Burning Passion

CHAPTER 86: THE CANVAS

* * *

In the past few days, Theo spends filling furniture in the penthouse. He requested Manager Li to put a wall and a secret door in the passageway. He wants the pool area as a secret place since this penthouse will become his workplace.

Next month, he has to give Nina a full design of their pre-Ads for the upcoming revelation of their new product. Nina agreed that they won't release any photo of their model since Nikki does not know yet that she was chosen.

Theo has to make a canvas of their Ad... to begin a mystery face of Nikki. The painting will display at the Shang Empire and Li-Shang lobby as a part of the 100th Celebration.

As the pool area will be his workplace, he put a bed and a living room set.

"Master, are you sure to be alone living here?" asked Roland.

"And what do you think of me? Five years old needs a nanny?"

Roland scratches his head. Watching him for 9 years, he was like raising a toddler and now grew up as a teenage boy who starts acting like a rebellious teenager. That was his mood and attitude lately. Should he cry like a father? His master behaves way more likely he doesn't need him any longer.

Anyway, one thing he was sure of, his master was in love.

"Roland? I'm talking to you!" Theo shouted from across the pool. "Are all the acrylic paints here? All the colors I told you?"

"Yes, master! I triple check the deliveries, all the colors you listed are complete."

"Good! Tomorrow, I will stay here to start sketching."

Roland just listened to his master.

How passionate. He will spend all his days, and night painting the face of the woman he was in love with, is it? That is why his master was this hardworking and inspired.

"Roland?"

"Ah! Master?"

"Can you help me move this canvas?"

"Aye, sir!" Roland runs toward the other side of the pool.

The canvas is 12 feet in height and 15-foot in width. It is so large. He does wonder what kind of sketch his master will do? His master placed the canvas facing the floor-ceiling window across the swimming pool. It has perfect light from the sky.

"So, Master? I can't come to swim here?" he joked.

'Ah, I'm just messing up with you! Don't eat me!' His master threw a sharp glare at him.

Roland likes to tease his master lately. Since his master now returns to joke around, sometimes though.

"You can leave now," Theo blurted.

"Eh? You won't treat me for lunch?"

"Alright. I'm not a heartless master. Have a take out. I don't have cash here for delivery. After lunch, fill the kitchen and fridge with groceries."

Theo takes out his credit card and gives it to Roland.

"Aye, sir!"

Left alone, Theo watches the apartment building across from his penthouse. He hasn't seen Nikki in days now. He occupied himself moving in to work on his life project. He wishes he could bring Nikki right here and pose for him. Paint her wearing beautiful dresses.

'Shit. What I am thinking?' His mind began imagining things. 'Maybe I should send a message?' Theo is talking of himself.

'Ugh!' He can't do it after all. He was staring at his phone when it rings. He instantly swipes the green button.

"Jeremy?"

"Can you come to the hospital later?" said the other line.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing. I have something to discuss with you."

Theo could sense Jeremy's exhausted voice. He is now witnessing what work Jeremy has taken care of...

"Okay. I'm almost done here. Roland went to buy us our lunch. Will come by after…"

"Alright. I'll be waiting."

Theo was now worried. Jeremy seems wearied and looks not in better shape than the first day he arrived in this city.

* * *

After lunch and Roland finished buying all he needed, they drove headed to the hospital. On the aisle, they met Erika and was in a hurry.

"Erika! What happened?" asked Theo worriedly.

"I need to get Doctor Ben. Jeremy needs him."

"I will go get him."

Theo turns around and runs toward Ben's clinic.

"Where's Doctor Ben?" he asked Tracy.

The secretary seems in shock seeing him; she stayed speechless. He cannot wait for her to answer, and he rushes inside Ben's office.

But he's surprised by what he saw. Nikki and Doctor Ben were in an intimate scene. Yet, he has no time to worry about his aching heart.

"Ben, Jeremy needs you, now," he said in a hurry which sounded like a jealous boyfriend.

Feeling troubled, he rushed to leave. Realizing he did something stupid, Theo halted in the middle of the hallway.

'Damn! What am I doing?'

He suddenly leaves without waiting for Doctor Ben to reply.

"Theo! What happens to Jeremy?"

Ben asked who now followed him. He stared at Ben, and he could be honest to himself; he was jealous of him. But he needs to tackle this jealousy.

"Um, we just arrived, but Erika was rushing to get you, so I ran instead."

"Okay. Let's go."

* * *

Inside Jeremy's room, Ben rushes to him.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Where are they?"

"Who?" Ben confused for a moment. "Are you talking about Theo and Erika? They were outside, worried sick of you."

Jeremy took his phone and locked the door.

"What are you doing, Jeremy?" Ben now realized what Jeremy was up to... "Are you planning to give your brother a heart attack with your acts?"

"I just wanted him to feel pity for me," his stupid reason.

"I can't believe you." Ben took the nearby accent chair and dropped his body. "Dang. You're making me die young for involving your foolish game."

"You are playing well," Jeremy smirked.

"Sheesh! Anyway, I will take this chance to consult you with something."

"What is it?" asked Jeremy. He gets up and steps down from the bed, striding toward the table to fetch a glass of water. His act also cost him to dry his throat.

"I'm all ears," he said after going back to bed.

"I can't believe you." Ben shook his head and wanted to laugh. But the people outside would wonder once they heard him laughing. "Alright! Ahem… I received a request from Nikki Lindsey. She is having financial issues and requesting consideration of delaying her mother's surgery payment. She is looking for a buyer to her family's property so then, she could pay off their bills."

"What property?"

"Ah, I haven't checked the documents she gives me as a guarantee."

"Can I see it?"

"Sure. I'll go get it." Ben sat up from the chair. "You better go back lying down, if you act sick."

"Hah! Yeah," he smirked.

It seems things are in favor of him, Jeremy thought, a smile playing on his lips.

Outside, Theo quickly sat up from the couch the moment he saw the door open.

"How was Jeremy, Doctor Ben?"

"Don't worry, Theo," he patted his back. Jeremy was just overworked. But he needs a serious rest and should work less. I advise him to stay in the hospital for a few days. Now, I'll excuse myself. There is something I need to get to my clinic."

"Thank you, Doctor Ben."