The Lottery (20 page)

“Sorry to cut it so close, but a friend has been in the hospital,
so my attention was divided.”

“It’s no worry, I had forgotten to tell you about the special
gala opening we are planning this Wednesday night for all of the contributors
to the community fund, and I was scared they wouldn’t be ready in time. There
will be some heavyweights there that night, so I think you should attend. Sam
told me about your lottery win, so dress him up and bring him out with you. I’m
dying to meet this hunk in the flesh. So come out and mingle a little, and
maybe you can drum up some more business. It’s a night to be social.”

A smile crossed Karlyn’s face. “Absolutely, I wouldn’t miss it.”

The call was completed, and she called the delivery service she
had used on a couple of occasions in regards to getting the pieces transported
to the community center the next day.

Her world was in complete, happy chaos. Thank goodness for the
mystery woman at her door, because from the sounds of it, she needed a dress
and now she had a little room to splurge and look more the part, fitting in
with the crowd that was apt to be at the gala. Just as she was climbing down
the stairs, the door opened and Ethan walked through it. A smile plastered
across her face as she saw him, and everything was right with the world. Jumping
into his outstretched arms, she held him tight; knowing today had been a good
day.

“Not that I don’t like great hugs, but I get the feeling there is
a story behind this one?”

“Absolutely. But let me get washed up and, oh no, I got paint on
your shirt. I think you need to come get cleaned up with me.”

“Oh really?”

“Why yes, Mr. Spears.”

A wave of desire for her marry him, take her name, and call him
Mr. Bowman flooded him. “Well, how about you go and run a nice, warm bubble
bath, and I will put in an order for Chinese food.”

A pout raced across her face. “But that would mean we would have
to get out of the tub to answer the door.”

“How about I place the order for two hours from now?”

“Now you are talking.” Karlyn exited to her bedroom as Ethan
climbed the stairs two at a time to prep the vid.

As she was starting the tub, Ethan called out to her hesitantly.
“Um, have you started wearing a new perfume?”

“No, why?”

“Nothing, I thought I caught a hint of a scent I don’t like.”

****

Moments later, Ethan stepped into the warm bubble bath, splashing
water on Karlyn as she waited to enter. She stepped in as he got seated, and
sat in his lap, allowing the warm water to soak into her tired body. A
contented sigh escaped her lips as she nestled herself into him.

Signals of his enjoyment came soon afterwards as the crest of his
cock began to press against the curve of her buttocks. His breath was heavy on
her shoulder as he began to bite the delicate skin there. Rubbing the soft skin
of her forearms, he pulled his mouth away from her.

“So are you going to tell me the story before I get so far gone
that I lose all conscious thought?”

“Ahh, the mystery lady.”

“Mystery lady?” Ethan felt a sudden twist in his chest.

“Yes, this woman just showed up today, asking to see some of my
paintings. She was a bit off, and I didn’t care for her much, so I threw out an
outrageous sum of money for four paintings she wanted, and she went for it. I
was never so glad she was gone, between her odd questions and her strong
perfume – which is probably what you smelled upstairs - she was just weird all
together. But she paid me this afternoon, and we need to celebrate tonight.”

“What was her name?”

“I don’t remember, she gave me her card, but I was so in shock
that I didn’t pay attention. She had interrupted my call to the patron from the
community center, so I ran back upstairs to finish that up.”

“Where did you put it?”

“Where did I put what?”

“The card, Karlyn. Where did you put the card?”

“On the table, by the door. We can look later.”

“No, we can look now.” Ethan pulled her up so he could lift
himself out of the tub, leaving her behind as he strode nude and dripping through
the apartment. Lifting herself out of the tub, she threw on a large towel and
scrambled behind him.

“What in the hell…?” She saw Ethan kneeling on the floor looking
under the table.

“There was no card on the table, so I was looking under and
behind. Could you have put it somewhere else?”

“Ethan, what is this about?” Fear suddenly gripped her for some
reason.

“Where is the card, Karlyn?”

“I don’t know. I sat it there on the table so I could slide the
door closed, and then I ran upstairs to call about the community center
commission pieces being done. I left it right here. It could have blown off
when either of us closed the door.”

