“Jonathan Spade… the painter… do you know who he is?”
An intense wave of relief washed over me. “Yes… yes… I know who he is…” I mumbled.
“He called me asking me if I knew you. I have him on the other line. Would you like to talk to him?” Phoebe explained.
“Yes… you can put him through,” I decided, though I had no clue what he could possibly want from me.
“Sure thing. Have a nice day,” she said before she transferred the call.
“Ms. Johnson… you’re a very elusive woman…” the painter greeted me.
“I am? Why would you say that?” I asked, surprised.
“I’ve spent two weeks trying to find you. Our friend Wells wasn’t very cooperative when I asked him about you, so I decided I needed to talk directly with you, but finding you hasn’t been easy,” he confessed, in a seductive tone.
“Why would you want to talk to me?” I asked, intrigued.
“Could we discuss this over lunch? I really would love to explain myself properly and over the phone is simply not the same thing,” he asked.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I replied, not sure how Jayden would react to that.
“Listen, I’m well aware you’re dating Wells, it’s all over the social media…” he started saying, but I interrupted him.
“What?? What the hell do you mean?”
“Wells was known to be a hermit. The yellow press is feasting all over you two. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter… you name it, and you’ll find pictures of the two of you, having dinner, walking in the snow… I have to admit I didn’t think he had it in him,” he explained.
“Oh, god… no…” I murmured in horror.
How could I have missed that? I had been so caught up in my feelings for Jayden and everything happening I didn’t stop to think.
If Daniel saw one of those pictures, I was as good as dead.
“Anyway… I was calling you because I really want to paint you. I don’t remember last time I met someone like you. Your face haunts my dreams,” the painter assured me, in a dramatic tone.
“It’s very flattering… but right now is not a good time… I promise I’ll call you back… soon…” I mumbled before I ended the call, so freaked out, my hands couldn’t stop shaking.
How long was this going on? How the hell he hadn't told me anything?
I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and rapidly installed all the apps Jonathan had mentioned and searched Jayden’s name.
And there it was… pictures of every single date we had ever since he took me for lunch at the beach restaurant, the first day.
Most of the posts didn’t mention my name, calling me the mysterious lady, but my face was there, in full display.
Still shaking, I fell on my knees, trying to think and decide what to do. If Daniel was someone else, the chances he would see those pictures would be very low; after all, I was using a fake name… but he wasn’t just any man. He owned a company that made a living, finding people on the run and tracking down people. With my luck, he was already here in Seattle looking for me. No one seemed to know I lived with Jayden, so that would give me some leverage, but I had to leave, and soon.
The idea of leaving crushed my heart, but being caught by Daniel terrified me. It was not an option. I couldn’t even imagine what he would do to me if he ever laid his hands on me.
I could tell Jayden what was going on and ask him to help me, but that would put him in danger. Daniel wasn’t in his right mind. Only God knew what he would do if he knew I was having an affair with Jayden.
No… I had to leave… it would be best for everyone.
I should go south… to California, lose myself in a city like Los Angeles… with the money I had saved, I would be fine until I found a new job and Daniel would have more trouble finding me there.
Perhaps, I should dye my hair blond and cut it short… that would make it harder for him to find me.
It broke my heart, thinking about saying goodbye to Jayden, but I really didn’t have a choice.
