for a reunion but she on the other hand wanted to use the opportunity to get intimate with Ethan again.

She had tried everything possible to have him make love to her since she got married but he had refused all her attempts threatening to expose her intentions to his father.

Ethan told Greg about the artist but Greg advised that he hands her over to the police.

"It is not safe to keep her in your custody alone" Greg emphasized as the stood up to leave the casino.

Ethan chuckled at Greg's definition of unsafe and replied sarcastically "She is the one who is unsafe, not me....Besides,the police won't treat her the way I want" He remark.

Greg frowned at his words and ask in concern "You're not planning on killing her, are you?"

Ethan shook his head in reprove and replied firmly "No.. I won't kill her" He assured.

They walked out of the room and Arden handed over Ethans phone reminding him that a text message came in.

Ethan opened the text messages and exclaimed loudly "What the fuck!"

Arden and Greg's attention turned to him immediately.