Ethan squatted again, looking around the furniture and under the
rugs, turning up nothing.

“Was she almost as tall as you and have black hair and eyes, with
pale, porcelain skin?”

“Yes.” Goosebumps coated her entire body. “Who is she?”

“The evil bitch that ruined my reputation as a companion. Which
lead to the loss of my career and almost my home. If it had not been for her, I
probably would not have ended up in the lottery. I thought I recognized her
heavy perfume when I called in our food. That bitch!”

“Then I suppose I should thank her. If she had not done those
things, you wouldn’t be here right now.”

****

Ethan looked squarely at Karlyn, and his anger dissipated. Karlyn
was right, had it not been for the hell Ophelia had put him through, he would
not have found love in Karlyn’s arms. And he could not imagine his world
without her. Standing and gathering her up in his arms, he pulled her close,
knowing she was everything to him.

“I’m sorry if I frightened you. Hate is an ugly master. But you
are right, if it hadn’t been for her, I wouldn’t know you. But you still need
to be worried. I find it hard to believe that she doesn’t know I am here and
that she came for her own selfish reasons. Be careful and keep your eye out.”

“I thought it was odd when she asked about my love life.”

“Then she absolutely knows I am here. You can’t trust her. Promise
me you will be careful.”

“Oh, she knows you are here, she was nosey and looked under the
canvas at your portrait and wanted to buy it. Now, I see why she wanted it. But
that alone gives her an insight into our relationship. I will definitely be
careful, I promise.”

Chapter Sixteen

The next few days flew by. Delivery trucks pulled up the
following day, and Karlyn jumped aboard with the crew to ensure the paintings
arrived in one piece. Once there, construction droids assisted her in getting
the pieces in place on the walls Michelle had pre-determined.

A tuxedo was rented and a beautiful gown purchased as well as
accoutrements within the week, all thanks to the help to Karlyn’s bank account
provided by Ophelia. Ethan talked Karlyn into a little pampering, a new
haircut, manicure and pedicure, as well as a massage given by Ethan himself
later that evening, which led to special massages all night long and all over
her body. She felt like a princess for the day, but then again, he made her
feel special every time she was in his arms.

A burst of creativity came out the days following, and many
visits to Bailey in the hospital were tucked in between. All was well in her
world.

That following Wednesday morning, Karlyn stopped by the flower
cart to get new flowers for Bailey’s room. Slipped under her arm was a new
canvas she had painted. Her happiness with Ethan flowed out of her into her new
work, and it showed. Hope was that Bailey would feel that energy from the
painting and make a more speedy recovery.

Later in the afternoon, she would be visited by Ophelia’s
employee to pick up the paintings, which wouldn’t necessarily be pleasant, but
it had to be better than a visit from Ophelia herself. Her nerves were on edge;
excitement was flying butterflies around her belly, so a visit to Bailey would
hopefully keep her grounded.

Opening the door to Bailey’s room, she smiled when she saw the
young woman sitting on the chair, looking out into the sunshine. A warm glow
filled Bailey’s face, one screaming of vitality and health. Karlyn walked over
to her chair, hugging her hello. She unwrapped the flowers and tossed out the
limp ones in the vase. Grabbing her satchel, she pulled out the painting and
turned for Bailey’s reaction.

The megawatt smile was a great response, so she placed the canvas
on the dresser on the opposite wall from the other two. She sat down on the bed
across from the chair, slipping her feet below her in Indian style.

“So where is your brother?”

“Down..hall. Doctor.” Bailey’s speech was slowly returning and
she was able to communicate basic ideas. It was a step in the right direction.

“Ahh..so how are you feeling?”

“Happy…you...make...him.”

Smiling, she reached out and squeezed Bailey’s hand.

“Happy...he...is. Makes...me...happy.”

“I’m glad that makes you happy. He makes me happy as well.”

“Can...see.” Bailey turned towards the new canvas. “Your...paintings.”

Karlyn glanced at the new addition. It made her happy to look at
it, which is why she wanted to share it. “He makes my creative juices flow. I
want to spend all day painting.”

