16. Hiding from the truth

I packed up my stuff, wake Gemma up from her sleep and tell her that I'm going to my parents. I explained to her about what happened between Brice and me in brief.

"I need to disappear, I can't do this to him, Gemma..."

"Aww...Els, you are hurting yourself too, maybe you can work things out? maybe you should talk to him?"

"It's happened to his fiance, Gemma...I'm just a girl he fucks, maybe he likes me, but I'm falling for him, I can't do this, maybe I'm being selfish but this is hurting me so much more than I expected. I can't just tell him the truth."

"What if he comes here?"

"Tell him I'm sorry, tell him not to call me, Gemma, he'll be gone in less than two weeks for his book tour, then he'll forget about me. I just need to get away for a couple of weeks."

"Oh, honey...I love you, and I'm so sorry. I'll come to visit you, okay?"

"Thank you, Gemma. I love you so much more," I cried in her arms, I sobbed so hard that she was reluctant in letting me drive myself to my parents. She ordered me a taxi service and I leave our apartment with my bags an hour later.

It was very early in the morning when I reached my parents, but Gemma must've called them because my dad was waiting on the porch and hugged me the moment I was out of the taxi.

He wouldn't let me pay for it and told me to go inside telling me mom was cooking in the kitchen.

"My baby, I'm so sorry,"

I hugged her and sobbed in her arms, she didn't ask, and I can hear her telling dad to take my bags to my room. I don't know what Gemma told my parents but I was just grateful for their hugs and support.

I stayed in my room for the next three days, I cried and made a permanent indentation on my bed. But by day four I was able to come down for my meals. Mom and dad still haven't asked about the who and the why and I love them so much more because of it.

"Oh, my darling girl, I'm just glad that you decide to come to us when you need to." Mom kissed my forehead when I thank her for not questioning me about my problem, and she suffocated me in her hug making dad chuckle from behind her.

"Okay, I really don't want to interrupt your Hallmark moment, but how about you let your feelings out on your new painting spot? I've prepared a brand new easel and got you several medium and large canvases. And in my opinion as the senior artist here, I think you should go for the large one..."

Dad slowly ushered me to the back of the house and showed me to his studio where he indeed had cleared out a space just under the window. A brand new large canvas was displayed in front of an old stool and an old table with an array of oil paintings and brushes.

"Dad..." I hugged him until he pretend to choke on my love and we both laughed.

"Stay here for as long as you want, Ella, paint, let your feelings out, you will feel better." He hugged me one more time before saying that he has to go to town to send out his commissioned sculpture.

That day I was left in peace and I did paint my feelings away, then I cried when I finished the most intimate painting I've ever made.

Brice's grey bed sheets, his strong naked back, and the dark grey surrounding of his bedroom. The sadness was evident, there was nothing sexy about the painting, it was saddening to the point that I took a deep breath and walked out of the studio.

It was getting dark outside I didn't realize that I'd spent my whole afternoon in the studio. I was tired, my fingers were dirty, but my chest was lighter, I feel like I can breathe again.

I was walking aimlessly towards the hillside, then decided to sit down under the largest tree and took out my phone. It has been off since the last time I took the taxi ride to my parents. I was holding it for another half an hour until I finally find the courage to turn it on. There were fourteen new messages, and twenty-seven missed calls from Brice.

But he wasn't the first one that I called.

"Ella? is everything okay? Gemma told me you're at your parents and not to be disturbed?"

"Hey I'm good, better, I just need to get away, I'll be working on my paintings for the next couple of weeks here. I've made one, I'll be doing some finishing touches tomorrow but it's basically done, and I'm going to send you a picture of my painting. I think I can do this Brenton. Take a look at it and let me know what you think."

I ended the call and emailed him the high-resolution photo of my painting. It didn't take long for him to call me back and let me know that someone will take that painting in the next couple of days.

"It's too fucking good Ella, I'm sending someone over to take it from your hand soon as possible, just tell me when. I think I can convince Trish to put that for next week's exhibition, I want you to get a taste of what your art really worth. You have such a talent Ella, I know you do."

"I really appreciate this, Brenton."

We ended our chat minutes later, I gave him my parents' address and home number for further questions. And I also gave him my thanks, telling him will surely do more work while I'm with my parents.

I was back to the studio and found mom and dad in front of my painting. She was quick to wipe her tears and dad looked at me in such sadness that made me come to them and let them hug me.

"For what it's worth, it's a beautiful painting, a very sad one but it's your best so far." Dad rubbed my back and kissed the top of my head.

"Come on, I'll get the ice cream, then I'll send you to bed with your favorite chocolate chip cookies."

"Thank you mom, dad, I love you."

Mom was already on her way back to the house, she was shaking her head and talking to herself mumbling quietly that she's not going to forgive him for breaking my heart.

"I know, darling, now go follow your mother, I'm going to call your brothers and..."

"Dad, please don't, I just need to forget about him."

"You love him, don't you?"

He hugged me again and asked for his name telling me that he'll handle him for me.

"I do, and no dad, I'm not giving you his name. Come on, let's join mom and help me with the ice cream."

"Is he married?"

Dad asked as we sat on the sofa, while mom wrapped her arm around me.

"No,"

"Does he has another girlfriend?"

"No, mom... please,"

"Okay, why then?"

"Can we not talk about it?"

"Oh no he didn't...don't tell me that he doesn't love you back?" dad looked furious as he eats his ice cream.

I finally laughed looking at my dad, then to my mom who will defend me without even knowing what she's getting herself into.

"I love you both so much."

I kissed mom and dad on the cheeks and told them I'm going to rest and I'll see them in the morning.

"She hasn't had her dinner yet,"

Mom whispered to dad, while he told her to put dinner on the fridge for me. I smiled hearing them still talking about me while I walked towards my childhood bedroom.