Page 121 of Painted Truths

McKellan's is indeed precisely where the door attendant said I'd find it. But, alas, it's still closed. My brow puckers before I turn and begin to walk back to Henry's building, when a car pulls up alongside me.

"Ms Olivia?"

Relief fills my body at the sight of Samuel dressed casually, light blonde hair slicked back over his forehead, in the driver’s seat of a silver Range Rover.

"Oh, Samuel, you frightened me for a minute!"

He grins easily, but something about it feels off. I can't put my finger on it. Perhaps I'm unused to seeing expressions on his usually stoic face.

"Do you need a lift home or anything? I'm just on my way back from my girlfriend's place." His sheepish grimace immediately makes me feel like an idiot for my paranoia, and I step closer to the vehicle as a sharp breeze hits me, making me shiver.

"Come on, climb in. I'll drop you off before I head home."

"Do you know if there's a place I can get some groceries nearby? I've been at Henry's and his fridge…" I roll my eyes exaggeratedly. "Well, let's just say, it leaves a lot to be desired."

"There's a small shop that never closes about a three-minute drive that way." He points straight down the street. "Can't miss it. But honestly, I don't mind dropping you."

"It’s okay! Thank you so much, Samuel. I could use the walk." The words have barely left my mouth, when the heavens open, covering me in a big fat wet downpour as I quickly realise that I've got no bra on, and this situation could get uncomfortable fast.

"Actually, I'll just run back to Henry's. Perhaps his building has a service for grocery delivery. I'm sure I'll see you later once you're on duty. Thanks!" I move away, shouting my words over my shoulder in my haste to get inside, out of the drizzle. Glancing skyward, I can see it's rapidly turning into a deluge.

I'm so caught up in teetering as fast as I can in my heels, attempting to get out of the sudden shower, that I don't hear the pounding footsteps on the path behind me.

In fact, I barely feel the sudden knock on the back of my head before I fall forward, the world spinning on its head.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Olivia

The first thing I register is the barely-there breathing of another person in the room with me. After that, my heart kicks up a notch.

Slowly opening my eyes, I blink several times, allowing the world to come into focus. Above me, I see a canopy on what looks to be a very luxurious, exceedingly large bed.

I remember leaving the apartment in search of breakfast for Henry.

Something is missing there, and though I know it’s important, my pounding head won’t let me remember.

Pushing up into a sitting position, the room spins, and my head beats like a drummer has taken up residence inside. Blinking my eyes several more times, I attempt to collect my bearings and then slowly take in my surroundings.

It’s a private dwelling, I think. Looks to be somewhere in the countryside, owing to the view of open fields and copious trees through the dark-framed window. There is about an inch of dust on the bedside locker, and the room itself smells unused. As though no one has been inside for many years.

Reaching out, I pick up a photo frame from the locker, which is also covered in so much dust I can’t see the image within until I slide a finger across the dirt, slowly unveiling the picture underneath.

What?

Two boys aged several years apart are cheek to cheek, smiling broadly for the camera as they hug each other close. My brows pull down, and my heart pumps quicker at the realisation that I recognise both of those gorgeous faces.

Henry and Alex!

The door is thrown wide open, making me drop the frame to the ground with a loud clatter. Every muscle in my body goes rigid when I jerk upright, shock playing openly across my face.

“Good to see you’re awake, dearest Olivia.”

I blink twice, unwilling to believe the sight before me. Blinking hard a further three more times before rubbing my eyes, I clear my throat and then croak out a single worded question. “Samuel?”

“Would you like a drink? Some breakfast, perhaps?”

My mind is racing faster than my heart, which is really saying something as he looks at me, the very picture of innocent hospitality.