“His…pain.” Her face scrunched as if she was in pain herself.

“Are you in pain?”

“No…Ethan…pain. You...can…save.”

“I know he has lived a hard life.”

“You...make…better.” Her face scrunched together again. “Don’t…forget.”

“I won’t. But he seems content for now, so he can live in the
moment. We don’t need to dwell on his past.”

“Why would we want to?” Karlyn turned as she heard Ethan speak
behind her. “Why would we want to dwell on anything about me?”

“One…day..face…past.”

Ethan came over to hug his sister. “I don’t see any point in
facing anything, we will just let it go and move forward.”

“Her…love…save…you.”

Ethan turned to Karlyn, and she felt the blush stretch across her
face.

“Bailey, it’s a little early to be talking about love. We just
need to focus on getting you better and back home where you belong.” Kissing
his sister on the forehead, he seemed to quickly change the subject. “So did
Karlyn tell you I’m going out with her in a penguin suit?”

“Yes…need…pictures.” Bailey’s smile lit up the room.

“I’m glad you are recovered enough to pick on me, little sister. I
will limit it to one picture. You’ll use it later as blackmail material, so I
have to ration your ammo.”

“Dance…promise…you will.”

“Yes, I will if there is dancing. By the way,” he turned towards
Karlyn, “Do you dance?”

“I never have. Unless you count skipping around my studio singing
into a hairbrush.”

“Ahhh. Looks like we have a student on our hands.” He helped
Bailey stand, putting her feet on his own, and traipsed around the hospital
room, being mindful of all the wires she was attached to. “If I can make my clumsy
sister look good, you have nothing to worry about.”

Bailey slapped him on the shoulder, but then put her arms around
him and put her head on his shoulder. Karlyn got a pain in her chest watching
the pair, knowing that he loved his sister with all his heart, wondering if he
would ever love her as much.

Karlyn suddenly felt the strong desire to go home and paint. Strong
emotion always did that to her, as if she needed to capture lightning in a
bottle. She stood, kissed them both on the cheek and said her goodbyes.

She looked over at the pair still dancing as she exited the door.

****

Twisting her hand across the canvas, only a few basic sketches
were laid down when she heard knocking on the door. It was only three-thirty,
early if it was the pick-up for Ophelia’s paintings, but better to get rid of
them and be done with that whole mess.

She climbed down the stairs to the front door. Sliding it open,
she came face to face with Ethan’s grandmother. Her defenses immediately went
up as she looked across the older woman’s face. Tingles trickled down her spine
in warning. This was not going to be a nice visit.

“Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to ask me
in?”

Karlyn stepped back and gestured for her to enter. The elder
woman looked around the apartment with distaste written all over her face. Turning
back to Karlyn, her eyes filled with expectation, the woman smirked at her as
if she knew a secret.

“So you work and live here in this space? My grandson is living
here as well?”

“For the time being, but since I am not a rich woman, I do what I
can to keep everything up and running.”

A flash of knowing raced across his grandmother’s face and she
moved to the base of the stairs. “And you work up there?”

“Yes, that is my studio.”

“Well, I would like to see more of your work. May I?”

Karlyn nodded her approval and began to walk behind the woman as
she slowly ascended to the second floor. Every muscle in her body tense, unsure
what to expect, Karlyn realized she held her breath. Why did she allow this
woman to intimidate her so much? Ethan would be here a year, and after that
point, there would be nothing more for them. Granted, with her connections, she
could see a break in her career, but she would not pander to this woman.

“Mrs. Spears, you are welcome to look through any of the
paintings to your left, all are completed pieces and can be handled. Anything
on an easel, I ask for you to be careful, as they may still be wet.” Gasping
under her breath, she thought about the nude painting of Ethan under the
canvas. Hopefully the woman would not peek, and moving the painting would only
fuel the other woman’s curiosity. It would have to remain where it was for now.
Wanting to escape the woman’s presence, even if for a few moments, she offered
more. “Can I bring you something to drink as you peruse? Wine, coffee..?”